Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that cannot be completely cured. The disease requires symptomatic therapy to reduce the severity of manifestations and improve well-being. Hand psoriasis is a frequent site of pathology. It starts with the appearance of small plaques and can progress without proper treatment.
Causes and development mechanism
Psoriatic plaques on hands, particularly fingers, significantly affect quality of life. Although the disease is not contagious, strange skin defects are alarming. Psoriasis is not the most pleasant disease, and not just because it looks like it, but also because of the risk of complications.
The exact etiology of the appearance of this dermatological disease has not been clarified. Experts identify risk factors that can affect the development of the condition. It is known that psoriasis is not transmitted by contact, it cannot be infected by contact with the patient.
It is also important that it cannot be completely cured, so over a lifetime the person is forced to take supportive agents and carefully monitor the condition of the skin at different times of the year. Frequent exacerbations occur in spring and winter. Scientists include the following factors in the development of the disease:
- genetic predisposition;
- immunodeficiencies, decreased protective function of the body;
- frequent skin lesions of viral, fungal, bacterial origin;
- a sudden change in weather conditions;
- chronic skin diseases, including congenital anomalies;
- long-term use of certain medications, in particular anticonvulsants, antidepressants, and steroid hormones;
- psycho-emotional overload;
- metabolic disorders in the body.
Psoriatic plaques on the hands begin to appear in the area of the small joints, between the fingers, near the phalanges. Pathological elements are most visible on the surface of the palms. It is more difficult to treat psoriasis from this location because the hands are often in contact with household chemicals and other irritants.
Group of risk
The risk group for developing the disease includes men and women who frequently face other skin diseases. The probability of the disease increases when there have already been cases of psoriasis in the family.
The pathology can occur in people with weakened immunity, in people who live in unsatisfactory living conditions. The risk group also includes those who, due to their activities, are forced to come into contact with aggressive chemicals.
Clinical manifestations
The first signs in the early stage of the disease will be unique pathological elements in the area of the hands. Plaques may appear on the hands, fingers, backs of palms. If the nails are involved in the pathological process, there is a risk of loss of sensation and the appearance of tissue edema.
Increased dryness of the skin causes cracks in the palms of the hands. There are signs of thickening of the epidermis, which resembles calluses.
The main manifestations of psoriasis on the hands will be:
- increased dryness, pronounced redness of the skin;
- thickening of the epidermis, swelling of the fingers due to edema;
- Crack when the board splits
- sometimes there is a fusion of various elements with damage to healthy skin.
In winter and autumn, when cold days prevail, the disease manifests itself as intense peeling of the skin. Without treatment, there is a possibility of scratching hands with infection, so symptoms are complemented by signs of inflammation.
Pathology forms
Hand psoriasis can take several forms:
- On the fingers. It manifests itself by desquamation, formation of plaques, often inflamed. Worsening occurs in winter. It often leads to complications.
- On the brushes. Occurs in 25% of patients, the signs are similar to psoriasis on the fingers, while the skin in the affected area becomes rough, areas of redness appear. The patient complains of constant discomfort, active desquamation, itching.
- Palmar-plantar. Occurs in people who perform heavy physical work. The soles and palms of the hands are affected. Areas of rough skin resemble solid calluses and often cracks appear.
- Arthropathic. Psoriasis occurs in the context of joint damage. The elements of the eruption are located in the phalanges. In addition to external manifestations, the patient is concerned about joint pain during movement and then at rest.
- Pustular. Palms and soles are affected. Stress and hormonal pathologies become risk factors. The eruption has well-defined borders and pustules appear. The disease is often recurrent and difficult to treat.
Each form of the disease develops in three consecutive stages - initial, progressive and stationary. After a cycle (going through 3 stages), the disease's regression begins. At this stage, clinical signs almost completely disappear. Treatment is aimed at prolonging the regressive stage as much as possible, otherwise the disease cycle repeats itself indefinitely.
Differential diagnosis
Hand psoriasis is differentiated by pathologies such as lichen planus, Reiter's disease, syphilis, seborrheic and atopic dermatitis.
The hallmark of psoriasis during the exam will be the psoriatic triad, whose presence the doctor can diagnose. It includes the phenomena of stearin stain, dotted bleeding and terminal film.
treatment methods
Although psoriasis cannot be completely eliminated, it must be treated to prevent complications and improve quality of life.
The main treatment measures for psoriasis in the hands:
- the use of skin care products to moisturize and soften the skin;
- taking antihistamines to relieve itching;
- taking medications to boost immunity;
- additional use of homeopathic remedies.
For psoriatic lesions, physiotherapy and photochemotherapy can be prescribed. When psoriasis is accompanied by joint disease, pain relievers from the group of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Depending on the stage of the disease, the dermatologist will prescribe local anti-inflammatory drugs. May be salicylic, ichthyol, sulfur tar ointments. To quickly relieve symptoms with severe itching, hormonal ointments can be used, they cannot be used without the doctor's permission.
To soften and moisturize, you can use children's creams for sensitive skin, which contain herbal ingredients.
prevention measures
General preventive measures to prevent exacerbations of psoriasis in the hands:
- the use of rubber gloves when cleaning the house when it is necessary to come into contact with detergents and cleaning agents;
- rejection of bad habits, good sleep and balanced diet;
- daily skin care of the hands using natural cosmetics or pharmaceutical preparations;
- regular sunbathing, frequent ventilation at home, walking outdoors, avoiding stress;
- treat the skin with an antiseptic in case of accidental damage (it is not recommended to bandage the wound for a long time);
- adherence to the Pégano diet, which involves limiting meat dishes, sweets and adding more cereals, vegetables and herbs to the diet.
disease prognosis
The nasty psoriatic rash on the hands is causing stress for many patients. At the same time, the experiences only aggravate the situation. Psoriasis can be in regression for a long time, but for this it is necessary to follow the therapeutic and preventive measures prescribed by the doctor.
It is impossible to get rid of psoriasis completely, but proper skin care, adherence to a diet and the use of special creams will hide the symptoms of the disease as much as possible. Regardless of the manifestations of the disease, it is recommended to visit a dermatologist every few months to monitor the dynamics of the disease and correct the treatment regimen if the condition requires it.