Psoriasis on the elbows is an inflammatory process with characteristic skin rashes. Among the triggering factors for the onset of the disease, heredity, various diseases, bad habits, stressful situations and others stand out.
The pathology is accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, pain in the affected areas. To make a diagnosis, urine, blood, stool, biopsy, bakposev tests for microflora are prescribed. Treatment includes the use of medication, local remedies, physical therapy, nutritional adjustments.
Before starting the treatment of psoriasis on the elbows, it is necessary to exclude other pathologies: eczema, fungal infection.
Only after a thorough examination, specific drugs are prescribed, so a preliminary consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.
stages
Psoriasis occurs in several stages, periodically replacing itself.
initial
The outer surface of the elbow area is covered with small papules. Outwardly, they resemble acne with a random arrangement. After 14-21 days, the formations turn into voluminous plates covered with scales. Skin dryness increases, the surface becomes rough.
progressive
This phase is characterized by the formation of multiple large plaques. Patients complain of peeling, redness in the affected area. The boundaries of eruptions are represented by a well-defined border. In this phase, the transition of the disease to a period of exacerbation is observed.
Stationary
With a properly selected regimen of therapeutic measures, the clinical picture becomes less pronounced and the disease enters a resting state. The number of psoriatic pimples decreases, new papules are absent.
regressive
This phase is accompanied by a decrease in the severity of symptoms, the number of plaques is markedly reduced. The skin, where the rashes were previously located, is visibly pigmented, but at the same time, there are no characteristic scales at the sites of the lesions, the epidermis does not flake off.
Symptoms
The beginning of the development of the pathological process is indicated by the appearance of small red spots of an oval or rounded shape. As the disease progresses, the number of formations increases, they spread to the surrounding healthy areas of the skin.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured. However, modern methods help to quickly get rid of the exacerbation of the disease and achieve a long-term remission.
Antihistamines are used; for joint rashes, local ointments and creams with corticosteroids, salicylic acid are used.
An important method of treatment is the appointment of a diet and vitamin complexes; a positive effect of some homeopathic preparations has been observed.
The initial stage is characterized by a small number of rashes. If at this stage it is time to seek help from a specialist, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic.
The main feature of psoriasis is the formation of scales of a light silver hue. Under mechanical action, its integrity is violated, resulting in a smooth surface with bloody cracks.
There were also cases where there were no scales on the psoriatic patches.
Patients begin to complain of intense itching, swelling at the site of injury, burning. If you palpate the damaged areas, in these places you may notice an increase in temperature and pain.
Depending on how well the protective functions of the body work, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques, when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper limb. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the probability of transition of the pathology to a neglected form increases several times.
The severity of the clinical picture also depends on the stage of the disease course. During the period of remission, the manifested symptoms decrease, the patient feels better. A recurrent condition is characterized by the appearance of multiple psoriatic plaques, due to painful symptoms, a person's general well-being worsens.
Causes
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, it was not possible to fully study and establish the exact factors that cause it. However, experts identify several alleged causes that may contribute to the occurrence of psoriatic lesions on the elbows.
One of the most common factors is genetic predisposition. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, the pathology is diagnosed in a person whose relatives were also susceptible to this disease.
Prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are the lack of resistance of the body to infectious diseases, malnutrition, uncontrolled intake of drugs, which negatively affects the immune system, contributing to its weakening.
Also among the reasons are:
- endocrine disorders;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- epidermis injury;
- frequent stress, neurosis, depression.
Vitamin deficiency and lack of trace elements in the body can contribute to the manifestation of psoriasis.
Diagnosis
Since the development of psoriasis on the elbows is accompanied by pronounced clinical signs, the detection of the pathology is not difficult. First, the dermatologist performs an external examination of the damaged areas of the epidermis and takes the patient's history.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is referred for a laboratory examination.
A blood test allows you to determine a possible predisposition to an allergic reaction to certain medications that can be used to treat psoriasis. In addition, the analysis can help in the diagnosis of anemia, which will be accompanied by characteristic deviations in the levels of leukocytes and erythrocytes.
Urinalysis allows you to determine the level of water-salt balance, that is, how much salt and water has entered and removed from the human body.
The study of faeces is necessary to identify helminths in them.
When the main methods for making a final diagnosis are not enough, the doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- biopsy of epidermal samples taken from lesions;
- bakposev in the microflora;
- test with potassium oxide.
If a complicated course of the pathological process is suspected, an X-ray examination is carried out, which allows you to assess the involvement in the disease of the joints.
If psoriasis develops in women during pregnancy, they are referred for a prolactin test.
Also, you may need to see an orthopedist, rheumatologist, venereologist, or mammologist.
treatment methods
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but flare-ups can be prevented and the remission phase prolonged. Therapy in this case must be complex. It consists in the use of such treatment methods:
- usedoctordrugs inside;
- usefundslocal action;
- vitamin therapy;
- sanatorium resorttreatment;
- subscriptionhomeopathicmedication.
In addition, it is important to follow a special diet. It includes foods in the diet that contain substances that contribute to the onset of remission and limits the use of foods harmful to psoriasis.
Medications used for psoriasis
In the treatment of the disease, it is important to use drugs for internal administration in the form of capsules, tablets, plates.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It is important to remember that only an experienced specialist can prescribe such drugs, taking into account the severity of the disease, the age criterion, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Ointments for rashes on elbows and shins
Elbow psoriasis is widely used for external use.
Experts say that the treatment of psoriasis should be comprehensive, therefore, an application of creams will not be enough, as they only eliminate the symptoms of the disease on our skin.
vitamins
In psoriasis, vitamin therapy is considered an important method of complex treatment. In case of damage to the skin of the flexor surface, it is recommended to use vitamins of groups B, E, D, A and ascorbic acid.
For this, you need to eat well: increase the consumption of foods that contain these substances. In addition, vitamins can be purchased at pharmaceutical establishments. The vitamin solution can be used to lubricate the problem skin.
Some ointments contain the necessary substances, specialists often prescribe these drugs for external use.
Vitamin and mineral complexes may be prescribed.
Also prescribed for severe degrees of psoriasis drugs for intramuscular injection.
They are done every day or every other day.
homeopathic remedies
Combined agents are considered the most effective.
The dosage of these drugs is determined by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Diet
In a pathological condition, it is important to adhere to dietary nutrition. Therefore, in the diet for psoriasis should be the following products:
- lean fish;
- dairy products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- vegetation.
These ingredients enrich the body with useful substances and reduce acidity. In case of illness, it will be useful to establish a consumption regime. The daily amount of water consumed should be at least 1. 5 liters.
The following products are contraindicated for use in pathology:
- smoked meats;
- spicy seasonings and spices;
- pickles;
- sweet products;
- fatty meats;
- alcoholic beverages;
- sausages;
- coffee;
- citrus fruits;
- chocolate;
- confectionery.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of fried, fatty and salty foods.
In addition, fractionated meals are recommended for psoriasis: portions should be small and the number of meals per day should be increased by up to six times.
spa treatment
With psoriasis, it is recommended to visit resorts located in areas with a predominance of hot and dry climatic conditions.
Also desirable is an annual stay in sanatoriums where there are radon or sulfide baths. In these places, the patient can undergo physiotherapeutic procedures that help to eliminate the signs of the disease and prolong the stage of remission. These include applications with paraffin or ozokerite, UV radiation, phototherapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are performed for 21-29 days daily.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows is carried out with an integrated approach. Drug therapy includes the use of funds for internal and external use. It is also important to take vitamins and diet during treatment. It is recommended to stay in sanatoriums and use homeopathic medicines.
Consequences
With a long absence of therapeutic measures, the course of pathology in the elbows is complicated by the appearance of various diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma can start. In most cases, it occurs against the background of an abrupt discontinuation or complete lack of treatment, frequent stressful situations, diseases of infectious origin that occur in a serious form, alcohol abuse.
Generalized pustular psoriasis is a more serious health threat. Such a course of pathology is characterized by a mass association of papules, as a result of the formation of large foci, in the place of the location of which the skin exfoliates, pustular areas are formed.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. This is a pathological process that affects the joints, which is accompanied by swelling, severe pain and limited mobility.
Prevention
As the epidermis in this area is quite dry, it is necessary to regularly take care of the elbow area. To do this, you need to use a special cream with moisturizing properties.
You should also stop smoking and drinking a lot of alcohol. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. For this, experts recommend taking vitamin and mineral complexes, playing sports and spending more time walking outdoors.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage, not to expose the body to frequent stress and psychological disturbances.
At the first symptoms of the development of an infectious disease, a visit to the doctor should not be delayed in order to provide timely medical care.