What is psoriasis: causes, symptoms and treatment

In recent decades, dermatology has increasingly begun to deal with cases of psoriatic dermatitis. Statisticians note that most often these cases affect people with fair skin. And although experts have not yet established an age limit for the rampant disease, the most active phases of the disease are recorded precisely in the range of 15 to 45 years. In terms of prevalence, psoriasis can today affect every 25th person on the planet, which in general, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) for 2016, represents about 4. 2% of the total world population.

What type of disease is psoriasis and what external signs does it have?

The name of this wound was given according to its characteristic external sign - red plaques and papules with scales, which are formed as a result of a rash accompanied by a feeling of itching and inflammation of the skin. The disease psoriasis is also called scaly lichen and has a fairly extensive classification of types, symptoms, causes that provoke the onset, progression and exacerbation of the disease. The general picture of pathology today is such that it does not give doctors a clear idea of its unambiguous origin and methods of treatment. Therefore, doctors have to find ways of partial cure together with the patient.

The definition of what psoriasis is today is accepted by all specialists as a non-infectious disease that appears mainly for various reasons, and must be treated carefully, with extreme care, under the constant supervision of several specialists, and not just a dermatologist . The word psoriasis itself means "itch" (from the Greek term "psora"), "scabies" (from the English term, which is also spelled "psora"). The diagnosis of the disease is made comprehensively, not just through skin or blood tests.

Additional Information:The specificity of the disease, which has not been fully studied, is such that patients have to prepare for a persistent, persistent and long-term cure, as well as for alternating periodic exacerbations with remissions, stages of relief, lasting from several weeks to many years.

Classification of types of psoriasis

When specialists want to determine exactly what psoriasis is in a sick patient, what these rashes are and the unbearable desire to constantly scratch the sores, what type of disease the disorder belongs to, what the patient is suffering from, then specialists can focus on a special classification of diseases. Furthermore, she is not alone, there are at least four of them today, which should be reviewed briefly to get a general idea.

According to ICD-10

According to the International Classification of Diseases in the 10th revision, this dermatitis is divided into the following types:

1. Common or plate-like. Prevalence – 90-95%. Manifestations – papulo-scaly structures of gray, white and pink tones. As they grow, entire "islands" and "lakes" of diseased skin form.
2. Generalized pustular disease or "Impetigo", "Tsumbusha", exudative. It starts with blisters and blisters containing fluid (exudate). After rupture, ulcers and self-infection form.
3. Persistent epidermal disorder or allopus, Setton's or Crocker's acrodermal disorder. Liquid or pustular formations in plaques and papules are sterile and do not present generalized self-contamination. Nails and fingers are often affected.
4. Palm and plantar injuries. Small ulcers on the palms and soles of the feet that are not self-infectious. It makes it very difficult for the patient to have quality of life when walking and working with their hands.
5. teardrop shaped. Small purple, pink and gray dots on the body often begin to appear after severe sore throat, strep throat, pharyngitis and other infectious viral diseases.
6. Arthropathic appearance. Damage to the joints of fingers, hands, knees and legs. Prevalence – 10% of all psoriatic patients.
7. Others, reverse and unspecified. Smooth patches with a low percentage of peeling that appear on delicate areas of the skin.

According to this classification, which reveals the essence of what this or that type means, what a disease is, what psoriasis is, a special code is assigned to the pathology - L40. Different numbers can be added to this code to indicate a specific type of disease.

According to clinical parameters

The disease can also be classified according to clinical criteria, which are expressed as follows:

• by location - body parts are designated;
• according to clinical pictures - the nature, texture of psoriasis;
• by progressive stages - progressive, stationary, regressive disease;
• according to the manifestations at a given time;
• per area of skin - less than 20% of the epidermis is affected, more than 20% or all of the skin.

According to the American classification

The US National Foundation, when defining psoriasis, what type of disease it is, its type, classifies it in the following order:

• mild skin lesions - less than 2%;
• average severity of spread – from 2 to 10%;
• severe stage of skin damage - from 10% and above.

According to the PASI index

Another international approach to defining the psoriasis sore, which is in the arsenal of diagnostic doctors, distributes the types of the disease according to the following principle:

• the presence of the PASI index varies from 0 to 72 values;
• the index shows the severity of the dermatitis;
• Only experts calculate the index.

Doctors can use any of these classifications to determine the type of disease, but practice shows that it is the ICD-10 system that is most often used. Without a precise definition of the type, it will be difficult for doctors to understand what type of disease psoriasis is and how to treat it.

General symptoms

All doctors and researchers are confident that psoriasis is not a contagious phenomenon and cannot be transmitted from an affected person to a healthy person. The characteristic pustulo-scaly eruptions are called papules if their formation was initially a swelling with liquid, which then burst, causing a wound, drying the cover and scales. "Pápula" from lat. means "knot". But if the redness was not watery, its swellings above the surface of the skin were compacted, then turned into wounds from constant scratching, suppuration and the formation of scales, then we are talking about plaques.

Observation!The disease psoriasis is something that will always have scaly formations above the surface of the affected skin. "Squama" from lat. means "scales", therefore the diagnosis can be written on the line of the examination form: "papulosquamous disorder of the epidermis".

Psoriasis symptoms

When defining psoriasis, we focus on its symptoms, which can be represented by the following unified list of manifestations:

1. Papules are swellings above the surface of the skin that contain infectious or sterile fluid.
2. Plaques are red spots that grow and become infected over time.
3. The plaques may be gray, reddish, yellowish, or speckled purple.
4. The surface texture of diseased skin varies from moist, pustular to dry with scales.
5. Scaling and peeling are characteristic of all types of the disease.
6. The patient's general condition varies from irritability, nervousness, drowsiness, fatigue and apathy.

Stages and degrees of development of psoriasis

The stages not only show the characteristics of the type of disease that psoriasis is and its types, but they can also tell the doctor how to deal with the disease. Generally divided into 3 stages.

Weak stage

• papules and plaques are rare and solitary;
• there is no unbearable itching;
• There is no serious swelling yet;
• It usually appears after suffering stress or severe infection.

Intensive internship

• defined as Koebner syndromes;
• lesions appear unexpectedly on different parts of the human body;
• fusion and growth of papules and plaques into whole "paraffin lakes";
• Pain and itching are typical during this period.

Exacerbation of the disease

• scale shape;
• dry skin;
• lesional rashes no longer grow;
• scales fall off;
• the skin hurts;
• the thickness of the skin where the plaques are located increases.

For reference:remission is a separate stage and is considered to calm the pathological condition.

Causes that provoke the onset of the disease

Although no answers have been found to the questions about what type of disease psoriatic dermatitis is, what are the reasons for its appearance, however, some prerequisites that can provoke the onset of the disease have naturally already been demonstrated.

Such patterns show the following likely reasons:

1. Inherited predisposition.
2. Weak immune system.
3. Recently, I have experienced severe psychological trauma, exposure to infections, viruses.
4. Medication side effects.
5. A sharp change in climatic living conditions.
6. Allergies in humans.
7. Imbalance of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, excretory and cleansing systems.
8. Slow metabolism (metabolism) due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition, sleep and wakefulness.

Important!The wound can appear even after severe sunburn, constant rubbing of synthetic clothing fabrics on areas of the body where the skin folds. Even excessive consumption of low-quality foods (with an abundance of chemicals, preservatives, synthetic foods), alcohol, drugs (toxic substances) or tobacco can affect an exacerbation. All this was recorded by the exclusion method - for example, when the patient was restricted from bad habits, his condition improved.

Psoriasis diagnosis – what is it?

If people who ask about psoriasis, what it is and which doctors they should see, have already discovered similar symptoms in themselves, or in their loved ones, friends, then first of all they should see a dermatologist. After this, an exam will be scheduled, which may involve several other highly specialized specialists:

• histologists - in this case, they study blood cells;
• immunologists - identifying the cause of the body's weakened resistance to viruses;
• endocrinologists - if there is a suspicion of disturbances in hormonal levels and the functioning of the endocrine system;
• infectious disease specialists – detecting the presence of infections or viruses in the human body;
• nutritionists who will determine the patient's adequate nutrition and other specialists.

Diagnosis is carried out using the following mechanisms and techniques:

1. External examination of the affected areas of the skin.
2. A blood test will show whether the joints are affected by the disease.
3. A biopsy reveals the stage and verification (diagnosing a specific type of disease).

When determining the specific type of psoriasis, the Internet alone does not help. In addition, encyclopedic reference books are usually filled in by any Internet user, both knowledgeable about the specifics of the disease and laypeople.

Observation!Biopsy is one of the main diagnostic procedures in which a piece of affected skin is removed for laboratory examination. Its results show the level of T lymphocytosis, which cells are strong and which are weak.

Difficulties in the lives of patients with psoriasis

When a patient encounters psoriasis for the first time and does not know what type of disease has struck him, he tends to present the following conditions that accompany the course of the dermatitis:

• depression;
• inferiority complexes;
• difficulties in the social sphere - people, due to lack of knowledge, often believe that the disease is contagious and stop communicating with the sick person;
• cardiovascular disorders - sometimes even heart attacks;
• pressure imbalance – hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus – type 2 is especially common;
• you have to limit yourself in food and drink;
• you need to adapt to an active lifestyle, which is extremely difficult to do when your psychological mood is depressed;
• physical discomfort – difficulty putting on clothes, taking a shower, taking a bath, moving arms, legs, sleeping, etc.

Likewise, all this affects those patients who are not facing the disease for the first time, but are already mentally prepared to face it and work hard to reduce its intensity.

For reference:remissions (stages of disease attenuation) can last several years only with a competent approach to therapy and the prescription of courses, methods and methods of treatment.

Methods for treating psoriasis

When doctors themselves do not fully understand all the reasons for the worsening of the disease and how all this can be eliminated forever, this also greatly affects the patient's own mood. But you just need to convince yourself that if the disease has no cure, you can improve your quality of life for several years. Therefore, psoriasis should be cured only with an integrated approach of all practices, methods and methods available in nature. Even doctors do not disdain folk remedies, as long as the patient discusses one method or another with the doctor in advance.

Traditional methods

As soon as they determine the type of dermatitis - psoriasis is also dermatitis, what kind of disease it is, its type, doctors immediately begin specific procedures that are supposed to give a positive effect in the end.

Treatment begins with the following procedures:

1. Affected areas are disinfected to prevent self-infection.
2. Mandatory relief of inflammatory processes with medications.
3. Plaques need to be resolved and special medications are prescribed for this.
4. The same applies to scales - so that they do not fall off painfully, they are softened with lotions, applications with various emollient ointments, tinctures, mixtures.
5. Injections and pills are prescribed - for example, an immunosuppressant, which restores the functioning of the immune system and improves the psychophysical condition.
6. They use irradiation with ultraviolet rays, purify blood by plasmapheresis and other methods.
7. Sanatorium treatments with mud and salt water. For example, resorts in Israel on the Dead Sea. The method is not cheap, it should take 28 days, but it is 100% effective.
8. Take salt and herb baths.
9. Special diet, exercise.

In addition to the above methods, operations are also performed on the valve of the small intestine, which is responsible for cleaning the system. Generally, after these operations, patients feel better 5 to 6 years in advance.

Important!The base medicine will always be an antimetabolite from the group of structural analogues of folic acid, which is supplied to the body by intramuscular injection.

Traditional medicine for psoriasis

The disease can also be treated with traditional methods, as some plants, seeds and fruits have their own medicinal properties. This is an economical option for those who cannot enjoy trips to the resort. At home you can prepare medicinal baths, make different ointments with Kalanchoe, honey and other ingredients. Only the patient should always consult his doctor first. Here you must also follow a strict diet, sleep, work and physical activity.

Additional measures

Any attending physician will always prohibit the patient from being exposed to the sun for more than 6 hours a day during 2 sunbathing sessions. At the same time, the sun should not be at its zenith and burn strongly, otherwise it can only cause burns and worsen the condition. In addition to sun exposure, psoriasis can also be temporarily cured by adding a special diet. The most common system now is the Pegano diet. In addition, you should eliminate all the usual whims, such as tobacco, alcohol, an abundance of sweets and other hobbies.

Additional Information:It is not recommended to go on a sudden diet. Additionally, you should always remember your intestines, which need to be helped by the presence of fiber and sunflower oils. Therefore, you can eat sunflower seeds and also add various permitted fiber-rich foods to your dishes.

5 preventive measures for people predisposed to psoriasis

So that a person does not have any doubts about psoriasis - what kind of disease it is and how to treat it, one should also listen to various recommendations from experts on how to protect oneself from this disease as much as possible. Pay attention to this list of 5 basic recommendations, even if you are not predisposed to this type of disease:

1. Protect yourself from various infections, dress warmly, don't catch a cold, create the most positive attitude in life.
2. Move actively, maintain a normal diet, sleep and wakefulness.
3. Give up any bad habits or hobbies, such as baking and sweets, which contain a lot of sugar.
4. Wear clothing made primarily from natural fiber fabrics.
5. All painkillers or other medications should be taken in consultation with a doctor and not self-medicated.

For reference:slow metabolism leads not only to psoriasis, but also to obesity, liver, kidney, heart disease and other dysfunctions. Therefore, reducing carbohydrates on the menu, more walks in the fresh air and physical exercise will help anyone stay healthy!

There is still no complete cure for this disease; Specialists are identifying the causes as some cases of psoriatic diseases are recorded. Therapeutic procedures are very time-consuming, long and difficult. The patient will need not only a change in lifestyle, but also self-observation and keeping his diary, where he will record all his conditions. Therefore, any delay in contacting doctors will only worsen the situation. Patients should not torment themselves like this, be afraid to show themselves to doctors, it is better to immediately start looking for a solution to the problem than to snowball it.