Psoriasis on hands

This form of psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that mainly affects:

• Palm trees.
• Areas between the fingers.
• Hands.

Most often, people suffering from this form of the disease develop serious psychological complexes.

This form of the disease does not pose a serious threat to human life, however, with the development of severe forms, this disease can be accompanied by the development of a number of very serious complications.

One of the most common complications is damage to the joint area of the lower and upper extremities. This complication leads to the development of psoriatic arthritis. This disease is quite dangerous, as it can lead to the development of temporary disability and even disability.

Most people who suffer from hand psoriasis are diagnosed with lesions that appear specifically on the palms and soles.

This form of the disease causes a lot of inconvenience to the patient, since the main foci of the disease cannot be hidden under clothing and the formation of cracks is accompanied by the appearance of painful sensations.

The lesions themselves are small, pink plaques. The plaques stand out strongly above the surface of the skin and eventually become covered with gray scales.

In some cases, the formation of yellow pustules is observed.

The main symptoms of the development of this form of the disease:

• Dry skin.
• Skin thickening.
• The appearance of redness.
• Appearance of cracks.
• The appearance of callus-like formations.

Causes

Among the various factors that can cause the disease are:

• Allergic reactions;
• Gastrointestinal tract diseases;
• Diseases of the kidneys, liver and pancreas;
• Overweight;
• Dysfunction of metabolism and the endocrine system;
• Hereditary predisposition;
• Chronic depression, stress or nervous tension.

As we have already noted, the exact causes of psoriasis have not yet been determined. Experts have not been able to establish exactly what causes psoriasis and in what cases it appears.

At the same time, diseases or moments that cause damage to the patient's skin were identified:

1. Heredity.
2. Immune system disorders and metabolic problems.
3. Psycho-emotional overload.
4. Bad habits and eating disorders.
5. General intoxication.
6. Viruses, bacteria, fungal infections.
7. With a sharp change in climatic living conditions.
8. In case of chronic skin disease.
9. If the patient takes medications from different pharmacological groups for a long time.

Sometimes the manifestation of the disease can occur if a person uses detergents that deprive the skin of its natural covering. It is important to remember that as psoriasis is not contagious, there is no need to be excessively concerned about personal hygiene.

Several factors can cause hand eczema:

• hereditary predisposition;
• weakened immunity;
• disturbances in the functioning of endocrine glands;
• changes in hormonal levels;
• chronic diseases;
• infections;
• nervous tension;
• frequent stress;
• constant exposure to chemicals (detergents, paints, solvents) on the skin;
• uncontrolled use of medications (for example, anti-inflammatories);
• clothing made of synthetic fabrics;
• rings and bracelets in certain alloys;
• cheap low-quality cosmetics;
• pollen;
• Poplar fluff;
• animal fur;
• insect bites;
• mold;
• household dust;
• helminthic infestations;
• some food products.

The mechanism of psoriasis has not been fully established, but it turned out that it is caused by a violation of skin cell division, in which diseased cells begin to multiply and grow 5-10 times faster. Soon, immune cells join the process and blood vessels grow.

After the cells die, keratinized areas remain on the smooth surface of the skin - convex psoriatic plaques. In addition to genetic predisposition - characteristics of immunity, skin structure, indirect causes that influence the onset of psoriasis development were identified.

Recent medical research shows a link between the disease and other pathologies:

• metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, increased production of free radicals and nitrogen oxides involved in skin keratinization);
• atherosclerosis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• liver and kidney pathologies;
• osteoporosis;
• obesity.

Risk factors include the following:

• smoke;
• alcohol abuse;
• change in climatic conditions.

You cannot become infected through contact with a sick person, there are no external carriers of the disease. The inflammatory process occurs in the body and a genetic predisposition to a characteristic disease cannot be ruled out. Other causes of hand psoriasis are detailed below:

• impaired metabolism;
• Hormonal imbalance;
• occupational risk;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• presence of bad habits;
• Poor nutrition;
• immune disorders of the body;
• violation of personal hygiene rules.

The dermatosis is heterogeneous. There are exogenous and endogenous triggers of the disease.

Exogenous factors include fluctuations in environmental temperature, bad habits, prolonged use of medications, infections, injuries and an atherogenic nutritional profile. Endogenous factors include hereditary predisposition, weakened immunity, stress and sensitization of the body.

Provocative factors trigger the development of the pathological process. Modern dermatologists tend to consider psoriasis of the palms and soles as the result of a combination of several trigger factors.

The causes of the disease are not fully understood. Scientists identify several theories:

1. Psoriasis is a genetic disease.
2. Psoriasis appears due to disorders of the immune, endocrine and nervous systems.
3. Psoriasis is a disease that appears due to poor ecology and the accumulation of harmful substances in the body.

When these reasons combine, psoriasis appears. However, the main factor is still genetic: scientists have identified several genes responsible for the onset of the disease.

Factors that provoke the appearance of psoriasis:

• Stressful situations;
• hazardous industries, especially those with high concentrations of phenols;
• injuries, abrasions, burns: sometimes psoriasis appears in these places;
• alcohol, tobacco;
• infections: especially streptococcal;
• incorrect selection of certain medications.

Why does palmar psoriasis develop?

Psoriasis can appear in a person regardless of age and gender. However, there are some statistics that indicate the disease frequently develops between the ages of 30 and 50.

Scientists have found that the main reason for the development of the disease is dysfunction of the human immune system and genetic predisposition. However, these facts have not been fully proven and to this day the clear causes of psoriasis remain unclear. The main factors provoking palmar psoriasis include the following reasons:

1. Decreased immunity.
2. Mechanical damage to the palms.
3. Frequent hand contact with water.
4. Contact of the skin of the hands with chemicals, for example, household chemicals, as well as various work products.
5. Often the cause is diseases such as scarlet fever, chronic tonsillitis, kidney disease and other diseases.
6. Oncology.

Doctors attribute alcohol abuse, drug use and certain medications as another cause of the disease.

The main manifestations of psoriasis of the palms

It is worth noting that this type of disease occurs mainly in people who perform physical work associated with stress on their hands. In medical practice, it is customary to distinguish three types of diseases. These include:

1. Plate fan-shaped.
2. Circular.
3. Hardened.

Types of psoriasis on the hands

Location of psoriasis on hands	problem description
In the palms	Redness of the surface of the skin of the palms, itching, roughness of the upper layer, the appearance of calluses. Externally, many people confuse palmar psoriasis with ringworm or eczema. To make a correct diagnosis, you need to consult a specialist.
On hands and fingers	Inflammation, swelling of the fingers, peeling, cracked skin, pain and itching.

Depending on the location of the process and the specific location of the appearance of primary lesions, several types of psoriasis on the hands are distinguished:

• Pustular - the most dangerous type, affects any skin. First, small spots appear on the phalanges of the fingers and palms, surrounding the nail plates. Then the spots merge, fill with pus, the lesion spreads to the hands and other areas, causing swelling and degenerative changes in the organs.
• Drop-shaped - the rashes are pale pink, convex, in the form of small drops. It is located on the shoulders and forearms, growing to cover a wide area.
• Nail – This type of psoriasis leads to changes in the appearance of the nails and nail bed. A "thimble symptom" is observed when the color of the nail plates changes and small indentations and grooves form in them. At the same time, the nails thicken and begin to peel, until they are completely lost.
• Placa (Vulgar) – ranks first in prevalence. These are typical psoriatic plaques with a tendency to merge and form "paraffin lakes". They appear above the elbow joints, on the extensor surface of the arms and affect the palms of the hands. Palmar psoriasis is characterized by thickening of the epidermis and the formation of callus-like tubercles on the surface of the dermis.

Stages of the disease

In the initial phase of hand psoriasis, even before the first rash appears, the following disorders can be recognized:

1. there is swelling in the joint area;
2. the skin takes on a reddish tint in some places;
3. the nail plates become inflamed.

There are the following stages of psoriasis on the hands:

1. Exacerbation is a progressive stage of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in the number and size of spots, increased itching and peeling.

2. Stationary stage - is characterized by the attenuation of the disease, a change in the color of the psoriatic plaques (they become less red, more white), in addition to a reduction in the spots.
3. The remission phase is characterized by the complete disappearance of all signs of psoriasis.

Looking at hands affected by psoriasis is extremely unpleasant. But the disease is so common that people should know what psoriasis on their hands looks like in order to detect the problem in time and start treating the disease in a timely manner.

Hand psoriasis develops gradually. Doctors note that in medicine there are several stages of the disease, which imperceptibly replace each other in the absence of timely therapy. The clinical outcome for the patient depends entirely on timely response therapeutic measures. The development and signs of the different stages of psoriasis of the upper extremities are as follows:

1. Initial state. Small round papules have clear boundaries. At first they are solitary, but 2 to 3 days after the desquamation of the dermis they spread and cover large areas of the lesion.
2. Progressive stage. Painful nodules are distinguished by a bright red hue, and in the center there is peeling of the epidermis with the formation of crusts. The pathology is preceded by microtraumas of the skin.
3. Stationary stage. Previously red rashes turn bluish and dry out. The inflammatory process decreases in intensity, the itching stops, but there is hyperemia of the skin.
4. Regressive stage. Local manifestations of psoriasis reduce in intensity and once painful lesions disappear. There is a long period of remission, without peeling, but white patches with clear boundaries are visible.

Psoriasis of any form and location, including psoriasis of the skin of the hands, goes through 3 stages:

1. Progressive stage (exacerbation) - spots grow, new ones appear, manifestations of psoriasis intensify.
2. Stationary stage - the manifestations of the disease disappear, the spots become pale and decrease in size.
3. Regressive stage (remission) - manifestations disappear completely.

The initial stage of psoriasis on the arms and hands can manifest itself in different ways: either faint, barely noticeable spots appear, or immediately bright ones, as in the acute stage (less often).

Features of therapy in pregnant women and children

Due to the mother's weakened immunity and the child's immature immune system, treatment of eczema on the fingers requires:

1. Adjust the diet of the nursing mother and child by limiting milk intake, eating green fruits and vegetables, and fermented dairy products. At an older age, it is necessary to exclude flour products, smoked meats and foods rich in salt from the children's menu.
2. Taking vitamin complexes to support a pregnant woman's immune system.
3. One of the recommended measures is to limit contact with household chemicals and water.
4. Use of antihistamine ointments or dermatotropic agents.

For the treatment of children, the following medications may be prescribed:

• Making boric acid-based lotions
• Taking calcium-based medications, taking into account the reduced content of this microelement, which is characteristic of this pathology in children.
• The use of ointments containing antibiotics is practiced to alleviate the symptoms of serious infections.
• The use of antihistamines to reduce the intensity of itching.

A set of measures aimed at the recovery of mother and child should include compliance with personal hygiene standards and maintaining the sanitary condition of the premises.

Psoriasis on hands

Official medicine classifies hand psoriasis as a chronic disease with multifactorial etiology. This means that the exact causes of the disease have not been established and doctors consider them as possible factors. Doctors classify it as a skin disease based on its main symptoms - red scaly patches that appear on the skin. But the culprit of the disease is hidden deep within the human body.

In the course of long studies of the mechanism of development of psoriasis, scientists have identified a connection with autoimmune insufficiency.

The first signs of psoriasis appear on the hands in the form of small red papules with clear outlines. 2-3 days pass and the papules become covered with scales. A long process of disease progression then begins, marked by periods of exacerbation and remission. Thus, psoriasis that initially occurs between the fingers can spread over the entire surface of the palm. Single plates grow and merge, forming a continuous scaly crust. The photo clearly shows what psoriasis looks like on your hands.

The first changes form on the back of the hand, gradually affecting the sides of the hand. Imperceptible at the beginning of the negative process, they lead to an obvious cosmetic defect, when it is already difficult for a person to hide the presence of the disease. What could happen?

Symptoms of psoriasis on hands

The characteristic symptoms of psoriasis on the hands must be considered in the context of their manifestation on any part of the patient's body. When the injury begins, small areas of the dermis are affected, but the process does not end there and over time the plaques can cover the entire hand. The general symptoms look like this:

• the appearance of small papules;
• scale formation;
• dryness and peeling of the skin on the hands;
• nail plates lose their natural color, their structure changes;
• signs of skin hyperemia;
• the skin in the affected area turns red;
• joint pain appears;
• feelings of internal discomfort.

We gave general signs of the disease, but experts subdivide them according to the stages of the disease.

What forms of the disease are there?

The versatility of psoriasis manifestations that doctors encountered forced them to describe the different forms of the disease. Experts have combined existing species into two main groups: pustular and non-pustular.

The pustular group includes the following forms of the disease:

• widespread;
• similar to centrifugal annular erythema;
• palmoplantar.

The non-pustular group contains:

• classic form of psoriasis with early or late onset;
• psoriatic erythroderma.

The classification presented does not include types of diseases such as seborrheic, exudative, napkin disease, atypical and drug-induced psoriasis.

Reasons for the formation of psoriasis on the hands

Among all the places the disease affects, the hands account for 85% of all diagnoses. Many years of observations of patients suffering from an unpleasant disease have led scientists to the conclusion that the causes of psoriasis on the hands depend on the patient's gender and age.

Psoriasis is extremely rare in black people. A scientific explanation for this fact has not yet been received.

What causes psoriasis on women's hands?

What doctors call genetic predisposition is the main reason. It is worth mentioning that even if the woman's parents did not have psoriasis, one of her family members probably had this diagnosis. Other reasons include:

• climatic characteristics (very humid, cold or hot);
• hormonal imbalances;
• bad habits (alcohol, smoking, drugs);
• stress and nervous tension;
• taking antibiotics, some vaccines, overdose of vitamin preparations;
• injuries, burns, cuts.

These same reasons can cause an exacerbation of the disease. It is difficult to eliminate the listed factors from your life, but some of them can be eliminated.

What causes psoriasis on men's hands?

Trying to identify the main ones, doctors were forced to admit that they could not establish them with great precision. The basis for the occurrence of psoriasis on the hands of men is a malfunction in the immune system, which is expressed by:

• improper metabolism;
• imbalance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism;
• increased sugar levels;
• cholesterol.

A greater likelihood of developing psoriasis awaits men who already have people in their family who have suffered from this disease. The reasons may be:

• chronic lack of sleep;
• Poor nutrition;
• cold weather.

Those who moved from the South of the country to the North say that the cold climate causes the disease to worsen and is difficult to treat.

Causes of psoriasis on children's hands

In recent years, diagnostic cases have become more frequent. It often takes a generalized form, with plaques covering large areas of the body. The first thing that is determined as the cause of the disease is a hereditary factor. According to statistics, among parents of patients with psoriasis, the child will inherit the disease in 50% of cases. In addition to genetics, the disease can be caused by:

• childhood infectious diseases (measles, ARVI, tonsillitis);
• Stressful situations;
• intense fear, loss of a loved one;
• insolation;
• unbalanced diet;
• hypothermia of the body;
• predisposition to allergies.

Diagnosis of the disease

It is enough for the doctor to know what psoriasis looks like on the hands to make an accurate diagnosis. No specific studies are carried out to establish the disease. If the patient says that the plaques on the hands have been appearing for a long time, the doctor may prescribe additional tests. Their list includes:

• blood biochemistry;
• general blood test to determine the amount of ESR;
• tests for rheumatoid factor and the presence of specific proteins;
• a biopsy performed to detect immature skin cells, accumulations of Rete bodies, macrophages, and T leukocytes.

How to treat psoriasis on the hands?

Treatment of hand psoriasis depends entirely on the stage of the disease. Although the disease cannot be cured, when using an integrated approach to treatment, symptoms become almost invisible and remission lasts a long time.

External means

In the initial and intermediate phases of the disease, the use of external medications is sufficient. These can be creams and ointments from different groups:

• Not hormonal. As a rule, they have no side effects and their effect is mild and mild.
• Hormonal.

These remedies are used when pronounced symptoms appear (persistent rash, brittle nails) when other ointments do not help. Prescribed only by a doctor, they can have strong side effects. The frequency and duration of use of external agents depends on the severity of symptoms: 1-2 times a day for 10-20 days. After each course a break is required.

Systemic medications

Tablets and injections are prescribed when external medications are ineffective in the later stages of hand psoriasis:

• Tablets: antihistamine, anti-inflammatory. Medicines from the groups of cytostatics, monoclonal antibodies, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, sedatives and vitamins are also used.
• Injections: antihistamines, hepatoprotectors, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, hormonal.

The form and type of medication depend on the stage of the disease and the intensity of its manifestations. The use of systemic medications is carried out only under the supervision of a doctor.

Physiotherapy and traditional methods

Psoriasis is a long-term disease with multifaceted symptoms. Therefore, treatment is always comprehensive. Alternative methods can be used:

• Physiotherapy: phototherapy, bioresonance and PUVA therapy, cryotherapy, ozone therapy, ichthyotherapy.
• Folk remedies: birch tar, linseed or sea buckthorn oil, aloe, bay leaf, baking soda, sea salt, etc.

Its purpose and use must also be agreed with a dermatologist.

Using Herbs

Many medicinal herbs have the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• regenerator;
• anti-bacterial.

To treat psoriasis of the palms, celandine, St. John's wort, horsetail, oregano, nettle and others are used. An infusion or decoction is prepared from herbs. They are also used to add to the bathroom.

Soda treatment

One of the methods that alternative medicine offers to get rid of psoriasis on the palms is treatment with ordinary baking soda. Its use has the following effect on the affected skin:

• cleaning;
• softening;
• elimination of inflammatory processes;
• improvement of local blood circulation;
• eliminates peeling;
• relieves itching.

The recipe for preparing a solution for external use is quite simple: dilute a certain amount of the product in purified water. You should get a viscous, pasty mixture. This product should be applied to areas affected by disease. No need to rinse.

Prevention: what rules must be followed

It will be easier to cure psoriasis on the hands if, if possible, the factors that provoke it are eliminated or minimized. In this case, the treatment will be much more effective and the progression of the disease will be stopped.

Correct therapy, even in the early stages, can only be prescribed by a specialist, therefore examination is mandatory. In addition to using all available methods and means: from ointments and creams to injections, pills and physiotherapy. The doctor will prescribe the prescription and dosage, but we cannot forget about prevention even in the regression phase. Hands must be treated with the utmost care: using protective creams and excluding aggressive household chemicals.