Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - appearance, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of the patches and rashes, the severity of the itching, and the extent of the skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what are the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to correctly select therapeutic methods.The complex of medications and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatments.They also prescribe medications that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
At the initial stage of the disease, do not use potent medications that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the acute and progressive course of the disease, different medications are prescribed with different effects.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical therapy, ultrasound and laser.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
Stabilized, they continue taking hormonal anti-inflammatories, gradually reducing their dose.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In the remission phase - they support the body.Proper nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Treatment opportunity
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Notice:Doctors are still discovering the causes of psoriasis.But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be contracted by a sick person or caused by an infection from injury.This is the personal failure of the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immunological failure, which can be caused by several factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including potent medicines, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to returns and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving itching on existing skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the early stage?How to distinguish psoriasis at the beginning of a rash with diathesis?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearances of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears in the folds of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothes are tightly fitted to the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes may also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails, and in the nail bed.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) at the initial stage have a modest appearance.They have:
- Pink or red color;
- Clear, blur-free edge;
- Small size - the spine at the base is no more than two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small sharp pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, which is why they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of peeling skin appear on pimples.They are gray or silvery and appear white against the background of the red pimple.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by quite intense itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing shiny areas of young, pink skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable, and if you scratch the itchy papules for too long, it bruises and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progression stage
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into a common point, forming so-called psoriatic plaques.They rise above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of the psoriatic plaques there is a non-scaly reddish-pink border.
The presence of a border is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the point expands.This is skin that is already inflamed, but has not yet peeled.After some time, it will also become covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of the skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, causing discomfort to the person, disrupting their work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
In the progression phase, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Observation:Some medical theories even say otherwise.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and invisible.This is also one of the signs of process stabilization.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing begins, regeneration of new, healthy skin.
It is noticeable to the naked eye that the flaking intensifies in the stationary phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance by which ordinary people often recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a slight light tone will remain in its place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which the development of the disease can be judged.This is the nature of the itching sensation (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressive mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itch is changeable and the rash is incomprehensible.Furthermore, the itching intensifies every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable.It disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritated because the itching sensation does not give them the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary phase, the itching decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive mood weaken.The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the attenuation phase
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, patches, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin resembles psoriasis.In place of the old psoriatic spots, it appears lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker tone.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation forms.The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis relapse is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in your body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of repeated skin inflammation if you strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often, after cleansing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes will help increase immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants were used during treatment in the advanced stage of psoriasis.Its need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.