Psoriasis is a long-lasting chronic skin disease.
The reasons for the development of the disease
Psoriasis occurs due to the pathology of the skin cells, when the top layer of the skin dies within 4-5 days, while normally this time interval is several weeks. The causes of the disease are not fully understood, but doctors identify several factors that cause the disease:
- Hereditary predisposition - the disease manifests itself at a young age, from the age of 15, and is more often hereditary. If a parent has been diagnosed with psoriasis, the child has more than a 50% chance of becoming ill.
- Autoimmune conflict - with this type of disease, the body's immune cells stop recognizing skin cells as part of the body, and start attacking them as foreign elements.
- Nerve shocks - contribute to the release of hormones into the bloodstream, which leads to metabolic disorders and causes the development of the disease.
- Disruption of hormonal balance and metabolism.
Psoriasis is not contagious, as there are no infectious agents that can be transmitted.
Psoriasis symptoms
The main symptoms of the disease are characteristic skin rashes, mainly affecting the inner surface of the elbow and knee joints, as well as areas of the skin that are subject to frequent frictional trauma.
Skin rash along the edge of the scalp and other less typical locations may also occur.
Skin rashes appear as spots covered with gray or white scales. Skin rashes in psoriasis have three characteristic features:
- Stearin stain symptom:Whitish scales peel off easily, looking like candle wax crumbs in appearance.
- Terminal film- after the scales have been removed, an off-white film can be seen under them covering the surface of the site.
- Local bleeding- when scratching the site, the terminal film is removed, the skin papillae are damaged, in which small drops of blood protrude.
At an early stage, a pale border is formed around the wheal, no flaking occurs at this stage. Pallor around the site is a vascular reaction of the body to rejection of the epidermis. The disease is accompanied by severe itching of the skin, cracks and small bleeds are formed on the skin when itching. A secondary infection can join, penetrating damaged skin.
In addition to the skin, psoriasis affects the nails, causing fragility of the nail plates, the appearance of a transverse pattern and concave areas.
Autoimmune conflict can affect the joints, causing arthritic pain, especially in the finger joints.
Types of psoriasis
Psoriasis of the first type occurs in people under the age of 30, is an inherited disease that mainly affects the skin and has a typical location.
Psoriasis type II affects people over forty and is not hereditary. Most often, it affects the nail plates and the scalp, the rash is small and tear-shaped. The disease in elderly patients is caused by a decrease in immunity in the context of chronic infectious diseases and inadequate lifestyle.
Clinical studies have shown a link between psoriasis type 2 and alcohol and the abuse of unhealthy foods.
Forms of psoriasis
Psoriasis is presented in several forms of varying severity:
- Psoriasis in plaques- characteristic papules form on the skin, accompanied by itching and flaking.
- The pustular formis characterized by the appearance of blisters, redness of the skin around them, intense itching and burning, being considered a moderate form of the disease.
- Erythrodermais characterized by massive cutaneous lesions, accompanied by exudation and secretion of large layers of the epidermis, being particularly difficult to tolerate, often accompanied by pustular lesions and fungal infection.
Stages of psoriasis
The disease develops in several stages:
- The initial stagesignals the beginning of the disease, during this period one, less frequently several, pale spots appear, the skin begins to peel.
- The active stageis accompanied by severe symptoms, an abundant secretion of skin scales, itching and inflammation.
- Stationary phase- indicates remission, flaking in this phase practically stops, instead of a stain, pigmentation or pale areas of pseudoatrophy are formed.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
To make a diagnosis, you must consult a dermatologist. The pathology presents a clear clinical picture, confirmed by anamnesis and biopsy of skin elements with its subsequent study.
Treatment of psoriasis
The treatment of the disease must be done comprehensively, while interrupting external symptoms and influencing the possible cause of the disease.
Medical therapy
In severe cases, measures are taken to reduce the body's immune attack to its own cells:
- Cytostatics;
- Antihistamines;
- Corticosteroid hormones;
- Enterosorbents and hepatoprotectors are used to restore metabolism.
At the same time, measures are being taken to saturate the body with the necessary vitamins and microelements:
- Silicon is one of the important trace elements responsible for hormonal balance and skin health.
- Calcium and vitamin D3 are needed to bring the disease into remission. Prescribed together to increase calcium absorption.
Local resources
For skin protection, external agents are used in the form of ointments and creams:
- Glucocorticoids, which reduce the immune response, also reduce the symptoms of inflammation, relieve itching and swelling of the skin.
- Salicylic acid and herbal products are essential to moisturize the skin and protect against secondary infections.
- Topical cytostatics are used only in the active phase of the disease with its severe course.
Procedures
To speed up the healing process, physiological procedures are prescribed:
- Cryotherapy;
- UV irradiation;
- Laser processing.
If necessary, plasmapheresis is performed to purify blood plasma and stabilize cells.
Prevention
If a predisposition to the disease is identified, it is necessary to take a series of preventive measures:
- Have a healthy lifestyle, stop smoking and drinking alcohol;
- Build a daily routine, avoid stress, approach the organization of working hours rationally;
- Follow a diet, give up excessive amounts of carbohydrates, spices and fatty foods. It is advisable to avoid preservatives and instant foods;
- Spend a lot of time outdoors;
- Use soap and shampoo with a specially selected pH value, do not use hard cloths and towels, dry your skin well after bathing;
- Wear clothes made of natural materials that are not too close to the body;
- Get medical checkups periodically, check blood hormone levels and, if necessary, start treatment early.
These measures will help to maintain healthy skin and significantly improve the quality of life.