Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-infectious disease that affects a person's skin, nails, and joints. The disease is characterized by a undulating process with periods of exacerbation and remission. The danger of this disease lies not only in the unpleasant sensations it causes, but also that, the disease also makes life more complicated, affects social adaptation andnormal quality of life. In severe cases, severe depression can be the result of an acute form of the disease.

How to cure psoriasis, what is it, what are the symptoms and treatment of psoriasis? You will learn about this from our article.

Psoriasis: causes

Under normal conditions, a healthy person's skin is renewed within a month. During this time, the dead cells are exfoliated and new cells replaced. If there is a malfunction in the skin regeneration mechanism, maturation of new cells only takes place in about a week, which disrupts the balance of cells. As a result, cells die much faster.

In areas affected by the pathological process, there is an excessive proliferation of cells of the immune system, macrophages and cells of the epithelium. Therefore, exfoliation is observed and facilitates the inflammatory process. In addition, the formation of new capillaries is accelerated, which is why the skin at the site of inflammation turns red.

Chronic psoriasis is non-contagious by nature, so it is considered non-contagious. This was established in the 19th century, but until now scientists have not been able to give the exact reason for its appearance.

Among the reasons that are the premise for the development of the disease are:

• Genetic. If a person's parent or close relative has a predisposition to skin conditions, there is a high chance of it being inherited. This is because a mutation in certain DNA fragments is found in patients with psoriasis and a similar mutation is found in their loved ones.
• Genetic mutations. Violation of DNA structure, affecting the violation of skin renewal processes, is not only possible genetic, but also manifests at a later age in people whose loved one does not have psoriasis. What causes such genetic changes is still unknown.
• Weakening of the immune system. Any violation of the body's defenses can become a trigger for the development of psoriasis.
• Disruption in metabolism. Metabolic disorders are manifested in the form of changes in the metabolism of fats, nitrogen, carbohydrates and vitamins in psoriasis. As a result, there is a buildup of toxins in the body, a decrease in adaptability and an increased susceptibility to infections. In addition, the patient has an increase in bile acid segments in the serum, due to metabolic disorders.
• External irritation. Friction, frequent contact with chemical compounds, wearing tight clothing, cuts and insect bites - all of these cause the appearance of fungal fungi on the skin, which over time can develop intoPsoriasis.
• Frequent allergic reactions. If a person tends to react atypical of the immune system, manifested in the form of a skin rash, itching and a rash, this is an additional chance of psoriasis.
• A strong experience or a prolonged stressful situation. Any stress weakens the body's defenses and weakens the immune system. If a person has a predisposition to skin diseases, it can manifest itself precisely at such times. In addition, any stress affects the endocrine process, so significant doses of adrenaline and norepinephrine are released into the bloodstream. This process affects metabolism and biochemical reactions, becoming a prerequisite for the development of psoriasis.
• General weakness of the body due to serious diseases - atherosclerosis, cirrhosis, diabetes, hypertension, etc. v.
• Unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. If a person eats too many fatty, smoked, salty, sweet, and spicy foods, their chances of getting psoriasis increase. Also, in some cases, a prerequisite for the development of the disease is excessive consumption of chocolate and citrus fruits.
• Hormonal spikes are caused by severe changes in hormone levels during menopause, puberty, pregnancy, lactation, after an abortion. It is worth noting that the endocrine cause of psoriasis may not be related to the periods indicated above. In this case, we are talking about changing the activity of the endocrine system's organs.
• Climate change, living in unfavorable environmental conditions. If a person is more susceptible to psoriasis and moves to a colder area, the disease can become worse. The same applies to staying in areas with highly polluted air and water. However, the climatic factor can hardly be called the etiology of the disease: rather, it acts as a catalyst that activates the "restful" form of the body's tendency to psoriasis.

How to determine if it is psoriasis or not: symptoms of the disease

First of all, psoriasis is a skin disease. However, in some cases, especially severe, it can affect not only the skin but also tendons, internal organs, spine, nail plates and joints. Below we will look at the signs of psoriasis that appear from the very beginning and allow you to distinguish psoriasis from other skin conditions.

How Does Psoriasis Start?

On the surface of the skin (most commonly found in the knees, hands, elbows, back, armpits, under the breast, sacral region, on the genitals) and sometimes on the mucosa, dry red areas appearround. Initially, their sizes are relatively small: each papilloma is only a few millimeters in diameter. However, over time, the affected areas increase, the papules merge together and form the so-called psoriatic plaques: their diameters up to 10 cm and even more.

Initially, the papules do not cause significant discomfort to a person. They are practically not itchy or itchy. However, over time, as they develop and form plaque, the affected areas of skin thicken and protrude slightly higher than healthy skin. This phenomenon is accompanied by itching.

A characteristic feature of early psoriasis is the formation of small, loose, structured dry scabs on diseased areas of the body. Their color scheme ranges from slightly white to golden gray, and a thin pink-red rim is visible around each plaque. Superficially, these regions resemble molten paraffin, they are called "paraffin lakes".

Initially, the signs of psoriasis on the whole body and face may be confused with the manifestations of eczema or other skin conditions. The stage of psoriasis - known as the psoriasis trio - helps determine the exact type of the disease.

1. Stearic staining stage. It is characterized by the characteristic stearin-like debris formation, which occurs when plaque is scraped off.
2. The final stage of the movie. It appears as a smooth, moist and red shiny surface found under the scaly layer.
3. Phase "blood mist". If a person begins to shave the end membrane, small drops of blood will form on its surface, due to bleeding of the tip. In turn, it is caused by the thinning of the vascular network and the fragility of the capillaries.

On the onset of psoriasis there are also symptoms that are not related to the skin. Often, patients complain of increased fatigue, lethargy, irritability, drowsiness, mood swings, dizziness, nausea, and sleep problems.

How does psoriasis manifest, in addition to skin lesions?

The disease not only affects the skin, but also affects other organs and systems. The following manifestations and forms of psoriasis are distinguished:

• Psoriatic arthritis. In some cases, the lesion is localized not in the upper part of the skin, but much deeper. As a result, the disease spreads to the joints. The course of the disease is in many ways similar to that of rheumatoid arthritis, but there are some differences between them. For example, in psoriatic arthritis, asymmetric joint damage is often observed, the peak of discomfort occurs in the morning, but the main difference is that rheumatoid factor is not present in the patient's blood. Psoriatic arthritis.

• Muscle damage. If the disease is in a severe stage, muscle tissue atrophy may occur after cartilage and joint damage.
• Liver dysfunction. The job of the liver is to clean the blood and get rid of harmful substances. If there is an increase in the content of toxins, characteristic of psoriasis, in the body there is such an increase in the liver.
• The transition of the disease from the skin to the mucous membranes. If left untreated, the disease progresses and spreads to the mucous membranes of the cheeks and genitals, to the lips and tongue. The mucous membranes are swollen, inflamed foci appear, accompanied by desquamation.
• Damage to nail plaques (psoriatic nail dystrophy)Psoriasis affects nails quite often. The disease manifests itself as thickened patches of nails on the hands and feet, changes in color, the appearance of grooves and spots on them. It is also possible to observe inflammatory processes affecting the skin around the nail, hemorrhage under the nail, dryness, layering, and increasing the thinning of the nail. In particularly severe cases, we can talk about complete removal of the nail and its loss.

As you can see, the disease is quite dangerous, so treatment should be given as soon as possible to prevent its movement to other organs and systems.

Is psoriasis contagious?

Because the disease is non-contagious and non-viral by nature, it is completely non-contagious. The only way of transmission is hereditary.

Types of psoriasis

There are several types of these diseases, each with its own characteristics of specific course and symptoms.

• Simple / vulgar / plaque / plaque / common. According to the International Classification of Diseases - prosiasis vulgaris. This form is more common than others: in about 80-90% of cases it is psoriasis vulgaris. It is characterized by the appearance of "lake paraffin" or psoriatic plaques.

• Inverse (inverted psoriasis). This type of disease mainly affects the folds of the skin, the outer surface of the thighs, the groin area and the external genitals. The main difference between inverted psoriasis and vulvar psoriasis is that with the opposite form of the disease, plaques do not form on the skin: the skin becomes covered with red bumps, accompanied by an inflammatory process. The danger of reverse psoriasis is that it progresses with perspiration and friction. As a result, small cracks form on the skin where the infection will enter. As a result, it can lead to skin damage with coccidiosis and fungus.
• Droplet-shaped (according to the ICD - guttate psoriasis). Its difference from other varieties is that it is an unconnected teardrop-shaped psoriasis rash that forms large plaques. The patient's body is covered with droplets resembling water droplets (hence the name of the disease), whose color ranges from slightly pink to purple.

• Pustules / discharge. If other diseases are characterized by dry areas of skin, pus or exudative psoriasis can be identified by blisters filled with clear liquid. In this case, the skin around the blister is often red, and the local temperature will rise. If the blisters burst or if the patient brushes them, there is a risk of infection and quenching afterwards - this is the main danger of the pustular form of the disease.

• Psoriatic erythema. This is one of the serious forms of the disease, if unfavorable conditions can lead to death for the patient. Its special feature is exfoliation, so infection with pathogenic microorganisms can occur. The first signs and symptoms of this type of disease - psoriasis manifests itself in the form of an intense itching of the skin, a small red rash with a white scaly, enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the tissues and an increase in overall temperature38-39 degrees. . It is divided into generalized and hypnotic categories.

• Seborrheic psoriasis. Usually, this condition affects the scalp, but in some cases it can involve nasal folds, skin near the crowns, and the scapula. It is characterized by the appearance of dandruff (when localized on the head), intense itching and gray enlargement.

Exacerbation of psoriasis

The disease is characterized by a chronic undulating process with periods of exacerbation and remission. A decrease in the intensity of symptoms is usually observed in the warm season, while the disease worsens in winter and fall.

Factors that provoke an exacerbation of the disease can be:

• Stress, worry.
• Unbalance between work schedule and rest.
• Body weakness after an infectious or viral illness.
• Hormones skyrocket.
• Are taking some drugs.
• Using inappropriate cosmetics.
• Skin in contact with household chemicals.
• Functional disorders of the organ systems.
• Exposed to very dry, hot, or cold air.
• Strong personal hygiene is not covered by the warranty.
• Con mid-base.
• Exacerbation of allergic reactions.
• Wear tight synthetic clothing.
• Moved to an unusual climate.

Exacerbations of any skin disease (including psoriasis) bring the patient great discomfort - not only physically, but also to a greater psychological extent. The quality of life of a person with severe psoriasis in an acute stage is significantly reduced.

Patients with psoriasis often have significant social difficulties and problems with adapting, which can negatively affect work / school / personal life. A person who refuses to interact with others, enjoys spending most of his time alone. As a result, he develops social anxiety, which can develop into severe depression over time.

Exacerbations of illness can lead to difficulties in taking care of themselves and loved ones, living normally and even sleeping. If the rash is localized to the genitals, they can cause physical and psychological discomfort and cause your partner to refuse intimacy.

The severity of the disease

Depending on the area of the skin damaged and the spread of the damage to the joints, nails, and internal organs, mild, moderate, and severe forms of the disease emerge.

• Mild means a small lesion in the skin, when the total area is about 3%.
• The loss of 3 to 10% of human skin is considered the average severity of the disease.
• Severe means significant skin damage - 10% or more of the total skin area.

If a patient is diagnosed with damage to joints, muscles, and internal organs, we are talking about a severe form of the disease, even with practically no plaques and papules on the body.

How to remove psoriasis: treatment

The question of how to cure psoriasis forever does not concern everyone with the disease. Fighting against the external manifestations of the disease brings only temporary results, so for the effect to be long-term it is important to eliminate the cause of psoriasis. This usually takes a lot of time - up to several years. The patient has to be patient, but only in this case can he count on the lasting effect.

Below we look at how to treat psoriasis with drugs, hormone therapy, phototherapy, exercise. We also aim to cure psoriasis with folk remedies - combined with folk therapy, traditional medicine can give clear results.

Treatment of psoriasis with medication

The first thing to do after you've spotted suspicious round, increased dryness and peeling skin on yourself or a loved one is to seek professional medical help. Only a dermatologist can accurately determine what type of skin damage is going on in your particular case. Remember: in no case should you take the medication on your own, as the lack of therapy or elective medication can seriously harm your health.

Usually no skin tests or tests are needed to diagnose the condition. It is sufficient for a doctor to see the area covered by papules or plaques to determine the cause of the damage. If there is a severe form of the disease, a dermatologist may order tests - general and biochemical studies of blood and urine, and in particularly difficult cases, skin biopsy may also be performed. is required. X-rays may also be needed to diagnose psoriatic arthritis.

There are several effective treatments for psoriasis. Choosing the appropriate treatment method depends on the severity of damage to the skin, joints, and nails and the intensity of the disease progression. Usually, the best option is to choose a comprehensive treatment regimen that includes using topical and internal treatments, using UV radiation, bathing in saltwater and fresh water baths and objects. therapy.

To remove itchy and flaky damaged skin, creams, gels, ointments, sprays and lotions are used. They can be created on the basis of salicylic acid, pyrithione, tar and other active ingredients. The main task of non-hormonal and non-hormonal external preparations is to soften the psoriatic plaques, disinfect, destroy inflammation, moisturize and nourish the damaged skin areas.

In the role of oral medications in the treatment of psoriasis in humans, there are drugs based on efalizubam, gamma-D-glutamyl-D-tryptophan sodium, v. v.

A positive result in the treatment of psoriasis of the skin allows for a rest at sea. At the same time, should choose resorts with a relatively temperate and warm climate. The ideal solution is treatment in specialized nursing facilities and spas, with the remainder aimed at the complex therapy of psoriasis.

Psoriasis: home treatment

Treating psoriasis with folk and home remedies can only be effective if it acts as an adjunct therapy, in addition to the main drug treatment. Alternatively, it is possible to bet on traditional medicine formulations if the patient has an allergic reaction to the drug. But in any case, what to do with psoriasis is up to the doctor, so if you want to apply this or that folk method, be sure to consult a dermatologist.

One of the most popular traditional medicines for psoriasis is the use of baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate has the effect of softening psoriatic plaques, softening rough skin, relieving itching and improving waste removal. On the basis of soda, homemade ointments, bath pills prepared, soda to be taken orally, compresses and lotions are created.

In addition, a salt bath is also an effective treatment for illness. They become a worthy alternative if the patient does not have the opportunity to travel to the sea.

Cactus juice applied to the psoriatic patches also showed positive results. However, you need to remember that this remedy is quite powerful, so you need to make sure that the juice does not stick to the healthy areas of the skin.

The walnut shell is also used to combat psoriatic plaques. The shell is poured with boiling water, then it is emphasized, the resulting infusion is filtered and added to a warm bath. This remedy is especially effective in the worsening phase of the disease.

How to cure psoriasis with diet?

Adequate nutrition plays an important role in all skin conditions, and psoriasis is no exception. Of course, a well-balanced diet cannot be a one hundred percent remedy against psoriasis, but combined with medicine and traditional medicine will give good results.

During treatment, as well as to prolong remission, doctors recommend giving up alcohol, smoked and salty foods, fatty and spicy foods, using artificial flavors, preservatives, andemulsifying and chemical dyes, fatty meat, mayonnaise, ketchup. Also reduce the amount of salt, refined sugar, chocolate and other sweets and citrus consumption. Doctors recommend focusing on low-fat fermented dairy products, plant foods, whole grains, lean meats and fish.

Despite the fact that during dieting is desirable to reduce the amount of fat consumed, it is completely unreasonable to give them up. You just need to replace the animal fat with vegetable oil - olive, flaxseed, corn, sunflower.

Prevention of psoriasis

The psoriasis treatment phases necessarily include a period of remission. It is important to stretch these intervals as long as possible. To do this, the patient must adhere to some rules of prevention:

• Avoid stressful situations.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Refuse to wear tight-fitting clothing made of wool and synthetic materials.
• Spend enough time outdoors.
• Make sure you get adequate rest and get enough sleep.
• Take good care of your skin.