Psoriasis (translated from the Greek word "psora" - "skin disease, scaly") is a chronic condition of a non-infectious nature, also known as scaly lichen, which primarily affects the skin of the scalp. knee and elbow joints, lower back and upper head. There is also psoriasis of the joints, bones, nails, external genitals and internal organs, but these forms are rarely diagnosed. This is a difficult disease to treat, so when the first symptoms appear, the rash should consult your doctor.
The symptoms
Stearin stains
The first sign of psoriasis, is part of the pathological trio of symptoms. It is characterized by increased flaking after scraping affected surfaces with a spatula. Over time, there is a separation from silvery-white, scaly papules. Getting rid of them is not difficult, as they become loose and latch onto the psoriasis. The surface of the tumor (rash) turns white, and the seeds are broken and shredded.
The first phenomenon of the trio is explained by the development of parakeratosis (the epithelium does not function properly, which leads to a violation of the formation of the horny layer). To combat a deviation in the early stages, topical non-hormonal agents (creams, ointments) are used.
Movie end
It is characterized by the removal of a thin layer of tissue from papules, which has a shiny structure and looks like polyethylene. It is easily separated by any impact (pressure, friction, etc. ) after the dry scabs are removed.
The final film is the last layer to be removed from the skin. The extra scraping leads to the final stage of the trio - drip bleeding.
At this stage, herbal baths, drugs with an anti-allergic effect, ointments on a natural basis (without corticosteroids and hormones) are used.
Bleeding determined
After removal of the end membrane, drip bleeding occurs on the affected area of the skin (symptoms of low back pain or "bloody mist") and rapid growth of the tumor is noted, sometimes reaching size. pea-sized and called blisters. In some cases, the papules develop about the size of a small coin and differentiate into nodules. With the progression of the disease, their development increases and when together, psoriatic plaques are formed.
For treatment, retinoids, immunomodulators, anti-inflammatory drugs, physiotherapy are used.
Other
The disease can be identified by other characteristic signs, of which 4 are mainly:
- Red, non-scaly rims, forming around papules.
- Small papules can be seen on clean skin (usually preceded by an advanced stage of psoriasis).
- A symptom that helps distinguish psoriasis from seborrheic dermatitis is characteristic of the active stage of the pathology. It is accompanied by the appearance of papules with clear boundaries on the scalp; This does not happen with seborrheic dermatitis.
- Around the formation appears a shiny, shiny leather rim. Symptoms are typical of the progression phase of the disease and appear when the papules disappear.
What does it look like
In most cases, the onset of the pathology is unrecognizable: in an early stage, psoriasis affects small areas of skin, mainly in the curves of the limbs, head and alonghairline.
Attention!Initial manifestations occur where the skin is subject to constant mechanical irritation, for example where clothing is rubbed and pressed.
Common symptoms:
- itching;
- excessive dry skin;
- dissociation of pathological factors;
- general impairment of health (weakness, lethargy, fever).
There are 3 stages of development of pathological papilloma:
- Progressive.The appearance of a bright pink rash, surrounded by a thick, slightly vague rim. In the center of the papules, the skin sloughs off, forming a white color. At this stage, the rash may appear at the site of an abrasion, skin wound, bite, cut, puncture, or burn.
- Freeze.It starts 1-4 weeks after the onset of illness. New plaques do not appear, old ones are pale in color, the intensity of peeling decreases gradually.
- Depression.The color of the plaques and papules fade, their penetration decreases and the formation dissolves. The average time of the rot period is from 2 to 6 - 8 months.
Symptoms of the disease depend on the types:
- Plaque(ordinary or vulgar). The most common type of pathology. On different parts of the body (usually appearing on elbows, knees, and heads), red oval or circular plaques appear, covered with a layer of silvery-white scales above.
- Sebum secretion.It mainly occurs on the scalp. The symptoms are flaking and itching, spreading to the area behind the ears and the skin along the hairline.
- PustulesThe type is considered the heaviest, growing rapidly and affecting large areas of skin. A painful rash appears on the body, accompanied by an increase in local temperature, weakness, headache, diarrhea. Drainage-filled blisters will soon form in the lesions. Later, the pimples progress, merge with each other, forming large lesions on the body.
- Continuity.Typically in children, accompanied by the appearance of bright red, slightly flaky (possibly absent) papules.
- Extreme.Not only are the affected areas of skin flaky but also wet, with yellow scabs on the surface in patches.
- Psoriatic erythema.Red patches with silver, yellow or white scales are observed throughout the body. It is accompanied by an increase in lymph nodes, an increase in body temperature. In the future, the formations merge into large spots that cause itchy itchiness.
- Psoriatic arthritis.It is accompanied by "joint syndrome", in which the skin in the joint area (on the wrist, knuckles, spine, etc. ) is affected, and if measures are not taken in time. diseases affecting the joints.
- Tearis accompanied by a multiple rash, consisting of many small patches. In this case, the papules are in the form of drops, their color ranging from bright red to purple.
- Point.It is characterized by the formation of small spots on different areas of the body, like dots and possible without desquamation of the dermis.
- Rupioid.One of the types of chronic psoriasis. The crust appears on the formations, they become taller, in the shape of a cone.
- Oldmanifested by large papules that do not go away for a long time.
- Psoriasis mental illnessleads to deformation of the nails, yellow-brown spots appear under them.
- Palmar-plantar.Appears on palms and soles of feet. The main symptoms are thickening, dry, cracked skin.
- Psoriasis of the mucous membranesaffects the oral cavity and provokes the appearance of plaques on the mucous membranes.
Localization of psoriasis
Hands
In most cases, the rash appears on the surface of the elbow or between the toes. Less commonly, papules are noted on the forearms.
Attention!The hands are characterized by a plaque form of the pathology, but others are also found. Its signs are small red spots, quickly covered with white flakes, the affected area becomes rough.
Foot
Psoriasis primarily occurs on the legs in the knee area, but it is possible that they form on other parts of the leg.
The first rash is single and small with a well-defined, but loose, inflamed, and flaky rash. These initial nodules rapidly spread to form clusters.
The head
Usually develops on the background of seborrhea, affects the hair roots, forms the so-called psoriatic crown. Skin formation gradually develops and spreads over the entire surface, like dandruff. This localization happens quite often, rarely a rash appears on the ears or behind them.
Nail
Foundation panels can be affected by the type:
- Thimble- Point form of psoriasis. Small pits appear on the fingernails, similar to a needle puncture mark.
- Onychomycosis- the nail discolored, dulled, visibly thickened and began to peel off. Through the slide, a scaly papules can be seen surrounded by a red rim, similar to an oil stain.
Body
Often manifested as characteristic papules associated with each other. Psoriasis is more common in the back, less common in the neck, abdomen, and hips, and plaques can be drop-shaped, dot-shaped and plaque.
Face
It is rarely affected, the rash is located in the folds of the nose, in the area of the \ u200b \ u200b 'temples and eyebrows, around the eyes. Rarely, the pathology affects the lip contour, a herpes-like rash.
The palms of the hands and feet
Both areas are affected at the same time, but there have been cases of development only on the feet or palms. On the soles of the feet, the disease is often combined with fungal pathology, which greatly complicates diagnosis and treatment.
This type of psoriasis is divided into 3 categories:
- Papular-plaque- dense structure, not protruding on the skin, difficult to separate the scale from the plateThe rash appears on the margins, accompanied by edema and keratosis.
- Psoriasis scar tissue- dense circular papules, consisting of keratinized epidermal layers. The skin is thicker and coarser. As a result, it is susceptible to injury, appearance of cracks. There is practically no rash, the size of the rash ranges from 2-3 mm to 2-3 cm.
- Pustules- Manifest in the form of purulent purulent papules. The bubbles are 2 mm in diameter and tend to bond together.
Coupling
Pathology can affect a person's joints, leading to a structural change of their tissues, with progression, followed by pain and deformation. External symptoms: a red rash on the skin. Internal signs - painful joints, especially sleeping, stiffness with movement, swelling.
Important!Psoriasis first affects the small joints of the feet and hands, then spreads to the knees and elbows, and in severe stages the disc joints become damaged.
Itching or not
In most cases, psoriasis is accompanied by itching of varying degrees, sometimes not just spot, but systemic itching. In the early stages, the itching is mild, gradually increasing.
The degree of intensity also depends on the location of the pathology. For example, the psoriasis on the head is itchy, and the skin flakes and falls in large patches, the size of dandruff is larger than usual. In the sedentary stage, the itching subside, often giving way to the burning sensation. During remission, all major symptoms are mild.
Itching gets worse with:
- relapse;
- climate change;
- general intoxication;
- gastrointestinal disease;
- entry of scabies, allergies;
- HIV infection.
Skin becomes intensely itchy after drinking coffee, alcoholic beverages, spicy and spicy foods, chocolate and other allergens.
Distinguishing way
For eczema
- The nature of the rash.With eczema, blisters or blisters filled with fluid ooze out periodically. Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of dry, scaly papules that heal when they heal.
- Itchy skin.Due to eczema, the body itch is more itchy than psoriasis.
- Color.In psoriasis, the scabs appear silvery in color, and in eczema, the affected areas become bright red or bright red.
- Painful area.Eczema affects soft, sensitive areas, the armpits and groin. Psoriasis is characterized by a rash on layers of rough, hard, and thick skin (knees, elbows, head and other areas).
- Causes of the disease.Psoriasis is often caused by a neurological factor, while eczema is caused by allergies and a malfunctioning body.
- Features rash on hand.With psoriasis, pits form on the nails and eczema is similar to a fungal infection.
For seborrheic dermatitis
The clinical manifestations of the diseases are similar, but there are several characteristics for you to differentiate them:
- for psoriasis, oily skin and bleeding cracks are characteristic, and this is not observed in seborrheic dermatitis;
- dermatitis, unlike psoriasis, is not accompanied by severe rough and dry skin;
- with psoriasis, the scales are silver, and seborrhea is yellow or white;
- seborrhea can be easily removed, but psoriasis is not;
- dermatitis is often observed in the places of accumulation of the sebaceous glands, and squamous disease - throughout the body;
- psoriasis of the scalp significantly protrudes outside the area of hair growth and seborrhea does not cross this line;
- The affected area has a much larger squamous lichen compared to the skin affected by dermatitis.
From mushrooms
- Psoriasis occurs in the presence of several provoking factors, such as genetics, mechanical damage to the skin, malfunctioning immune system, etc. v. The second pathogen is just the spore of the parasitic fungus.
- Psoriasis is not contagious, is not transmitted by airborne droplets, through sexual contact, or through contact.
Attention!Fungi (onychomycosis) affect any contact, including in public places - saunas, swimming pools, gyms, etc. v. It is transmitted from animals and humans.
- With psoriasis in the head, the structure of the hair does not change, while fungal diseases lead to brittle hair, dryness and loss.
- Unlike scaly lichen, nail fungus is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
- With the defeat of scaly nails, their structure is changed at an early stage, and when there is a fungus over a long period of time, the structure and color of the nail plates do not change.
From pink lichen
The hallmark of psoriasis is the "psoriasis trio". The disease progresses gradually and goes through 3 phases. Erythema (Pityriasis) develops rapidly and does not stop progressing. In addition, psoriasis is a contagious disease, but scaly lichen is not.
From neurodermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis (neurodermatitis) has an allergic origin and is triggered by a certain substance, for example, plant pollen, food, animal hair, etc. v. The causes of psoriasis are different (genetic, reduced immunity, mental, mechanical damage to the skin, etc. ).
- With neurodermatitis, the skin becomes dry and rough, while with psoriasis the skin becomes scaly and bleeds.
- Inflammatory plaques include separate small particles, in the case of shingles, the papules are uniform and covered with silvery scales.
- The color of the rash with psoriasis is much brighter than with neurodermatitis.
For gout
The difference between gout and psoriatic arthritis lies in the underlying cause. Gout occurs when crystals of uric acid are deposited in joint cartilage. Deviations from the standard can be caused by: arterial hypertension, obesity, diuretics, alcohol consumption, etc. v.
The symptoms of psoriasis and gout are similar - severe pain at night, stiffness with movement, redness and swelling in the affected area. However, with psoriasis, in most cases, characteristic erythematous papules appear first, then painful.
Other special symptoms of gouty arthritis include:
- presence of white nodules in the area of the affected joint;
- signs of kidney stones (back pain, blood urination, and others).