In clinical dermatology, psoriasis has 3 stages: progressive, stable and regressive.They vary in duration, degree of skin damage, and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the pathological process into 4 stages, taking into account the initial stage.
First stage
In the early stages, patients develop a small rash.Depending on the type of disease, they can be localized:
- on the arms, elbows and legs;
- on the head and face;
- on the abdomen, thighs and back.
The rash rarely exceeds 2-3 mm in size and is characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after the rash appears, the rash will be covered with a gray layer.This process means the death of the skin.
In people who have had psoriasis for a long time, the fluid layer does not have time to regenerate itself because the skin is immediately covered with plaque.In new patients, the same process lasts 3 weeks, during which the disease may stop developing.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical medications are used to treat lichen planus in its early stages of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of unpleasant sensations, and they also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs of the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional method
Among the recommended traditional therapeutic methods:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and soothing effect, and also have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.Instructions for use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to the rash.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It applies precisely and does not wash off.Before use, you should consult a dermatologist.
Progress
Characteristics of the stage: extensive skin damage, plaque formation (with vulgar psoriasis) or other pronounced papules.Rashes can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rash will merge together and distinct gray scales will form on the patches.
One of the main symptoms of this stage is the phenomenon of Kebnera (isomorphic agent), which consists of the formation of papules on the affected skin area.That is, if the patient has an injury to the skin, after a while, psoriasis will appear on the irritated area.
The final sign of the advanced stage: the capillary layer, which can be seen by removing the scales from the plaque.When the plaque is removed, blood begins to flow.
Treatment
At this stage, all the main methods of treatment are used - oral and topical medications, diet and physiotherapy.Physical therapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet rays, PUVA therapy.
Among the drugs should be noted the following:
- Vitamin complex.Used to strengthen the immune system.Such treatment is necessary so that the body can fight the disease.
- Retinoids.The same products also mention vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), which affect cell membrane structure and inhibit skin death.
- Steroids.They are used less often than other drugs because they have a negative effect on the body.Steroid drugs affect metabolism and have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Among traditional methods of treatment, the same oils and hydrogen peroxide are used.
You can add a tincture made from celandine to them.To prepare, you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dried or fresh) and salt water.In any case, you should not use alcohol because it can dry the skin.
How to prepare the remedy:
- The ingredients must be mixed together;
- Leave for a few hours.
Fixed phase
The period of stable development of the disease lasts indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, not even a pink border remains.The layer that forms on the papules can be gray or grayish white.In the stabilization phase, the skin becomes rough and peels.
Symptoms of mild psoriasis: if in the advanced stage the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, then in the inpatient stage those symptoms will gradually decrease.Even so, the rash didn't stop itching.
You can see what a psoriasis rash looks like for a while in the photo.
Treatment
Some new medications may be used to treat fixed forms of psoriasis, but in general the treatment regimen will not change.Strong medications should be prescribed by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can try only proven remedies:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
The drugs on this list have the fewest contraindications and are quite cheap.
Traditional method
Some effective recipes for treating dermatological diseases:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture must be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore skin elasticity.
- Beeswax.This product has anti-inflammatory and softening effects.Beeswax should be melted in a water bath, then carefully applied to the crust covering the papules.
- Honey.The main waste product of bees has a positive effect on the human body with psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities - 2 tablespoons per day.
Regression phase
This stage is characterized by Voronov's symptom (pseudoatrophic Voronov rings), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rash begins to disappear.Initially, the rash changes color, first becoming light pink, then adapting to healthy skin color.In the regression phase, the itching disappears completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The final stage is the most painless and can be relieved.Scale lichens can exist in a latent form from several months to decades.To prevent the disease from getting worse, you need to regularly see a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Treatment at this stage does not require additional new medications.During the period of regression, the patient should focus on internal healing, that is, actively take vitamin complexes.You should continue to use drugs that have previously tested positive.The use of hormonal drugs should be completely avoided because they negatively affect the body and weaken immune defenses.
A quick and popular treatment: Leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to the category of alternative medicine but is recognized by many experts.Such therapy should be discussed with your doctor in advance.It lasts from 3 to 10 days, depending on the patient's condition and the stage of the disease.During remission, the duration of treatment with leeches is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth noting that severe forms of psoriasis can present vaguely.Only comprehensive treatment will help avoid recurrence.Typically, scaly lichen is worse during the winter, when a person's skin comes into contact with clothing and cannot breathe.