Psoriasis is a chronic disease with an undulating course.This disease affects the human skin and, less commonly, the joints.Exacerbation of pathology occurs due to the influence of a number of negative factors and is characterized by worsening symptoms.Then the disease goes into remission, a period of remission begins, which can also be replaced by an exacerbation.
Characteristics of the disease process
The disease manifests differently in different patients.Furthermore, symptoms can vary from patient to patient, ranging from small localized lesions to widespread lesions affecting large areas of skin.
Usually, the disease progresses with age.Over time, the duration of remission becomes shorter and the affected area increases significantly.
It's important to know what psoriasis looks like in the early stages and how to treat it to prevent the disease from progressing further.
Cause of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If parents have dermatological diseases, there is a high chance of developing psoriasis in their children when exposed to certain factors.
Factors that determine the beginning of the development of pathology are:
- allergic reaction;
- severe infectious disease;
- reduces the body's immune defenses;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- exhaustion of the nervous system.
In addition, the driving force for the development of the disease in people susceptible to dermatological diseases may be due to the long-term use of certain drugs used to treat chronic diseases.
Types and stages of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis – type 1 and type 2. The first type is diagnosed in children and adolescents.The disease in this form is genetically determined, while the child's parents may be healthy, and in the older generation there are cases of psoriasis.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never affects the joints.
The second type of disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people over 45 years old.A characteristic feature of this form of the disease is joint damage.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of psoriasis:
- early (early stages of psoriasis);
- progress;
- permanent;
- are regressing.
The preferred locations of the disease are the elbows, head and trunk.In rare cases, severe cases affect the flexor muscles of the upper and lower limbs.
Early stage of the disease
Psoriasis in its early stages has symptoms and signs of an allergic skin reaction.The disease begins suddenly, with small red rashes appearing on the skin.In childhood, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with organ disease or manifestations of a food allergic reaction, making timely treatment difficult.
In young children, symptoms of stage 1 psoriasis may be in areas of friction when wearing clothes, while in adults, the first signs of the disease are noted on the hands or body.
Over time, papules (as pimples are called in psoriasis) group together, forming flaky patches.The islands of the disease may be covered with gray scales that painlessly separate from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis is itchy in the early stages and how to recognize the symptoms of stage 1 skin psoriasis. The following signs will help determine what incipient psoriasis looks like:
- When scraping off the rash, the plaque becomes white and the scales fall off easily;
- If you continue to scrape, a fine red mark (“heat film”) will form at the site of the plaque;
- If you continue to scrape the stain, it will become covered with small drops of blood due to spot bleeding.
The above techniques are used when examining patients and help identify psoriasis in its early stages.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, secretions may be released at the sites of plaque formation.The wounds are covered with a crust, under which they become moist from fluid secretion.This disease process can be complicated by further infection and the initiation of widespread inflammation.
Arthropathic form of the disease
If the disease affects the hands, palms, and areas between the fingers, the diagnosis is psoriatic arthritis.This form is considered the most serious because over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracks.There is a high likelihood of joint damage, leading to the development of arthritis.This causes loss of ability to work and disability for the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate, causing the nail to separate from the fingers.The arthritic form of the disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient experiences severe discomfort at work and at home, since any movement of the hands leads to increased pain.
Treatment with medication
To the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages, unfortunately, doctors cannot give a positive answer.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute stage of the disease and return the patient to normal life.
If psoriasis is initially diagnosed, treatment should only be chosen by a dermatologist after an examination.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected results and will only worsen the course of the disease.
Whether psoriasis can be cured in its early stages largely depends on the extent of the damage and the location of the plaques.
The initial form of psoriasis is treated with the following methods:
- ointment for topical skin treatment;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physical therapy methods;
- Adjust your diet;
- immunomodulators.
Ointments for the treatment of affected skin areas are selected by the doctor depending on the degree of damage.Usually, preparations made from asphalt or grease are used.For extensive skin lesions, treatment can be performed with corticosteroid-containing ointments.These drugs have some side effects and should only be prescribed in severe cases.The course of treatment should not be long, and after the acute symptoms subside, these ointments should be replaced with more gentle preparations.
If psoriasis is diagnosed in its very early stages, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, good effects are observed when using physiotherapy - paraffin baths or ultraviolet irradiation.
For psoriasis in the early stages, home treatment requires a doctor's approval.Having understood how psoriasis manifests itself in the initial stages, it is not necessary to delay seeing a specialist because the disease progresses rapidly.
The attack may begin suddenly;In this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, medicinal baths are used with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, marigold flowers), as well as natural oils.The purpose of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling but must be used in conjunction with medications recommended by your doctor.
The answer to the question whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages and whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages in children can be given only by the treating doctor, based on the patient's disease characteristics.