Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases.It can occur in patients of any age.The cause of the disease has not yet been fully determined, so psoriasis cannot be completely cured.That's why it's so important to recognize it at an early stage of development.In this article, we'll look at what psoriasis is, how it manifests, and how to treat it.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a multifactorial skin disease that presents with a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in waves and can recur and remit in waves.
Recurrence of the condition can occur due to inadequate treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.The rash in both adults and children spreads gradually, involving more and more areas of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of dry, red, raised patches with a scaly, silvery-white surface.This rash is called “plaque psoriasis.”
Most often, psoriasis is observed in the elbow and knee areas, on the buttocks, that is, in places of greatest pressure and friction.In some cases, the rash occurs on the scalp, palms, soles of the feet, and external genitalia.Psoriasis patches on the face are very rare.
reason
Many people wonder whether psoriasis can be transmitted to others.The disease is not contagious, that is, it does not spread to others.Among the causes of psoriasis are:
- Genetic predisposition.
- Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction).
- Stress, excessive nervous tension.
- Parasitic infections (giardiasis, roundworm, pork tapeworm or beef tapeworm infection).
- Metabolic diseases (silica deficiency is especially dangerous).
- Tendency to allergies.
- Infectious diseases are viral in nature.
- Weak immune system.
- Long-term drug use.
In most cases, psoriasis appears between the ages of 15 and 30 due to one or more causes. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of psoriasis patients have a relative with this disease.
Symptoms of psoriasis in the early stages
To recognize how psoriasis begins, you should familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.You should be wary:
- the formation of brightly colored skin rashes with clear edges (often they appear at the site of the wound - burns, cuts, frostbite);
- the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plaque;
- itching due to psoriasis formation (manifested in only half of cases due to weakened immunity);
- swelling and inflammation in the area of the rash.
At first, the rash is very small, about the size of the head of a pin.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth shiny surface.After a few days, the rash will grow in size and become covered with light, easily separated scales.When the plaque is scraped away, drops of blood appear on its surface, indicating hemorrhage in small spots.
Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudate (serous fluid).The scales absorb this secretion and turn into a rough shell.If you remove it, wet areas remain underneath.Such a phenomenon is very dangerous due to the addition of secondary bacterial infection.
As a rule, psoriasis in the early stages lasts 2-3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques will grow up to 5-7 cm, merge and form entire conglomerates, covering large areas of the skin.
What does psoriasis look like in the early stages?
Now let's see what psoriasis looks like when it first develops in different locations.For ease of identification, we present the corresponding photos.
- foot.The disease begins with small single rashes, mainly located on the knees and feet, but can also be observed on any surface of the legs.
- Elbow.In most cases, a type of plaque psoriasis appears in this location, which is characterized by small rashes and very severe peeling.The skin on the elbow becomes rough.
- hand.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly in the form of a small rash that many people mistakenly think is an allergy.Only after dry scabs appear should a doctor be consulted.Usually the rash is localized between the fingers on the palms of the hands.
- Head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, ear area and back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by moist scales and is almost always itchy.
- Face.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows, and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.
- Nail.Psoriasis on the nails is more like a fungal disease.First, vertical stripes or dots appear at the edge of the nail, then spread to the base of the nail.At the same time, the nail plate becomes dull and thickens.
Psoriasis treatment
Treatment should begin with a visit to a dermatologist. In any case, you should not self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the early stages must be comprehensive.Today, new treatments have been developed that completely eliminate the scaly rash, although they do not completely cure the disease.During treatment, it is necessary to exclude all factors that aggravate the pathology, change the diet and adhere to a special diet.
Treatment with medication
Treatment strategies for early-stage psoriasis are gradually changing.If previously hormonal drugs with a general effect were prescribed, now topical drugs are widely used.
The following ointments help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis:
- Keratolytic and moisturizing.
- Vegetables.
- Glucocorticoids.
- Cytostatic drugs.
- Based on snake oil.
- Petroleum-based.
The doctor may also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:
- paraffin bath;
- PUVA therapy;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- sulfide and radon tanks.
Electro-sleep therapy and magnetic laser have a beneficial effect.Cryotherapy (treatment with cold compresses) and hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) are becoming popular.
When treating psoriasis on the head, you should not brush the skin.Hair should be washed daily with shampoo containing zinc, tar and selenium sulfide.
Treatment at home
Before using any formula, you should consult your doctor to avoid complications. Treatment with traditional medicine is mainly aimed at strengthening the immune system and reducing the inflammatory process.Therefore, it is necessary to drink vitamin teas - decoctions from rose hips, lemon, honeysuckle, raspberries, chamomile, etc.You should add honey to herbal teas.
The most effective home remedies include:
- celandine.It reduces inflammation well and soothes the skin.The plaque must be lubricated daily with the juice of this plant.
- Hydrogen peroxide.To start, dilute peroxide with water in a 1:3 ratio and use this solution to lubricate the psoriasis rash to disinfect it.Use before applying ointments or lotions.
- Flaxseed oil.Perfectly reduces inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice daily.
- baking soda.Neutralizes skin acidity, which increases with psoriasis.
- Thick oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the disease.You need to lubricate the affected areas before going to bed.
Prevention and recommendations
To reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these instructions:
- Moisturize your skin regularly with cream;
- avoid skin damage in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc.;
- strengthen the immune system, play sports and walk more in the fresh air;
- give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
- Use only medications prescribed by your doctor.
It is important to note separately about a special diet for psoriasis. It helps achieve remission faster and reduces the time it takes to relapse.The table below contains a list of allowed, prohibited, and restricted products.
| Product | Allowed | Use restrictions | Prohibited |
| Fish and meat | turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish | lean beef and lamb | pork, sea fish |
| Cereal and flour products | Oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes | rice | semolina, puff pastry, baked goods made from wheat flour, bread |
| Dairy products | low-fat cottage cheese, skim milk | kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream | cheese |
| Vegetable | carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, asparagus, lettuce, green beans | corn, pumpkin | bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant |
| Fruits and berries | kiwi, pineapple, mango, grape, nectarine, cherry | plums, blueberries, grapes, cranberries, avocados | strawberry, citrus, red apple |
| nuts | almond | pine nuts | everyone else |
| Candy | Dried apricots, raisins, dates | Honey | chocolates, candies and other confectionery products |
| Spice | dill, parsley, green onions | horseradish, garlic, onions | pepper, cloves, nutmeg |
| Oil | sunflower, olive, cotton, corn | butter | spread, margarine |
| Beverage | herbal tea, juice, juice | green tea | black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol |
Don't forget your drinking regime.You need to drink 1.5-2 liters of drinking water every day.
Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease, causing many inconveniences.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with the right treatment approach, stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist.Psoriasis in the early stages responds well to drug treatment.You should not self-medicate as this will only worsen the course of the disease.