Psoriasis is an autoimmune non-infectious disease that is manifested by severe redness, inflammation and scaling of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wave character - it continues with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant when it affects the face, because this part of the body cannot be covered with clothes. Psoriasis on the face brings not only itching and discomfort associated with skin irritation, but also moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Is there psoriasis on the face?
In most cases, psoriatic skin defects affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits and inguinal cavities. Can psoriasis appear on the face? Perhaps, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. The face is often affected by the second form, which is considered more severe due to particularly dense large papules, as well as scales covered with a layer of yellowish sebum.
Factors that contribute to the development of the disease
Doctors still cannot reach a common opinion about the causes of skin pathology, but they suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune disorders;
- metabolic disorders.
Autoimmune disorders arise due to inadequate work of the immune system, when it begins to aggressively perceive its own body. The predisposition to such disorders is hereditary, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disorders are caused by nervous tension, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, and hormonal disorders. Also, the cause of improper metabolism can be unpleasant climatic conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis cannot appear on the face for only one reason. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a special group, doctors identify factors that increase the probability of manifestation of pathology:
- chronic inflammations;
- exchange failures;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin injuries (the main cause of psoriasis on the nose and other prominent places);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- frostbite and overheating;
- poisoning, including alcoholism;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta-blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: varieties
There are two types of psoriasis on the face:
- It occurs at a young age - up to 40 years. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 16-24. Early pathology often becomes generalized, severe, difficult to treat and often relapses.
- It affects people over 40 years old. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 55-60 years. This type is less persistent, the symptoms are not as strong as in the previous version, it is lighter, it is better treated.
There are also two main types of psoriasis on the face: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in most patients and rarely affects the face. The seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic for such a place, which often causes relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are particularly dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellowish tint, which is why they are very noticeable.
The disease can be localized in the following places on the face:
- on the cheeks;
- On the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis is diagnosed on the lips. In the neglected version, skin defects can spread to the ears.
Clinical stages
The pathology is not instantaneous, it flows in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start treatment in the first stage, but for that you need to know how psoriasis starts.
The stage of pathology can be determined by symptoms:
- At the very beginning, facial psoriasis manifests as papules that resemble acne scars. Itches, increases in size, forms dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin turns red, the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis or seborrhea). This phase is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, painful, scaly, covered with thick yellow crusts.
- Then the affected areas start to bleed and itch a lot. Drops of blood come out after scraping the thick crust. Wound surfaces do not heal. The peeling goes on the whole face, the itching becomes unbearable.
- After that, the stationary stage begins, during which papule growth stops and peeling decreases. Plaques on the face take on a bluish hue.
- The last stage is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease goes into remission, peeling and itching completely disappear, papules and plaques recede.
Because psoriasis is chronic, relapses are bound to occur after remission. The duration of remission is individual and largely depends on proper treatment and facial skin care. If the pathology is not treated, then instead of remission, various complications can occur.
Consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. A neglected form of psoriasis often turns into arthritis, and if it moves to the eyelids and ears, it can cause blindness and deafness. Also, comorbidities in patients worsen: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. That is why it is very important to be treated on time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, because it is chronic, but a multi-year remission can be achieved. To do this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be complete - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with special preparations of systemic and local action;
- physiotherapy;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- folk remedies.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and undergo a standard set of tests to determine the characteristics of the pathology. Therapy is chosen individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
Preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids fight quickly and strongly against the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop the pathological division of cells, due to which the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Antiallergic drugs will help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A medicine with succinic acid in its composition can speed up the recovery of the skin and improve its condition. For general strengthening of the body, injections of group B vitamins are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a tableted vitamin complex.
If the drugs are ineffective, then the most powerful immunosuppressive drug against psoriatic rash is used instead. It is used as a last resort because of the high probability of side effects.
Mild forms of the disease, as well as childhood psoriasis, are treated with local drugs - ointments, creams, gels.
How to apply psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. Usually awarded:
- ointment with salicylic acid 0. 5%;
- grease based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of active substance);
- naphthalene cream 5%;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- non-hormonal cream of vegetable origin based on fat.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations for local application, are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis.
In addition to the mentioned medicines, it is mandatory to take sedatives (valerian, lemon balm), because stress worsens the symptoms. After the pathology has passed into a calm phase, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiotherapy against itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Therapy with folk remedies
How to treat skin psoriasis, recommended by traditional medicine. Masks will help you quickly remove psoriasis from your face at home:
- from the infusion of dry chamomile - boil the flowers, strain, dip gauze in the solution and apply to the face, hold for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut a leaf and rub the juice on the affected areas of the face;
- from turmeric - the spice is diluted with water to a pulpy state and applied to plaques. You have to keep it for 8-12 hours.
You can do face masks every other day or every day before bed for 2-4 weeks. Then it is advisable to take a short break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.
Another powerful remedy for psoriasis on the face is concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). Oils are recommended to be added to care cream or washing water. They soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, facilitate the peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
Pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which must be added to masks, washing water and scrubs. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but they will help to significantly speed up the healing process. Such treatment is recommended to be combined with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
Diet and lifestyle
All patients (even children) should follow a diet that removes all potential allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, seafood. If psoriasis is on the forehead or cheeks, then you should definitely give up sugar and starchy foods.
Also, the problem can be solved by giving up bad habits - addiction to alcohol and smoking. The correct way of life will have to be constantly maintained, even after the transition of the disease into remission.
Facial skin care
Care of problematic facial skin should be done carefully, regularly and correctly. For care, it is better to use a daily moisturizing cream for the face with vitamin D in its composition. It will improve the quality of the skin, soften it and saturate it with nutrition for recovery. And you also need:
- avoid actively rubbing the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe the face after washing with paper napkins);
- during a relapse, do not use decorative cosmetics for the face, especially in the hot season;
- do not peel or injure the skin by exfoliating;
- replace razors with electric razors (advice for men);
- regularly protect your facial skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays with the help of special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis on open body parts? No, the affected skin must be protected from the sun's rays, especially in the acute phase, because ultraviolet radiation can cause complications.
Despite the specificity of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive, competent approach to treatment, if all the recommendations of the doctor are followed, the prognosis for achieving long-term remission will be favorable.