Psoriasis is a genetic disease that has no cure, but is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Pathology often leads to severe itching, pain and excessive peeling of the skin, which is why it is important to know how to alleviate the worsening of psoriasis and alleviate your condition.
Signs of psoriasis exacerbation
Psoriasis relapse begins quickly and acutely. After a long period of remission, new rashes form on the body. Those parts of the body where the skin is the driest are especially affected: sacral part, feet, palms, scalp. The patient's condition suddenly worsens and the following signs appear:
- Formation of a terminal film at the site of removed scales, especially in guttate psoriasis;
- Strong, sometimes unbearable itching;
- Peeling and redness of the skin in the affected areas;
- A feeling of tight skin.
Papules that appear after remission with a red or pale pink tint have clear, rough borders. Gradually, the rash develops into plaques, which can reach more than 10 cm in diameter. The scales that cover the affected areas of the skin peel off well, and blood may appear under them.
The best time to relapse
The best time for psoriasis to worsen is the cold season (winter, autumn), when numerous viruses and bacteria circulate in the air. There are several reasons for this:
- During the sunny season, the rays have a beneficial effect on the skin and the human body as a whole. Vitamin D3 deficiency often leads to relapse.
- In winter, there is a drop in immunity, which is a trigger for the worsening of psoriasis.
At the same time, there is a possibility of worsening psoriasis in the summer. The reason is that excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation also have a negative effect on the skin, causing its inflammation and the appearance of new plaques.
What causes the deterioration
To date, the reliable causes of psoriasis exacerbation are unknown. What may lead to recurrence of pathology in some patients is absolutely safe for others. Let's list just a few factors that most often lead to the return of psoriasis:
- Stress, chronic fatigue, constant emotional stress;
- Any damage to the skin, mechanical and chemical;
- Failure to follow the recommended diet. Relapse is possible if the body lacks the necessary minerals and vitamins;
- Deterioration of human immunity due to exposure to various factors;
- Sudden climate changes;
- Excessive drinking of alcohol and even smoking;
- Hormonal imbalance caused by taking hormonal drugs or malfunctioning of the thyroid gland;
- Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause are conditions in which hormonal levels also change in the body;
- The use of new cosmetics that can be directly applied to skin areas affected by psoriasis and worsen the course of the disease.
All of the above are only the most obvious and common causes of worsening psoriasis. In this case, a relapse may occur even after taking various, the simplest and most harmless drugs. Considering this, doctors recommend taking only those medicines that are necessary for health reasons.
How to quickly relieve aggravation
Since the symptoms begin to grow rapidly and sometimes become unbearable, the question of how to quickly alleviate the worsening of psoriasis is the most urgent question. The reason is that the disease has severe and painful symptoms, the patient suffers not only from the appearance of spots, but also from severe itching. All this worsens the quality of life.
People suffering from psoriasis note that the most effective means that can make life easier in this period are:
- Repeated baths for significant lesions or lotions for small, tiny spots. Such solutions relieve itching, but strongly tighten the skin. Accordingly, it is better to take them in combination with petroleum jelly or baby cream.
- Sodium salt and thiosulphuric acid in ampoules. The pharmaceutical preparation can be replaced with natural remedies such as prunes, hay grass, dried apricots or raisins.
- Baths with pine needles and valerian, which can be taken every 2 days. The proportions are as follows: for one bath bottle of valerian and 50 ml. pine needle extract.
- Lotions with a softening cream and the addition of a decoction of flax seeds. The product promotes rapid healing of cracks and is most effective for psoriasis on the palms or soles.
- Rubbing with vinegar (a spoonful of vinegar to 0. 5 liters of water). It helps to relieve itching quickly.
All of the listed prescriptions will only help relieve acute symptoms, while traditional therapy cannot be considered a cure. If the disease recurs, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist, who will prescribe treatment depending on the causative factor.
The best way to relieve severe itching in case of recurrence
The most effective way to combat severe itching during a psoriasis flare-up is medication. 1-2% ointment with salicylic acid in combination with topical glucocorticosteroid drugs has been shown to be effective. In this case, it is necessary to ensure proper care of the affected skin. The patient should bathe and apply moisturizing creams to the affected areas.
The following remedies will help relieve severe itching:
- anti-allergic medications that will help relieve itching when psoriasis symptoms become unbearable.
- ointments based on tar, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, synthetic analogue of vitamin D - ointments that help relieve inflammation, itching, soften the skin and disinfect. Apply to the rash 2-3 times a day.
Removal of inflammation and redness in psoriasis
In addition to systemic therapy, during exacerbation of psoriasis, medications are also prescribed that help alleviate the external manifestations of the disease. Ointments, creams, gels, poultices, which include sulfur, tar, solid oil or salicylic acid, help relieve inflammation and redness. The following medications have been shown to be effective:
- fats created on the basis of naphthalene oil;
- zinc oxide grease;
- ointment based on salicylic acid;
- products containing tar;
- solid oil products.
Such products have an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. They dry the skin, accelerate the healing process of plaques and stimulate the peeling process.
If the relapse of the disease is extremely acute, the doctor can prescribe ointments with hormonal steroids to relieve inflammation. It is strictly forbidden to use such means independently, because they have many bad consequences.
How to relieve aggravation on the head
Aggravation of psoriasis on the scalp entails, perhaps, some of the most unpleasant symptoms. Here you can't do without complex therapy, which includes:
- Taking drugs for different purposes: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, immune system modulators, sedatives and anti-allergic drugs. It is also recommended to take vitamins B, A and D as part of vitamin complexes.
- Medicines that have a local effect will help to solve itching and inflammation on the scalp. They have a regenerative, antibacterial, peeling effect. Ointments are applied to the affected areas of the scalp 2-3 times a day.
- Psoriasis shampoos.
Before using any of the above medicines, you should consult a specialist. Really effective therapy can be prescribed only if the factors that caused the deterioration are taken into account.
How to alleviate the worsening of psoriasis during pregnancy
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy are a trigger for psoriasis relapse. During the exacerbation, the woman suffers from severe intoxication and allergies. Red plaques that itch and hurt are formed on the body. Body temperature rises, appetite disappears.
Exacerbation of psoriasis in pregnant women is a dangerous condition that threatens the health and even the life of the child. Miscarriage, early childbirth, premature birth - these are all disastrous consequences of such a disease in pregnant women. It is for this reason that at the first symptoms you should immediately go to the hospital and do not engage in self-medication.
Treatment methods for psoriasis exacerbations
Since the factors that caused the exacerbation of psoriasis are mostly unknown, complex treatment is indicated. The use of only one drug can ease the patient's condition, but it will not relieve him of all relapse symptoms. Therefore, a comprehensive therapy is used, which is designed to solve several problems:
- Stop the growth of plaques and renew the skin;
- Remove provoking factors;
- Eliminate the possibility of the patient being in stressful situations;
- Cleanse the body and improve the work of the digestive tract.
The choice of treatment methods and regimens directly depends on the stage and form of the disease, the nature and location of the plaques, and the general condition of the patient.
Relapse medications
It is impossible without medication to fight the worsening of psoriasis. The treatment regimen is selected individually and depends on many factors. But, as a rule, treatment is reduced to taking the following drugs:
- Sedative drugs that have a calming effect on the nervous system. The most commonly prescribed tinctures are valerian and lemon balm.
- Antihistamines.
- Tablets that improve the work of the digestive tract and cleanse the body: activated carbon.
Affected areas of the body are treated with local drugs. These include ointments and creams:
- Zinc and salicylic acid have a beneficial effect on damaged areas, such components should be present in the ointment;
- Based on solid oil;
- With tar as the main component;
- Sulfur grease.
Since the patient's immunity is weakened during an exacerbation, the doctor may prescribe lipoic or folic acid, vitamin complexes or fish oil as an additional treatment.
Physiotherapy
After alleviating the acute symptoms of the disease, the patient is prescribed physical therapy. The following methods of influencing the body have proven to be the most effective:
UV rays - promote rapid healing of damaged skin.Hydrotherapy. Baths with real salts from the Dead Sea help to clean the skin well.Cryotherapy - a method whose essence is the effect of low temperatures on the affected areas. In addition, it stimulates the immune system well.Selective phototherapy. During the procedure, the foci of inflammation are impulsively affected.Shock wave therapy promotes rapid healing of the skin.Climate therapy. Patients are often recommended to undergo a complete treatment at seaside resorts.
How to relieve an exacerbation at home
You can alleviate the most painful manifestations of psoriasis at home. The most commonly used recipes are those that have been tested by time and hundreds of patients:
Butter and propolis in the ratio of 500 g to 50 g. All the ingredients are put in a saucepan and cooked over low heat, after the mixture has cooled, add 2 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil. This ointment is applied to the skin 5-6 times a day. After only 6 sessions, people suffering from psoriasis notice the fact that the manifestations of the disease practically disappear.Onion wraps. For preparation, onions are crushed into a paste, which is placed in gauze and applied to the affected areas. This method helps to relieve inflammation and soften the skin.
Traditional methods
It often happens that you urgently need to stop an attack, and you do not have the necessary drugs at hand. In these cases, lotions will help a lot. To prepare you need:
- Mix equal amounts of calamus, nettle, licorice, burdock and nettle leaves.
- A large spoonful of this mixture is poured over a glass of water.
- The infusion is heated over low heat for five minutes, after which it is infused for another hour.
The following medications have been shown to be effective in combating psoriasis flare-ups:
Ointment from birch tar. For preparation, you need to mix alcohol, natural sea buckthorn oil and birch tar in equal amounts. The agent is applied to the affected areas, covered with polyethylene and left for 1-1. 5 hours.Celandine oil. 5 tablespoons of chopped herbs should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil (unrefined) and kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. The finished liquid is infused for 5 days and only then is it used to treat psoriasis.
The Relapse Diet
Compliance with dietary rules is an important and integral point in the treatment of psoriasis relapses. It is also important to get enough vitamins. In order to prevent the appearance of new plaques and get rid of unpleasant symptoms, the following is strictly prohibited:
- Food rich in carbohydrates (fatty milk and other dairy products, fatty meat and fish).
- Spicy, smoked, sour and salty food.
- Marinades and pickles.
- Semi-finished products.
Dishes must be prepared by baking, stewing, and cooking. It is better to eat vegetables and fruits, various cereals and vegetable broths and soups.
Nutritionists and dermatologists advise that, when the first symptoms of psoriasis exacerbation appear, limit your diet. For the first three to five days, you can drink sweetened tea or pure water in any quantity, and eat black bread (a little at a time).
How to prevent exacerbation, preventive measures
If you follow fairly simple rules of prevention, you can significantly extend the duration of remission and prevent worsening. It all boils down to:
Skin care and hygiene rules. A patient suffering from psoriasis should regularly carry out water treatments to avoid drying out the skin. Only cosmetic and hygiene products that have already been tested and have not caused reactions can be used.Diet and proper nutrition. Not only harmful foods should be excluded from the diet, but also bad habits such as alcohol and smoking. Experienced experts will help you create the right menu.Moderate training. Fitness or swimming not only has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, but also helps strengthen the immune system.Maintaining a sleep schedule. Sleep should be at least 8 hours, and it is recommended to avoid excessive stress at work.Taking lecithin in granules. This medicine improves skin condition and normalizes liver function. Doctors also recommend a medicine based on birch mushroom extract and cobalt chloride, which improve immunity, restore hematopoiesis and improve the work of the digestive system.
Adherence to preventive measures makes it possible to forget the worsening of psoriasis for a long time. In addition, doctors advise avoiding stressful situations and supporting your body in the fight against psoriasis with vitamin complexes.