Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. It occurs when the immune system is damaged. The development of the disease is divided into clear phases - onset, progression, stabilization and regression. The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, painful itching and extensive inflammation of the skin.
Why is it necessary to distinguish the stages of disease development and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the recovery process?
Why you need to know the stages of psoriasis
Doctors use the division of psoriasis into stages for the correct choice of therapeutic methods. The complex of drugs and external means prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the manifestation of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV procedures. Medicines that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, and liver are also prescribed.
Be sure to correct your psycho-emotional state - by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease do not use powerful drugs that quench the immune system, do not prescribe hormonal fats. These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In case of acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs of different action are prescribed. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching. External treatments are complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy. Also, means for antiseptic treatment of damaged skin are prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing the dose. Ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed to repair damaged skin.
In remission - support the body. Proper nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of peeling. Since psoriasis at an early stage is often mistaken for an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the appearance of skin disease.
Note:doctors are still investigating the causes of psoriasis. But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious. It cannot be picked up by a sick person or an infection in case of injury. This is our own, personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune failure that can be caused by various factors. Severe stress, poisoning (including powerful drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat. The disease is prone to recurrence, relapse. And the therapy itself is symptomatic. It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and alleviating the existing itching on the skin.
What stage of psoriasis is called initial? How to distinguish early psoriasis from diathesis rash? And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like acne. The rash most often appears on the bends of the elbows and knees or in places where the clothes are pressed tightly against the body (for example, below the waist). The rash can also appear along the edge of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail plates. Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, on both sides of the lower back or on two knees.
Acne itself (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage has a modest appearance. They have:
- Pink or red;
- Sharp, blurred edge;
- Small size - acne at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no protrusions, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flaky skin flakes appear on the pimples. They are gray or silvery, on the background of a red pimple they appear white.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by a rather strong itching. If you do not resist and scratch, the scales are removed, revealing shiny areas of pink young skin underneath. He is very thin, vulnerable, with a long scratching of itchy papules - he is injured, bleeding.
The initial stage of psoriasis lasts up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progression phase
In the progressive phase, individual pimples merge into one common place, forming so-called psoriatic plaques. They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling. At the edges of the psoriatic plaques there is a pinkish-red rim that does not peel.
The presence of an edge is a sign of a progressive phase of the disease. The rim is one to two millimeters wide. The skin on it is inflamed, reminiscent in structure of parchment paper.
The rim represents the area of spreading the stain. This is skin that has already become inflamed but is not yet peeling. After a while, it will be covered with scales. And the patch will expand to cover new areas of skin and form a new wider edge.
With the active development of the disease, the neighboring places merge with each other. At some point, a large, inflamed red spot can form on the human body.
Psoriatic deposits are very itchy, giving a person unpleasant sensations, interfering with work, rest and sleep. They grow, occupy a large area and create a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive phase is the appearance of new rashes. As soon as new pimples and blemishes stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary. This is not a complete victory yet, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
In the progression phase, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, weakness. Depression is common. Possible temperature.
Note:some medical theories say otherwise. Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis. And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology, the depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive phase of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of a stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes. At the same time, the itching also decreases, it becomes more bearable. The rash loses its bright color, becomes colorless, becomes invisible. This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink bands around the perimeter of the plaque disappear as the inflammation stops spreading. Active peeling and healing begins, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is noticeable to the naked eye that peeling increases in the stationary stage. The scale completely covers the entire surface of the psoriatic site, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance that is generally recognized by the general public. Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells leave the surface of the psoriatic site, healthy skin with a slight light shadow will remain in their place.
Other signs of progress or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs that can be used to judge the development of the disease. This is the nature of the feeling of itching (strong or bearable), general condition, depressed mood. And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible. Furthermore, the itching intensifies every day. In the acute phase, psoriasis becomes unbearable. It interferes with sleep, rest, interferes with work. The person becomes irritable because the feelings of itching do not give him a chance to rest.
In the stationary phase, the itching subsides. Every day - the person feels better. The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressed moods weaken. The duration of the stationary phase lasts several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the weakening phase
The fading phase of psoriasis is almost complete disappearance of deposits, spots, redness, inflammation, itching.
At this stage of the disease psoriasis is only reminiscent of different skin pigmentation. It looks brighter in place of the former psoriatic spots. The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation occurs. The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker. In any case, the differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: the possibility of recurrence
The possibility of psoriasis recurrence is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the body as a whole. It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood, liver. You can reduce the likelihood of recurrent skin inflammation if you strengthen the immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Seasonal relapses of psoriasis are often rare after cleansing. The person remains susceptible to the disease, but the probability of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help boost immunity. This is especially important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment, in the progressive phase of psoriasis. Their need was the result of the work of inflammation mediators. After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to renew the immune system.