Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is difficult to treat. Psoriatic plaques appear on various parts of the body, causing the patient a lot of discomfort and suffering. Noticeable cosmetic deficiency worsens relationships with others, provokes the development of complexes.
Treatment of psoriasis requires an integrated approach. Untimely seeking medical help leads to serious consequences: the disease can be inherited. Adherence to the doctor's recommendations will alleviate the suffering and reduce the manifestations of psoriasis.
Causes
Skin disease is of great interest to researchers. Doctors have only assumptions, factors that can cause psoriasis. The most common cause of psoriasis is a genetic predisposition. However, dermatologists have not yet reached a consensus: "Why does psoriasis occur? "
There are two theories:
- The first says: scaly type of lichen develops when the maturation of epidermal cells, their proliferation and differentiation is disturbed. Autoimmune processes play a secondary role;
- second hypothesis: the cause of skin lesions is a malfunction in the immune system. Problems with the normal functioning of epidermal cells are secondary.
Provocation factors:
- lack of vitamins and minerals in the body due to the small amount of vegetables and fruits on the menu;
- undermined nervous health due to frequent stress;
- strong drug abuse;
- metabolic disorders due to improper diet;
- decreased immunity after infectious diseases.
Risk group:
- hypertensive patients;
- obese people;
- diabetics;
- people who drink too much alcohol;
- patients who have undergone chemotherapy courses, treatment with corticosteroids, strong antibiotics.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
Stages of psoriatic eruptions:
- initial phase. Other areas appear on the elbows, pink or reddish papules, covered with scales of heterogeneous structure. Over time, the rash occupies an increasing area, redness of the skin, swelling, itching develops;
- most symptoms occur in people whose bodies are saturated with drugs. In the risk group - people who have suffered psycho-emotional trauma;
- The next stage is the emergence of the Kebner phenomenon. After scratches, scratches, wounds, bleeding areas appear on the body. They gradually merge, forming symmetrical lines and plaques. Nails are often affected;
- third phase. The rash becomes lighter, the plaques take on clear outlines, the affected areas become blue, itchy, scaly;
- The symptoms gradually disappear. First comes the peeling, and then the color of the epidermis is restored. The final phase is the resorption of the infiltrate, improving the condition of the skin.
Is psoriasis contagious? Is it possible to get sick in communication, handshake, playing together, sexual intercourse? The answer is "No! " The nature of the pathology is different, there are no viruses or fungi on the skin. Don't push a psoriasis patient away from you! It's already hard for him. Support the person morally.
Location localization:
- elbow joints. Relatively mild form. Plaque groups with well-defined boundaries appear symmetrically on both arms. Color - salmon or pinkish red;
- palms. The disease is characterized by keratinization of the surface, peeling, severe itching;
- ears and scalp. Psoriatic eruptions appear on the inside and outside of the earlobes, on the head. In case of unexpected itching in the ears, an urgent visit to a dermatologist is recommended;
- legs. Often plaques, redness, itching on the lower extremities appear simultaneously with the rash on the hands. Externally, the manifestations of the disease are similar;
- back. Scaly lichens affect different areas on the back. The rash takes the form of tears. Often the rash resembles ordinary deposits;
- face. In this area, the rash occurs less frequently. On the eyebrows, in the area of the nasolabial folds, small papules appear near the eyes. In individual cases, scabbed factories are visible on the lips.
Diagnosis of the disease
A dermatologist or therapist can easily diagnose psoriasis by its characteristic features. Sometimes a biopsy of the affected skin is needed. The microscopic piece is sent for laboratory research.
The chemoscopy drop method is widely advertised. Special computer programs and a high-power electron microscope are used.
Experts recommend leaving the services of "doctors" who do not have a medical education. Charlatans often use only this method to diagnose various diseases, without bothering with additional research.
Be sure to visit a dermatologist, therapist. An experienced doctor will tell you if you have psoriasis based on clinical signs.
Treatment Methods
How to cure psoriasis? Complex therapy will help eliminate unpleasant symptoms and improve the patient's condition. In many cases, treatment is long-term, with further action of provoking factors, relapses are possible.
Experts recommend the use of not only medicines, but also folk recipes, diet food and physiotherapy methods. The patient is obliged to strictly adhere to medical regulations.
Medications
Both topical and systemic medications are used:
- antihistamines; sedatives;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- ointments and gels for psoriasis.
Physiotherapy is effective:
- phototherapy;
- ultraviolet radiation;
- laser therapy;
- cryotherapy.
Diet for psoriasis
The patient is required to follow a hypoallergenic psoriasis diet. It is necessary to eat as little food as possible, which causes a rush of blood to the affected skin. An important emphasis is on foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Forbidden:
- spicy dishes; smoked products;
- alcohol;
- red, black pepper, other spices;
- coffee;
- hot drinks.
Not recommended:
- chocolate;
- sweets;
- whole milk;
- med; citrus fruits;
- vegetables, red fruits.
Folk remedies and recipes
After consulting a dermatologist or therapist, add home methods to your medications, physiotherapy treatments. Effective ointments, decoctions of medicinal herbs, lotions and baths will improve the condition, relieve itching, burning.
Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies. Best recipes:
- wire baths and sea salt.Prepare a decoction: per liter of water - 2 tbsp. l. turns. Pour 4 tablespoons into the bath. l. sea salt, pour the strained broth. The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes. An excellent soothing desiccant;
- decoction of medicinal herbs.In 0, 5 liters of water boil a teaspoon of nettle, burdock root, licorice and calam, sequence. Boil for 5 minutes, let it boil. Wipe the affected areas with a healing broth several times a day;
- Dandelion root tea, nettle leaves, St. John's worttake orally. The drink perfectly cleanses the blood, improves immunity, soothes;
- herbal lotions.Take 4 tbsp. l. celandine, add calendula, string, motherwort, chamomile (for all plants need 2 tbsp. l. ). Pour a liter of boiling water, heat in a water bath. Gauze dipped in broth, applied to painful areas twice a day;
- homemade ointment.Combine fish oil, pine resin, aloe juice, olive oil, sulfur, birch tar in equal proportions. Add the same amount of celandine, herbs, pour a few drops of burdock oil. Let it boil, strain. Lubricate the affected areas daily. The tool soothes the skin, reduces itching, heals wounds;
- applying birch taron elbows, ears and other areas affected by manifestations of scaly lichen gives a good effect;
- monastery tea for psoriasis.Medicinal drinks with medicinal herbs will facilitate the course of the disease.
Skin psoriasis in children
Chronic disease occurs in newborns and older children. Most cases of psoriasis have been reported in preschoolers and primary school children.
Symptoms:
- spots, blisters, red spots appear on the skin;
- gradually the rash becomes larger, peeling appears;
- the body itches, the bark cracks, painful areas appear.
Main sites of lesion localization:
- elbows;
- knees;
- legs, arms;
- psoriasis sometimes affects the nails.
Diagnosis is simple. The pronounced symptoms are difficult to confuse with the manifestations of other diseases.
Reasons:
- stress;
- hormonal imbalance;
- colds;
- some drugs;
- genetic predisposition;
- respiratory diseases;
- sudden climate change.
Healing:
- proper skin care; ascorbic acid;
- vitamin B12; ointments and gels;
- antihistamines.
Herbal baths with chamomile, yarrow, celandine, succession give a good effect. Calming fees will help improve sleep. In severe cases, your doctor will prescribe sleeping pills.
Sometimes a child needs to be hospitalized to alleviate acute symptoms. Don't give up the hospital. Drops, injections significantly alleviate the condition.
Tip!Do not prescribe strong medications on your own. Doctors try to use fewer drugs that have a toxic effect.
Preventive Recommendations
There are no special precautions to prevent this severe skin condition. For this reason, many people suffer from unpleasant symptoms for many years.
Sometimes psychological trauma is just as serious as the occasional rash and itching during exacerbations. Try to ease the course of the disease.
What else can you do:
- avoid hypothermia;
- keep the room at optimum humidity;
- take good care of the epidermis;
- create a peaceful environment in the family;
- if necessary, change jobs to avoid stressful situations and other harmful influences;
- do not injure the skin.
Remember- you are not alone in your trouble. The diagnosis of psoriasis has been recorded in the outpatient records of hundreds of thousands of people. Do not despair, even with such a serious illness you can live without losing hope for the future. Communicate, seek support from loved ones, follow doctor's recommendations. Try to prevent the disease from swallowing you.