Psoriasis, or scaly lichen, is a chronic infection that manifests as a reddish, scaly rash on the skin with itching and irritation. There can be several causes of psoriasis. When damaged, the division of skin cells occurs thirty times faster than usual, causing discomfort and the appearance of scales. This also damages the immune system, which acts against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the skin folds around the joints and scalp. Stains that appear have grayish or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of spots in places that are exposed to mechanical stress - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion often affects the hair, internal organs, nails and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Immune system dysfunction.T cells are cells of the immune system that normally defend the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, T cells mistakenly attack healthy cells in the skin. This immune response leads to damage to the body, including dilation of blood vessels and an increase in white blood cells, which stimulates the skin to create new cells faster than the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the surface of the skin leads to the development of thick, itchy spots.
- Heredity.Research has shown that if a parent has scaly lichen, there is a 15 percent chance that the child will develop it. If both parents are affected, the chance of development is 75 percent.
- Endocrine system failure.The endocrine system is a network of glands that secrete hormones that help control many important bodily functions. Failure of one of these glands can cause disease.
Minor reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis because it burdens the immune system and causes an inflammatory response. However, scaly lichens can appear after a respiratory or skin infection. These types of infections can usually be prevented with proper personal hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands often enough during the day. Sharing cups and cutlery with other people should also be avoided. It is important to properly disinfect wounds or cuts and ensure that infection does not occur there.
- Trauma to the skin, burns, scratches in some can cause infection. You should always take extra precautions when performing actions that could lead to injury. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when it is sunny outside. You should also be careful when participating in outdoor activities.
- Although stress has a negative effect on someone, it is especially problematic for people who have psoriasis. The body tends to have an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
- If you are obese or overweight, this will only make your condition worse. Therefore, it is important to monitor your weight regularly by following a healthy diet. If you have problems with proper nutrition, seek help from a dietitian. It can help you figure out what foods and how much you should eat during the day.
Risk group
Scalp affects about 3% of people worldwide. Research shows a significant increase in outbreaks over the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects both men and women equally. The disease can begin at any age, but most often occurs between 15 and 35 and 50 to 60 years. The average age is 28 years.
The disease usually starts or worsens due to certain factors that should be avoided whenever possible.
Reasons that cause or worsen scaly lichen include:
- Hypothermia can be one of the reasons for the development of the disease or its worsening.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes generalization of the inflammatory process, shortens the remission period and increases the risk of complications.
- Smoking tobacco not only increases the risk of disease, but can also increase the severity of the disease. Smoking also plays a role in the initial development of scaly lichens.
- You have another autoimmune disorder, such as AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections caused by a weakened immune system such as tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Certain drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and lithium-containing drugs.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee a complete cure for the disease, but the condition can be alleviated with the help of therapy, which will reduce the manifestation of the disease to a minimum with an integrated approach. Most often, preparations containing vitamin D, tar and activated zinc are prescribed for external use. For oral administration, drugs are created with cytostatics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators designed to regulate cell division in affected areas, control metabolism, and restore immune responses in the body.
People with psoriasis can hardly accept their diagnosis, which is why a person experiences severe discomfort in communicating with others, problems with social adaptation, difficulties at work and in family life. It is important to avoid social withdrawal and depression, which can lead to psychological deviations and suicidal thoughts. It is important to support the sick person and, if necessary, refer him to a psychotherapist for a consultation.
Psoriasis in children
Scaly lichens in children are quite common, especially under the age of one. The disease usually progresses during the winter season. Girls are more often ill.
Pediatric psoriasis is different from adult psoriasis. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases, and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is hereditary and genetic. However, the disease, despite long research, remains unknown. In addition to heredity, the disease also occurs due to a weak immune system, from the flu and various skin diseases. The reason may be a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks on the legs and palms. Subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and painful.
Treatment includes a variety of fats and sunbathing. Congenital ichthyosis affects most of the skin.
With Leiner's erythroderma, anemia, sepsis, pneumonia appear. This shape is typical for a newborn baby. After a few months, the baby returns to normal.
In children older than 8 years, the disease is less common. It is recommended to carry out timely prevention of the disease with folk remedies.
Scalp Psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is doubly uncomfortable because it can ruin the beauty of hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp is covered with dry, washable wounds, and blisters on the body itch like bites. Hair loss and profuse dandruff begin, which is different from the usual seborrhea.
To get rid of scaly scalp, it is important to know the cause of its appearance and, above all, to act on it. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination and determine the main problem that causes external changes. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichens it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicated ointments and creams, shampoos, lotions, bathe with herbs. Treatment at home is better to take courses and take a break of a month. The simultaneous use of different medicated ointments is not recommended.
Scalp Prevention and Treatment
Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, bergamot, geranium to rub into the hair roots.
Butter Mask
Mix one teaspoon of butter (melted) with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's wort. Mix the mixture well and apply with a cotton pad on the scalp. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be performed once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take Vaseline or 500 gram fat, mix them with two fresh chicken proteins. Add one and a half tablespoons of chopped and sifted celandine herbs to the mass and mix again. You perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating hand and foot diseases
Oil
Lubricate the affected areas with buckthorn oil, which should also be taken orally every day - per teaspoon.
Celandine
Juice 300 grams of fresh celandine. This is best done after passing the plant through a meat grinder and adding wine. Gently wipe the affected areas with a cotton ball dipped in the prepared product. Wash off after 15 minutes with clean water.
Mustard mixture
The procedure is performed once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dried mustard with warm St. John's wort soup (5 tablespoons L. ), pour one teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product with a cotton swab on the damaged body. After a few minutes, rinse with cold running water. Lubricate the areas with moisturizer.
Birch tar
Dagtem is thoroughly smeared on convex, inflamed areas. After an hour, rinse. To achieve the result, at least fifteen procedures are required.
Medicinal ointment
Mix fresh egg whites with 250 grams of fat (you can take light Vaseline) and one tablespoon of linden honey and finely ground celandine. Therapy lasts from one to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this period. Preference should be given to cooked meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Scaly lichens require long-term treatment, in combination with other medications. Done, it must then be supervised by an experienced specialist. During therapy, diet food, fatty and spicy foods will be prescribed, alcoholic beverages are removed from the food.