Psoriasis is a common skin disease of neurogenic etiology. The disease is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person. Most often, psoriasis becomes chronic due to a latent course. The disease usually develops in people under the age of 30, but it can also occur in old age.
External symptoms may be absent, the clinical picture of the disease depends on its type and stage. Most often, psoriasis begins with the appearance of bright red spots, which are covered with dry scales, so the disease has another name - flat lichen.
Skin spots can be of different sizes, some can merge into one affected area of skin and protrude significantly above the surface.
Psoriasis causes physical and mental discomfort to the patient, the disease periodically worsens, in between there is a period of remission and the symptoms subside.
Spots on the skin are called psoriatic plaques or papules, most commonly affecting the elbows and knees, spreading to the head and lumbar region. Plaques can affect other parts of the body, depending on the type of disease. The treatment can last more than a year.
Causes of the disease
Psoriasis is caused by several causes associated with various factors, external and internal:
- a common cause is genetic inheritance;
- the disease can develop due to constant stress, anxiety, shock, depression and mental disorders;
- various autoimmune diseases and a malfunction of the immune system create ideal conditions on the surface of the skin for the onset of the disease;
- chronic psoriasis can also cause metabolic disorders, as well as endocrine system failure.
The type of psoriasis and its course depend on the etiology of the disease.
Classification of psoriasis
The disease has different forms, on which depend the external manifestation and symptoms:
- The most common form of the disease is scaly psoriasis. The surface of the skin is covered with red or pink spots covered with scales. They are in complete contrast to healthy skin, they are thicker and raised above the lower surface. The scaly layer is easily removed and, if disturbed, begins to bleed, causing severe itching and burning. When the disease worsens, the spots can grow and merge with each other, creating large areas of damage.
- Guttate psoriasis looks different, the spots can be pink or purple, in the period of worsening they become lighter. The shells can be larger and droplet-like, and can also merge into large areas.
- Another form of psoriasis that affects only the places of folds and skin folds - elbows, armpits, areas under the fat folds on the abdomen or chest, in the groin. The freckles are smooth, even, do not itch and have no scales. If there is friction with clothing in the affected areas, the surface of the stain is easily injured.
- The chronic form of nail psoriasis is also common, affecting mainly the nail plate on the fingers or toes. Nails lose shape, deform and change color. Nails begin to thicken and peel, the disease can cause loss of nail plate. In the initial stage, nail psoriasis is easily confused with a fungal infection, so you need to visit a doctor for diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- The most severe form of the disease is pustular, characterized by the appearance of bubbles filled with light-colored liquid, which can be easily broken by rubbing clothing. When pustules are destroyed, pus forms in them and a secondary skin infection occurs. This form of psoriasis is dangerous because it can affect almost the entire body, making its course difficult.
- Rheumatoid psoriasis affects not only the skin surface but also the joints and periarticular soft tissues. This mainly applies to the knees, shoulders and hip joints. The lesions are manifested not only by external symptoms, but also by pain in the joint, which brings additional suffering to the patient. If the hands or feet are affected, swelling of the toes is observed, their sensitivity is reduced and deformation begins. In its most severe and neglected form, the patient may lose limb tenderness and become disabled.
All these forms can progress on their own, and they can appear together, it all depends on the severity of the disease.
Stages of psoriasis
The chronic form of the disease has different stages, each of which has its own symptoms and characteristics:
- with a progressive phase, spots, covered with scales, appear rapidly and increase in size. They are usually red in color, but can change hue depending on the form of the disease. The skin in these places is very itchy, burning, and sore;
- in the stable stage, the disease does not cause painful sensations, flows moderately, the scales gradually grow, they can occasionally merge;
- with the withdrawal stage the papules may withdraw on their own, causing no concern other than external signs.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that alternates between exacerbation and remission.
Reasons for deterioration
Exacerbation of the disease can be caused by many reasons, external and internal:
- prolonged exposure to cold with frostbitten skin;
- violation of the hormonal background of the body during puberty, pregnancy or menopause;
- long-term therapy with certain drugs (antibiotics), self-medication, violation of the dose when taking complex vitamins and herbal supplements;
- the disease may be exacerbated by climate change or exposure to sunlight;
- alcohol abuse can not only cause exacerbation of the disease, but also complicate its course;
- trauma, burns, frostbite and other mechanical damage to the skin always cause worsening of psoriasis;
- infection with viruses and bacteria can cause disease outbreaks, sometimes common respiratory disease causes exacerbation of skin diseases.
The rheumatoid form of psoriasis has a seasonal worsening:
- in summer - in case of sun exposure;
- in winter - due to hypothermia.
Ultraviolet air helps the papules heal, but the sun’s infrared rays irritate the skin.
Psoriasis is diagnosed without major difficulties, the disease has vivid symptoms, additional studies are conducted in the form of a blood test and skin biopsy to rule out other diseases.
Treatment
Today’s medicine has made great strides in treating skin diseases, including psoriasis; there are several methods that can be used to treat an advanced form of the disease. The doctor determines the method of treatment on a purely individual basis, based on the form, stage, cause and symptoms. Treatment is always carried out in a comprehensive manner, combining drug therapy and physical therapy.
Drug treatment includes the use of both internal and external drugs:
- ointments based on salicylic acid, sulfur, dithranol and urea are used to remove skin pathologies;
- glucocorticoid ointments;
- scalp treatment lotions.
In the exacerbation phase, hormonal ointments are used to eliminate the inflammatory process, treatment is always started less strongly. If the disease begins to progress again, use strong fluoridated agents. It takes two weeks to achieve results.
Fats with the least side effects are used for the elderly and children.
With increasing dose, dithranol-based ointments are prescribed to eliminate the inflammatory process, itching and swelling.
Preparation with kalcipotriolhas a direct therapeutic effect on pathogenetic triggers. It has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Usually, the course of treatment for two months has a noticeable positive result, the skin rash may disappear completely. This drug has no side effects in the form of skin atrophy and has a lasting effect. The drug is used in the treatment of psoriasis in the form of tears, which is difficult to treat.
All medications must be changed, otherwise addiction can occur and the body will stop responding to them.
Treatment with aromatic retinoids is also considered effective.
In addition to drug therapy, a number of requirements must be met for successful treatment:
- adhere to a dietary diet;
- take the necessary vitamins under the supervision of a doctor;
- avoid stressful situations, in case of a depressed state you must consult a doctor to prescribe the necessary means;
- protect the affected areas from contact with chemicals as much as possible, especially the hands and nails;
- wear only cotton clothes so as not to cause additional skin irritation;
- do not consume alcoholic beverages and sweets, and contact with allergens should also be avoided.
If all the recommendations and rules of treatment are followed, it is possible to achieve remission of the disease, and in some cases a complete cure.