Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a non-infectious disease that affects a person's skin, nails, and joints. The disease is characterized by a hilly course with periods of exacerbations and remissions. The danger of this disease lies not only in the unpleasant sensations it causes, but also in the fact that the disease greatly complicates life, interfering with social adjustment and a normal quality of life. In severe cases, severe depression can result from the acute form of the disease.

How to get rid of psoriasis, what is this disease, what are the symptoms and treatment of psoriasis? You will learn more about it in our article.

Psoriasis: causes

Under normal conditions, the skin of a healthy person is renewed in a month. During this time, the dead cells are exfoliated and new ones take their place. In the event of a dysfunction of the skin renewal mechanism, the process of maturation of the new cells takes only about a week, which disturbs the cell balance. As a result, cells die much faster.

In the areas affected by the pathological process, there is an excessive proliferation of cells of the immune system, macrophages and cells of the epithelial tissue. Due to this, exfoliation of the skin is observed and the creation of favorable conditions for the inflammatory process. In addition, the processes of formation of new capillaries are accelerated, which is why the skin at the site of inflammation turns red.

Chronic psoriasis is non-infectious in nature, so the disease is considered non-infectious. This was established in the 19th century, but so far scientists cannot name the exact reason for its occurrence.

Among the reasons that are prerequisites for the development of the disease are:

• Heredity. If a person's parents or close relatives have a predisposition to skin pathologies, it is most likely that it is hereditary. This is due to a mutation in certain sections of DNA that has been found in patients with psoriasis, and a similar mutation found in their relatives.
• Gene mutations. Violations of the structure of DNA, affecting the violation of skin renewal processes, can not only be inherited, but also manifest at an older age in people whose parents do not suffer from psoriasis. The causes of these genetic changes are unknown.
• Weakened immune system. Any violation of the body's defenses can become a trigger for the development of psoriasis.
• Disturbances of metabolic processes. Metabolic disorders manifest as changes in fat, nitrogen, carbohydrate and vitamin metabolism in psoriasis. As a result, there is a build-up of toxins in the body, decreased coping skills and increased susceptibility to infections. In addition, patients have an increase in the fractions of bile acids in the blood serum, caused by metabolic disorders.
• External stimulation. Friction, constant contact with chemical compounds, wearing tight clothes, cuts and insect bites - all this provokes the appearance of microtraumas on the skin, which over time can turn into psoriasis.
• Frequent allergic reactions. If a person has a tendency for atypical immune system reactions, manifesting in the form of rashes, itching and rashes, this is an additional chance of getting psoriasis.
• Strong experiences or prolonged stressful situations. All stress weakens the body's defenses and undermines the immune system. If a person has a tendency to skin diseases, it can manifest itself at precisely such times. In addition, any stress affects the endocrine processes, due to which large doses of adrenaline and norepinephrine are released into the blood. This process affects metabolic processes and biochemical reactions, becoming a prerequisite for the development of psoriasis.
• General weakening of the body caused by serious pathologies - atherosclerosis, cirrhosis of the liver, diabetes, hypertension, etc.
• Unbalanced diet and alcohol abuse. If a person eats too much fatty, smoked, salty, sweet and spicy foods, the likelihood of developing psoriasis increases. Also, in some cases, a prerequisite for the development of the disease is the excessive consumption of chocolate and citrus fruits.
• Hormonal surges caused by severe changes in hormonal levels during menopause, puberty, pregnancy, lactation, postabortion It should be noted that the hormonal cause of psoriasis may not be related to the periods stated above. In this case, we are talking about changing the functioning of the organs of the endocrine system.
• Climate change, living in adverse environmental conditions. If a person is prone to psoriasis and moves to a cooler area, the condition can get significantly worse. The same goes for stays in areas where the air and water are very polluted. However, the climatic factor can hardly be called the root cause of the disease: rather, it acts as a catalyst that activates the "dormant" form of the body's tendency to psoriasis.

How to determine if it is psoriasis: symptoms of the disease

First of all, psoriasis is a skin condition. However, in some, particularly severe cases, it can affect not only the skin, but also the tendons, internal organs, spine, nail plates and joints. Below we will look at the signs of psoriasis that appear first and allow you to distinguish psoriasis from other skin conditions.

How does psoriasis start?

On the surface of the skin (most often on the knees, hands, elbows, back, armpits, under the chest, in the region of the sacrum, on the genitals) and sometimes on the mucous membranes, appear areasred and dry rounded. Initially, their size is relatively small: each papule is only a few millimeters in diameter. However, over time, the affected areas increase, the papules merge and form the so-called psoriatic plaques: their diameter reaches 10 cm and even more.

Initially, the papules do not cause a person noticeable discomfort. They hardly itch. However, over time, as they grow and plaque builds up, the affected areas thicken and rise slightly above the healthy areas of the skin. This phenomenon is accompanied by itching.

A hallmark of psoriasis in the initial stage is the formation of small, dry scales with a loose structure on the affected areas of the body. Their color varies from whitish to yellowish gray, and a thin pinkish-red border can be seen around each plaque. Externally, these areas are much like molten paraffin, for which they are called "paraffin lakes".

At first, signs of psoriasis on the skin of the body and face may be mistaken for manifestations of eczema or other skin conditions. The stage of psoriasis - the so-called psoriatic triad - helps identify the type of disease.

1. Stearic staining stage. It is characterized by the formation of characteristic stearin-like chips, which appear when the plaque is scraped.
2. Terminal film stage. It appears as a smooth, moist, shiny red surface under the scales.
3. Stage of "dew of blood". If a person begins to scratch the terminal film, small droplets of blood form on its surface, which is caused by point bleeding. In turn, it is caused by thinning of the vascular network and capillary fragility.

The onset of psoriasis is also accompanied by symptoms unrelated to the skin. Usually, patients complain of increased fatigue, listlessness, irritability, drowsiness, mood swings, dizziness, nausea, and trouble sleeping.

How does psoriasis manifest itself other than skin lesions?

This disease affects not only the skin, but also other organs and systems. The following manifestations and forms of psoriasis are distinguished:

• Psoriatic arthritis. In some cases, the lesion is not localized in the upper areas of the skin, but much deeper. As a result, the disease spreads to the joints. The course of the disease is in many ways similar to the development of rheumatoid arthritis, but there are a number of differences between them. For example, in psoriatic arthritis, asymmetric joint damage is usually observed, the greatest peak of discomfort occurs in the morning, but the main difference is that rheumatoid factor is absent in the blood of patients with psoriatic arthritis.

• Muscle damage. If the disease is at an extremely advanced stage, muscle tissue atrophy may occur after cartilage and joint damage.
• Liver dysfunction. The task of the liver is to clean the blood and remove harmful substances. If in the body there is an increase in the content of toxins, characteristic of psoriasis, then the liver suffers in the first place.
• The transition of the disease from the skin to the mucous membranes. If the disease is left untreated, it progresses and passes to the mucous membranes of the cheeks and genitals, lips and tongue. The mucous membranes swell, foci of inflammation appear on them, accompanied by peeling.
• Damage to the nail plates (psoriatic onychodystrophy). Psoriasis affects the nails quite often. The disease manifests itself in the form of thickening of the nail plates on the hands and feet, a change in color, the appearance of grooves and dots on them. Inflammatory processes affecting the skin around the nails, bleeding under the nail plate, dryness, delamination and increased fragility of the nails can also be observed. In particularly severe cases, we can speak of complete detachment of the nail and its loss.

As you can see, this disease is quite dangerous, therefore, its treatment should be started as soon as possible in order to prevent its transfer to other organs and systems.

Is psoriasis contagious?

Since the disease is non-infectious and non-viral in nature, it is not contagious at all. The only means of transmission of the disease is a genetic predisposition caused by heredity.

Types of psoriasis

There are several varieties of this disease, each with its own developmental features and characteristic symptoms.

• Simple / vulgar / plaque / plaque / common. According to the international classification of diseases - prosiasis vulgaris. This form is more common than others: in about 80-90% of cases of the disease it is psoriasis vulgaris. It is characterized by the appearance of "paraffin lakes" or psoriatic plaques.

• Reverse (reverse psoriasis). This type of disease mainly affects the folds of the skin, the outer surface of the thighs, the groin area with the external genitalia. The main difference between reverse psoriasis and vulgar psoriasis is that with the reverse form of the disease, plaques do not form on the skin: the skin becomes covered with red spots, accompanied by an inflammatory process. The danger of reverse psoriasis is that it progresses with sweat and friction. Due to this, microcracks form on the skin, into which the infection enters. As a result, it can lead to skin damage with cocci and fungi.
• Drop-shaped (according to ICD - guttate psoriasis). Its difference from other varieties is that the teardrop-shaped psoriasis rash does not combine into large patches. The patient's body is covered with small, drop-like spots (hence the name of the disease), which vary in color from pink to purple.

• Pustular / exudative. If other types of disease are characterized by dry areas of the skin, pustular or exuding psoriasis can be recognized by weeping blisters filled with a clear fluid. In this case, the skin around the blisters usually turns red, the local temperature rises. If the blisters burst or the patient combs them, there is a risk of infection and subsequent suppuration - this is the main danger of the pustular form of the disease.

• Psoriatic erythroderma. It is one of the most severe forms of the disease, which, if its course is unfavorable, can lead to the death of the patient. Its peculiarity is exfoliation of the skin, as a result of which infection with pathogenic microflora can occur. The first sign and symptom of this type of disease - psoriasis manifests itself in the form of severe itching of the skin, small red rashes with white scales, enlarged lymph nodes, swelling of the tissues and an increase in temperatureoverall body at 38-39 degrees. It is divided into generalized and hyperergic types.

• Seborrheic psoriasis. Most often, this type of disease affects the scalp, but in some cases it can involve the nasolabial folds, the skin near the atria, and the shoulder blade area. It is characterized by the appearance of dandruff (when localized on the head), severe itching and grayish bloom.

Psoriasis exacerbation

The disease is characterized by a chronic undulating course with periods of exacerbations and remissions. A decrease in the intensity of symptoms is usually observed in the warm season, while the disease worsens in winter and autumn.

Factors provoking an exacerbation of the disease can be:

• Stress, anxiety.
• Unbalanced work and rest schedule.
• Weakening of the body after suffering from an infectious or viral disease.
• A sharp increase in hormones.
• To take pills.
• Use of inappropriate cosmetic products.
• Skin contact with household chemicals.
• Dysfunction of organ systems.
• Exposure to excessively dry, hot or cold air.
• Intense personal hygiene is not guaranteed.
• Insect bites.
• Exacerbation of allergic reactions.
• Wear tight synthetic clothing.
• Switch to an unusual climate.

The exacerbation of any skin disease (including psoriasis) brings the patient great discomfort - not only physical, but also to a greater extent psychological. The quality of life of a person with severe psoriasis in the acute stage is drastically reduced.

Patients with psoriasis often have significant social adjustment difficulties and problems, which can have negative effects on work / school / personal life. A person refuses contact with others, preferring to spend most of the time alone. As a result, he develops social anxiety, which can progress to severe depression over time.

An exacerbation of the disease can lead to the fact that it becomes difficult for the patient to take care of himself and loved ones, to lead a normal life and even to sleep. If the rash is localized in the genital area, it can cause physical and psychological discomfort and cause partners to refuse intimacy.

The severity of the disease

Depending on the area of the skin affected and the spread of the lesion to the joints, nails and internal organs, a mild, moderate and severe form of the disease is issued.

• The mild form involves minor damage to the skin, when the total area of the lesion is about 3%.
• The defeat of 3-10% of the human skin is considered an average severity of the disease.
• Severe degree means significant skin damage - 10% or more of the total skin area.

If a patient is diagnosed with damage to the joints, muscles and internal organs, this is a serious form of the disease, even though there are hardly any plaques and papules on the body.

How to eliminate psoriasis: treatment

The question of how to cure psoriasis forever is of concern to all people with this disease. The fight against the external manifestations of the disease gives only a temporary result. Therefore, in order for the effect to be long-lasting, it is important to eliminate the causes of psoriasis. It usually takes a long time - up to several years. The patient should be patient, but only in this case can he count on a long-term effect.

Below we take a look at how to treat psoriasis with medication, hormone therapy, light therapy, exercise. We also turn to methods of treating psoriasis with folk remedies - in combination with traditional therapy, traditional medicine can give visible results.

Treatment of psoriasis with drugs

The first thing to do after finding suspicious round rashes, increased dryness, and peeling of the skin in yourself or your loved ones is to see a qualified doctor. Only a dermatologist can determine exactly what type of skin lesion is occurring in your particular case. Remember: in no case should you self-medicate, since the lack of therapy or self-selected drugs can seriously damage your health.

Skin tests or tests are usually not necessary to diagnose the condition. The doctor only needs to see the skin covered with papules or plaques to establish the cause of the lesion. If there is a severe form of the disease, the dermatologist may prescribe a referral for tests - general and biochemical studies of blood and urine, and in particularly difficult cases, a skin biopsy may also be required. X-rays may also be needed to diagnose psoriatic arthritis.

There are several effective treatments for psoriasis. The choice of the appropriate treatment option depends on the degree of damage to the skin, joints, nails and the intensity of disease progression. Usually the best option is to go for a comprehensive treatment regimen that includes the use of local and internal remedies, the use of ultraviolet rays, salt and soda baths, and physiotherapy.

To remove itching and flaking from damaged skin, creams, gels, ointments, sprays and lotions are used. They can be made on the basis of salicylic acid, pyrithione, tar and other active components. The main task of hormonal and non-hormonal external preparations is to soften psoriatic plaques, disinfect, remove inflammation, moisturize and nourish the affected skin areas.

In the role of drugs taken by mouth in the treatment of psoriasis in humans, there are drugs based on efalizubam, gamma-D-glutamyl-D-tryptophan sodium, etc.

A positive result in the treatment of psoriasis of the skin gives a rest to the sea. At the same time, it is advisable to choose resorts with a relatively mild and warm climate. The ideal solution is treatment in specialized sanatorium and spa establishments, the rest being for complex therapy of psoriasis.

Psoriasis: home treatment

Treatment of psoriasis with home and folk remedies can only be effective if it acts as an adjunct to the main drug therapy. In addition, a bet on traditional medicine recipes can be made if the patient has allergic reactions to the drugs. But in any case, what to do with psoriasis should be decided by the doctor, so if you want to use this or that traditional method, be sure to consult a dermatologist.

One of the most common traditional medicines for psoriasis is the use of baking soda. Sodium bicarbonate has a softening effect on psoriatic plaques, softens rough skin, reduces itching, and improves waste removal. On the basis of soda, homemade ointments, baths are prepared, sodas taken orally, compresses and lotions.

In addition, salt baths are an effective method of treating the disease. They become a valid alternative if the patient does not have the possibility to go to sea.

Celandine juice applied to psoriatic plaques also gives positive results. However, you have to remember that this remedy is quite aggressive, so you need to make sure that the juice does not get on healthy areas of the skin.

Walnut shells are also used to fight psoriatic plaques. The shell is poured with boiling water, after which it is insisted, the resulting infusion is filtered and added to a hot bath. This remedy is especially effective during times of exacerbations of the disease.

How to cure psoriasis with diet?

Adequate nutrition plays an important role in all skin conditions and psoriasis is no exception. Of course, a balanced diet cannot be a one hundred percent cure for psoriasis, but in combination with drugs and traditional medicine it works.

During treatment, as well as to prolong the period of remission, doctors recommend abandoning alcohol, smoked and salty foods, fatty and spicy foods, the use of artificial flavors, preservatives, emulsifiers andof chemical dyes, fatty meats, mayonnaise, ketchup. It is also advisable to reduce the amount of salt, refined sugar, chocolate, and other sweets and citrus fruits consumed. Doctors advise focusing on the use of low-fat fermented dairy products, plant foods, grains, lean meats, and fish.

Although during the diet it is desirable to reduce the amount of fat consumed, it is irrational to give up them completely. You just need to replace animal fat with vegetable oils - olive, flax, corn, sunflower.

Prevention of psoriasis

The stages of psoriasis treatment necessarily include a period of remission. It is important to extend these periods as long as possible. To do this, the patient must comply with a number of disease prevention rules:

• Avoid stressful situations.
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Refuse to wear tight-fitting woolen and synthetic clothing.
• Spend enough time outdoors.
• Ensure adequate rest and sleep.
• Take good care of your skin.