Features of the development and symptoms of psoriasis affecting the elbows

Psoriasis with localization of the main changes in the elbow region occurs in approximately 5% of patients with this disease. The formation of psoriatic lesions on the elbows is possible at any age, but according to statistics, this form of the disease is mainly characteristic of older people.In most cases, the pathology can be successfully treated with timely consultation with a doctor, but in advanced cases it can be complicated by psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and symptoms

Elbow psoriasis has the same etiological causes of development as other forms of the disease. These are heredity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disruptions, reduced functioning of the immune system, mechanical damage to the skin and traumatic situations. The provoking factor in the appearance of psoriatic lesions in the elbow area is considered to be dyshidrosis - chronic dehydration of the skin.

The disease begins with the appearance of one or more reddish spots that protrude slightly above the skin. First they are red, then they become covered with a whitish film and gradually a layer of scales forms on their surface, which gives the plates a silver color.

In addition to these changes, elbow psoriasis can be identified by the following symptoms:

• The resulting individual spots merge with each other over time, which leads to the appearance of large lesions;
• The scales are easily removed from the surface, leaving behind a thin skin on which droplets of blood may appear;
• Pustule formation is characterized by the appearance of a well-defined red border separating healthy skin from affected tissue;
• The appearance of skin rashes is accompanied by severe itching in 80% of cases;
• Regression, that is, the disappearance of the plaque, begins from the center, and in its place, after the process is completed, a bright spot remains.

In mild cases, the pathology disappears within one and a half to two months. In advanced cases, the spots may not disappear completely - during the remission phase, one or more small plaques remain on the skin.

If left untreated, elbow psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. A complication is indicated by swelling and swelling of the affected joint area, a local increase in temperature and pain when moving.

Characteristics of elbow psoriasis

Elbow psoriasis has certain characteristics of development and progression, including:

1. Age of onset of disease. Most of the time, older people consult a doctor with this form of the disease; in children and adolescents, lesions in this area are rare;
2. Only in 30% of cases is the symmetry of the lesion determined: plaques are formed on both the right and left elbows. In other cases, the inflammation only covers one area of the elbow;
3. Psoriatic lesions of psoriasis, unlike eczema and dermatitis, are localized only on the external extensor side of the joint;
4. The disease is characterized by seasonality - exacerbations most often occur in the cold months of the year, that is, when the skin is more dehydrated;
5. The rash may be dry or wet;
6. The lesions mainly extend towards the forearm;
7. Over time, elbow psoriasis causes thickening of the skin in the affected area. The skin becomes dense, dry and quickly cracks, which is accompanied by the appearance of blood, pain and itching.

Elbow psoriasis must be treated and this must be done under the supervision of a dermatologist. Lack of therapy leads to the fact that it is impossible to completely eliminate all changes in the affected area, which causes internal discomfort and can cause depression.

Methods for treating elbow psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows must be comprehensive. This includes the use of external agents, systemic drugs, physiotherapy and traditional therapeutic methods.

Ointments

At the initial stage of the disease, when only a few small plaques are formed and there is no pronounced swelling and redness, you can use ointments that have a softening and anti-inflammatory effect and can soften the outer keratinized layer of spots.

In severe cases, that is, when swelling, itching, hyperemia are pronounced and the spots tend to increase rapidly, treatment begins with the use of ointments containing glucocorticosteroids.

Any of the above ointments for elbow psoriasis should be prescribed by a doctor. They are used as a short course, respecting the frequency of application and dosage. Failure to follow the instructions for the use of hormonal drugs significantly increases the risk of developing local and systemic side effects.

Patients with elbow psoriasis are recommended to use ointments containing emollient components and vitamins, even with exacerbations of the disease. Their constant application nourishes the skin, prevents dehydration, thus lengthening remission periods.

Drug therapy

Medicines are selected for the patient based on the symptoms of the disease, their severity and concomitant diseases. Medications are prescribed mainly if psoriatic changes continue to progress, with frequent relapses.

Standard oral therapy:

1. Antihistamines.The main goal of prescribing antihistamines is to reduce itching, which accelerates the healing process of plaques and prevents the penetration of microbes into the damaged epidermis;
2. Medicines with sedative effects– tinctures of valerian, motherwort. Their use helps reduce nervousness, improves the quality of sleep and prevents the development of depression;
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Medicines of this group relieve inflammation and pain well, promote skin regeneration;
4. Vitamin therapy.The use of vitamins increases the protective properties of the body and improves metabolic processes.

All medications prescribed by your doctor must be taken completely.A decrease in rash does not indicate that treatment should be terminated, otherwise the disease may again enter a progressive phase.

Physiotherapy

The main treatment for elbow psoriasis can be supplemented with physiotherapy. They are prescribed to improve blood circulation and metabolic reactions of the skin; their use helps to improve local immunity and accelerates the restoration of normal epidermis. For psoriasis, procedures such as magnetotherapy, phototherapy, PUVA method, laser treatment and skin irradiation with ultraviolet rays give good results.

Patients with elbow psoriasis are prescribed sanatorium treatment, diet therapy and normalization of the nervous system.

Eliminate psoriasis using folk methods

Treatment of inflamed skin on the elbows at home using folk methods can be carried out after the acute process has subsided. The effectiveness of self-prepared ointments and tinctures for compresses, herbal mixtures for internal use and medicinal baths has been proven. All means of traditional therapy must be used, taking into account the tolerance of the components that constitute them.

• Baths to treat elbows.Chamomile, sage, celandine and string should be mixed in equal proportions. Two or three tablespoons of the mixture are poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10. The mixture is infused for half an hour, after which you can dip your elbows into the medicinal solution. The duration of the procedure is until the infusion is completely cooled;
• Therapeutic bath.The shells of 10 nuts are brewed with a liter of boiling water, after an hour the infusion is filtered and poured into a water bath. You need to lie in the medicinal bath for 20-30 minutes, repeat this daily for at least 5 days;
• Garlic compress.A few small cloves of garlic are ground and poured into a glass of hot water. You need to infuse the garlic solution for an hour and a half, then dip a bandage folded in several layers into it, lightly squeeze it and apply it to the elbow area. The compress changes as the gauze dries, it is advisable to carry out the procedure within an hour;
• Birch tar.You will need purified birch tar; apply it to the area with plaques. The first procedure should last no more than 8-10 minutes, its duration is increased each subsequent day. The duration of tar treatment is 14 days. You can wash the tar off your elbows with laundry soap;
• Phytocompress.10 grams of dry grape leaves, 10 grams of burdock root and 10 grams of flax seeds should be crushed in a blender. The prepared mixture is poured into a glass of hot milk and heated over low heat for 2-3 minutes. After cooling in the liquid, moisten a gauze napkin and apply it to the elbows. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Elbow psoriasis causes a lot of inconvenience, but this form of the disease is considered one of the mildest. Timely consultation with a doctor, changes in lifestyle and diet and compliance with preventive measures can completely cleanse the skin of the elbow joint and significantly extend the periods of remission of the disease.