Psoriasis is one of the most mysterious autoimmune diseases. The disease cannot be completely cured, affects patients of different age categories and manifests itself in the form of raised red-pink spots. If you have the necessary information, you can recognize the first signs of psoriasis on your own, but to accurately diagnose the pathology and prescribe treatment, you need to contact a specialist. Rapid detection of pathology helps to quickly reduce symptoms and increases the chances of achieving long-term remission.
The presented material contains information about the first manifestations of psoriasis in women and men. In addition, the article gives a detailed answer to the question of how to recognize psoriasis at the initial stage and what to do to prevent progression of the disease.
Causes of disease
Before moving on to the signs of the disease, it is necessary to better understand the causes of its appearance.
Further information!The exact cause of the disease is currently unknown to science. There are a number of scientific theories explaining the manifestation of the disease.
The most justified of them are:
- immune;
- genetic.
Since psoriasis belongs to the category of autoimmune diseases and a malfunction of the immune system can actually provoke the development of the disease, which has been repeatedly proven, the immune theory is the most justified.
However, the importance of the genetic theory should not be underestimated, since according to statistical studies, the probability that a patient whose parents have psoriasis will be affected is 70%.
Factors contributing to the manifestation of signs of psoriasis:
- abuse of fatty foods, foods rich in emulsifiers, leavening agents, dyes and other food additives;
- excessive consumption of alcohol;
- smoking, drug use;
- exposure to stress, frequent emotional outbursts, increased anxiety;
- frequent use of chemically aggressive drugs;
- excessive use of certain medications;
- mechanical damage to the skin.
Onset of psoriasis, general signs of the disease
There are several forms of psoriasis, each with specific signs and symptoms. However, certain manifestations of the disease, the appearance of which indicates the development of the disease, are inherent in all forms of pathology.
Onset of psoriasis, signs (common to all forms of the disease):
- the appearance of spots (papules) on the skin;
- increase in the affected area, spread of the rash;
- stratification of the nail plate;
- peeling of the skin;
- the appearance of blisters on the palms and feet;
- the appearance of burning and itching.
Further information!The first signs of psoriasis in women are identical to those which appear in men and children. The nature of the rash that occurs in the early stages of the development of pathology is mistakenly confused with an allergic rash, but the nature as well as the causes of this lesion are somewhat different.
The first symptoms of psoriasis in different forms of the disease
Most often, patients are exposed to the following forms of psoriasis:
- Vulgar or simple psoriasis;
- Seborrheic;
- Psoriasis of the soles and palms;
- Nail psoriasis;
- Inverted or folded psoriasis;
- Teardrop shaped.
Let's dwell in more detail on the signs and symptoms of these forms of pathology.
Signs of psoriasis vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris can be diagnosed at an early stage. The first signs of this form of the disease are expressed in the appearance of rounded pink-red plaques covered with silvery scales, which after a while begin to peel off and itch.
In some cases, the appearance of plaques may be preceded by the formation of papules on the scalp and joints (elbows, ankles and knees).
Note!At the initial stage of the disease, papules formed on the epidermis may not bother the patient for quite a long time. They do not cause pain, are barely noticeable and do not itch, which is why some patients mistakenly confuse them with allergies.
How to distinguish a psoriatic rash from the manifestations of an allergic reaction:
- psoriatic papules are easy to peel;
- when a papular rash is scratched, terminal film phenomena appear;
- Further scratching of the papule results in the appearance of small droplets of blood.
A feature of the psoriatic rash that distinguishes it from signs of other diseases is the fact that in summer the affected area decreases or even completely disappears, and in winter it increases.
Seborrheic psoriasis
The first signs of seborrheic psoriasis appear on the scalp, then the pathology spreads to the shoulders and facial skin. The danger of this form lies in its secretive nature, because unlike simple vulgar psoriasis, seborrheic psoriasis is not characterized by the formation of papules; it can sometimes only manifest itself in the form of scaling of the scalp. To get rid of flaking, many patients use special anti-dandruff shampoos, confusing psoriasis with ordinary seborrhea.
Important!After detecting the first signs of the disease, you should consult a dermatologist, an experienced specialist will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment. It is recommended to fight the disease in the early stages of its development, which significantly increases the chances of reducing the symptoms of the disease and achieving long-term remission.
If treatment for seborrheic psoriasis is not prescribed on time, the disease gradually affects the skin of the shoulders, ears, forehead and face. Later stages of the development of pathology are characterized by the appearance of plaques, increased burning and itching. Getting rid of these symptoms is much more difficult than getting rid of peeling characteristic of the first stage of the disease, but with the help of modern methods it is still possible to achieve the desired result.
Inverse psoriasis (fold psoriasis)
Characteristics of Inverse Psoriasis:
- the localization of the disease is the folds in the armpits, on the genitals, in the groin, under the mammary glands;
- psoriatic spots are shiny, smooth, and bright red;
- plaques that resemble ordinary spots practically do not peel off, so the manifestations of the disease are often confused with irritation resulting from increased sweating;
- signs of psoriasis in men - rashes on the inner surface of the foreskin, the head of the penis is also usually affected;
- For women, a rash on the labia minora is typical.
Psoriasis of the palms and soles
The sites of localization of this form of pathology are the palms and feet. The plaques have a callus-like shape with a dense surface; subsequently, psoriasis phenomena such as terminal film and bloody dew appear. Cracks sometimes form on the affected surface, causing physical discomfort when walking.
The symptoms of the disease can be alleviated through the use of special ointments and medications.
Nail psoriasis
Early signs of nail psoriasis include:
- separation of the nail plate;
- fragility of nails, their thickening;
- change in color of the nail plate;
- the appearance of white transverse stripes, dots and spots on the nail;
- formation of hemorrhages under the nail plate.
Patients whose loved ones have psoriasis, or any form of psoriasis, are more susceptible to psoriatic onychodystrophy. These people must therefore be more attentive to their health, particularly the condition of their nails.
Guttate psoriasis
The pathology appears mainly on the thighs; the papules are tear-shaped, which also explains the etymology of the name of this type of disease. Over time, rashes form on other areas of the skin, which indicates the progression of the disease.
To summarize, we can highlight the fundamental rules to follow in case of psoriasis:
- the occurrence of an autoimmune pathology indicates the presence of disorders in the functioning of the systems of the entire organism, in particular the immune system;
- If the disease is detected at an early stage, you should immediately contact a dermatologist and not self-medicate, which can lead to the development of the disease and deterioration of health.