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How psoriasis begins: symptoms, photos, treatment

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin pathologies.This can occur in patients of any age.The etiology of the disease has not yet been fully established, so it is impossible to completely cure psoriasis.This is why it is so important to recognize it at the initial stage of development.In this article we will see what psoriasis is, how it manifests itself and how to treat it.

What is psoriasis

Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease manifested by a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in waves, with periods of relapse and possible remission.

A relapse can be triggered by lack of adequate treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.The rash, both in adults and children, gradually spreads and affects more and more areas of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of dry, reddish, raised patches with a silvery-white, scaly surface.This rash is called “psoriatic plaques.”

Most often, psoriasis is observed on the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, that is, in those places where pressure and friction are the greatest.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms, soles of the feet and external genitalia.Psoriatic plaques on the face are very rare.

Causes

Many people wonder whether or not psoriasis is contagious.The pathology is not contagious, that is to say it is not transmitted to others.Among the causes of psoriasis are:

  1. Hereditary predisposition.
  2. Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid gland dysfunction).
  3. Stress, neuropsychic overwork.
  4. Parasitic infestations (giardiasis, ascariasis, pork or bovine tapeworm infection).
  5. Metabolic pathologies (silicon deficiency is particularly dangerous).
  6. Predisposition to allergies.
  7. Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
  8. Weak immune system.
  9. Long-term use of medications.

In most cases, psoriasis appears between the ages of 15 and 30 for one or more causes. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of patients with psoriasis have relatives who suffer from this disease.

Symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage

To recognize how psoriasis begins, you need to familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.You have to be careful:

  • the formation of brightly colored rashes with clearly visible edges (they most often appear at the site of injury - burns, cuts, frostbite);
  • the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plaque;
  • itching of psoriatic formations (manifested only in half of cases due to weakened immunity);
  • swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash appears.

At first, the rashes are very small, about the size of a pinhead.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth, shiny surface.After a few days, the rash becomes larger and becomes covered with light scales that separate easily.When the plaque is scratched, droplets of blood appear on its surface, which indicates point hemorrhages.

Sometimes, psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this exudate and turn into a rough crust.If you remove it, wet areas remain underneath.Such phenomena are dangerous due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

Typically, early-stage psoriasis lasts 2 to 3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow to 5-7 cm, merge and form whole conglomerates, covering large areas of the skin.

What does psoriasis look like in the initial stage

Now let's see what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different places.For ease of perception, we present the corresponding photos.

  1. Legs.The disease begins with small, isolated rashes, located mainly on the knees and feet, but can also be seen on any surface of the legs.
    2. The initial stage of psoriasis on the surface of the legs
  2. Elbows.In most cases, a plaque type of psoriasis appears at this site, characterized by small rashes with very severe scaling.The skin on the elbows becomes rough.
    3. Psoriatic plaques of the initial stage of the disease on the elbows
  3. Hands.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly as a small rash, which many people mistake for an allergy.Only after dry scales appear do people consult a doctor.The rashes are often localized between the fingers of the palms.
    4. Early stage psoriasis rash on the arm
  4. Head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, ear area and back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by moist scales and is almost always itchy.
    5. Early stage psoriasis on the scalp
  5. Confront.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.
    6. Rash on the eyelid in the early stages of psoriasis
  6. Nails.Psoriasis on the nails is more like a fungal disease.First, longitudinal stripes or dots appear at the edge of the nails, then they extend to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate itself becomes dull and thickened.
    7. Longitudinal stripes on the nails - manifestations of the initial stage of psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis

Treatment should begin with a visit to a dermatologist. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage should be comprehensive.Nowadays, new treatment methods have been developed to help completely eliminate scaly rashes, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During treatment, it is necessary to exclude all factors provoking an exacerbation of the pathology, change the diet and follow a special diet.

Drug therapy

Tactics for treating psoriasis in the early stages are gradually changing.If previously hormonal drugs of general action were prescribed, now local agents are widely used.

The following ointments provide good relief from the manifestations of psoriasis:

  1. Keratolytic and moisturizing.
  2. Vegetable.
  3. Glucocorticoid.
  4. Cytostatic.
  5. Solid oil based.
  6. Petroleum based.

The doctor may also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:

  • paraffin baths;
  • PUVA therapy;
  • UV radiation;
  • sulfide and radon baths.

Electrosleep and magnetic laser therapy have beneficial effects.Cryotherapy (cold treatment) and hirudotherapy (leeching treatment) are gaining popularity.

When treating psoriasis on the head, you should not comb the skin.The head should be washed daily with medicated shampoos containing zinc, tar and selenium sulfide.

Home treatment

Before using any recipe, you should consult your doctor so that it does not cause the development of complications. Treatment with traditional medicine is aimed primarily at strengthening the immune system and relieving the inflammatory process.Therefore, it is necessary to drink vitamin teas - decoctions of rosehip, lemon, viburnum, raspberries, chamomile, etc.It is recommended to add honey to herbal teas.

The most effective therapeutic home remedies include:

  1. Celandine.It relieves inflammation well and soothes the skin.The plates should be lubricated daily with the juice of this plant.
  2. Hydrogen peroxide.To begin, dilute the peroxide with water in a ratio of 1:3 and use the solution to lubricate the psoriatic rash for disinfection purposes.Use before applying ointment or lotion.
  3. Linseed oil.Perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice a day.
  4. Baking soda.Neutralizes skin acidity, which increases with psoriasis.
  5. Solid oil.This helps very well at the beginning of the disease.You should lubricate the affected areas before going to bed.

Prevention and recommendations

To reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these guidelines:

  • regularly moisturize your skin with creams;
  • avoid skin damage in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc. ;
  • strengthen your immune system, play sports and walk more in the fresh air;
  • give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
  • Take only medications prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to separately note a special diet for psoriasis. It helps achieve remission faster and reduces the duration of disease relapses.The table below contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.

Products Allowed Limited use Forbidden
Fish and meat turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish lean beef and lamb pork, sea fish
Cereals and flour products oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes rice semolina, puff pastries, bakery products made from wheat flour, bread
Dairy products low-fat cottage cheese, skim milk kefir, fermented cooked milk, sour cream cheese
Vegetables carrots, broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, lettuce, green beans corn, pumpkin pepper, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant
Fruits and berries kiwi, pineapple, mango, grapes, nectarine, cherry plum, blueberry, redcurrant, cranberry, avocado strawberry, citrus, red apple
Nut almonds pine nuts everyone
Candy dried apricots, raisins, dates Dear chocolate, candies and other confectionery products
Spices dill, parsley, green onions horseradish, garlic, onion pepper, cloves, nutmeg
Oils sunflower, olive, cotton, corn butter spread, margarine
Drinks herbal teas, juices, compotes green tea black tea, coffee, soft drinks, alcohol

Do not forget about the drinking regime.You should drink 1.5 to 2 liters of clean water per day.

Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes many inconveniences.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent therapeutic approach, stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you must contact a dermatologist.In the initial stage, psoriasis responds well to drug treatment.You should not self-medicate, as this will only aggravate the course of the disease.