According to official data, approximately 3% of people worldwide suffer from psoriasis. But it should be assumed that the actual number of patients with this type of dermatosis is much higher. Basically, the first signs of such a disease appear at the age of 10-25, although cases of diagnosis of psoriasis have been reported in both newborns and the elderly. It is still not known for sure why it develops, but doctors have information on what the initial stage of psoriasis looks like. Therefore, with timely access to specialists, you can manage to stop the progression of the disease in the earliest stages.
Initial symptoms
Initially, small round papules begin to appear on the patient's skin, the size of which usually does not exceed the diameter of the pinhead. These formations have a smooth, shiny surface and clear contours, but literally after a few days they start to peel off. The resulting scales are silvery white and can be easily removed from the surface of the papule. Over time, the number and size of the rash elements increase and the disease progresses to a progressive phase.
Most papules are reddish or pink in color, although in some situations they become bluish. This is seen in the formation of the primary elements of the rash on the feet. Depending on the type of ailment, the initial stage of psoriasis occurs on the elbows (extensor surfaces), knees, body, limbs or scalp.If you remove all the scales from the pimples, you will find an absolutely smooth shiny surface under them - the final film. But further scraping quickly damages it and the slightest drops of blood begin to appear.
Thus, psoriasis is characterized by three specific phenomena:
- stearin stain- increased peeling when removing scales;
- psoriatic film- peeling of the thinnest layer of skin;
- blood dew- appearance of exact drops of blood after scraping.
But it's much easier to see what the initial stage of psoriasis looks like in a photo.
Despite advances in medicine, no cure has been developed today to completely cure psoriasis. This disease is characterized by a wavy course, so not only those who first encountered a similar ailment, but also those who have been living with it for many years are going through the initial phase of its development.
I would like to emphasize that there is no cure for psoriasis. With the help of modern medicines, physiotherapeutic procedures and other methods of therapy, it is possible to "bring" the disease into a state of stable remission and, perhaps, even forget about it for a few years. But this does not mean that in an unfavorable set of circumstances, the patient will again not notice the characteristic rashes that manifest the initial stage of psoriasis on the hands and other parts of the body.
How to understand if psoriasis is progressing?
The transition of psoriasis to the second or progressive stage testifies to the growth and fusion of previously isolated papules, as well as the addition of hitherto absent itching. In addition, the nature of peeling changes. Now this is observed only in the center of the formations, and their edges remain without scales. This clearly indicates the growth of the elements.
You can use some kind of test to confirm the transition of psoriasis to the second stage. Its essence consists in minor damage to the skin of the affected area. If after about a week a psoriatic element of the same shape as the injury forms in the same place, this clearly indicates the progression of the disease. In the specialized literature, such a test is described as a Kebner symptom. Moreover, this is noticed even with the banal combing of the affected skin.
In some cases, patients have an exudative form of psoriasis. It is characterized by the release of a special fluid. The shells are impregnated with it, resulting in turning into thick crusts. If one of these crusts is removed or damaged, the area of skin that is leaking is exposed.