Chronic non-infectious disease, which according to statistics affects several percent of the entire population, is psoriasis whose symptoms manifest themselves in the form of focal rash, itching and intense peeling of the skin.
The disease can develop at any age and regardless of the social environment to which a person belongs. Psoriasis occurs equally in men and women. The disease most often affects young people under the age of twenty.
Many people are interested in the question: "Does psoriasis itch, what are its symptoms and treatment, and most importantly, is it contagious? " Itching with psoriasis is found in almost 85% of cases, but the disease is not contagious and does not transmitwith droplets in the air or at home. It is difficult to treat, but complex therapy almost always gives good results.
Manifestation of the disease
How does psoriasis manifest itself and what is it? Psoriatic deposits often first develop in areas exposed to the most friction, such as the elbows or knees.
Also, signs of psoriasis can appear on absolutely any area of the skin - head, face, back, abdomen, palms, feet, armpits, and even the genitals.
If we take into account another similar disease - eczema, it affects the inner part of the flexor surfaces, and psoriasis - the outer part of the knee and elbow joints.
The pathology is chronic and has a wavy course, ie the person's condition can improve under the influence of treatment methods or, conversely, worsen under the influence of negative factors, while remission and deterioration are usually completely spontaneous.
Relapse can be caused by alcohol abuse, stress, infectious diseases. The severity of psoriasis varies from person to person, and even from the same person, over the course of the disease.
The main symptoms of skin psoriasis are plaques that appear as minor lesions in certain areas. In some cases, they can cover the entire body.
Psoriasis progresses over time, especially if appropriate measures are not taken to correct it. The progression of the disease consists in increasing the period of exacerbation and increasing the area of the lesion by engaging healthy areas of the skin in the inflammatory process. There are cases when the disease progressed continuously without a period of remission.
Such pathology as onychodystrophy - nail damage is very common. This disease can pass on its own, without adding a skin lesion. Also, psoriasis can contribute to the development of an inflammatory process in the joints - psoriatic arthritis (diseases of the small joints of the lower extremities and hands), and onychodystrophy is observed in about 15% of patients with psoriasis.
There are many different ways to deal with this disease, but due to the tendency of the disease to recur and worsen, psoriasis is very difficult to treat. Complete cure is almost impossible, ie it remains on a person for the rest of his life, but with proper treatment and compliance with all medical regulations, longer periods of remission can be achieved.
Reasons
To date, medicine does not know the true cause of this pathology, however, it has been proven that a malfunction in the immune system, neurological disorders and metabolic disorders can cause the disease. There are also a number of factors that can trigger the development of the disease:
- Genetic predisposition,in other words, simple heredity. Experts say that signs of psoriasis can be found in people whose blood relatives have suffered from psoriasis. Moreover, if one of the parents is ill, the risk of developing the disease increases to 20%, and if both parents are up to 50%. This is due to the existence of certain genes responsible for the development of dermatological changes. The first signs of hereditary psoriasis usually appear before the age of 25.
- Neurological disorders.Any emotional shock, nervous tension, chronic fatigue can cause the development of the disease. In addition, in people with psoriasis, any stressful situation can cause the disease to worsen.
- Hormonal failure.All pathological changes in the work of the organs of the endocrine system can trigger the mechanism of disease development.
- Violation of the metabolic process.Metabolic disorders associated with a lack of beneficial trace elements and vitamins in the body can cause psoriasis.
- Helminthic invasion.Some types of parasites can cause disease. Many laboratory tests have been performed, the results of which have shown that many patients with psoriasis are infected with giardiasis, opisthorchiasis, ascariasis, enterobiasis. The fact is that in the process of their vital activity, helminths emit toxic substances that poison the whole body. This leads to worsening of chronic diseases and a significant decrease in immunity.
- Viral infections,that also attack the human immune system.
From the above, it becomes clear that the process of developing psoriasis, in one way or another, is associated with disorders of the body's defense mechanisms. Psoriasis on the body can develop under the influence of the whole trigger complex or under the influence of factors such as unbalanced diet, climate change, alcohol abuse and smoking.
Clinical picture and types of psoriasis
How does psoriasis start? The first symptoms of the disease are the appearance of reddish deposits and scaly spots that itch and look like lichens. Over time, the stains peel off, and beneath them is a thicker scaly layer.
When the disease begins to progress, the so-called Kenber phenomenon is noticed when plaques appear at the sites of skin trauma (with wounds, cuts, burns).
Sorte
There are several types of psoriasis, each with a specific clinical picture:
- Plaque (true psoriasis)is the most common form of the disease, occurring in more than 80% of all patients. The skin becomes inflamed, dry, and thickened, with raised surfaces above it, which are covered with bright silvery scales. The skin in these areas is hot to the touch and constantly peeling. After peeling, reddish inflammatory foci are found, which are very often damaged and bleed. Inflammation can coalesce into large foci. In psoriasis of the elbows and knees, peeling is not so pronounced.
- Droplet- there are many small dry inflammations of rounded shape of red or purple color, which rise above the surface of the skin. Guttate psoriasis covers large areas of the body. The first signs of the disease may appear after a previous sore throat or pharyngitis, which are caused by a streptococcal infection.
- Pustularis the most severe form of the disease. It has the appearance of a focal blister rash raised above the surface of healthy skin. These bubbles are filled with exudate. The skin around the pustules becomes red, swells, thickens and then peels. When the secondary infection merges, the blisters fill with purulent fluid. Typically, this psoriasis is limited and affects certain areas, such as the lower leg and forearm. In severe cases, the inflammation begins to spread further along the surface of the skin, and the rash spots merge into one focus.
- Psoriatic arthritis- joints and connective tissue are involved in the pathological process. The main manifestation of this form is severe itching. In addition, the skin of the joints on the fingers becomes painful, swollen, flaky and flaky.
- Onychodystrophy (nail psoriasis)can look like mycosis. With this disease, the appearance of the nails changes, they become brittle and flaky, the color of the nail bed and the plate itself can become yellow or gray. Also, white spots, dots and transverse lines appear on the nails and under the nails. The skin under and around the nails becomes firm. Onychodystrophy very often leads to nail loss.
Additional symptoms of psoriasis include:
- bleeding wounds (in places of skin trauma);
- nail erosion;
- intense itching;
- fever, swelling and joint pain in psoriatic arthritis (not always).
How the disease progresses
There are several stages in the course of the disease:
- Progressive.This is the initial stage of the disease. It is characterized by exacerbations, in which there is an increase in the number of new rashes.
- Fixed.At this stage, the picture of the disease remains unchanged, ie the rash and other symptoms of psoriasis do not increase or decrease.
- Regression phase.The last stage of the disease that passes without a rash.
Depending on the prevalence of the inflammatory process, the disease can be:
- limited- small areas of skin are affected;
- common- large areas of skin are affected;
- generalized- almost the entire body surface is affected.
Among other things, psoriasis is considered a seasonal disease, ie all symptoms worsen depending on the season. Most people get worse in the winter or summer. In some patients, this process is not associated with a change of seasons.
Diagnostics
How is this disease diagnosed? The diagnosis of psoriasis is based primarily on examination by a dermatologist. Examination allows you to identify the shape and extent of the lesion.
In some cases, a differential diagnosis is made to distinguish psoriasis from another dermatological disease. How to recognize that a patient has a certain disease?
As already mentioned, psoriasis is a Kenber phenomenon that is not characteristic of skin pathologies. Another symptom to consider when a bright edge that has not yet begun to peel appears around the new papule - a type of vascular reaction that indicates further progression of the disease.
Sometimes a skin biopsy is used for more accurate diagnoses or tests are taken that can detect the inflammatory process in the blood. After the diagnosis of psoriasis, you must start treatment immediately.
Treatment
Medications
The main therapy is the use of topical preparations in the form of ointments, gels, creams and sprays.
These medicines contain ingredients that stop excess cell division in the skin and relieve unpleasant symptoms such as itching. There are a number of substances that effectively fight this disease:
- Glucocorticoid hormones.They alleviate inflammation and normalize the immune system.
- Vitamin D.The use of vitamin D medications will be most effective after the disease enters the stationary phase, when the patient's condition is stable. Good results are achieved by taking such drugs in combination with ultraviolet radiation procedures.
- Silicon.Improves the condition of the skin, has a sorbing effect and absorbs antigens involved in the development of the disease.
- Tarworks well on foci of inflammation localized on the head.
- Lecithin.Promotes rapid tissue regeneration. Preparations with this substance help the body cope with inflammation faster.
- Activated zincremoves redness and relieves itching in a short time.
Patients are also prescribed drugs from the following groups:
- corticosteroids- normalize metabolic processes;
- cytostatics- prevent cell division, but can weaken the body's defense mechanisms;
- immunomodulators- also regulate immune responses, but their effectiveness has been questioned;
- non-steroids- relieve inflammation and itching.
Vitamin complexes are prescribed in combination with these drugs.
In addition to drug treatment, the following methods are very popular:
- Hirudotherapy.Leech therapy improves blood circulation and normalizes immune mechanisms.
- Cryotherapy.A special way of "freezing" relieves itching, swelling and inflammation.
- ultraviolet radiation.These short-term procedures are combined with the introduction of special drugs.
Attention!Self-treatment of psoriasis is unacceptable, because many drugs have contraindications and are prescribed by a specialist taking into account the individual physiological characteristics of the patient.
Children usually have a milder course of psoriasis than adults, so local therapy gives good results, and even in case of exacerbation, repeated treatment can achieve long-term remission.
Even if a child is diagnosed with a severe form, with timely and adequate treatment, the prognosis will be more or less favorable.
The main rule for parents is to know how to recognize the characteristic signs of psoriasis and immediately start the fight against this disease!
Traditional medicine
Recipes of traditional medicine are often used to treat psoriasis. Herbal compresses will be effective.
To make a poultice, grind 4 tbsp. spoons of dried herbs and pour a glass of boiling water, then let it boil. In the broth you need to moisten the gauze and apply to sore spots.
The following plants have medicinal properties:
- marigold;
- horsetail;
- walnut leaves; celandine;
- yarrow;
- sweet clover;
- Velcro;
- black currant leaves.
You can also prepare an oral tincture. For this 1 tbsp. a tablespoon of dried herbs should be poured a glass of boiling water, insist 8 hours, strain and drink 100 ml twice a day, preferably half an hour before meals. Suitable for plant collection:
- St. John's wort; celandine;
- sequence;
- marshmallow;
- valerian.
Attention!Some of these herbs can cause side effects, so you should read all the contraindications before starting treatment.
Medicinal ointments for home treatment are very popular. Here are some effective recipes:
- Burn the dry hips of the rod and mix the ashes with Vaseline. The ointment should be applied to the affected areas every day.
- Grind the celandine leaves to make 2 tbsp. spoons, add lanolin and Vaseline. Ointment for the treatment of inflamed skin.
- Mix a series of tinctures with lanolin and vaseline and rub into psoriatic plaques.
- Grind the root of the meadow, mix it with oil or Vaseline, boil the resulting ointment, cool and lubricate the sore spots.
Beneficial herbal teas are helpful. They can be cooked from lemon balm, oregano, chamomile, mint, thyme, valerian, linden, peony.
Traditional medicine does not guarantee 100% results, it is better to combine it with the main treatment.
Psoriasis and pregnancy
Many women with psoriasis who are in a position worry about how the disease will behave during that period.
Psoriasis is an unpredictable disease, so it is difficult to answer the question: "How to determine the course of the disease during pregnancy. "Symptoms of psoriasis may begin to progress, remain immobile, or decrease. There are cases when the disease completely disappeared after the birth.
Every pregnant woman worries that the disease can be transmitted to her baby, but not the inherited disease itself, but only the predisposition for it.
During breastfeeding, if the mother is on therapy with powerful drugs, breastfeeding is very dangerous, because the substances can harm the baby's health. In this case, you must stop treatment or switch the baby to artificial feeding.
The disease does not affect conception and intrauterine development of the fetus, but medications taken by the expectant mother can lead to negative consequences, so it is important to consult your doctor during pregnancy planning, who will cancel some of them.Prevention
This disease cannot be prevented, but its manifestations can be significantly reduced. To achieve a reduction in the symptoms of the disease, you must adhere to the following preventive rules:
- Try not to be nervous and learn to keep your emotions under control. Natural sedatives can be used to facilitate this task.
- Reduce your consumption of salty, smoked, spicy, fried and fatty foods, as well as honey, citrus fruits, chocolate and coffee.
- Wear clothes made of natural fabrics.
- Choose low pH personal care products that will not dry out or irritate sore skin.
- Be careful with medications, as many of them can cause psoriasis, antibiotics are especially dangerous.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Avoid direct sunlight.
It can happen suddenly and, unfortunately, no one is immune to this disease. Therefore, it is very important to know how this pathology manifests itself in order to consult a doctor in time and start treatment.