Scalp lichen is a very common skin disease, and dermatologists are most often found with it. This disease not only does not seem to be aesthetically pleasing (red scaly spots of irregular shape on the skin scare many others), but it also brings mental discomfort, physical and psychological problems, and serious complications in the future.
Therefore, knowing about the insidiousness of the disease and the pitfalls of its chronic course (frequent relapses) in a family where there are already patients with scaly lichen, its members are especially afraid of getting sick and are wary of any changes in the skin.
How to recognize the first signs of psoriasis (another name for scaly lichen)? How does the disease begin? At what age does the disease most often manifest itself? What do you need to know so that you do not miss the first symptoms of psoriasis and start treatment on time? Is there a difference in the first manifestations of the disease in men and women? We will try to answer these and many other questions in this article.
What triggers the first signs of psoriasis?
Despite the fact that psoriasis is not hereditary (this has been proven by recent research), there are many factors that, along with a predisposition to psoriasis, can trigger its clinical manifestation.
- Usually, the onset of psoriasis is preceded by some kind of nervous breakdown or mental trauma. This factor most often provokes the development of psoriasis.
- Hormonal imbalance can trigger the disease, so women during pregnancy, lactation and menopause must be especially careful about themselves - adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid negative emotions, do not stay long in the sun and be outdoors more often.
- The trigger for the development of psoriasis can be a change in the surrounding climate (moving to another place of residence, vacation in a hot country in January). Therefore, it is better to refrain from sudden changes in latitude, and even from winter to summer (movement in an area with a climate with a large temperature difference), if there are scaly lichens in the family history. In case of forced relocation, it is very important to be especially careful with your body during such a period.
- Chronic foci of infection can also lead to the appearance of psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases must always be treated, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, the streptococcal focus in the body is especially dangerous. However, caries, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all these sluggish diseases pose a threat to any organism.
At what age do the first signs of psoriasis usually appear?
The first signs of psoriasis can appear at any age. Scaly lichens do not spare either the elderly or children. There are cases of the appearance of the disease in infancy and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after 80. But more often, the first signs of psoriasis are detected at a young age of 14 to 30 years. As a rule, such patients, even in such at a young age already have concomitant diseases, for example, such as obesity, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia, thyroid pathology.
The first signs of psoriasis in humans
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. But, in any case, the first symptoms of cutaneous forms of psoriasis are the appearance of a rash. The rash is a rounded epidermal papule. What is the mechanism of development of psoriatic papules?
The causative factors trigger an inflammatory process based on hyperkeratosis (pathological cell proliferation). As a result, the epidermis thickens, begins to protrude above healthy skin, forming a knot. This is the primary element of scaly lichen - psoriatic papule.
The papule has a bright pink color that varies in intensity. Initially, the papule is dark pink (to a deep red color) and then becomes faded and flaky. Dead epithelial scales have a grayish-silvery color, they are very easily separated by scraping. In the basal layer of the dermis, new blood vessels appear that supply new epidermal cells with nutrients. Therefore, during remission, even in the absence of deposits, the skin will be reddish in color. As the process worsens, the elements increase and take up more and more space. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeding, that is, there is an obvious clinic for psoriasis.
Favorite places for the first rash in psoriasis are the scalp, face (in adolescents), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet and soles. Psoriatic plaques, unlike eczema, are usually found on the outer extensor surfaces of the joint.
They speak of the initial stage of psoriasis if no more than 10% of the skin surface is affected. An experienced dermatologist will immediately recognize the symptoms of psoriasis, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (with psoriatic joint damage) is confused with psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis
Plaque soriasis is a vulgar skin psoriasis, so the first signs are the easiest to spot. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules that are usually localized in the joint area. They resemble a small abscess filled with bright contents. The primary elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are difficult to notice. They can pass on their own, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more noticeable. If you scrape the papule, it is immediately covered with silvery scales. In summer, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the rash may disappear. As the disease progresses, its amount increases, covering wider areas, and individual elements merge into extensive plaques.
Sometimes the first signs appear immediately violently and profusely. In response to the provocative factor, the skin is covered with bright pink-red psoriatic plaques that cause severe itching. But such an onset is unusual for psoriasis.
The first signs of nail psoriasis
The first changes on the nails can be different and resemble a fungal infection. Stratification, brittleness, thickening of the nail plate, sunken spots or grooves are visible all over the nail. Moreover, the first pathological signs appear on the edge of the nail, and then they move to the root. One of the initial symptoms of nail psoriasis is a change in nail color. The nail plate may turn yellow, gray or white. Bleeding may occur under the nail. All of these signs can be on all nails or just one.
The first signs of psoriasis of the soles and palms
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is a lesion of the soles or palms in the form of dense psoriatic lesions covered with scales. When scraping, a shiny shiny surface appears which begins to bleed with further injuries ("bloody dew" syndrome).
The first signs of scalp psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis is reminiscent of seborrhea due to profuse peeling. It can take place separately, without affecting other areas of the skin, for a long time. Patients are treated for dandruff by buying special shampoos, not even suspecting that they have psoriasis on their head. After a while the lesion affects the back of the ear, the neck and goes down. And only in this case, patients begin to sound the alarm and go to the doctor.
The first signs of psoriatic arthritis
In psoriatic arthritis, the rash may not be present. The first signs of psoriasis will be complaints of joint deformity, which increase and become painful. The fingers and toes are swollen and resemble sausages. As the disease progresses, the gait changes. In this form it can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis, many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in relatives and careful differential diagnosis with diseases affecting the joints help in making the correct diagnosis.
The first signs of psoriasis in women
Psoriasis is the same for both men and women. But, unlike men, in whom the first symptoms of psoriasis usually appear around the age of 25-30, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear earlier. The triggering mechanism for the development of the disease is often hormonal changes during puberty. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormonal levels throughout their lives. For the onset of psoriasis, the most significant and most dangerous periods in a woman are:
- menstrual cycle (especially its appearance);
- pregnancy;
- childbirth;
- lactation period;
- menopause.
If psoriasis already occurs at the time of conception, pregnancy can have a beneficial effect on skin manifestations and a period of remission will begin. But after childbirth, it may worsen all the processes. According to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear during childbirth and during menopause. For other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis in women and men do not differ. But childhood psoriasis has its own characteristics.
What to do when the first signs of psoriasis are found?
In any case, if the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are found, a dermatologist should be consulted urgently in order to start treatment of the disease in a timely manner. The doctor will prescribe treatment for psoriasis, taking into account the severity of the course and the specifics of the manifestations of the disease. It has been proven that if less than 5% of the skin is affected by psoriasis, all the symptoms can be removed. But treatment must be chosen by a competent specialist.
In addition:
- if you find the first signs of psoriasis in yourself or your family, try to remember what may have caused the disease and avoid these factors in the future;
- be outdoors more often and don’t forget to sunbathe;
- temperament - take a contrast shower, do not forget to pour;
- try to go to the sea and swim more;
- take good care of your skin, protect it from injury, use moisturizers;
- for scalp psoriasis, choose shampoos without aggressive ingredients; do not dye your hair;
- review your diet;
- avoid conflicts and stressful situations; learn to control your emotions (but not suppress them), the ability to stay calm in dramatic life moments will help maintain remission for a long time;
- if you are emotionally labile, you can take valerian, mother's herb (consult your doctor);
- dress in cotton, especially focus on underwear, which should be made only of natural fabrics, do not wear synthetics;
- timely treatment of chronic infections;
- go to bed early, organize a good rest.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis appear or any suspicious symptoms, come for a consultation with a dermatologist in Germany:
- You will be convinced of the reliability (or erroneousness) of the diagnosis:
- Thanks to experienced experts, you will be able to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis (especially if these are the first signs of the disease);
- You will receive expert advice with recommendations and detailed instructions;
- You will buy quality medications prescribed by your doctor to alleviate possible worsening;
- If necessary, you will be able to stay in touch with your doctor in the future using Skype, phone or email.