Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It manifests itself in the form of a rash. The initial phase is characterized by symptoms similar to the clinical picture of other epidermal pathologies. In order to prevent the progression of the disease, in order to facilitate its course, it is necessary to differentiate the pathology. To do this, you need to know the symptoms, manifestations of psoriasis in different stages.
Causes in adults and children
Why psoriasis occurs in children and adults, medical scientists have not yet understood precisely. There is only speculation about the cause of the development of this disease. Thus, there is a presumption that psoriasis can be inherited: in people whose parents have suffered from such a skin disease, psoriatic rash is often observed. Some physicians associate the development of pathology with immune instability, metabolic disorders, and the presence of a chronically current infection. In most patients, doctors notice severe hyperlipidemia.
To check susceptibility to such a disease, you need to perform a classical genome analysis. Those with ten chromosome loci are more likely to develop psoriasis. The main genome responsible for congenital predisposition is PSORS1.
Psoriasis can develop at any age: in children, boys and girls, the elderly. In adults, according to medical scientists, the following factors provoke the disease:
- low immunity;
- chronic murder;
- alcohol abuse;
- strong stress;
- poor hygiene;
- constant overeating;
- insect bite;
- infectious pathologies (influenza, ARVI);
- vaccination;
- temperature difference;
- vitamin deficiency;
- tobacco smoking;
- long-term medications;
- combustion;
- allergy;
- hormonal imbalance;
- climate change;
- improper diet.
Children most often face psoriatic eruptions:
- after sore throat;
- if there is a chronic infection in the body;
- with low immunity.
Psoriasis should not be started:People with this diagnosis increase the risk of early atherosclerotic vascular lesions and the occurrence of cardiac pathologies. There is also a risk of arthritis.
Psoriasis is most commonly seen in people with poor heredity.
How psoriasis manifests
Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of large deposits on the skin. The spots are initially insignificant and appear on those parts of the body where the skin is rougher (on the elbows, knees). Such formations peel off. When scratching, sores appear that turn pale in the morning.
The disease is characterized by the following manifestations:
- Stearin stain.These are small scaly papules fused into plaques.
- Terminal film.Beneath the psoriatic plaques is a thin, bright pink skin. Her doctor can see after removing all the scales.
- Accurate bleeding(bloody dew syndrome). If the terminal film is damaged as a result of scraping from the stratum corneum of the epidermis, drops of blood appear.
Such manifestations are generally called the psoriatic triad. They are detected during a sample of the inflamed area of the skin.
Psoriasis also has the following symptoms:
- formation of new papules in case of skin damage and increase in lesion area;
- rash elements have a dense structure;
- around the plate is a red rim;
- weakness;
- the presence of a whitish pseudo-atrophic rim of three millimeters around the rash;
- purulent odor from the skin (when pustules form);
- the phenomenon of greasy formation, in which a yellowish-brown spot appears under the nail plate;
- proliferative acanthosis, in which the skin thickens, interpapillary processes lengthen;
- thimble symptom (nail psoriasis);
- scabies.
Because psoriasis is a chronic pathology, after a while the symptoms begin to disappear and the wounds heal. But then papules form again.
The first symptoms of the onset of the disease
In the first stage of psoriasis, a rash always forms.
Initially it is almost invisible, without characteristic scales. Several rash spots appear on the limbs.
After a few weeks, the number of affected areas increases. The rash merges into large plaques that are covered with silvery scales. Itching in the early stages of psoriasis is moderate. The person complains of chronic fatigue, weakness.
This symptomatology is also characteristic of allergic skin reactions, dermatitis and herpes zoster. Therefore, it is important to make a differential diagnosis.
On examination, the doctor discovers a psoriatic triad. According to the size of the rash, the doctor determines the etiology of psoriasis: in the form of drops, spots or in the form of coins.
Signs of progressive stage of the disease
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases, the rash spreads to healthy areas of the body. The slightest scratch, blow or burn will cause a nodular rash. The second phase lasts a long time. Palpation can find thick borders between inflamed areas of the epidermis. The panels have an edge that stands out with a bright color and is covered with scales.
In the last stage of the disease, the symptoms begin to gradually disappear. The plates become brighter, their borders fade. After a while, the papules disappear, leaving dry skin in their place, hyperpigmented spots.
Temperature in psoriasis can rise only in the presence of an inflammatory process, suppuration of acne. Then the affected areas may hurt.
What is the phenomenon of stearin stain
Stearin stains are the main symptom that forms the psoriatic triad. It is a small area with papular rash elements that are heavily washable. The more the doctor scrapes the affected skin, the more dandruff appears. During the manipulation, the person does not feel pain. The phenomenon got its name because the detachable flakes of the skin look like stearin stains.
Where it occurs first: rash localization
Psoriatic eruptions first form on the elbows, feet, and knees. Then the papules spread to parts of the body with thinner and softer skin: on the lower leg, lower back, wrist, abdomen, groin, scalp. The rash may be localized elsewhere. But these areas of the body are most commonly affected by psoriasis.
In the absence of proper treatment, the disease spreads to the nails, mucous membranes, joints.
Localization of psoriatic rash in adults can be:
- Chapter. The rash is observed on the scalp, ears, nape of the neck, eyebrows, eyelids, eyes, nasolabial folds.
- Lower limbs.
- Elbows. Scaly deposits form that coarse over time.
- Upper limbs. A small rash similar to urticaria occurs.
In children, the rash usually appears on:
- legs;
- buttocks;
- skin folds;
- elbows;
- scalp.
How scaly lichen on the head begins
Scaly lichens can spread throughout the body. It is usually acute. The rash is formed from balls to peas. The papule is covered with silvery and white scales. The rash increases over time, merging into a single focus with jagged edges. This plate has a clear border. When psoriasis affects the scalp, a psoriatic crown forms: red pustules with purulent contents appear behind the ears and along the forehead line.
How fast the pathology develops
How quickly psoriasis develops depends on its form. Thus, the type of pathology in the form of drops is characterized by the ability to appear and disappear suddenly. Severe plaque psoriasis is characterized by the gradual spread of pustules throughout the body. Then the rash is covered with washable scales in a short period of time. The rash merges to form large plaques.
Diagnostic methods
If psoriasis is suspected, visit a dermatologist. The physician makes a presumptive diagnosis based on the patient’s complaints and examination. The doctor gives a referral for laboratory, instrumental research. Differential diagnostics are also performed.
When the disease progresses, it is recommended to give blood for analysis to identify the acute, autoimmune or rheumatic process. In more difficult situations, a biopsy is performed, which shows the accumulation of Reta's body, thickening of the layer, infiltration of the skin with polyblasts, T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, increased angiogenesis under psoriatic plaques.
For differential diagnosis, perform:
- allergy test;
- serum biochemical test;
- fecal analysis for dysbiosis;
- histological examination of biopsy.
No special tests are needed to diagnose psoriasis in children. Pathology is detected by examining the elements of the rash.
How to treat psoriasis
Because psoriasis is considered a chronic condition, it cannot be completely cured. The goal of therapy is to achieve stable remission and eliminate complications. To do this, use drugs, physiotherapy, folk methods. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized. In the initial phase, the therapy can be carried out at home.
Clinic Therapy
For the treatment of psoriatic lesions, doctors prescribe antihistamines to relieve swelling, itching, and redness.
Enzymatic agents are also used. They stimulate the body to produce the necessary enzymes. Damage to the skin of the body causes discomfort, tightness.
The realization that the disease cannot be cured causes psychological problems. Therefore, doctors prescribe sedatives to help restore the emotional state.
Hepatoprotectors are used to improve liver function. Inflammation and itching can be relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Immunomodulators are prescribed to strengthen the body.
Physiotherapy techniques are also used. They help remove pigmentation and speed healing. Doctors recommend:
- selective herbal medicine;
- laser action on the skin;
- ultrasound treatment;
- magnetotherapy.
At the hospital, the patient is under constant medical supervision. Therefore, it is easy to monitor the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment regimen, to adjust the applied therapy in a timely manner.
Home treatment
After discharge from the hospital, treatment continues. To maintain normal health, to achieve stable remission, doctors prescribe a number of medications in the course. Vitamin complexes, ointments, folk remedies are used.
The patient is recommended to treat daily areas of skin affected by psoriasis with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments.
To improve the condition of the epidermis, dermatologists prescribe vitamins. Vitamins A, E, D and C are especially useful in the fight against psoriasis, strengthen the body's defenses, help regenerate and cleanse the skin.
Traditional healers suggest the use of activated charcoal. One of the main reasons for the development of psoriasis are metabolic disorders, intoxication. Activated charcoal acts as an absorbent, therefore cleansing the body of harmful substances well. It should be eaten for a month, twice a day, in a dose of 1 tablet per kilogram of body weight.
White clay helps to regenerate the skin. Relieves inflammation, dries, removes itching. Baths with the addition of sea salt are also useful.
When treating psoriasis at home, it is recommended to follow a number of rules:
- Take the medication prescribed by your doctor in the prescribed dose.
- Treat your skin with ointments and creams.
- Carefully remove the crust after softening.
- Take air and sun baths.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Stick to your daily routine and diet.
- Get enough rest.
- Take breaks while taking your medication.
By following these recommendations, a person will be able to avoid recurrence of the disease.
So, psoriasis is a serious chronic disease. The reasons for its development have not been precisely determined, only provoking factors are known. The disease has characteristic symptoms, but in the first phase it is similar to other skin pathologies. To recognize the disease and start treatment on time, you need to contact a dermatologist when a suspicious rash appears.