Elbow psoriasis is an inflammatory process with a characteristic skin rash. Among the provocative factors for the development of the disease are heredity, various diseases, bad habits, stressful situations and others.
The pathology is accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, pain in the affected areas. To make a diagnosis, tests of urine, blood, feces, biopsy, bakposev on the microflora are prescribed. Treatment includes the use of medications, topical medications, physiotherapy, and dietary adjustments.
Before starting the treatment of psoriasis on the elbows, it is necessary to exclude other pathologies: eczema, fungal infection.
Only after a complete examination are specific medications prescribed, so prior consultation with a dermatologist is required.
phase
Psoriasis occurs in several stages, changing from time to time.
Initial
The outer surface of the elbow area is covered with small papules. On the outside, they look like random acne. After 14-21 days, the formations turn into voluminous plaques covered with scales. The dryness of the skin increases, the surface becomes rough.
progressive
This phase is characterized by the formation of more large plaques. Patients complain of peeling, redness in the affected area. The boundaries of the rash are represented by a well-defined edge. At this stage, the transition of the disease to a period of exacerbation is observed.
Stationary
With a properly chosen scheme of therapeutic measures, the clinical picture becomes less pronounced, and the disease passes into a state of rest. The number of psoriatic rashes is decreasing, new papules are absent.
regressive
This phase is accompanied by a reduction in the severity of symptoms, the number of plaques is significantly reduced. The skin, on which the rash was previously localized, is noticeably pigmented, but at the same time there are no characteristic scales at the sites of lesions, the epidermis does not peel.
Symptoms
The beginning of the development of the pathological process indicates the appearance of small red spots of oval or rounded shape. As the disease progresses, the number of formations that spread to the surrounding healthy areas of the skin increases.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured. However, modern methods help to quickly resolve the worsening of the disease and achieve long-term remission.
Antihistamines are used; local ointments and creams with corticosteroids, salicylic acid are used for the rash on the joints.
An important method of treatment is the appointment of diet and vitamin complexes; positive effects of some homeopathic preparations have been reported.
The early stage is characterized by a small number of rashes. If at this stage it is time to seek help from a specialist, it is possible to reduce the likelihood that the disease will become chronic.
The main feature of psoriasis is the formation of scales of light silver hue. Under mechanical action, their integrity is compromised, resulting in a smooth surface with bloody cracks.
There were also cases when there were no scales on the psoriatic plaques.
Patients begin to complain of severe itching, swelling at the site of the lesion, tingling. If you palpate the damaged areas, you may notice an increase in temperature and pain in those areas.
Depending on how well the protective functions of the body function, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques, when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper extremity. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the likelihood of the pathology transitioning to a neglected form increases severalfold.
The severity of the clinical picture also depends on the stage of the disease. During the period of remission, the manifested symptoms subside, the patient feels better. Recurrent condition is characterized by the appearance of multiple psoriatic plaques, due to painful symptoms the general condition of the person worsens.
Causes
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, it was not possible to fully study and determine the exact factors that caused it. However, experts have identified several alleged causes that may contribute to the development of psoriatic lesions on the elbows.
One of the most common factors is genetic predisposition. According to statistics, in 50% of cases the pathology is diagnosed in a person whose relatives were also susceptible to this disease.
Prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are the lack of resistance of the organism to infectious diseases, malnutrition, uncontrolled medication, which negatively affects the immune system, thus contributing to its weakening.
Also among the reasons are:
- endocrine disorders;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- epidermal injury;
- frequent stress, neurosis, depression.
Lack of vitamins and lack of trace elements in the body can contribute to the manifestation of psoriasis.
Diagnosis
Since the development of psoriasis on the elbows is accompanied by pronounced clinical signs, the detection of pathology is not difficult. First, the dermatologist performs an external examination of the damaged areas of the epidermis and collects the patient's anamnesis.
In order to confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is sent for laboratory tests.
A blood test allows you to determine a possible predisposition for an allergic reaction to certain medications that can be used to treat psoriasis. In addition, the analysis can help in the diagnosis of anemia, which will be accompanied by characteristic deviations in the level of leukocytes and erythrocytes.
Urine analysis makes it possible to determine the level of water and salt balance, ie how much salt and water has entered and been removed from the human body.
The study of feces is necessary for the identification of helminths in them.
When the main methods for making a final diagnosis are not enough, the doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- biopsy of epidermal samples taken from lesions;
- backsowing on microflora;
- potassium oxide test.
If a complex course of the pathological process is suspected, an X-ray examination is performed, which enables the assessment of the involvement of the joint disease.
If psoriasis develops in women during childbirth, they are instructed to take a prolactin test.
Additionally, you may need to consult an orthopedist, rheumatologist, venereologist or mammologist.
Methods of treatment
Psoriasis cannot be cured, but an outbreak can be prevented and the remission phase prolonged. Therapy in this case should be complex. It consists of the use of such treatment methods:
- to usemedicaldrugs inside;
- usefundslocal action;
- vitamin therapy;
- sanatorium-resorttreatment;
- applicationhomeopathicmedicines.
In addition, it is important to adhere to a special diet. The diet includes foods that contain substances that contribute to remission, and limits the use of foods harmful to psoriasis.
Drugs used for psoriasis
In the treatment of the disease it is important to use drugs for internal use in the form of capsules, tablets, plates.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It is important to remember that only an experienced specialist can prescribe such drugs, taking into account the severity of the disease, age criteria, as well as individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Ointment for rash on elbows and lower legs
Elbow psoriasis is widely used for external use.
Experts say that the treatment of psoriasis should be comprehensive, so one application of the cream will not be enough, because they only remove the symptoms of the disease on our skin.
vitamins
In psoriasis, vitamin therapy is considered an important method in complex treatment. In case of damage to the skin of the flexor surface, the use of vitamins B, E, D, A and ascorbic acid is recommended.
To do this, you need to eat right: increase the consumption of foods containing these substances. In addition, vitamins can be purchased at pharmaceutical establishments. Vitamin solution can be used to lubricate problem skin.
Some fats contain the necessary substances, so experts often prescribe such drugs for external use.
Vitamin-mineral complexes can be prescribed.
Intramuscular injection drugs are also prescribed for severe psoriasis.
They are made every day or every other day.
homeopathic remedies
Combined agents are considered the most effective.
The dose of these drugs is determined by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Diet
In a pathological condition, it is important to adhere to a diet. Therefore, the following products should be included in the psoriasis diet:
- lean fish;
- milk products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- greenery.
These ingredients enrich the body with beneficial substances and reduce acidity. In case of illness, it will be useful to establish a drinking regimen. The daily amount of water consumed should be at least 1, 5 liters.
The following products are contraindicated for use in pathology:
- smoked meat;
- hot spices and condiments;
- pickles;
- sweet products;
- fatty meat;
- alcoholic beverages;
- sausages;
- coffee;
- citrus;
- chocolate;
- confectionery products.
It is necessary to limit the consumption of fried, fatty and salty foods.
In addition, fractional meals are recommended for psoriasis: portions should be small and the number of meals should be increased up to six times.
Spa treatment
For psoriasis, it is recommended to visit resorts located in areas with prevailing warm and dry climates.
An annual stay in sanatoriums with radon or sulfide baths is also desirable. In such places, the patient can undergo physiotherapy procedures that help eliminate the signs of the disease and prolong the remission phase. These include applications with paraffin or ozokerite, UV radiation, phototherapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are performed 21-29 days a day.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows is carried out by an integrated approach. Drug therapy involves the use of funds for internal and external use. It is also important to take vitamins and diet during treatment. It is recommended to stay in sanatoriums and use homeopathic medicines.
Consequences
With a long absence of therapeutic measures, the course of pathology on the elbows is complicated by the appearance of a number of diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma may begin. In most cases, it occurs in the background of abrupt cessation or complete absence of treatment, frequent stressful situations, diseases of an infectious nature of origin that occur in severe form, alcohol abuse.
Pustular generalized psoriasis is a more serious health threat. Such a course of pathology is characterized by a mass association of papules, due to which large foci are formed, in the place of which the skin peels, pustular areas are formed.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. This is a pathological process that affects the joints, and is accompanied by swelling, severe pain and limited mobility.
Prevention
Since the epidermis in this area is quite dry, regular care of the elbow area is needed. To do this, you need to use a special cream with moisturizing properties.
You should also stop smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. To this end, experts recommend taking vitamin and mineral complexes, playing sports and spending more time walking in the fresh air.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage, not to expose the body to frequent stresses and mental disorders.
At the first symptoms of the development of an infectious disease, a visit to the doctor should not be delayed in order to provide timely medical care.