Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-contagious disease that affects about 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis
This is how the disease manifests itself.Skin cells divide 10 times faster than normal, piling on top of each other and forming raised red patches covered with silvery-white scales.Such sores can appear anywhere, but most often on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are some other signs that appear along with spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and small holes on the nails;
- swollen and painful joints.
There may be other symptoms, depending on the type of psoriasis.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven of them in total
- Ordinary, called vulgar.The most common type: raised, red and inflamed skin covered with white scales.
- In the shape of a tear.Small pinkish-red spots usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms and trunk.
- nail psoriasis.They become yellow-brown, soft and can be separated from the socket.Indentations or thickenings appear.
- Pustular.A rare form of the disease, it can be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness and rapid pulse.Purulent lumps appear on the hands, feet and fingers, surrounded by red skin.
- Inverse.Smooth and shiny red spots without scales.They most often appear in the groin, armpit, under the chest and buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and swelling of the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults than in children.
The exact causes of the disease are not known.But it is believed to be an autoimmune disease: immune system cells, also known as white blood cells, become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
- infection;
- stress;
- smoking or drinking alcohol;
- sunburn;
- lack of vitamin D;
- some drugs and substances - lithium preparations, beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides.
You cannot catch psoriasis.It is not transmitted by contact with the patient's skin.
How is psoriasis treated?
There is no way to get rid of psoriasis, but you can ease its symptoms.The selection of procedures and drugs is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.A dermatologist should develop and adjust a treatment plan.
The doctor may recommend the following.
Skin creams and ointments
They are used to soften plaques, reduce itching and slow down the growth of skin cells.These are external remedies:
- hormonal ointments;
- coal tar shampoos and ointments;
- preparations with retinoids.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used in parallel with external drugs.
The lightest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, talk to your doctor first.This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
This is heavy artillery when other methods fail.The doctor prescribes a course of tablets or injections that affect the whole body.
Prescribing medicine to yourself or taking it on the advice of a friend is a very bad idea.
Self-treatment of psoriasis can cause the disease to spread to unaffected parts of the body and increase the frequency of outbreaks.
The patient does not take into account the side effects of various drugs and harms himself.
Don't do it, go see a doctor!
How to reduce the frequency of psoriasis outbreaks
In addition to the prescribed treatment, do the following:
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.Treatment of bad habits is less effective.
Watch your weight.After losing excess weight, many patients find that drugs that did not work before begin to work.
Eat a balanced diet.This will reduce the risk of complications associated with psoriasis - high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis.
Do yoga and meditation.They reduce stress and anxiety that can cause seizures.
Apply a thick moisturizer to the skin as needed throughout the day to soften it.Be sure to do this after showering and before going to bed.
Take baths with colloidal oatmeal or saline for 10 minutes each day.Just make sure the water is not too hot.And don't use harsh soap that dries out the skin too much.