Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It appears when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear phases - emergence, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the intensity of itching and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to differentiate between the stages of the disease development and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
Dividing psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct selection of therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the degree of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of rashes, for example, a course of UV treatment.They also prescribe drugs that promote cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psychoemotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose.Ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed to restore damaged skin.
In the phase of remission - they support the body.Proper nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to get psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its volume and prevents subsequent recurrences of peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs in order not to miss the appearance of the skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still discovering the causes of psoriasis.But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be contracted from a sick person, nor is it caused by infection through injury.This is one's own, personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune disorder, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to return and relapses.The therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing itchy skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish psoriasis at the beginning from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: the initial stage
The first manifestations of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is tightly pressed against the body (for example, under the waist belt).The rash can also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nails.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
Pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage have a modest appearance.have:
- Pink or red color;
- A clear, unclouded edge;
- Small size - a pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat form - small pointed pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, scaly flakes of skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver in color and appear white against the background of a red pimple.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by a rather strong itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing shiny patches of pink, young skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it gets injured and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: the progression phase
In the progressive phase, individual pimples merge into one common point, forming so-called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a pink-red border that does not peel.
The presence of a border is a sign of the progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The rim represents the area where the stain spreads.This is skin that is already inflamed but not yet peeling.After a while it will also be covered with scales.And the spot will spread, catching new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort to a person, interfere with his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive phase is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next phase of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
In the stage of progression, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is a common phenomenon.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say otherwise.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive phase of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes colorless and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the spread of inflammation stops.Active peeling and healing, regeneration of new healthy skin begins.
It is noticeable with the naked eye that peeling intensifies in the stationary stage.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance by which ordinary people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic patch, healthy skin of a slightly lighter shade will remain in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs that can be used to judge the development of the disease.This is the nature of the feeling of itching (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable, and the rash is incomprehensible.Furthermore, the itching increases every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.It disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the feeling of itching does not give him a chance to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides.Every day one feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the weakening phase
The weakened stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only different pigmentation of the skin resembles psoriasis.Instead of the former psoriatic patches, it looks brighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation occurs.The skin at the spot of psoriasis does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, the differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis recurrence is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the organism as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of repeated skin inflammation if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse your body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often after clearing, seasonal psoriasis relapses become rare.The person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of it occurring is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment in an advanced stage of psoriasis.Their need arose due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppressing the autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore immunity.