Scaly lichen is a very common skin condition that dermatologists are most likely to deal with. This disease not only does not look very aesthetically pleasing (red, scaly patches of irregular shape on the skin put off many others), but also brings with it psychological discomfort, physical and psychological problems, and in the future serious complications.
Knowing about the insidious disease and the dangers of its chronic course (frequent relapses) in a family where there are already patients with scaly lichen, members are particularly afraid of getting sick and are careful with the skinchanged.
How do you 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 as not to miss the first symptoms of psoriasis and to start treatment on time? Is there a difference in the first manifestations of the disease in men and women? We'll 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 inherited (this has been proven by the latest research), there are many factors that in a predisposition to psoriasis can trigger its clinical manifestation.
- Usually the onset of psoriasis is preceded by some sort of nervous breakdown or mental trauma. This factor most often provokes the development of psoriasis.
- A hormonal imbalance can fuel the disease. Therefore, during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause, women need to be extra careful with themselves - follow a healthy lifestyle, avoid negative emotions, do not stay in the sun for long 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, rest in a hot country in January). Therefore, if there are scaly lichens in the family history, it is better to refrain from a sharp change in latitude, and even from winter to summer (moving in an area with a climate with large temperature differences). In the case of forced movement, it is very important during such a time to be extra careful with your body.
- Chronic foci of infection can also lead to the appearance of psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases always need treatment, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, having a strep focus in the body is especially dangerous. Tooth decay, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all these inert diseases pose a threat to every organism.
At what age do the first signs of psoriasis usually appear?
The first signs of psoriasis can appear at any age. Scaly lichen does not protect the elderly or children. There are cases of the onset of the disease in infancy and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after 80 years. More often, however, the first signs of psoriasis show up at a young age of 14 to 30 years. As a rule, such patients also occur in such patients. At a young age, for example, concomitant diseases such as obesity, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia and thyroid diseases occur.
The first signs of psoriasis in humans
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. 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 psoriatic papule development?
The provoking factors trigger the inflammatory process, which is based on hyperkeratosis (pathological cell proliferation). As a result, the epidermis thickens, begins to protrude above healthy skin, and forms a lump. This is the main element of the scaly lichen psoriasis papule.
The papule is light pink in color, which differs in intensity. Initially, the papule is dark pink (to a deep red color), then it becomes faded and flaky. Dead scales of the epithelium are gray-silver in color, they can be separated very easily by scraping. In the underlying layer of the dermis, new blood vessels appear, which supply the cells of the epidermis with nutrients. For this reason, the skin is reddish in color during remission even without plaque. As the process intensifies, the elements increase and take up an ever larger area. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeding, that is, there is an obvious clinic for psoriasis.
The preferred locations for the first rashes in psoriasis are the scalp, face (in teenagers), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet, and soles of the feet. Unlike eczema, psoriatic plaques are usually found on the extensor surfaces of the joint.
They talk about the initial stage of psoriasis, when no more than 10% of the skin surface is affected. A skilled dermatologist will spot the symptoms of psoriasis right away, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (which has psoriatic joint damage) is mistaken for psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis
Plaque soriasis is a vulgar cutaneous psoriasis, so its first signs are easiest to spot. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules, usually localized around the joints. They resemble a small abscess filled with light-colored contents. The main elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are barely noticeable. They can pass on by themselves, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more noticeable. If you scrape off the papule, it will instantly be covered with silver scales. In summer, the rash can go away under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. As the disease progresses, its amount increases, it covers more extensive areas, and individual elements merge into extensive plaques.
Sometimes the first signs appear immediately violent and profuse. In response to the provoking factor, the skin becomes covered with pale pinkish-red plaques of psoriasis, causing severe itching. However, such an onset is unusual in psoriasis.
The first signs of nail psoriasis
The first changes in the nails can be varied and are similar to a fungal infection. Delamination, brittleness, thickening of the nail plate appear, depressions or grooves are visible throughout the nail. In addition, the first pathological signs appear on the edge of the nail, then they move to the root. One of the first symptoms of nail psoriasis is discoloration of the nail. The nail plate can turn yellow, gray, or white. Bleeding may occur under the nail. All of these signs can be on all of the nails, or just one.
The first signs of psoriasis of the soles of the feet and palms
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is a lesion on the soles of the feet or palms of the hands in the form of dense, scaly psoriasis lesions. 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 resembles seborrhea due to excessive dandruff. It can go apart for a long time without affecting other areas of the skin. Patients are treated for dandruff by buying special shampoos without realizing they have psoriasis on their head. After a while, the lesion affects the back of the ear, neck and goes down. And only in this case do the patients sound the alarm and go to the doctor.
The first signs of psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis may not have rashes. The first signs of psoriasis are complaints of a deformity of the joints that increase in size and become painful. The fingers and toes are swollen and resemble sausages. The gait changes as the disease progresses. It can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis in this form. Many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in relatives and careful differential diagnosis in diseases of the joints will help make the correct diagnosis.
The first signs of psoriasis in women
Psoriasis is the same for men and women. Unlike men, who usually experience the first symptoms of psoriasis around the age of 25-30, the first symptoms of psoriasis appear earlier in women. The trigger mechanism for the development of the disease is often hormonal changes in the puberty period. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormone levels throughout their lives. For the onset of psoriasis, the most important and dangerous periods in a woman are:
- the menstrual cycle (especially its appearance);
- Pregnancy;
- Birth;
- Breastfeeding;
- Menopause.
If psoriasis occurs at the time of conception, pregnancy can have positive effects on skin manifestations and a period of remission begins. But after the birth, maybe a tightening of all processes. According to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women most often appear during childbirth and during menopause. In other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis do not differ between women and men. However, psoriasis in children has its own characteristics.
What to do if the first signs of psoriasis are noticed
In any case, when the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are detected, it is imperative to consult a dermatologist in order to start treatment for the disease in a timely manner. The doctor will prescribe the treatment of psoriasis, taking into account the severity of the course and the specifics of the manifestations of the disease. It has been shown that all symptoms can be eliminated with psoriasis affecting less than 5% of the skin. However, the treatment must be selected by a competent specialist.
Also:
- When you find the first signs of psoriasis in yourself or in your family, try to remember what could have provoked 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 about dousing;
- try to go to the sea and swim more;
- Take good care of your skin, protect it from injury, and use moisturizers.
- For psoriasis of the head, choose shampoos without harsh ingredients. don't dye your hair;
- Check your diet;
- Avoid conflicts and stressful situations; Learn to control (but not suppress) your emotions. The ability to remain calm during the most dramatic moments in life will help maintain remission for a long time.
- You can take valerian, feverfew (ask your doctor) if you are emotionally unstable;
- Dress made of cotton, especially underwear, which should only be made from natural fabrics, do not wear plastics;
- treat chronic infections in a timely manner;
- Go to bed earlier, organize a good break.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis or doubtful symptoms appear, seek advice from dermatologists in Germany:
- You will be convinced of the reliability (or defectiveness) of the diagnosis:
- Thanks to experienced specialists, you can quickly get rid of 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 are buying high quality drugs that are prescribed by a doctor to help alleviate any possible aggravation.
- If necessary, you can stay in contact with the treating doctor in the future via Skype, telephone or email.