Psoriasis on the feet is a common problem. It can occur due to hormonal imbalances, weakening of the immune system, and other reasons. It can be cured with the help of medicines, traditional medicine recipes, and physiotherapy procedures.
Causes and risk factors for psoriasis on the legs
Psoriasis on the legs is a pathology, the cause of which doctors cannot identify. However, some of the possible provoking factors include:
- Inheritance. The disease can be inherited (from parents to children).
- Disturbances in the work of the central nervous system. Frequent stress leads to disruption of many processes in the body. In many patients such rashes appear especially after stressful situations.
- Hormonal disorder in the body. Disorders of the endocrine system lead to metabolic disorders, which are a provoking factor in the excessive production of skin cells.
- Weakened immunity. Psoriasis develops against the background of infectious diseases. The risk group includes patients who frequently suffer from viral infections and respiratory diseases (bronchitis, tonsillitis).
- Mechanical injury to the skin.
- Climate change.
- Frequent use of certain medications.
- The abuse of hygiene products, which leads to the destruction of beneficial microorganisms on the skin.
- The use of chemicals.
- Eating foods that contain food additives, alcohol.
Classification and symptoms of psoriasis on the legs
There are several types of the disease, each of which has its own symptoms:
- Ordinary (spotted, vulgar). The most common form of psoriasis, which affects almost 90 percent of all patients. It manifests itself as a rash in the form of red spots that quickly spread over the legs. Small plaques 3-4 cm in diameter can assemble without treatment and create large rashes. It is very itchy, and scratching can lead to bleeding. With such symptoms, a rash appears on the knees.
- Exudative (more pustular). This type is rare and occurs in a more severe form. Repeated relapses are possible. A healing complex therapy is time consuming. Rashes in the form of pustules with a clear liquid often bleed, while the patient's skin is constantly hot. This type is observed on the feet and legs.
- Drop-shaped (point). Not very common. It is characterized by point-like eruptions of red or scarlet color that resemble a drop. Basically, streptococcal bacteria are the provoking factor in the development of this species. The rash is localized on the knees.
- Inverse. During the disease, pale pink spots appear that are smooth to the touch. There is no peeling, but a slight peeling of the skin can sometimes be observed. The spots do not protrude above the surface of the skin, but rather concentrate on the inside of the thigh.
- Psoriatic onychodystrophy (nail psoriasis). The name suggests that the disease affects the nail bed and surrounding skin. Point-like depressions appear on the nails, in which the color of the nail plate changes (turns yellow or white). Spots appear on them, they become brittle. Sometimes there is bleeding under the nails. The nail becomes detached from the soft tissues - onycholysis. Scars then appear.
- Psoriatic erythroderma. It is characterized by red rashes, peeling of the skin, unbearable itching, swelling, and swollen lymph nodes. Erythroderma has a wide range of lesions - from the groin to the feet.
- Psoriasis on the feet. This type of disease causes great difficulty for the patient. When walking, wounds and cracks develop that bleed constantly and make walking difficult. Blisters are localized on the heels, around the nails, on the fingertips, and between them. The constant friction causes irritation with severe itching and scratching, which can lead to fungal infections. To some extent, sweat contributes to the development of rashes on the feet. Sweat is a great breeding ground for pathogens that cause inflammation to develop.
- Psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis of the joints). This type develops not only on the epidermis, but also on the joints. Psoriasis affects the knees and finger joints. The main symptom of the development of arthritis in the legs is the curvature of the joints and their size. As a result, the joint and limbs are disturbed (a small bone appears near the finger). The dermis at this point expands and becomes burgundy, swelling is observed.
Drug therapy for psoriasis
The drugs for psoriasis depend on the degree of development of the disease.
- Easy. Local therapy (ointments, creams, gels) is used to treat a disease of this mild degree. Salicylic and zinc ointments show good results. To achieve high results of treatment, complex therapy is used, which includes drugs with hormonal components and vitamins. They use drugs that contain a medicinal substance - dithranol.
- Average. For the treatment of this degree of the disease, all methods of treatment are important in order to get rid of all symptoms of the disease. In addition to drug therapy, laser treatment, light treatment, as well as plasmaphoresis (detoxification of the blood) and cryotherapy (cold treatment) are used. With complications, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed: hydrocortisone, cortisone.
- Heavy. This conclusion is the most difficult and requires treatment by all means and methods that relieve the symptoms of psoriasis on the legs. In these cases, drugs that suppress immune responses, antihistamines and antibiotics are prescribed.
Physiotherapy for psoriasis
Physiotherapy effectively complements the drug treatment of psoriasis. In medical practice there are several methods of physiotherapeutic procedures:
- Light therapy for the legs. UV radiation is the most effective treatment for psoriasis. The procedure involves exposure to ultraviolet rays in a medical facility. No side effects were found, it does not affect the body. After the light therapy, the plaques are reduced and in 80% of the cases the patient recovers completely.
- Cryotherapy. The method is based on a cold treatment. The course can last from one to six months. With psoriasis of the legs, a local procedure is prescribed when the common cold is directed only to certain lesions. These sessions reduce itching, inflammation, promote tissue repair, and slow down the formation of new dandruff.
- UV blood count (plasmaphoresis). This method in medicine is relatively new and is characterized by a quick treatment result. The essence of the procedure is that a tube is inserted into a vein, through which blood is poured into a vessel located in a special device. There the blood is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and then returned again. The procedure is carried out with complete sterility.
- Puva therapy. The method of treatment is prescribed to patients with severe forms of psoriasis. It is based on the use of psoralens - substances that increase the sensitivity of cells to ultraviolet radiation. The method is highly effective, after 25 sessions, severe rashes almost disappear.
Traditional medical recipes for psoriasis
- Many patients use traditional medicine to treat the disease. It can be tinctures, baths, lotions, decoctions. Various herbs such as marigold, chamomile, celandine are used to cleanse the skin. They can relieve inflammation and burning sensation.
- Broths. For the broth, you need to use a row (2 tablespoons), celandine (1 tablespoon), licorice root (2 tablespoons) and oregano (1 tablespoon). All herbs are mixed and infused for 20 minutes. The broth is taken orally twice a day for half a glass. This remedy is effective for mild psoriasis.
- Anoint. There are many folk recipes for the preparation of ointments based on birch tar.
- Mix birch tar (50 ml) with olive oil (50 ml). Apply the resulting ointment to sore skin, preferably before bedtime, and wrap it with gauze. Rinse off with warm water in the morning.
- Birch tar (30 ml), castor oil (30 ml), honey (60 grams) and 2 chicken eggs. Mix all ingredients and refrigerate for 2 days. Apply the finished mixture every day for a month.
- Bath. Traditional medicine offers the treatment of leg diseases with celandine-based baths. Celandine not only helps get rid of rashes, but also eliminates the causes of the manifestation of the disease. Boiling water is poured over the herb and left to steep for an hour. Strain the infusion and add it to the foot bath. The bath time is no more than 15 minutes.
- Compressed. Potato compresses also help with psoriasis on the legs. To prepare such a compress, you need to grate the potatoes and put the prepared composition on your feet and wrap it with cling film. The duration of the compress is no more than three hours.
diet
Diet plays an important role in psoriasis. In the case of severe inflammation, some dietary rules must be followed. Do not eat smoked, salty and fatty foods. Sweets, citrus fruits and dairy products are also contraindicated in the event of illness. Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Complications and Consequences
Any disease, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. Psoriasis of the feet can lead to the following consequences:
- the appearance of pain when walking;
- common psoriasis can develop into erythroderma;
- the appearance of other infections;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- Decrease in the protective functions of the epidermis;
- Violation of the thermoregulation of the skin.
Prevention of psoriasis on the legs
If you follow all preventive measures, the disease psoriasis can be prevented. Recommendations for prevention:
- treat your feet with antibacterial and nutritional preparations;
- Treating toenails to prevent fungal infection;
- Sun treatments;
- If you wear closed shoes you need to ventilate your feet;
- frequent physical activity.
The main rule in disease prevention is to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.