Psoriasis itself is not a dangerous disease, but it causes many physical and psychological problems. Meanwhile, it is still almost impossible to get rid of it completely. Therefore, the only effective measure is prevention and rapid relief of symptoms.
However, if an exacerbation of psoriasis suddenly occurs, what to do in such cases and what medications to use? The answer to this question is chosen individually for each patient, but there are general rules of behavior.
Causes of exacerbation and factors affecting the manifestation of relapse
According to statistics, relapses of the disease occur less often in the warm season. Typically, the manifestation of the main symptoms is observed in autumn and winter, during the period of increasing cold. This is due to the following factors:
- Sunlight in spring and summer has a positive effect on the condition of the skin and prevents the active progression of psoriasis. This is where the factor of treating the skin with ultraviolet light and saturating the body with vitamin D comes into play. In winter, light is in short supply.
- The activation of viral and bacterial infections in the cold season has a negative effect on the state of the immune system and therefore directly on the skin.
At the same time, only dosed exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the skin can have a positive effect on it. Excessive light can cause psoriasis to worsen.
In addition, the following prerequisites and factors for the development of an exacerbation are identified:
- Severe and sudden stress, progression of depression;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Prolonged and uncontrolled use of medications;
- climate change;
- Infection with bacterial and viral infections of any kind;
- Skin damage (mechanical as well as insect bites);
- non-compliance with the diet;
- refusal to take special medications;
- Violation of metabolic processes;
- Poisoning of the body (alcohol, infectious, poisoning with toxic substances).
So, as can be seen from the list, an exacerbation of psoriasis does not occur without an obvious reason and there are prerequisites for this.
Signs of deterioration
The symptoms of psoriasis are almost always present in the patient to one degree or another. However, a severe exacerbation of psoriasis usually has its own characteristic signs:
- A rapid increase in the number and volume of reddish spots throughout the body (localization may depend on the type of psoriasis);
- The appearance of a terminal film on the surface of the affected skin;
- The appearance of unbearable itching and burning (in extreme cases - pain syndrome);
- Feeling of dryness and tension, discomfort;
- Intensification of rashes and increase in their area due to mechanical damage to the skin in the affected areas;
- Flaking, formation of a characteristic stearin spot.
At the same time, a psoriasis patient may be irritable and sudden mood swings are possible. Increased stress, in turn, leads to a significant deterioration in the condition and appearance of the skin. In severe lesions, accumulation of exudate and pus is possible.
Aggravation during pregnancy
With proper treatment, psoriasis in women can be relatively mild. However, during pregnancy, hormone levels and vitamin D levels change dramatically, which can cause the dermatosis to enter a regressive stage. In this case, the symptoms of an exacerbation are mixed in their manifestations and resemble intoxication of the body. In this case, the following phenomena occur:
- Painful and extremely itchy rashes on the back, head, face and groin area;
- nausea, often accompanied by vomiting without relief;
- loss or decreased appetite;
- Fear;
- sleep disorder;
- Increased body temperature.
An increase in cortisol levels can also trigger regression. In addition, the hormone can be released both before and after an exacerbation of psoriasis, preserving all the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Therefore, treatment should also aim to reduce cortisol levels in pregnant women.
How long can the regression phase last?
With psoriasis, the course of the disease largely depends on the patient himself and how closely he follows the instructions and recommendations of the treating doctor. On average, psoriasis worsens five to ten times per year. In this case, the minimum duration of the regression phase is at least two weeks.
Increased dermatosis symptoms may also occur for reasons beyond the patient's control. However, the number of exacerbations can be significantly reduced if you follow all your doctor's recommendations.
How to stop disease progression during an exacerbation?
If symptoms of any type of psoriasis increase, it is important to first determine the cause of the regression. However, since it is not always possible to carry out this measure yourself, it is recommended to seek the help of a specialist. In the future, it is necessary to restore the patient's previous correct treatment.
Medication
Taking the necessary medications, as well as taking medications for external use, is an essential part of treating an exacerbation of psoriasis. The following groups of drugs are used for this:
- sedatives;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Hormonal medications (in advanced cases);
- multivitamin complexes with vitamins B and D;
- immunomodulators;
- Antihistamines.
Creams, ointments and lotions as well as cosmetic aids are used to relieve visible symptoms and improve the condition of the skin. Such products dry out the affected areas, accelerate skin regeneration and reduce peeling.
physical therapy
This method of eliminating exacerbation of psoriasis is used in almost all cases. This allows you to significantly enhance the effect of drugs and accelerate the healing process of tissues, thereby delaying the occurrence of the next period of regression.
The most effective physiotherapy methods include:
- ultrasound exposure;
- magnetic field therapy;
- PUVA;
- phototherapy;
- Electrophoresis.
The selection of methods is made in each individual case, provided there are no contraindications. In this case, only one method of influence or a whole combination can be chosen. Physiotherapeutic methods are usually combined with mandatory medication and are not used as an alternative to other methods.
Right nutrition
Very often, the dermatosis regresses as a result of eating unhealthy foods and products. However, even consuming only the "right" products does not always guarantee a reduction in risk and in such cases patients return to the doctor with the question of what to do if the psoriasis worsens if the cause cannot be identified. In theAs a rule, such patients simply forget that foods with a high allergen content must also be excluded from the daily menu.
Therefore, the menu should not contain:
- chicken eggs;
- citrus fruits and honey;
- Whole milk (especially high-fat milk);
- Red fruits and vegetables (especially without prior heat treatment);
- Fatty and spicy additives and sauces;
- Mushrooms;
- fast food and semi-finished products;
- Fried, fatty, salted, smoked, marinades.
Overeating and eating too late are not allowed. Sweets and carbohydrate-rich dishes (based on simple carbohydrates) are completely excluded from the menu. Sweeteners without carbohydrates are allowed. In addition, it is also necessary to stop smoking and drinking any amount of alcohol.
Relieve aggravation by fasting
Fasting as a method of treating illness has not yet been fully studied. However, in eliminating the symptoms of psoriasis, it shows the best results both in the hospital and at home. To prevent and eliminate regression of the dermatosis, a six-to-one scheme is effective, that is, fasting once a week. In this case, it is not necessary to completely abstain from food; fasting days are enough.
In this case, the following methods are possible:
- Drink only clean water during the day;
- Eating only one product (fruit or vegetables, dairy products).
This relieves the digestive system, allows the body to recover and regenerate and restores hormone levels. Fasting days also help strengthen the immune system.
Effective products for external use
Doctors readily answer the question of how to quickly relieve an exacerbation of psoriasis, since a solution to this problem has already been found. In this case, it is best to use non-steroidal ointments against inflammatory processes. The duration of treatment in this case is from three days to a week, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before use.
The most effective anti-inflammatory drugs include:
- Salicylic ointment. The product perfectly eliminates inflammatory processes, kills pathogenic bacteria, softens the skin, prevents it from drying out and accelerates regeneration processes. The ointment is suitable for daily use, even for extensive lesions.
- Tar-based ointments and creams. Tar itself has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties and helps eliminate and prevent secondary infections. Ointments based on it also improve the overall condition of the skin and accelerate its healing.
- Zinc and salicylic-zinc ointments. They have a drying and healing effect, prevent the appearance of new rashes and destroy pathogenic microbes. Pastes should be used with caution in patients prone to allergic reactions.
A number of medications should only be prescribed by the attending physician. It is usually created for the entire course and can be used from time to time during exacerbations.
Relieve psoriasis symptoms on the scalp
A set of measures to reduce the symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp differs little from methods to eliminate the regression of open areas of the body. However, in this case it is also recommended to use special care cosmetics, especially shampoos:
- The drug prevents the development of secondary fungal infections, eliminates peeling and itching of the skin, and regulates sebum secretion.
- The drug allows you to quickly eliminate itching and flaking, relieve pain and irritation, and heal the skin.
- The shampoo is based on thermal water as well as lactic and salicylic acid. It effectively removes excess fat, prevents its accumulation, eliminates dandruff and kills pathogenic bacteria.
- The product is based on extracts of medicinal herbs and birch tar. The shampoo accelerates the regeneration processes of the tissue and regulates the formation of new skin cells. It is one of the safest on the list.
- The shampoo contains coal tar, which is known for its antibacterial properties. The product eliminates pink spots on the scalp and prevents their reappearance.
Each shampoo has its own contraindications and limitations. As a rule, all products on the list can be used one to three times a week. It is recommended to wash your hair daily with only conditioning shampoos.
Diploma
If a patient is diagnosed with psoriasis, treatment of the exacerbation is selected individually.However, for any type of this dermatosis, therapy includes medications for external and internal use, as well as a special diet. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of an exacerbation by strictly following all the recommendations of the attending physician.
FAQ
What methods are effective for relieving the symptoms of psoriasis during an exacerbation?
During a psoriasis flare-up, topical medications such as corticosteroid creams or ointments and antipsoriatics such as methotrexate or cyclosporine are effective methods of relieving symptoms. It's also important to take good care of your skin by moisturizing it regularly and avoiding irritants.
How long can a psoriasis flare-up last and how often can it recur?
The duration and frequency of exacerbations of psoriasis may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. An exacerbation can last from several weeks to several months. The frequency of exacerbations may differ for each patient - for some they occur several times a year, for others they occur less often.
What factors can cause psoriasis to worsen?
Psoriasis flare-ups can be caused by a variety of factors, such as stress, infections, skin trauma, weather changes, certain medications, or even certain foods. It is important to pay attention to your individual triggers and avoid them to minimize the risk of disease flare-ups.
Helpful advice
Tip #1
Consult a dermatologist for professional advice and appropriate treatment. Only a specialist can determine the degree of exacerbation and select effective drugs and procedures.
Tip #2
Follow a diet that excludes psoriasis-causing foods such as spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, citrus fruits, and chocolate. Choose foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, fruits and vegetables.