Psoriasis on the hands

This form of psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease that primarily affects:

• Palm trees.
• Areas between the fingers.
• Hands.

Most often, people suffering from this form of the disease develop severe psychological complexes.

This form of the disease does not pose a serious threat to human life. However, when severe forms develop, this disease can be accompanied by the development of a number of very serious complications.

The most common complications include damage to the joints of the lower and upper extremities. This complication leads to the development of psoriatic arthritis. This disease is quite dangerous as it can lead to the development of temporary disability and even disability.

Most people who suffer from hand psoriasis are diagnosed with lesions that appear specifically on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

This form of the disease causes the patient a lot of various inconveniences, since the main foci of development of this disease cannot be hidden under clothing, and the formation of cracks is accompanied by the appearance of painful sensations.

The lesions themselves are small, pink plaques. The plaques protrude clearly from the surface of the skin and eventually become covered with gray scales.

In some cases, the formation of yellow pustules is observed.

The main symptoms of the development of this form of the disease:

• Dry skin.
• Thickening of the skin.
• The appearance of redness.
• Appearance of cracks.
• The appearance of callus-like formations.

causes

The many factors that can trigger the disease include:

• Allergic reaction;
• Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• Diseases of the kidneys, liver and pancreas;
• obesity;
• Malfunctions of the metabolism and endocrine systems;
• hereditary predisposition;
• Chronic depression, stress or nervous tension.

As we have already established, the exact causes of psoriasis are not yet clear. Experts have not been able to determine exactly what causes psoriasis and in which cases it occurs.

At the same time, diseases or moments that provoke skin damage in the patient were identified:

1. Inheritance.
2. Immune system disorders and metabolic problems.
3. Psycho-emotional overload.
4. Bad habits and eating disorders.
5. General intoxication.
6. Viruses, bacteria, fungal infections.
7. With a strong change in climatic living conditions.
8. For chronic skin diseases.
9. If the patient takes drugs of different pharmacological groups for a long period of time.

Sometimes the manifestation of the disease can occur when a person uses detergents that deprive the skin of its natural covering. Since psoriasis is not contagious, it is important to remember that you don't need to worry too much about personal hygiene.

Various factors can cause eczema on the hands:

• hereditary predisposition;
• weakened immunity;
• dysfunction of the endocrine glands;
• changes in hormone levels;
• chronic illness;
• infections;
• Nervous tension;
• frequent stress;
• constant exposure to chemicals (detergents, paints, solvents) on the skin;
• uncontrolled use of medications (for example anti-inflammatory drugs);
• clothing made from synthetic materials;
• Rings and bracelets made from certain alloys;
• cheap, low-quality cosmetics;
• pollen;
• poplar fluff;
• animal hair;
• insect bites;
• Mold;
• House dust;
• helminthic infestation;
• some foods.

The mechanism of psoriasis is not fully understood, but it has been established that it is caused by a violation of the division of skin cells, during which diseased cells begin to multiply and grow 5-10 times faster. Soon immune cells take part in the process and blood vessels grow.

After the cells die, keratinized areas remain on the smooth surface of the skin - convex psoriasis plaques. In addition to genetic predisposition - features of immunity, skin structure - indirect causes have been identified that influence the development of psoriasis.

Recent medical research shows a connection between the disease and other pathologies:

• Metabolic disorders (diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, increased production of free radicals and nitric oxides, which are involved in the keratinization of the skin);
• Arteriosclerosis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• liver and kidney diseases;
• Osteoporosis;
• Obesity.

Risk factors include:

• Smoke;
• alcohol abuse;
• Change in weather conditions.

You cannot become infected through contact with a sick person; there are no external carriers of the disease. The inflammatory process takes place in the body and a genetic predisposition to a characteristic disease cannot be ruled out. Other causes of psoriasis on hands are listed below:

• impaired metabolism;
• hormonal imbalance;
• occupational risk;
• tendency to allergic reactions;
• presence of bad habits;
• poor diet;
• immune disorders of the body;
• Violation of personal hygiene rules.

Dermatosis is heterogeneous. There are exogenous and endogenous triggers for the disease.

Exogenous factors include fluctuations in ambient temperature, bad habits, prolonged use of medications, infections, injuries, and an atherogenic nutritional profile. Endogenous factors include hereditary predisposition, weakened immunity, stress and sensitization of the body.

Provoking factors trigger the development of the pathological process. Today's dermatologists tend to view psoriasis of the palms and soles as the result of a combination of several triggers.

The causes of the disease are not fully understood. Scientists identify several theories:

1. Psoriasis is a genetic disease.
2. Psoriasis occurs due to disorders of the immune, hormonal and nervous systems.
3. Psoriasis is a disease that occurs due to poor ecology and the accumulation of harmful substances in the body.

When these reasons come together, psoriasis occurs. However, the main factor is still genetic: scientists have identified several genes that are responsible for the onset of the disease.

Factors provoking the appearance of psoriasis:

• stressful situations;
• hazardous industries, particularly those with high phenol concentrations;
• Injuries, abrasions, burns: Psoriasis sometimes occurs in these areas;
• alcohol, smoking;
• Infections: especially streptococci;
• incorrect selection of certain medications.

Why does palm psoriasis occur?

Psoriasis can occur in people regardless of age and gender. However, there are some statistics that indicate that the disease often occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.

Scientists have found that the main reason for the development of the disease is a dysfunction of the human immune system and a genetic predisposition. However, these facts have not been fully proven and to date the clear causes of psoriasis remain unclear. The main factors provoking palmar psoriasis include the following reasons:

1. Decreased immunity.
2. Mechanical damage to the palms.
3. Frequent hand contact with water.
4. Contact of the skin of the hands with chemicals, for example household chemicals, as well as various products at the workplace.
5. Diseases such as scarlet fever, chronic tonsillitis, kidney disease and other diseases are often the cause.
6. Oncology.

Doctors cite alcohol abuse, drug use and certain medications as other causes of the disease.

The main manifestations of psoriasis of the palms

It is worth noting that this type of disease occurs mainly in people who perform physical work that involves strain on their hands. In medical practice it is customary to distinguish three types of diseases. These include:

1. Plaque-fan-shaped.
2. Circular.
3. Callous.

Types of psoriasis on the hands

Localization of psoriasis on the hands	description of the problem
On the palms of your hands	Redness of the skin surface of the palms, itching, roughening of the top layer, appearance of calluses. Externally, many people confuse palmar psoriasis with mycosis or eczema. To make a correct diagnosis, you must consult a specialist.
On the hands and fingers	Inflammation, swelling of the fingers, peeling, cracking of the skin, pain and itching.

Depending on the localization of the process and the specific place of occurrence of the primary lesions, several types of hand psoriasis are distinguished:

• Pustule – the most dangerous type, affects any skin. Initially, small spots appear on the phalanges of the fingers and palms, which also involve the nail plates. Then the spots merge, fill with pus, the lesion spreads to the hands and other areas, causing swelling and degenerative changes in the organs.
• Teardrop-shaped – rashes are pale pink, convex and shaped like small drops. It is localized on the shoulders and forearms and extends over a wide area.
• Nails – This type of psoriasis causes changes in the appearance of the nails and nail bed. A "thimble symptom" is observed when the color of the nail plates changes and small depressions and grooves form on them. At the same time, the nails thicken and begin to peel off until they are completely lost.
• Plaque (vulgar) – ranks first in prevalence. These are typical psoriasis plaques with a tendency to mix and form "paraffin lakes". They occur above the elbow joints, on the extensor surface of the arms and affect the palms of the hands. Palmar psoriasis is caused by a coarsening of the epidermis andcharacterized by the formation of cracked, callus-like tubercles on the surface of the dermis.

Stages of the disease

At the initial stage of psoriasis of the hands, even before the first rash appears, the following diseases can be detected:

1. swelling is observed in the joint area;
2. the skin takes on a reddish hue in places;
3. the nail plates become inflamed.

The following stages of psoriasis on the hands are distinguished:

1. Exacerbation is a progressive stage of the disease. It is characterized by an increase in the number and size of spots, increased itching and flaking.

2. Stationary stage – it is characterized by a weakening of the disease, a change in the color of psoriasis plaques (they become less red, whiter), as well as a decrease in the number of spots.
3. The remission stage is characterized by the complete disappearance of all signs of psoriasis.

Looking at hands affected by psoriasis is extremely unpleasant. However, the disease is so common that people need to know what psoriasis looks like on their hands in order to identify the problem in time and start treating the disease in a timely manner.

Hand psoriasis develops gradually. Doctors point out that in medicine there are several stages of the disease that imperceptibly replace each other without timely therapy. The clinical outcome for the patient depends entirely on the therapeutic measures of timely response. The development and signs of the different stages of upper extremity psoriasis are as follows:

1. Initial phase. Small round papules have clear boundaries. At first they are solitary, but 2-3 days after peeling of the dermis they spread and cover large areas of the lesion.
2. Progressive phase. Painful nodules are characterized by a bright red tint, and in the center there is a detachment of the epidermis with the formation of crusts. The pathology is preceded by microtrauma to the skin.
3. Stationary stage. The once red rashes turn bluish and dry out. The inflammatory process decreases in intensity, the itching stops, but there is hyperemia of the skin.
4. Regressive phase. Local manifestations of psoriasis decrease in intensity and as soon as the painful lesions disappear, they disappear. There is a long period of remission, no peeling, but white spots with clear boundaries are visible.

Psoriasis of any form and localization, including psoriasis of the skin of the hands, goes through 3 stages:

1. Progressive stage (exacerbation) – spots grow, new ones appear, manifestations of psoriasis intensify.
2. Stationary stage – the manifestations of the disease fade, the spots become pale and decrease in size.
3. Regressive stage (remission) – the manifestations disappear completely.

The initial stage of psoriasis on the arms and hands can manifest itself in different ways: either faint, barely noticeable spots appear, or immediately bright, as in the acute stage (less common).

Features of therapy in pregnant women and children

Due to the weakened immunity of the mother and the immature immune system of the child, the treatment of eczema on the fingers requires:

1. Adjusting the diet of a nursing mother and her child, limiting milk intake, consuming green fruits and vegetables and fermented milk products. At an older age, it is necessary to exclude flour products, smoked meats and foods rich in salt from the child's diet.
2. Taking vitamin complexes to support the immune system of a pregnant woman.
3. One of the recommended measures is to limit contact with household chemicals and water.
4. Use of antihistamine ointments or dermatotropic agents.

The following medications can be prescribed to treat children:

• Production of lotions based on boric acid
• Taking calcium-based drugs taking into account the reduced content of this microelement, which is characteristic of this pathology in children.
• Ointments containing antibiotics are used to relieve the symptoms of a serious infection.
• The use of antihistamines to reduce the intensity of itching.

A set of measures for the recovery of mother and child should include compliance with personal hygiene standards and maintaining the sanitary condition of the premises.

Psoriasis on the hands

Official medicine classifies hand psoriasis as a chronic disease with multifactorial etiology. This means that the exact causes of the disease are not clear and doctors consider them as possible contributing factors. Doctors classify it as a skin disease because of its main symptoms – red scaly plaques that appear on the skin. But the culprit of the disease lies deep inside the human body.

As part of long-term studies on the mechanism of psoriasis development, scientists have identified a connection with autoimmune failure.

The first signs of psoriasis appear on the hands in the form of small red papules with clear contours. 2-3 days pass and the papules become covered with scales. Then a long process of disease progression begins, characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission. Psoriasis, which initially appears between the fingers, can spread to the entire surface of the palm. Individual plaques grow and fuse to form a continuous flaky crust. The photo clearly shows what psoriasis looks like on your hands.

The first changes occur on the back of the hand and gradually affect the sides of the hand. Unnoticed at the beginning of the negative process, they lead to an obvious cosmetic defect, when it is already difficult for a person to hide the presence of the disease. What could happen?

Symptoms of psoriasis on the hands

The symptoms characteristic of psoriasis on the hands should be considered in the context of their manifestation on any part of the patient's body. When the lesion begins, small areas of the dermis are affected, but the process does not end there and over time plaques can cover the entire hand. General symptoms look like this:

• the appearance of small papules;
• scaling;
• dryness and peeling of the skin of the hands;
• Nail plates lose their natural color, their structure changes;
• signs of skin hyperemia;
• the skin in the affected area becomes reddish;
• pain occurs in the joints;
• Feelings of inner discomfort.

We have given general signs of the disease, but experts divide them according to the stages of the disease.

What types of diseases are there?

The diversity of manifestations of psoriasis encountered by doctors forced them to describe the various forms of the disease. Experts have grouped existing species into two main groups: pustular and non-pustular.

The pustule group includes the following forms of disease:

• generalized;
• similar to annular centrifugal erythema;
• palmoplantar.

The non-pustular group includes:

• classic form of psoriasis with early or late onset;
• psoriatic erythroderma.

The presented classification does not include such types of diseases as seborrheic, exudative, napkin disease, atypical and drug-induced psoriasis.

Reasons for the development of psoriasis on the hands

Of all the locations affected by the disease, the hands account for 85% of all diagnoses. Long-term observations of patients suffering from an unpleasant disease have led scientists to the conclusion that the causes of psoriasis on the hands depend on the gender and age of the patient.

Psoriasis is extremely rare in black people. There is currently no scientific explanation for this situation.

What causes psoriasis on women's hands?

The main reason for this is what doctors call genetic predisposition. It is noteworthy that even if the woman's parents did not have psoriasis, one of her relatives probably had such a diagnosis. Other reasons are:

• climate characteristics (very humid, cold or hot);
• hormonal imbalances;
• bad habits (alcohol, smoking, drugs);
• stress and nervous tension;
• Taking antibiotics, some vaccinations, overdose of vitamin preparations;
• Injuries, burns, cuts.

The same reasons can lead to an exacerbation of the disease. It is difficult to eliminate the listed factors from your life, but some of them can be eliminated.

What causes psoriasis on men's hands?

When trying to identify the most important ones, doctors had to admit that they could not detect them with a high level of accuracy. The basis for the appearance of psoriasis on the hands of men is a malfunction of the immune system, which is manifested by:

• incorrect metabolism;
• imbalance of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism;
• increased sugar levels;
• Cholesterol.

Men who already have people in their family who have this disease are at higher risk of developing psoriasis. The reasons can be:

• chronic lack of sleep;
• poor diet;
• cold climate.

Those who have moved to the northern region from the southern country say that the cold climate provokes an exacerbation of the disease and is difficult to treat.

Causes of psoriasis on the hands of children

In recent years, cases of diagnosis have become more frequent. It often takes a generalized form, with plaques covering large areas of the body. The cause of the disease is initially determined to be a hereditary factor. According to statistics, in parents of psoriasis patients, the child inherits the disease in 50% of cases. In addition to genetics, the disease can be caused by:

• Infectious diseases of childhood (measles, ARVI, tonsillitis);
• stressful situations;
• severe fear, loss of a loved one;
• Heatstroke;
• unbalanced diet;
• hypothermia of the body;
• Predisposition to allergies.

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is enough for a doctor to know what psoriasis looks like on the hands. No specific studies are carried out to determine the disease. If the patient indicates that the plaques on his hands have appeared for a long time, the doctor may prescribe additional tests. Your list includes:

• blood biochemistry;
• general blood test to determine the amount of ESR;
• Testing for rheumatoid factor and the presence of specific proteins;
• A biopsy is performed to detect immature skin cells, collections of rete bodies, macrophages, and T leukocytes.

How to treat psoriasis on hands?

Treatment for psoriasis on the hands depends entirely on the stage of the disease. Although the disease cannot be cured, with an integrated treatment approach, the symptoms become almost invisible and remission lasts quite a long time.

External funds

In the early and middle stages of the disease, taking medication for external use is sufficient. These can be creams and ointments from different groups:

• Not hormonal. They usually do not cause any side effects and have a mild and gentle effect.
• Hormonal.

These funds are used when pronounced symptoms appear (persistent rash, brittle nails) and other ointments do not help. They are only prescribed by a doctor and can have severe side effects. The frequency and duration of use of external agents depends on the severity of the symptoms: 1-2 times a day for 10-20 days. A break is required after each course.

Systemic medications

Tablets and injections are prescribed if external medications are ineffective in later stages of psoriasis on the hands:

• Tablets: antihistamine, anti-inflammatory. In addition, medications from the groups of cytostatics, monoclonal antibodies, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, sedatives and vitamins are used.
• Injections: antihistamines, hepatoprotectors, immunosuppressants, immunomodulators, hormones.

The form and type of drug depends on the stage of the disease and the intensity of its manifestations. Systemic medications are only taken under medical supervision.

Physiotherapy and traditional methods

Psoriasis is a long-term disease with a variety of symptoms. Therefore, treatment is always comprehensive. Alternative methods can be used:

• Physiotherapy: phototherapy, bioresonance and PUVA therapy, cryotherapy, ozone therapy, ichthyotherapy.
• Folk remedies: birch tar, linseed or sea buckthorn oil, aloe, bay leaf, baking soda, sea salt, etc.

Their purpose and use should also be coordinated with a dermatologist.

Use of herbs

Many medicinal herbs have the following properties:

• anti-inflammatory;
• regenerating;
• antibacterial.

To treat palm psoriasis, celandine, St. John's wort, horsetail, oregano, nettle and others are used. An infusion or decoction is prepared from herbs. They are also used as an addition to the bathroom.

Treatment with soda

One of the methods that alternative medicine offers to get rid of psoriasis on the palms is treatment with regular baking soda. Its use has the following effect on the affected skin:

• Cleaning;
• Softening;
• elimination of inflammatory processes;
• improvement of local blood circulation;
• eliminates flaking;
• relieves itching.

The recipe for preparing a solution for external use is quite simple: dilute a certain amount of the product in purified water. You should get a thick, mushy mixture. This product must be applied to areas affected by the disease. No rinsing necessary.

Prevention: what rules must be followed?

Healing psoriasis on the hands is easier if the triggering factors are eliminated or minimized if possible. In this case, the treatment is much more effective and the progression of the disease is stopped.

Correct therapy can only be prescribed by a specialist in the early stages, so an examination is essential. Using all available methods and means: from ointments and creams to injections and tablets to physiotherapy. The doctor will prescribe the order and dosage, but we must not forget about prevention even in the regression phase. Hands should be treated with the utmost care: use protective creams and avoid aggressive household chemicals.