Psoriasis – what kind of disease is it?

Although psoriasis is a common and long-known disease, it has not yet been fully studied.And patients are usually completely unaware that psoriasis is not a bacterial infection or a fungus, but rather an unusual reaction of the immune system caused by unknown reasons.Information about the causes and symptoms of psoriasis is of great benefit to patients as it helps overcome the disease.

What kind of illness is this?

Lichen squamosus is another name for psoriasis, and this name perfectly characterizes this disease.Psoriasis is manifested by the formation of inflamed plaques of varying sizes on the skin, which are densely covered with thick skin flakes.

Surely almost everyone has heard of a disease such as psoriasis.And this is not surprising, since psoriasis is widespread.This disease is diagnosed in 4-10% of the world's population.In addition, statisticians who collect information about the prevalence of psoriasis claim that the number of patients is constantly growing.

Psoriasis has been known to people since ancient times;Even healers in ancient Greece tried to treat this disease.The modern history of psoriasis research dates back approximately 150 years.But over this fairly long period of time, researchers have not been able to learn enough about the causes and treatment of psoriasis.

Widespread prevalence, uncertainty about the etiology (reasons of appearance), insufficiently effective treatment - all this characterizes psoriasis as one of the most difficult problems in dermatology.

Today, dermatologists consider psoriasis to be a complex systemic disease associated with dysfunction of the immune system, failure of metabolic processes and the appearance of trophic disorders.The consequences of these errors are specific skin changes.

Therefore, a modern dermatologist, answering the question of what psoriasis is, will answer that it is disorders of trophism and metabolic processes in the skin caused by malfunction of the body's systems.Today, two theories about the etiology of psoriasis are considered the most likely: genetic and viral.

• The genetic theory has many supporters because psoriasis often occurs as a hereditary or familial dermatosis.A thorough study of the patient's family history confirms the presence of psoriasis in one form or another in the patient's relatives in 60-80%.However, in some patients it is not possible to confirm the hereditary origin of psoriasis.This circumstance is the reason for classifying these cases into a special group, where the main cause is not genetic, but phenotypic errors.
• The viral theory that psoriasis occurs as a result of an infection has its proponents.Confirmation of information about the viral origin of psoriasis is the detection of antibodies in the blood of patients, as well as “elementary bodies” in the cells of the epidermis.According to this theory, psoriasis develops not only when infected with a virus, but also in the presence of certain diseases.

There are other theories that explain the appearance of psoriasis.For example, endocrine, neurogenic, metabolic, etc. Of course, all these theories are not unfounded and their study allows us to obtain more important information about the disease psoriasis.However, it is already known for certain that the state of the endocrine and nervous systems, as well as the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, do not cause psoriasis, but have a significant influence on the course of the disease.

For example, diseases of the liver lead to the quality of blood purification of this organ being severely impaired.And this, in turn, can provoke the appearance of various skin lesions, including psoriasis.

Pathologies affecting the liver (hepatitis, primary cirrhosis, etc.) cause the tissues of this organ to degenerate, that is, the liver is gradually replaced by connective tissue.As a result, the liver can no longer fulfill its cleansing functions.Externally, this is noticeable by yellowing of the mucous membranes and skin; the development of skin diseases, including psoriasis, is also possible.

There is also a reverse connection: psoriasis is often accompanied by fatty liver disease.Therefore, when treating this skin disease, it is important to follow a diet so as not to put unnecessary strain on the liver.Patients are advised to limit fatty foods and avoid alcohol completely.

Thus, despite numerous studies, an exact answer to the question of what psoriasis is has not been obtained.However, work continues, so there is a chance that the mystery surrounding this mysterious disease will be solved and we will learn a lot about the skin disease psoriasis.

Classification according to the international system

The disease psoriasis manifests itself in various forms.To make it easier for specialists to navigate, a generally accepted classification of psoriasis is used.

Psoriasis is also included in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) system.Today the 10th revision of the International Disease Register is already in use, which is why the abbreviation ICD 10 is used.Work on the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases began in 1983 and was completed in 1987.

Essentially, ICD 10 is the standard assessment tool for medicine and health management.The 10th revision of the reference book is designed to monitor the prevalence of various diseases and other problems related to public health.

Version 10 of the ICD makes it possible to compare data on morbidity and mortality in different countries, which makes it possible to obtain statistical data and systematize diagnostic information.As agreed by WHO members, ICD 10 is used to assign codes to various diseases.In version 10 of the classifier, alphanumeric codes are adopted, with the help of which it is convenient to store information in electronic form.

All types of psoriasis are included in ICD 10 and each of them is assigned a specific code.In dermatology, the following forms and types of psoriasis are distinguished:

• Common psoriasis(Synonyms: vulgar, simple, table-like).The disease was assigned a code according to ICD 10 – L-40.0.This is the most common form and is seen in 80-90% of patients.The main symptoms are the formation of plaques that protrude above the surface of the unchanged skin and are covered with white-gray skin scales.This form is characterized by slight flaking of the scales.After removal, inflamed red skin appears, which can be easily injured and begins to bleed.As the inflammatory process progresses, plaques can significantly increase in size.
• Inverse psoriasis.This is a disease that affects skin folds (flexural surfaces).The ICD-10 code for this form of the disease is L83-4.Dermatosis occurs with the formation of wrinkles of smooth or minimally scaly patches on the skin.The condition worsens when the skin is injured by friction.The disease is often complicated by an associated streptococcal infection or fungus.
• Guttate psoriasis.This form of psoriasis is characterized by the formation of a large number of small red or purple spots on the skin that are shaped like water droplets.According to the 10th version of the international classifier, this disease received the code L4.Guttate psoriasis most commonly affects the skin of the legs, but rashes can also occur on other parts of the body.At the same time, guttate psoriasis is known to develop as a complication after streptococcal infections - pharyngitis, tonsillitis, etc.
• Pustular or exudative psoriasis– it is a severe cutaneous form, according to ICD 10 it is assigned the code L1-3 and L 40.82.Characterized by the formation of blisters or pustules.The skin in the lesions is swollen, red, inflamed, and peels easily.If fungi or bacteria penetrate the pustules, the contents of the pustules become purulent.Pustular psoriasis most often affects the distal parts of the extremities, but in the most severe cases a generalized process may develop in which the rash spreads throughout the body.
• Arthritis, psoriasis or arthropathic psoriasis.According to the 10th version of the ICD, the pathology is coded with L5.Manifested by inflammation of the joints.Arthropathic psoriasis can affect all types of joints, but in most cases there is inflammation of the joints in the toes and hands.Knee, hip or shoulder joints can be affected.The lesions can be so severe that they result in patient disability.Therefore, you should not assume that psoriasis is exclusively a skin disease.Severe forms of psoriasis can lead to systemic damage, disability or even death to the patient.

• Erythrodermic psoriasis.A rare but severe form of psoriasis.According to ICD 10, this disease received the code L85.Erythrodermic psoriasis is often generalized;The affected area may include all or almost all of the skin's surface.The disease is accompanied by severe itching, swelling and pain.
• Psoriatic onychodystrophy or nail psoriasis.According to version 10 of the ICD, the disease is coded L86.The pathology is manifested by changes in the appearance of the nails on the toes and fingers.Nails may change color, become thicker, and begin to break.Possible complete nail loss.

With psoriasis, when classifying the disease, not only the type of disease is taken into account, but also the severity of the symptoms:

• Limited psoriasis is a disease that affects less than 20% of the skin.
• widespread psoriasis affects more than 20% of the body surface area;
• When almost the entire surface of the skin is affected, it is called universal psoriasis.

If you look at all forms of the disease, widespread psoriasis is more common than other forms.

Phases of the river

Limited or extensive psoriasis progresses through three stages: progressive, stable and regressive.

The progressive stage of psoriasis is characterized by:

• the appearance of new rashes;
• growth of existing plaques;
• the appearance of new elements of the rash at the site of skin injuries (scratches, abrasions);
• excessive shedding of existing plaques.

The following symptoms are characteristic of the stationary stage of psoriasis:

• lack of emergence of new elements;

• moderate flaking of elements;
• No signs of element growth.

The appearance of wrinkles in the stratum corneum around the elements is a sign of the transition from the stationary to the regressive stage.

The regression stage is characterized by the following types of symptoms:

• reducing the intensity of peeling;
• Element resolution.

After the psoriatic plaques dissolve, hypo- or hyperpigmented spots remain in their place.

Lichen squamosus is characterized by a long course with periodic exacerbations.The following forms of psoriasis are distinguished:

• winter (with aggravation in autumn and winter);
• summer (with exacerbations in the warm period);
• Non-seasonal psoriasis is the most severe form because there is no clear connection between flare-ups and seasons and periods of remission can be virtually absent.

Diagnostic functions

If psoriasis has a typical clinical picture, the diagnosis will not be so difficult.However, this disease is often disguised as another pathology.

For example, nail psoriasis is often confused with nail fungus because the external manifestations in the early stages of these diseases are very similar.However, since nail fungus and psoriasis have completely different natures, the treatment should be different.

A layman might mistake it for a fungus or skin psoriasis.Because skin mycoses (skin fungus) manifest themselves with similar symptoms - the formation of scaly plaques.Therefore, if you notice suspicious symptoms on your body or nails, you do not need to make a diagnosis yourself and start treating the fungus with medicines or folk remedies.

If the diagnosis is incorrect and the cause of the symptoms is actually not fungus but psoriasis, treatment will not be beneficial but, on the contrary, will worsen the symptoms.

When contacting a dermatologist, a fungal test is carried out and a scrape is taken from the nail or skin.The resulting material is then placed in culture media.If the fungus is present in the material, a large colony will grow in the test sample in a few days.You can tell what type of fungus caused the infection by the appearance of the material.

Sometimes psoriasis is complicated by the addition of secondary infections, which can be a bacterial infection or a fungus.Therefore, patients whose clinical picture changes (appearance of purulent discharge, change in color of plaques, etc.), mayThey must be tested regularly for fungi and other infectious agents.

In the diagnostic process, a certain role is assigned to a number of phenomena called the psoriasis triad.The phenomena occur sequentially when part of the rash is scraped off.

The psoriasis triad manifests itself as follows:

• When part of the rash is scraped off, the scales are removed in the form of “chips”.
• after removing the chips, a thin, transparent film appears that resembles polyethylene;
• If the film is damaged, pinpoint bleeding will occur.

A dermatologist diagnoses psoriasis, but if necessary, the doctor can refer the patient for consultations with other specialists - a rheumatologist, gastroenterologist, surgeon, etc.

Interesting facts about psoriasis

The disease psoriasis has been known to people since ancient times.Even the name of the disease came to our language from ancient Greek.During the heyday of ancient Hellas, the word “psora” referred to all skin diseases that manifested themselves as peeling and itching.

The first person to write a detailed treatise on psoriasis was a Roman named Cornelius Celsus.In the fifth volume of his work “De medicina” an extensive chapter is dedicated to this disease.

They knew about psoriasis, but this disease was not clearly judged, being called either “emperor's disease” or “devil's disease.”

Of course, the ancient healers knew very little about psoriasis.Until the 19th century, this disease was often confused with other skin diseases.Psoriasis was first identified as an independent nosological form in 1799.This was done by the English dermatologist Robert Willan, who identified psoriasis from a large group of skin diseases characterized by itching and flaking.

Not only ordinary people but also prominent politicians knew about psoriasis firsthand.For example, Winston Churchill, who suffered from this disease, promised to build a monument of pure gold to a person who could learn everything about psoriasis and offer effective treatment for this disease.

Modern ideas about the disease

It must be said that modern science does not know much about this mysterious disease.There are different theories about the origin, progression and treatment of psoriasis.

Here are some facts about psoriasis that are beyond doubt among experts:

• Although the causes of the disease are unclear, we have managed to find out something about the nature of psoriasis.This disease is an autoimmune disease, meaning it is caused by a malfunction of the immune system;
• Another proven fact about psoriasis: the disease can be inherited.However, this is not always the case;Even if both parents are sick, the risk of their child becoming ill is 65%.At the same time, some patients develop psoriasis even though none of their relatives are sick;
• An interesting fact about psoriasis is that this disease is characterized by Koebner phenomenon.This phenomenon is manifested in the fact that elements of the rash form at the sites of skin damage - scratches, burns, frostbite.Sometimes psoriasis appears at the scar site after some time;
• An important observation that allows us to obtain more information about psoriasis is the association of this disease with climatic factors.Exacerbations and relapses often coincide with the changing of the seasons;
• Patients have likely noticed the connection between exacerbations and stress in practice.All patients should know for sure that the disease recurs or worsens its course against the background of nervous tension and fear;
• A new fact about psoriasis is that the disease can occur at any age, although pityriasis versicolor was previously believed to appear after the age of 30;
• It is important for everyone to know that psoriasis is not a contagious disease.Even if there is close contact with a patient, there is no risk of infection;
• Almost everyone has heard about the incurability of psoriasis, and this is true, because there is no treatment that is guaranteed to defeat the disease.However, patients should know that psoriasis can be controlled.With appropriate and timely treatment, you can achieve long-term remission.

Modern treatment methods

When we talk about the widespread disease psoriasis, we cannot help but talk about the treatment of this widespread disease.It must be said that it is impossible to cure psoriasis with tablets or ointments alone.

In order to forget about the manifestations of psoriasis for a long time, the patient needs to make efforts in close cooperation with the doctor.It will be necessary to properly organize the meal.Some experts say that psoriasis can be forgotten forever only with the help of a properly formulated diet and regular cleansing of the body.

The doctor draws up a preliminary plan according to which the treatment will be carried out.As a rule, methods of external (ointments, creams) and systemic (tablets, injections) therapy are used.In addition, physiotherapeutic methods are used and treatments in resorts are recommended.It is recommended to treat psoriasis with medicinal mud, mineral and thermal water.

Resorts may also offer non-traditional treatment methods.For example, with the help of fish that live in thermal springs.These little healers effectively remove dead skin cells, disinfect the skin and promote faster healing.

Resorts may offer other methods of treating lichen planus.For example, leech therapy, medicinal baths and treatments, sun treatment, etc.

You need to be prepared for the fact that the treatment regimen changes regularly.Since not all methods are suitable for a particular patient.If the chosen treatment methods do not have any effect, they must be replaced.

Traditional methods of treating psoriasis are also widely advertised.In fact, some of them can contribute to remission.However, when choosing a method, you need to consider common sense so as not to harm your health.If you have doubts about a recipe or recommendation, it is better not to use it.Consult your doctor before using any treatment method.

You must understand that psoriasis can be forgotten forever only if the patient himself and his immediate environment are in a positive mood.Only faith in success and an optimistic attitude will help defeat this mysterious and insidious disease.