Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.Occurs when there is a malfunction of the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - onset, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of the spots and rashes, the severity of the itching, and the extent of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what features does the course of psoriasis have at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
The classification of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to correctly select the therapy methods.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is required - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, UV treatment.They also prescribe medications that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stages of the disease, do not use effective drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects and therefore are prescribed only when they cannot be dispensed with.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and in remission
As the disease progresses acutely, several medications with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and relieve itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments are also prescribed for damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dosage.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
They support the body in the remission phase.Proper nutrition, taking vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Punctuality of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to get psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of skin peeling.Since psoriasis in the early stages is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to know the first signs so as not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
A notice:Doctors are still trying to figure out the causes of psoriasis.However, it is well known that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be transmitted from a sick person or caused by infection from an injury.This is your own personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune deficiency that can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial fumes, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to relapses and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new pimples and relieving the existing itching of the skin.
What stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How can you initially distinguish psoriasis from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first signs of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears on the elbows and knee bends or in places where clothing fits tightly to the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes may also appear along the edges of and under the hair, around the nails, and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, on both sides of the lower back, or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology, papules) have a modest appearance in the initial stages.You have:
- pink or red color;
- Clear, unblurred edge;
- Small size – the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small point-shaped pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, peeling skin cells form on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against the background of the red pimple.
The appearance of dandruff is accompanied by quite severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales will come off, revealing shiny areas of pink, young skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it will be injured and bleed.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progression stage
As the stage progresses, individual pimples merge into a common area and form so-called psoriasis plaques.They protrude above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.There is a non-scaly pinkish-red border around the edges of psoriasis plaques.
The presence of a rim is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the spot expands.This is the skin that is already inflamed but has not yet peeled off.After some time it will also be covered with scales.And the spot expands, encompassing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriasis plaques itch strongly, cause discomfort to a person and disrupt his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots no longer appear, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
As psoriasis progresses, it is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say the opposite.Depression is not a result of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurological diseases and a depressive psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching becomes weaker and more bearable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink edges around the plaques disappear when the inflammation stops spreading.Active peeling and healing begin, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It can be seen with the naked eye that the peeling increases in the stationary stage.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriasis patch, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance by which normal people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary stage is harmless.
When all dead cells have disappeared from the surface of the psoriasis spot, healthy skin with a slight light shade remains in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which one can judge the development of the disease.This is the type of itching (severe or tolerable), the general condition and the depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the early stages, the itching is changeable and the rash is incomprehensible.In addition, the itching gets worse day by day.In the acute stage of psoriasis it becomes unbearable.Disturbs sleep, rest and hinders work.The person becomes irritated because the itching does not give him an opportunity to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the weakening stage
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only different pigmentation of the skin is reminiscent of psoriasis.In place of previous psoriasis spots, it looks lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker tone.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation occurs.The skin at the site of the psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will remain visible for one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis relapse is determined by a person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the entire body.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of skin inflammation again by strengthening your immune system and cleansing the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
After cleansing, seasonal psoriasis relapses are often less likely to occur.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen immunity.This is particularly important if immunosuppressants were used in the treatment of advanced psoriasis.Their need was due to the action of inflammatory mediators.After suppressing autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.