Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is difficult to treat.Psoriasis plaques appear in various parts of the body and cause the patient a lot of inconvenience and suffering.A noticeable cosmetic defect worsens relationships with others and provokes the development of complexes.
Treatment of psoriasis requires an integrated approach.Failure to seek medical help in a timely manner has serious consequences: the disease can be inherited.Following the doctor's recommendations will relieve suffering and reduce the manifestations of psoriasis.
Causes
Skin diseases are of increasing interest to researchers.Doctors only have guesses about factors that can cause psoriasis.The most common cause of psoriasis is a genetic predisposition.However, dermatologists still do not agree: “Why does psoriasis appear?”
There are two theories:
- The first says: The scaly type of lichen arises when the maturation of the epidermal cells, their reproduction and differentiation are impaired.Autoimmune processes play a minor role;
- Second hypothesis: The cause of skin lesions is a malfunction of the immune system.Problems with the normal functioning of the epidermal cells are secondary.
Provoking factors:
- Lack of vitamins and minerals in the body due to the small amount of vegetables and fruits on the menu;
- impaired nervous health due to frequent stress;
- abuse of strong drugs;
- metabolic disorders due to poor nutrition;
- reduced immunity after infectious diseases.
Risk group:
- hypertensive patients;
- obese people;
- Diabetic;
- people who drink excessive amounts of alcohol;
- Patients who have undergone chemotherapy, corticosteroid treatment and strong antibiotics.
Symptoms and stages of the disease
Stages of Psoriasis Rashes:
- Initial stage.Pink or reddish papules appear on the elbows and other areas, covered with scales of heterogeneous structure.Over time, the rash covers an increasingly larger area and reddening of the skin, swelling and itching occur;
- Most symptoms occur in people whose bodies are oversaturated with medications.At risk are people who have suffered psycho-emotional trauma;
- The next stage is the emergence of the Koebner phenomenon.After scratching, abrasions, wounds and bleeding areas appear on the body.Gradually they merge, symmetrical lines and plaques are formed.Nails are commonly affected;
- third stage.The rash becomes lighter, the plaques acquire clear outlines, the affected areas turn blue, itch and peel;
- The symptoms subside gradually.The peeling initially disappears, then the color of the epidermis is restored.The final stage is the resorption of infiltrates, thereby improving the skin condition.
Is psoriasis contagious?Can you get sick while communicating, shaking hands, playing together or having sex?Answer: “No!”The nature of the pathology is different;There are no viruses or fungi on the skin.Don't upset anyone with psoriasis!It's already difficult for him.Support the person morally.
Locations:
- Elbow joints.Relatively mild form.Groups of plaques with clearly defined boundaries appear symmetrically on both arms.Color – salmon or rose-red;
- Palm trees.The disease is characterized by keratinization of the surfaces, peeling and severe itching.
- ears and scalp.Psoriatic rashes appear on the inside and outside of the ears and on the head.If unexpected itching occurs in the ears, it is recommended to immediately consult a dermatologist;
- Legs.Plaques, redness and itching on the lower extremities often occur at the same time as rashes on the arms.Externally, the manifestations of the disease are similar;
- back.Lichen squamosus affects various areas of the back.The rash takes on a teardrop shape.Often the rashes resemble ordinary plaques;
- Face.Rashes occur less frequently in this area.Small papules appear on the eyebrows, in the nasolabial folds and near the eyes.In individual cases, formations covered with scales can be seen on the lips.
Diagnosis of the disease
A dermatologist or therapist can easily diagnose psoriasis based on the characteristic symptoms.Sometimes a biopsy of the affected skin is necessary.A microscopic piece is sent for laboratory examination.
The method of hemoscanning using a drop of blood is widely promoted.Special computer programs and a high-performance electron microscope are used.
Experts recommend refusing the services of “doctors” without medical training.Charlatans often use only this method to diagnose various diseases, without bothering with additional research.
Be sure to visit a dermatologist or therapist.An experienced doctor will tell you whether you have psoriasis or not based on clinical symptoms.
Treatment methods
How to cure psoriasis?Complex therapy helps to eliminate unpleasant symptoms and improve the patient's condition.In many cases, treatment is long-term;With further exposure to provoking factors, relapses are possible.
Experts recommend using not only medications, but also traditional recipes, dietary nutrition and methods of physiotherapy.The patient is obliged to strictly follow the doctor's instructions.
Medication
Both topical and systemic medications are used:
- antihistamines;
- sedatives;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Ointments and gels for psoriasis.
Physiotherapeutic treatments are effective:
- phototherapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- laser therapy;
- Cryotherapy.
Nutrition for psoriasis
The patient must follow a hypoallergenic diet for psoriasis.It is necessary to eat as few foods as possible that cause blood flow to the affected skin.It is important to focus on foods rich in vitamins and minerals.
Forbidden:
- spicy dishes;
- smoked meats;
- Alcohol;
- red, black pepper, other spices;
- Coffee;
- hot drinks.
Not recommended:
- Chocolate;
- Sweets;
- whole milk;
- Honey;
- citrus fruits;
- Vegetables, red fruits.
Folk remedies and recipes
After consulting with a dermatologist or therapist, add home methods in addition to medications and physical therapy treatments.Effective ointments, decoctions of medicinal herbs, lotions and baths improve the condition and relieve itching and burning.
Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies.Best recipes:
- Baths with string and sea salt.Prepare a decoction: per liter of water – 2 tbsp.l.Follow.Add 4 tbsp to the bath.l.Sea salt, pour in the strained broth.The duration of the procedure is 20 minutes.An excellent soothing and drying agent;
- Decoction of medicinal herbs.Brew a teaspoon each of nettle, burdock root, licorice root and calamus in 0.5 liters of water.Let it boil for 5 minutes and let it steep.Wipe the affected areas with a healing decoction several times a day;
- Tea made from dandelion roots, nettle leaves, St. John's worttake internally.The drink perfectly cleanses the blood, strengthens immunity and soothes;
- Herbal lotions.Take 4 tbsp.l.Add celandine, calendula, string, motherwort, chamomile (you need 2 tbsp of all herbs).Fill with a liter of hot water and heat in a water bath.Apply gauze soaked in the broth to the painful areas twice a day;
- homemade ointment.Mix fish oil, pine resin, aloe juice, olive oil, sulfur and birch tar in equal proportions.Add the same amount of celandine, overcome herbs and pour in a few drops of sea buckthorn oil.Let it steep, strain.Lubricate the affected areas daily.The product soothes the skin, relieves itching, heals wounds;
- Applying birch taron the elbows, ears and other areas affected by manifestations of scaly lichen, has a good effect;
- Monastery tea for psoriasis.A medicinal drink made from medicinal herbs alleviates the course of the disease.
Skin psoriasis in children
The chronic disease occurs in both infants and older children.Most cases of psoriasis are seen in preschool children and elementary school students.
Symptoms:
- Spots, blisters and red dots appear on the skin.
- Gradually the number of rashes increases and detachment occurs;
- The body itches, the crusts burst and painful areas appear.
Main locations of rashes:
- Elbow;
- Knee;
- legs, arms;
- Sometimes psoriasis affects the nails.
The diagnosis is not difficult.Pronounced symptoms are difficult to confuse with manifestations of other diseases.
Reasons:
- Stress;
- hormonal imbalance;
- colds;
- some medications;
- genetic predisposition;
- respiratory diseases;
- sudden climate change.
Treatment:
- proper skin care;
- ascorbic acid;
- vitamin B12;
- ointments and gels;
- Antihistamines.
Herbal baths with chamomile, yarrow, celandine and string have a good effect.Soothing preparations help improve your sleep.In severe cases, the doctor will prescribe sleeping pills.
Sometimes a child needs to be hospitalized to relieve acute symptoms.Don't give up on hospitalization.Droppers and injections significantly alleviate the condition.
Advice!Do not prescribe strong medications yourself.Doctors are trying to use fewer drugs with toxic effects.
Preventive recommendations
There are no specific measures to prevent this serious skin disease.For this reason, many people suffer from unpleasant symptoms for many years.
Sometimes psychological trauma is no less serious than periodic rashes and itching during exacerbations.Try to alleviate the course of the disease.
What else can you do:
- avoid hypothermia;
- maintaining optimal humidity in the room;
- Carefully care for the epidermis.
- create a calm atmosphere in the family;
- if necessary, change jobs to avoid stressful situations and other harmful influences;
- Avoid injuries to the skin.
Remember that– You are not alone with your problems.The diagnosis of psoriasis is recorded in the outpatient medical records of hundreds of thousands of people.Do not despair, even with such a serious illness you can live without losing hope for the future.Communicate, seek support from loved ones, follow doctors' recommendations.Try not to let the illness consume you.