One of the most mysterious autoimmune diseases is psoriasis. The disease cannot be completely cured, affects patients of different age groups and manifests itself in the form of raised red-pink spots. If you have the necessary information, you can recognize the first signs of psoriasis yourself. However, in order to accurately diagnose the pathology and prescribe treatment, you should contact a specialist. Timely detection of pathology helps to quickly relieve symptoms and increases the chance of long-term remission.
The presented material contains information about the first manifestations of psoriasis in women and men. In addition, the article gives a detailed answer to the question of how to recognize psoriasis in the initial stages and what can be done to prevent the progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
Before we delve into the signs of the disease, we must familiarize ourselves with the causes of its occurrence.
Additional Information!The exact cause of the disease is currently unknown to science. There are a number of scientific theories that explain the manifestation of the disease.
The most legitimate among them are:
- immune;
- genetically.
Since psoriasis belongs to the category of autoimmune diseases and dysfunction of the immune system can actually trigger the development of the disease, which has been proven several times, the immune theory is the most justified.
However, the importance of the genetic theory should not be underestimated since, according to statistical studies, the probability of a patient whose parents suffer from psoriasis being affected is 70%.
Factors contributing to the manifestation of signs of psoriasis:
- Abuse of fatty foods, foods high in emulsifiers, raising agents, dyes and other food additives;
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- smoking, drug use;
- Stress exposure, frequent emotional outbursts, increased anxiety;
- frequent use of chemically aggressive drugs;
- excessive use of certain medications;
- mechanical damage to the skin.
Onset of psoriasis, general signs of the disease
There are different forms of psoriasis, each with specific signs and symptoms. However, some manifestations of the disease, the appearance of which indicates the development of the disease, are inherent in all forms of pathology.
Onset of psoriasis, signs (common in all forms of the disease):
- the appearance of pimples (papules) on the skin;
- Enlargement of the affected area, spread of the rash;
- lamination of the nail plate;
- peeling of the skin;
- the appearance of blisters on the palms and feet;
- the appearance of burning and itching.
Additional Information!The first signs of psoriasis in women are identical to those that occur in men and children. The type of rash that appears in the initial stages of the development of pathology is mistakenly confused with an allergic rash, but the nature and causes of this lesion are somewhat different.
The first symptoms of psoriasis in various forms of the disease
Most often, patients are exposed to the following forms of psoriasis:
- Vulgar or simple psoriasis;
- seborrheic;
- Psoriasis of the soles and palms of the hands;
- nail psoriasis;
- Inverse or folded psoriasis;
- Teardrop-shaped.
Let's take a closer look at the signs and symptoms of these forms of pathology.
Signs of vulgar psoriasis
Psoriasis vulgaris can be diagnosed in its early stages. The first signs of this form of the disease are manifested in the appearance of round pink-red plaques covered with silver scales, which after a certain time begin to peel off and itch.
In some cases, the appearance of plaques may be preceded by the formation of papules on the scalp and joints (elbows, ankles and knees).
Take note!At the initial stage of the disease, the papules formed on the epidermis may not bother the patient for a long time. They do not cause pain, are barely noticeable and do not itch, which is why some patients mistake them for allergies.
How to distinguish a psoriatic rash from the manifestations of an allergic reaction:
- Psoriatic papules peel off easily;
- When a papular rash is scraped, terminal film phenomena occur;
- Further scraping of the papule leads to the appearance of small drops of blood.
A feature of the psoriatic rash that distinguishes it from signs of other diseases is the fact that the affected area decreases or even disappears in summer and increases in winter.
Seborrheic psoriasis
The first signs of seborrheic psoriasis appear on the scalp, later the pathology spreads to the shoulders and facial skin. The danger of this form lies in its mysterious character, since seborrheic psoriasis, unlike simple vulgar psoriasis, is not characterized by the formation of papules; sometimes it can only manifest itself in the form of peeling of the scalp. To get rid of dandruff, many patients use special anti-dandruff shampoos, confusing psoriasis with ordinary seborrhea.
Important! After recognizing the first signs of the disease, you should consult a dermatologist; an experienced specialist can diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment. It is recommended to fight the disease at the initial stage of its development. This significantly increases the chances of relieving the symptoms of the disease and achieving long-term remission.
If treatment for seborrheic psoriasis is not prescribed in a timely manner, the disease gradually affects the skin on the shoulders, ears, forehead and face. Subsequent stages of pathology development are characterized by the appearance of plaques, increased burning and itching. Eliminating these symptoms is much more difficult than eliminating the peeling characteristic of the first stage of the disease, but with the help of modern methods it is still possible to achieve the desired result.
Inverse psoriasis (wrinkle psoriasis)
Features of inverse psoriasis:
- the site of the disease is the folds under the armpits, on the genitals, in the groin, under the mammary glands;
- Psoriasis patches are shiny, smooth, and bright red;
- Plaques that look like ordinary spots practically do not come off, so the manifestations of the disease are often confused with irritation caused by increased sweating;
- Signs of psoriasis in men – rashes on the inside of the foreskin, usually the head of the penis is also affected;
- A rash in the area of the labia minora is typical for women.
Psoriasis of the palms and soles
The places of localization of this form of pathology are the palms and feet. The plaques have a callus-like shape with a dense surface; subsequently, psoriasis phenomena such as terminal film and bloody dew occur. Sometimes cracks form on the affected surface, causing physical discomfort when walking.
The symptoms of the disease can be alleviated by using special ointments and medications.
Nail psoriasis
The first signs of nail psoriasis include:
- separation of the nail plate;
- brittleness of nails, their thickening;
- change in the color of the nail plate;
- the appearance of white transverse stripes, dots and spots on the nail;
- Formation of bleeding under the nail plate.
Patients whose relatives suffer from psoriasis or any form of it are more susceptible to psoriatic onychodystrophy. Therefore, these people should pay more attention to their health, especially the condition of their nails.
Guttate psoriasis
The pathology occurs mainly on the thighs; the papules are teardrop-shaped, which actually explains the etymology of the name of this type of disease. Over time, rashes also appear on other areas of the skin, which indicate the progression of the disease.
In conclusion, we can highlight the basic rules that must be followed in psoriasis:
- the appearance of autoimmune pathology indicates the presence of dysfunctions in the functioning of the systems of the entire body, especially the immune system;
- If the disease is detected in the early stages, you should immediately consult a dermatologist and not self-medicate, as this may lead to the development of the disease and deterioration in health.