Psoriasis is a pink rash with silver scales. It's itchy and affects millions of people around the world. If a person or their relatives do not have such rashes, it does not mean that they will not occur. It is important to start treatment for the disease at an early stage in psoriasis and not start it in a severe manner.
Psoriasis can be inherited, but not in all cases.
Characteristics of the disease
Psoriasis is not an infection, and the cause of its occurrence is considered a violation of the functions of the immune system. And the disease, too, can be the result of external factors, skin injuries, stress, alcohol, antibiotics, infections.
Wounds can cover any part of the body. Rashes are particularly common on the arms and legs. They also occur on the palms of the hands, feet, scalp, and nails.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a wavy course. The person may experience periods of lessening or exacerbation of the rash. Relapses can be triggered by various external factors.
Psoriasis does not interfere with normal life and does not require constant hospitalization. Despite this, it is a serious pathology that brings with it a lot of inconvenience and limitation.
The manifestations of psoriasis can fade and become almost invisible.
Conditional division of psoriasis
There are several forms of psoriasis:
- vulgar;
- seborrheic;
- teardrop-shaped;
- Palmar plantar;
- Psoriasis on the genitals.
The most common psoriasis is the vulgar form of the disease. With it, there are edematous rashes of light color, accompanied by severe itching.
There are three degrees of psoriasis, depending on the size of the affected area:
- Light. About 3 percent of the skin is affected.
- Average. The number of rashes ranges from 3 to 10 percent of the skin surface.
- Heavy. Rashes take up 10 percent or more of the skin surface.
Sometimes the disease penetrates the joints. This is the most severe degree regardless of what percentage of the skin is affected by plaque. It can lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis, which is accompanied by pain and swelling in the joint parts of the bones.
Depending on the degree of exacerbation, there are three stages of psoriasis:
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
Even a doctor may not always be able to detect psoriasis at some stage. In many cases, special monitoring of disease development is required. This will help determine whether the psoriasis is going into remission or not.
Psoriasis vulgaris is light pink in color.
Progressive phase
In the initial stages, psoriasis develops fairly quickly. Various rashes appear on the skin, back, buttocks, and legs that grow and form plaques over time. The progression of the disease is characterized by severe itching in the affected areas, which becomes wet and can cause infection.
Early psoriasis is treatable. It is therefore important to make the correct diagnosis in a timely manner. At the first symptoms of early-stage psoriasis, you should consult a doctor. Only he can determine the type of skin disease and the stage of its development.
There are a few signs that you can independently understand what psoriasis looks like:
- Rashes occur where clothing is in close contact with the body. For example, on the arms in the elbow area, under the trouser belt, elastic bands.
- Itchy rash is covered in shades of gray.
- When you remove the scale, you'll see thin, damp skin underneath.
- The condition of the nails is disturbed, dimples appear on them.
Do not use ointment without consulting your doctor. The use of some agents at an early stage of the disease can lead to the formation of stretch marks, thinning of the epidermis, and addiction.
Usually your doctor will prescribe a non-hormonal zinc-based drug. This is an effective tool that allows you to relieve itching, reduce skin cell proliferation and inflammation, restore the protective functions of the skin and reduce the development of psoriasis at a progressive stage.
Psoriasis occurs primarily where skin and clothing come into contact.
Stationary stage
The previous stage is replaced by the stationary stage of psoriasis. The inflamed nodules do not go away, but they do not grow. The plaques dry out and the inflammation subsides.
Preparations containing tar are very often used to treat the inpatient stage of psoriasis. Sometimes systemic therapy is used and the body is affected by ultraviolet radiation.
Regressive phase
This is the final stage of psoriasis, when plaques begin to shrink and slowly go away. Resorption occurs from the middle of the wound, and at the end of this stage, small rings and patterns remain on the skin. Itching and peeling go away. After a rash, hardly noticeable pigmented areas remain on the skin.
This process marks the end of the psoriasis cycle, but not a full recovery. The disease can recur at any time. If left untreated, the plaques will appear regularly.
Spots and patterns may remain on the skin after psoriasis.
Treatment and prevention of psoriasis
Each person should monitor their health and pay more attention to the skin:
- Avoid harsh washcloths that can scratch your skin.
- It is preferable to use special medicated shampoos. This is especially true of scalp psoriasis.
- It is important to ensure that the room air is optimally humidified in order to avoid overdrying the skin.
- Avoid abrasions, injuries and cuts on the skin.
- A certain diet should be followed that will improve the course of the disease.
- One of the most important rules of prevention is to refuse alcohol. You should not drink alcoholic beverages and stop smoking.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that does not cause chafing.
A special massage is used to prevent and treat psoriasis. It improves blood circulation so the skin is cleaned faster. The areas of the body around the plaques are stretched a few inches and pulled back. The process takes about 15 minutes.
The symptoms of the disease appear against the background of psychoemotional stress. It is therefore important to keep stress to a minimum. They recommend practicing various relaxation methods, getting enough sleep, and getting more rest by using herbal supplements and tranquilizers.
Some patients use folk remedies at home. To do this, before bedtime, use various herbal teas and decoctions, ointments from eggs and lard, garlic compresses and lotions. Alternative methods should be used after consulting a specialist.
Some medications can cause relapses and side effects. They should only be taken as directed by your healthcare professional. Unfortunately, there isn't a single drug that can get rid of psoriasis 100 percent forever. The only way to keep the disease in remission is by choosing the right drugs.