Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has a wave-like course.This disease affects human skin and, more rarely, joints.An exacerbation of pathology occurs due to the influence of certain negative factors and is characterized by a worsening of symptoms.Then the disease subsides, a remission phase begins, which can also be replaced by an exacerbation.
Features of the course of the disease
The disease manifests itself differently in different patients.In addition, symptoms can vary from patient to patient, from small local lesions to widespread lesions affecting large areas of skin.
Typically the disease progresses with age.Over time, the remission periods become shorter and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in the early stages and how to treat it to prevent further progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetic pathology.If parents suffer from dermatoses, certain factors have a high probability that the child will develop psoriasis.
Factors that determine the beginning of the development of a pathology are:
- allergic reactions;
- serious infectious diseases;
- reduced immune defense of the body;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- Exhaustion of the nervous system.
The trigger for the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatoses can also be long-term use of certain medications used to treat chronic diseases.
Types and stages of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis – type 1 and type 2 disease.Pathologies of the first type are diagnosed in children and adolescents.The disease of this form is genetic, but the child's parents may be healthy, and cases of psoriasis occur in older generations.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted over 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never the joints.
The second type of disease occurs primarily in middle-aged people over 45 years old.A characteristic feature of this form of the disease is damage to the joints.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of development of psoriasis:
- early (initial stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- declining.
The preferred sites of disease are the elbows, head and trunk.In rare cases, severe disease progression occurs that affects the flexor parts of the upper and lower extremities.
Initial stage of the disease
In its early stages, psoriasis presents with symptoms and signs of an allergic skin reaction.The disease begins suddenly, small reddish rashes appear on the skin.In childhood, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with diathesis or the manifestation of food allergy, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In young children, the manifestation of stage 1 psoriasis can be localized in places exposed to friction when wearing clothes, while in adults the first signs of the disease can be seen on the hands or body.
Over time, papules (as pimples in psoriasis are called) group together and form scaly plaques.Islands of disease may be covered with grayish scales that painlessly separate from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis itches in the early stages and how to recognize the symptoms of stage 1 skin psoriasis.The following signs can be used to determine what early psoriasis looks like:
- When the rash is scraped off, the plaque turns white and the scales come off easily.
- If you continue to scratch, a reddish, smooth spot (“thermal film”) will form at the site of the plaque;
- If you continue to scrape the resulting stain, it will become covered with small drops of blood due to pinpoint bleeding.
The above techniques are used when examining a patient and help detect psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, exudate may be released from the areas where plaque has formed.The wounds become covered with a crust, under which they become wet due to the release of fluid.This course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of an infection and the onset of an extensive inflammatory process.
Arthropathic form of the disease
If the disease affects the hands, palms and the area between the fingers, the arthropathic form of psoriasis is diagnosed.This form is considered the most serious because the skin becomes inflamed and cracked over time.There is a high chance of joint damage leading to the development of arthritis.This results in a loss of ability to work and disability for the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate and causes it to detach from the fingers.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient experiences severe discomfort at work and at home, as any movement of the hands leads to increased pain.
Drug treatment
Unfortunately, doctors cannot give a positive answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stages.However, timely treatment eliminates the acute phase of the disease and the patient can return to a normal life.
If psoriasis is initially diagnosed, treatment should only be selected after all examinations have been completed by a dermatologist.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected result and will only aggravate the course of the disease.
Whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages depends largely on the degree of damage and the location of the resulting plaques.
The initial form of psoriasis is treated with the following means:
- Ointments for local treatment of the skin;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- dietary changes;
- Immunomodulators.
Ointments for treating affected skin are selected by the doctor depending on the degree of damage.Tar or fat based preparations are typically used.In the case of extensive skin lesions, treatment can be carried out with ointments containing corticosteroids.Such drugs have a number of side effects and are therefore only prescribed for serious illnesses.The duration of treatment should not be long and after relief of acute symptoms, such ointments should be replaced with more gentle preparations.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at a very early stage, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy – paraffin baths or UV irradiation.
If psoriasis is in the early stages, home treatment should be coordinated with a doctor.Having understood how psoriasis manifests itself in the initial stages, it is necessary not to delay visiting a specialist, since the disease progresses rapidly.
An exacerbation may begin suddenly;In this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, medicinal baths with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula), as well as natural oils are used.The purpose of this treatment is to relieve itching and swelling, but it must be used in conjunction with medications recommended by a doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages and whether psoriasis can be cured in children in the early stages can only be answered by the attending physician based on the characteristics of the patient's disease.