How psoriasis begins: symptoms, photos, treatment

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases.It can occur in patients of all ages.The etiology of the disease is not yet fully understood, so a complete cure for psoriasis is not possible.That's why it's so important to recognize it at the early stages of development.In this article, we'll look at what psoriasis is, how it presents, and how to treat it.

What is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease that manifests itself as a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in flare-ups, with periods of relapses and remissions possible.

Relapse can be triggered by inadequate treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.In both adults and children, the rash gradually spreads and affects more and more areas of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of raised, reddish, dry patches with a scaly, silvery-white surface.This rash is called “psoriatic plaques.”

Psoriasis is most often observed in the area of the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, i.e. in the areas with the greatest pressure and greatest friction.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms, soles, and external genitals.Psoriasis plaques on the face are very rare.

Causes

Many people wonder whether or not psoriasis is contagious to others.The pathology is not contagious, that is, it is not transmitted to others.The causes of psoriasis include:

1. Hereditary predisposition.
2. Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction).
3. Stress, neuropsychological overload.
4. Parasitic infestation (giardiasis, ascariasis, infection by pork or cattle tapeworms).
5. Metabolic diseases (silicon deficiency is particularly dangerous).
6. Predisposition to allergies.
7. Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
8. Weak immune system.
9. Long-term use of medication.

In most cases, psoriasis becomes noticeable between the ages of 15 and 30 and has one or more causes. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of psoriasis patients have relatives suffering from this disease.

Symptoms of psoriasis in the early stages

To recognize how psoriasis begins, you should familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.You should be careful:

• the formation of light colored rashes with clearly visible edges (most often they appear at the site of injury - burns, cuts, frostbite);
• the appearance of detachment in the central part of the plaque;
• Itching of psoriatic formations (manifests itself only in half of cases due to weakened immunity);
• Swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash occurs.

At first the rashes are very small, about the size of a pinhead.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth, shiny surface.After a few days, the rashes become larger and covered with light scales that peel off easily.When the plaque is scraped off, drops of blood form on its surface, indicating pinpoint bleeding.

Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this exudate and turn into a rough crust.When you remove it, wet spots will remain underneath.Such phenomena are dangerous due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

Typically, early-stage psoriasis lasts 2-3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow up to 5-7 cm in size, merge and form entire conglomerates that cover large areas of skin.

What psoriasis looks like in the early stages

Now let's look at what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different places.For easier viewing, we present the corresponding photos.

1. Legs.The disease begins with isolated small rashes that are located primarily on the knees and feet, but can also be observed on any surface of the legs.

2. Elbow.In most cases, plaque psoriasis occurs at this site, which is characterized by small rashes with very severe sloughing.The skin on the elbows becomes rough.

3. hands.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly in the form of a small rash that many people mistake for an allergy.You should only see a doctor after dry dandruff appears.The rashes are often localized between the fingers and palms of the hands.

4. Head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, ear area and back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by moist scales and is almost always itchy.

5. Face.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.

6. Nails.Psoriasis on the nails is more like a fungal disease.First, longitudinal stripes or dots appear on the edge of the nails, which then spread to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate itself becomes dull and thickened.

Treatment of psoriasis

Therapy should begin with a visit to the dermatologist. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stages should be comprehensive.Nowadays, new treatment methods have been developed that help to completely eliminate scaly rashes, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During therapy, it is necessary to exclude all factors that provoke an exacerbation of the pathology, change the diet and follow a special diet.

Drug therapy

Treatment tactics for early-stage psoriasis are gradually changing.While hormonal medications with a general effect were previously prescribed, local active ingredients are now often used.

The following ointments relieve the manifestations of psoriasis well:

1. Keratolytic and moisturizing.
2. Vegetables.
3. Glucocorticoid.
4. Cytostatic.
5. Based on solid oil.
6. Petroleum based.

The doctor may also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are commonly used:

• paraffin baths;
• PUVA therapy;
• UV irradiation;
• Sulphide and radon baths.

Electrosleep and magnetic laser therapy have beneficial effects.Cryotherapy (cold treatment) and hirudotherapy (leech treatment) are becoming increasingly popular.

When treating psoriasis on the head, the skin should not be combed.The head should be washed daily with medicated shampoos containing zinc, tar and selenium sulfide.

Home treatment

Before using any prescription, you should consult your doctor so that complications do not arise. Treatment with conventional medicine is primarily aimed at strengthening the immune system and alleviating the inflammatory process.Therefore, it is necessary to drink vitamin teas – decoctions of rose hips, lemon, viburnum, raspberries, chamomile, etc. It is recommended to add honey to herbal teas.

The most effective home remedies include:

1. Celandine.It relieves inflammation well and soothes the skin.The plaques must be lubricated daily with the juice of this plant.
2. Hydrogen peroxide.First, dilute peroxide with water in a 1:3 ratio and use the solution to lubricate the psoriasis rash for disinfection.Use before applying ointments or lotions.
3. Flaxseed oil.Perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice daily.
4. baking powder.Neutralizes the acidity of the skin, which increases in psoriasis.
5. Solid oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the illness.You need to lubricate the affected areas before going to bed.

Prevention and recommendations

Prevention is necessary to reduce the risk of psoriasis. Follow these guidelines:

• Moisturize your skin regularly with creams.
• Avoid skin damage in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc.;
• Strengthen your immune system, exercise and walk more in the fresh air.
• give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• Only take medications prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to separately mention a special diet for psoriasis. It contributes to faster remission and shortens the duration of relapses of the disease.The following table contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.

Products	Allowed	Limited use	Forbidden
Fish and meat	Turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish	lean beef and lamb	Pork, sea fish
Grain and flour products	Oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes	rice	Semolina, puff pastries, baked goods made from wheat flour, bread
dairy products	low-fat cottage cheese, skimmed milk	Kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream	Cheese
Vegetables	Carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, asparagus, lettuce, green beans	corn, pumpkin	Peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant
fruits and berries	Kiwi, pineapple, mango, grapes, nectarine, cherry	Plum, blueberry, currant, cranberry, avocado	Strawberry, citrus fruit, red apple
Nuts	Almonds	Pine nuts	all other
sweets	dried apricots, raisins, dates	Treasure	Chocolate, sweets and other confectionery
Spices	Dill, parsley, green onions	Horseradish, garlic, onion	Pepper, cloves, nutmeg
oils	Sunflower, olive, cotton, corn	butter	Spread, margarine
Drinks	Herbal teas, juices, compotes	green tea	black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol

Don't forget about the drinking regime.You need to drink 1.5-2 liters of drinking water every day.

Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes a lot of inconvenience.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent treatment approach, stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist.Psoriasis responds well to drug therapy in the early stages.Self-medication should not be done as this will only worsen the course of the disease.