According to official data, approximately 3% of people worldwide suffer from psoriasis. But it must be assumed that the actual number of patients with this type of dermatosis is much higher. In general, the first signs of such a disease appear at the age of 10-25 years, although cases of psoriasis have been reported in both infants and the elderly. It is not yet known for sure why it develops, but doctors have information about what the initial stage of psoriasis looks like. Therefore, with timely access to specialists, you can stop the progression of the disease at the earliest stages.
Initial symptoms
Initially, small round papules begin to appear on the patient's skin, the size of which usually does not exceed the diameter of the pinhead. These formations have a smooth, shiny surface and clear contours, but literally after a few days they begin to peel off. The resulting scales are silvery-white and can be easily removed from the surface of the papule. Over time, the number and size of the elements of the rash increase and the disease progresses to a progressive stage.
Papules are usually reddish or pink in color, although in some situations they become bluish. This is observed when the primary elements of the rash form on the legs. Depending on the type of disease, the initial stage of psoriasis occurs on the elbows (stretching surfaces), knees, body, limbs or scalp.
If you remove all the scales from the pimple, you will find an absolutely smooth shiny surface under them - the terminal film. But with further scraping, it is quickly damaged and the smallest drops of blood begin to appear.
Thus, psoriasis is characterized by three specific phenomena:
- stearin stain- increased peeling when removing scales;
- psoriatic film- exfoliation of the thinnest layer of skin;
- blood dew- the appearance of exact drops of blood after scraping.
But it's much easier to see what the initial stage of psoriasis looks like in a photo.
Despite all the advances in medicine, no drug has been developed today to completely cure psoriasis. This disease is characterized by a wavy course, therefore not only those who first encountered such a disease, but also those who live with it for many years, go through the initial stage of its development.
I would like to emphasize that there is no cure for psoriasis. With the help of modern drugs, physiotherapy procedures and other methods of therapy you can "drive" the disease into a state of stable remission and maybe even forget about it for several years. But this does not mean that in an unfavorable combination of circumstances, the patient will again not notice the characteristic rashes that show the initial stage of psoriasis on the hands and other parts of the body.
How do we know if psoriasis is progressing?
The transition of psoriasis to the second or progressive stage is evidenced by the growth and fusion of previously single papules, as well as the addition of hitherto absent itching. In addition, the nature of peeling changes. Now it is observed only in the center of the formations and their ends remain without scales. This clearly shows the growth of the elements.
To confirm the transition from psoriasis to the second stage, you can use a type of test. Its essence consists in slight damage to the skin of the affected area. If after about a week a psoriatic element with the same shape as the injury forms in the same place, this clearly shows the progression of the disease. In the specialized literature, such a test is described as a symptom of Kebner. Moreover, this is observed even with a banal combing of the affected skin.
In some cases, patients have exudative psoriasis. It is characterized by the release of a special liquid. The scales are impregnated with it, as a result of which they turn into thick crusts. If one of these crusts is removed or damaged, the radiant skin is exposed.