Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It manifests itself in the form of rashes. The initial stage is characterized by symptoms similar to the clinical picture of other pathologies of the epidermis. To prevent the progression of the disease, to facilitate its course, it is necessary to differentiate the pathology. To do this, you need to know the symptoms, manifestations of psoriasis at different stages.
Causes in adults and children
Why psoriasis occurs in children and adults, medical scientists have not yet understood exactly. There is only speculation about the cause of this disease. So, there is a suggestion that psoriasis can be inherited: people whose parents have suffered from such a skin disease often have a psoriatic rash. Some doctors associate the development of pathology with immunological instability, metabolic disorders and the presence of chronic infection. In most patients, doctors report severe hyperlipidemia.
In order to check the susceptibility to such a disease, it is necessary to perform a classical genome analysis. Those with ten chromosomal loci are more likely to develop psoriasis. The main genome responsible for congenital predisposition is PSORS1.
Psoriasis can develop at any age: in children, young men and women, the elderly. In adults, according to medical scientists, the following factors provoke the disease:
- low immunity;
- chronic fatigue;
- alcohol abuse;
- severe stress;
- poor hygiene;
- constant overeating;
- insect bites;
- infectious pathologies (influenza, ARVI);
- vaccination;
- temperature difference;
- vitamin deficiency;
- smoking;
- long-term treatment;
- burning;
- allergy;
- hormonal imbalance;
- climate change;
- malnutrition.
Children most often experience psoriatic outbreaks:
- after sore throat;
- if there is a chronic infection in the body;
- with low immunity.
Psoriasis should not be started:People with this diagnosis increase the risk of early atherosclerotic vascular lesions and the occurrence of cardiac pathologies. There is also a threat of arthritis.
Psoriasis is most common in people with poor heredity.
How psoriasis manifests
Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of large plaques on the skin. Initially, spots are insignificant and appear in those parts of the body where the skin is rougher (elbows, knees). Such formations flake off. When scratched, wounds appear that turn pale in the morning.
The disease is characterized by the following manifestations:
- Stearin stain.These are small, scaly papules fused into plaques.
- Movie terminal.Under the psoriatic plaques there is a thin, bright pink skin. Her doctor can see after removing all the scales.
- Accurate bleeding(blood dew syndrome). If the final film is damaged as a result of scraping the stratum corneum of the epidermis, drops of blood appear.
Such manifestations in the aggregate are called psoriatic triad. They are detected during a sample of the inflamed area of the skin.
Psoriasis also has the following symptoms:
- the formation of new papules in case of skin damage and increase in the area of the lesion;
- rash elements have a dense structure;
- has a red border around the poster;
- weakness;
- the presence of a whitish three-millimeter pseudoatrophic edge around the rash;
- purulent odor from the skin (when pustules form);
- the phenomenon of oil formation, in which a yellowish-brown spot appears under the nail plate;
- proliferative acanthosis, in which the skin thickens, interpapillary processes are prolonged;
- thimble symptom (nail psoriasis);
- scabies.
Because psoriasis is a chronic pathology, its symptoms begin to disappear after a while, the wounds heal. But then papules form again.
The first symptoms of the onset of the disease
The first stage of psoriasis always develops a rash.
At first it is almost invisible, without characteristic scales. Several spots of rash appear on the limbs.
After a few weeks, the number of affected areas increases. The rash merges into large plaques that are covered with silvery scales. Itching in the early stages of psoriasis is moderate. The person complains of chronic fatigue, weakness.
Such symptoms are also characteristic of allergic skin reactions, dermatitis and shingles. That is why it is important to make a differential diagnosis.
Examination reveals the psoriatic triad. According to the size of the rash, the doctor determines the etiology of psoriasis: a drop, a dot or a coin.
Signs of a progressive stage of the disease
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases, the rash spreads to healthy areas of the body. The slightest scratch, swelling or burn will cause a nodular rash. The second stage takes a long time. On palpation you can find tight boundaries between the inflamed areas of the epidermis. The plates have an edging that stands out with a bright color and is covered with scales.
In the last stage of the disease, the symptoms begin to gradually disappear. The plaques become lighter, their borders fade. After a while the papules disappear, in their place remains dry skin, hyperpigmented spots.
The temperature in psoriasis can rise only in the presence of an inflammatory process, suppuration of acne. Then the affected areas can hurt.
What is the phenomenon of the stearin stain
Stearin spots are the main symptom that forms the psoriatic triad. This is a small area with papular elements of the rash that are highly scaly. The more the doctor scrapes the affected skin, the more flaking appears. The person does not feel pain during the manipulation. The phenomenon got its name because the movable skin flakes look like stearin spots.
Where it appears first: localization of rashes
Initially, psoriatic eruptions form on the elbows, feet and knees. The papules then spread to areas of the body with thinner and more delicate skin: the lower legs, lower back, wrist, abdomen, groin, scalp. The rash may be localized elsewhere. But these areas of the body are most often affected by psoriasis.
In the absence of appropriate treatment, the disease spreads to the nails, mucous membranes, joints.
Localization of psoriatic rash in adults can be:
- Chapter. Rash is observed on the scalp, ears, back of the head, eyebrows, eyelids, eyes, nasolabial folds.
- Lower limbs.
- Elbows. Scaly plaques form, which become rough over time.
- Upper limbs. A small rash similar to urticaria appears.
In children, rashes usually appear on:
- legs;
- rear parts;
- skin folds;
- elbows;
- scalp.
How the scaly scalp of the head begins
Scaly lichen can spread throughout the body. It is usually acute. A rash forms from a bead to a pea. The papule is covered with silvery and white scales. The rash increases over time, merging into a single focus with jagged edges. This plaque has a clear border. When the scalp is affected by psoriasis, a psoriatic crown forms: red pustules with purulent contents appear behind the ears and along the forehead line.
How fast the pathology develops
How fast psoriasis develops depends on its form. Thus, the drop-shaped type of pathology is characterized by the ability to suddenly appear and disappear. Severe plaque psoriasis is characterized by the gradual spread of pustules in the body. The rash is then covered with flaky scales for a short period. The rash clumps together to form large plaques.
Diagnostic methods
If psoriasis is suspected, consult a dermatologist. The doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis based on complaints and examination of the patient. The doctor gives a recommendation for laboratory, instrumental examination. Differential diagnostics is also performed.
When the disease progresses, it is recommended to give blood for analysis to identify an acute, autoimmune or rheumatic process. In severe situations, a biopsy is performed, which shows the accumulation of Rete bodies, thickening of the layer, infiltration of the skin by polyblasts, T-lymphocytes, dendritic cells, increased angiogenesis under psoriatic plaques.
For differential diagnosis, perform:
- allergy test;
- serum biochemical test;
- stool analysis for dysbiosis;
- histological examination of biopsy.
No special tests are needed to diagnose psoriasis in children. The pathology is detected on the basis of examination of the elements of the rash.
How to treat psoriasis
Because psoriasis is considered a chronic condition, it cannot be completely cured. The goal of therapy is to achieve stable remission and eliminate complications. To do this, use drugs, physiotherapy, folk methods. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized. In the initial stage, the therapy is allowed to take place at home.
Clinic therapy
For the treatment of psoriatic lesions, doctors prescribe antihistamines to relieve swelling, itching and redness.
Enzymatic agents are also used. They stimulate the body to produce the necessary enzymes. Damage to the skin of the body provokes discomfort, tightness.
The realization that the disease cannot be cured causes psychological problems. Therefore, doctors prescribe sedatives to help restore emotional state.
Hepatoprotectors are used to improve liver function. Inflammation and itching can be relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Immunomodulators are prescribed to strengthen the body.
Physiotherapy techniques are also used. They help to remove pigmentation and speed up healing. Doctors recommend:
- selective herbal medicine;
- laser action on the skin;
- ultrasound treatment;
- magnetic therapy.
In a hospital, the patient is under constant medical supervision. Therefore, it is easy to monitor the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment regimen and to make timely adjustments to the applied therapy.
Home treatment
After discharge from the hospital, treatment continues. To maintain normal health, to achieve stable remission, doctors prescribe a number of drugs in the course. Vitamin complexes, ointments, folk remedies are used.
The patient is advised to treat the areas of skin affected by psoriasis daily with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments.
Dermatologists prescribe vitamins to improve the condition of the epidermis. Vitamins A, E, D and C are especially useful in the fight against psoriasis. They strengthen the body's defenses, help to restore and cleanse the skin.
Traditional healers suggest the use of activated charcoal. One of the main reasons for the development of psoriasis are metabolic disorders, intoxication. Activated charcoal acts as an absorbent, so it cleans the body of harmful substances. It should be consumed for a month, twice a day, in a dose of 1 tablet per kilogram of body weight.
White clay helps to restore the skin. It relieves inflammation, dries, eliminates itching. Baths with the addition of sea salt are also useful.
When treating psoriasis at home, it is recommended to follow a few rules:
- Take medication prescribed by your doctor at the indicated dose.
- Treat your skin with ointments and creams.
- Carefully remove the crusts after softening them.
- Take air and sunbathe.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Follow your daily diet.
- Get enough rest.
- Take breaks while taking medication.
By following these recommendations, one can avoid recurrence of the disease.
Thus, psoriasis is a serious chronic disease. The reasons for its development have not been precisely established, only provoking factors are known. The disease has characteristic symptoms, but in the first stage it is similar to other skin pathologies. To identify and start treating the disease in time, you should contact a dermatologist when a suspicious rash appears.