Psoriasis is a long-term and virtually incurable, non-communicable disease. It mainly affects the skin, nails and joints. Psoriasis can affect people of any age, even children.
There are several theories about the cause of psoriasis:
- Theory of neurogenic disorders;
- Theory of problems in the endocrine system;
- The theory of viral disorders or the theory of metabolic disorders.
But none of these theories have been proven scientifically. To date, scientists have concluded that the onset of the disease is influenced by a person's heredity or genetic predisposition to pathological changes in skin cells.
These cells form in the basal layer and, reaching the outer stratum corneum, form scales. The genetic factor proves the presence of the disease in relatives. In other words: if your loved ones suffer from psoriasis, then it can occur in you or your children.
Factors influencing the appearance of psoriasis
The following factors affect the occurrence of psoriasis:
- Nervous breakdowns;
- Mental and physical shock, overload of the body;
- Diseases of the endocrine system;
- Biochemical and enzymatic disorders;
- Hypothermia of the body;
- Decreased immunity.
It is difficult to identify and confirm what caused this disease. It is often said that the disease appeared for no apparent reason.
What kind of disease is psoriasis: how does it manifest itself?
In this disease, papules and plaques appear on the skin. The plaques are sharply demarcated, thickened patches on the skin with a pink or reddish tinge with small light scales. Plates have different shapes, but are more often round or oval. They can be located anywhere on the human body, but are more common on large joints, the sacrum and lower back, under the hair of the head.
Psoriatic papules are characterized by rapid growth with the formation of plaques of several centimeters, which then merge into large skin lesions.
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
The following indicators are important for the diagnosis:
- If you try to scrape the papule, the scales are easily sprinkled, forming a "stearin stain".
- A reddish shiny surface appears on the skin - the final film of the stain;
- If you continue to scrape the stain, then spotting appears on its surface - "bloody dew".
Stages of psoriasis
Disease-related rashes are characterized by the following stages of development:
- Progressive stage (appearance of small papules that grow over time and merge into larger ones);
- Stationary stage (plaques grow and do not change for a certain period of time);
- Regressive stage (the rash fades, thins and disappears from the surface of the skin).
Depending on the condition of the body, the disease can last a very long time.
The first stage of the rash is characterized by the Kebner effect: new psoriatic lesions appear at the site of damaged skin after about a week.
During the period of remission on the skin in the area of the elbow or knee joints may remain isolated, the so-called "duty" plaques.
Types of psoriasis
There are several types of the disease:
- Exudative form: it expresses puffiness and brightness of papules with yellowish crusts on their surface;
- Follicular form: small papules are localized in the area of follicular openings;
- Palmar-plantar form of psoriasis: the skin of the feet and palms is covered with cracks and scales, psoriatic plaques can be seen on them;
- Seborrheic psoriasis: localized mainly on the scalp;
- Psoriatic erythroderma. In this form the disease is very difficult, the entire skin surface is affected by psoriasis, enlarged peripheral lymph nodes, fever, itching, sleep disorders, changes in blood and urine;
- Arthropathic psoriasis: affects and deforms the joints, restricting movement in them. It is characterized by severe pain and swelling in the affected joint. This is a very painful form of psoriasis that often leads to disability.
In all forms of psoriasis, there is a change in the nails: they become cloudy, thicken and small spots appear in them, as if pierced with a needle.
The disease lasts for many years with periods of deterioration and improvement of health, is characterized by seasonality: exacerbation in the cold and remission during the warm season.
Treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis should be treated under the supervision of a doctor in the dermatology department. Treatment is prescribed by optimally combining therapeutic drugs with ointments and physiotherapy, as well as limiting animal fats and carbohydrates in food, alcohol and spicy foods.
Patients should be under the supervision of a doctor and need annual spa treatment. For psoriasis, it is recommended to visit radon springs and hydrogen sulfide baths, swimming in the sea and sunbathing.