Psoriasis is one of the most common chronic dermatoses: the disease causes a rash in the form of pink plaques with silver flakes, often accompanied by itching.In one way or another, about 3% of the entire population of our planet faces this pathology, that is, we are talking about millions of people.Psoriasis can occur at any age, although most often the first signs of the disease are either 15 to 25 years or after 50. However, if you have never had psoriasis, it does not mean that it will never appear.How psoriasis goes and how it should be treated, everyone should know, since in the early stages the treatment of psoriasis is most effective.
The mechanism of development of the disease
The reasons for the development of psoriasis are a real medical secret.Scientists have been seriously examining this disease for more than 150 years, but we do not yet know not as much as we would like.
The fact that psoriasis is not an infectious disease and is not transmitted from person to person is known in the 19th century.But what causes psoriasis?There are several theories today.Perhaps all the work is a violation of metabolic processes, perhaps in a genetic error.However, we already know exactly what he is able to provoke the development of the disease.
Changes in the immune system are to blame for everything.They may be due to genetically or occur due to the influence of some external factors.Neo-psychic factors (such as stress), skin injuries, administration of some drugs (especially antibiotics), alcoholism, infectious diseases can cause the onset of the disease.
As much as it is, the changes in the work of the body's defense system lead to the fact that the life cycle of the skin cells becomes very short, they begin to share at great speed and do not have time to die naturally.This form a characteristic psoriatic plaque - a painful spot that rises above the skin level and covered with dry flakes.This process is accompanied by inflammation: there is a secretion of mediators for inflammation, which supports the inflammation itself and provokes excessive skin cell formation.It turns out to be a vicious circle and anyone trying to cure psoriasis knows how difficult it is to disrupt this sequence.To facilitate the condition of psoriasis and to achieve constant remission, you need to suppress inflammatory processes, as well as to ensure intensive skin recovery and its barrier function.
Stages of psoriasis through the degree of exacerbation
Three stages are clearly traced during the disease:
Progressive stage
This is the very beginning of the disease and it is very tumultuous.Suddenly the skin appears small, no more pins, nodular rashes.At the top of each knot are noticeable small gray skin flakes.The rash grows and forms plaques, severe itching occurs.Sometimes the plaques are wet and due to impaired barrier function of the skin to psoriasis, infection can also be joined at this stage.
Stationary stage
After a while, the process seems to freeze - the papules (sore nodes) do not pass, but the new ones no longer appear.The planes are covered with dry skin flakes or crust.During this period, the inflammation disappears.
Reduction
In the last stage of psoriasis, the plaques gradually decrease and resolve (usually starts from the central part, therefore by the end of the stage, the rings and the quirky models appear on the skin), peeling and itching pass.Very soon only the areas of the skin, a little different in color, differ in psoriatic plaques.
This is the completion of the psoriasis cycle, but not a recovery.The whole process can be repeated at any time.If psoriasis is not treated, it will appear again and again almost a month.
It is important to know
Alcohol for psoriasis is extremely harmful.According to some estimates, people who abuse alcohol suffer from psoriasis about 5 times more than those who are indifferent to drink.
Stages of the disease according to the degree of damage
Psoriasis is also classified by the severity of the lesions, dividing it into light, medium and severe form.The difference between them is in the area of the affected skin.It is not difficult to calculate this figure even without the participation of a specialist: the open palm of an adult is about 1% of the entire surface of the skin.
- A mild form of psoriasis is called cases where less than 3% of the surface of the skin is affected.
- The average degree is 3 to 10% of the skin surface.
- Heavy degree - 10% of total skin and more.
If psoriasis hits the joints, this is a severe degree - no matter what area of the skin it has undergone.
There are several shirts in medical practice to evaluate the severity of psoriasis.They evaluate various factors - from the area of skin lesions to the level of activity of the disease.Most often, the PASI index is used to determine the severity of psoriasis.
How to recognize psoriasis at an early stage
The treatment of psoriasis is most effective at the most early stage.That is why it is so important to make a diagnosis on time.To say that you have psoriasis or some other skin disease can only dermatologist.You can recognize this disease with several characteristic characteristics:
- Most often, psoriasis initially manifests itself on the turns of the hands and feet, along the hair growth line or where the clothes are tightly touched with the body or third - under the belt of the pants, different rubber bands or straps.
- At the onset of the disease, a highly itchy rash occurs, covered with gray or silver skin flakes, which are very easy to remove.
- If you remove the scales, a thin, shiny and slightly wet skin will be found under it.
- If you scrape the plaque with the type of spatula, remove the scales, then blood in the form of the smallest drops will appear in the place.The latter, however, it is better not to be used to independently determine psoriasis - it is very easy to bring infection.
For complete confidence, you should consult a doctor, as patients themselves often confuse psoriasis with different types of lichen or allergic dermatitis and use inappropriate medicines for treatment.
What if you find symptoms of the initial stage of psoriasis?
Psoriasis cannot be cured once and for all, so the main goal of therapy is to achieve a constant and as long remission as long as possible.You should be aware that without proper treatment, psoriasis quickly becomes chronic: exacerbations can occur up to 9 times a year, lasting up to 15 days.What to do if you suspect psoriasis?Often, people, finding the signs of this disease, make a big mistake, resorting to "heavy artillery" - hormonal ointments without consulting a doctor.Usually, patients explain a similar step from what they have heard from friends that such agents help quickly.This is a big mistake!
What is the danger of such a self -self -esteem?Hormonal psoriasis ointments have many side effects and contraindications.Applying them without a strict recommendation to the doctor through the duration of use, frequency, area of administration to the body, and without taking into account the individual characteristics of your body, this is extremely undesirable.
For the effective treatment of psoriasis in the early stages, non -hormonal agents should be used, for example, based on zinc pyrithione.Zinc pyrithione or active zinc is a very effective treatment for psoriasis, which has a complete effect:
- Suppresses excessive reproduction of skin cells and inflammation, reducing peeling and the formation of psoriatic plaques;
- relieves itching;
- Protects damaged skin from bacterial and fungal infections;
- Restores the lipid layer and the protective functions of the skin.
Zinc pyrithione does not cause cancellation syndrome, and the list of contraindications and side effects is minimal.The effectiveness of zinc pyridion in the treatment of psoriasis, including hormonal drugs, is confirmed by a number of Russian and foreign studies.
The beneficial effect of ultraviolet radiation in the course of psoriasis has long been known.If you have such a diagnosis, try to go to the southern resorts with mineral springs during the vacation where psoriasis is treated, balneotherapy, along with moderate solar banner, has a very good effect.