Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-communicable disease that affects approximately 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis?
This is how the disease manifests itself.Skin cells divide 10 times faster than normal, layer on top of each other and form raised red spots covered with silvery-white scales.Such wounds can appear anywhere, but most often on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are some other signs that appear along with the spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and small depressions in the nails;
- swollen and painful joints.
There may be other symptoms depending on the type of psoriasis.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven in total
- Plain, aka vulgar.The most common type: raised, red and inflamed skin covered with white scales.
- Teardrop shaped.Small pink-red spots usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms and torso.
- Nail psoriasis.They become yellow-brown, soft and can be separated from the nest.Indentations or thickenings appear.
- Pustulous.A rare form of the disease, it can be accompanied by high fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness and rapid pulse.Purulent bumps surrounded by reddened skin appear on the hands, feet and fingers.
- On the contrary.Smooth and shiny red spots without scales.They most often appear in the groin, armpits, under the breasts and buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and swelling of the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it happens more often in adults than in children.
The exact causes of the disease are unknown.But it is thought to be an autoimmune disease: immune system cells, also known as white blood cells, become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
- infection;
- stress;
- smoking or drinking alcohol;
- sunburn;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- certain drugs and substances - lithium preparations, beta-blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides.
You cannot get psoriasis.It is not transmitted by contact with the patient's skin.
How is psoriasis treated?
There is no way to get rid of psoriasis, but you can ease its symptoms.The choice of procedures and drugs is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.The dermatologist must draw up and adjust the treatment plan.
The doctor may recommend the following.
Creams and ointments for the skin
They are used to soften plaques, reduce itching and slow the growth of skin cells.These are the external remedies:
- hormonal ointments;
- coal tar shampoos and ointments;
- retinoid preparations.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used alongside external medications.
The easiest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, you should first discuss this with your doctor.This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
It is heavy artillery when other methods fail.The doctor prescribes a course of tablets or injections that affect the whole body.
Prescribing yourself medication or taking it on the advice of friends is a very bad idea.
Self-treatment of psoriasis can lead to the spread of the disease to untouched parts of the body and increase the frequency of outbreaks.
The patient does not take into account the side effects of various drugs and harms himself.
Don't do this, go see a doctor!
How to reduce the frequency of psoriasis attacks
In addition to the prescribed treatment, do the following:
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.Treatment of bad habits is less effective.
Watch your weight.After shedding extra pounds, many patients find that medications that didn't work before begin to work.
Eat a balanced diet.This will reduce the risk of complications related to psoriasis - high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis.
Do yoga and meditation.They reduce stress and anxiety that can cause attacks.
Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin as needed throughout the day to soften it.Be sure to do this after showering and before bed.
Take colloidal oatmeal or salt baths every day for 10 minutes.Just make sure the water isn't too hot.And don't use harsh soap that dries the skin too much.