Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - onset, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the intensity of itching and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of the development of the disease and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct selection of therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV therapy.They also prescribe drugs that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, do not use powerful drugs that suppress the immune system, and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and remission
In the acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments are also prescribed for damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose.To restore the damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In the stage of remission - they support the body.Proper nutrition, take complexes of vitamins and minerals to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment begins, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent recurrences of peeling.Since psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash in the early stages, it is necessary to know its first signs in order not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still discovering the causes of psoriasis.But it is known for certain that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be contracted from a sick person or caused by infection through injury.It is a personal, personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune breakdown, which can be caused by a variety of factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including powerful drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to return and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itching.
What stage of psoriasis is called initial?How to distinguish psoriasis in the beginning from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first manifestations of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears on the bends of the elbows and knees or in places where clothes are tightly pressed to the body (for example, under the waist belt).Rashes can also appear on the ends of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis appears on the feet and hands.
Psoriasis almost always appears symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, or on both sides of the waist, or on both knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage have a modest appearance.They have:
- Pink or red color;
- Clear, unsmeared edge;
- Small size - the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat form - small point-like pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no prominence, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of peeling skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against the red bud.
The appearance of flakes is accompanied by a rather strong itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing shiny patches of pink, young skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable, and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it gets injured and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of progression
In the advanced stage, individual pimples merge into one common spot, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with exfoliation.On the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a non-scaly pink-red border.
The presence of an edge is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the edge is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its texture resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the stain expands.This is the skin that is already inflamed but not yet peeling.After a while it will also become covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort to a person, disturb his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.It's still not a complete victory, but it's already a turn toward recovery.
In the stage of progression, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still claim otherwise.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also subsides and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear when the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing, regeneration of new healthy skin begins.
With the naked eye, it is noticeable that the peeling intensifies in the stationary stage.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance by which ordinary people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells are gone from the surface of the psoriatic patch, healthy skin with a slight light shade will be left in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of a rash, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which the development of the disease can be judged.This is the nature of the feeling of itching (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable, and the rash is incomprehensible.Also, the itching is getting worse every day.In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.It disturbs sleep, tranquility and interferes with work.A person becomes irritable because the feeling of itching does not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides.Every day one feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the remission stage
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin reminds of psoriasis.At the site of the previous psoriatic patches, it appears lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, the so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin at the site of psoriasis patches does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis recurrence is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of skin inflammation again if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often after cleaning, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the probability of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help to increase immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment of advanced psoriasis.Their need is due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, restoration of immunity is necessary.