Features of the development and symptoms of psoriasis affecting the elbows

Psoriasis with localization of the main changes in the elbow area occurs in approximately 5% of patients with this disease. The formation of psoriatic lesions on the elbows is possible at any age, but according to statistics, this form of the disease is characteristic mainly of the elderly.In most cases, the pathology is successfully treated with timely consultation with a doctor, but in advanced cases it can be complicated by psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and symptoms

Psoriasis of the elbow has the same etiological reasons for development as other forms of the disease. These are heredity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, reduced function of the immune system, mechanical damage to the skin and traumatic situations. The provoking factor for the appearance of psoriatic lesions in the elbow area is considered to be dyshidrosis - chronic dehydration of the skin.

The disease begins with the appearance of one or more reddish spots that slightly protrude above the skin. At first they are red, then they are covered with a whitish film, and gradually a layer of scales forms on their surface, which gives the plaques a silver color.

In addition to these changes, elbow psoriasis can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• The resulting individual spots merge with each other over time, which leads to the appearance of large lesions;
• The scales are easily removed from the surface, leaving behind a thin skin on which droplets of blood may appear;
• The formation of pustules is characterized by the appearance of a clearly defined red border separating the healthy skin from the affected tissue;
• The appearance of rashes is accompanied by severe itching in 80% of cases;
• Regression, that is, the disappearance of the plaque begins from the center, and in its place, after the process subsides, a light spot remains.

In mild cases, the pathology disappears within one and a half to two months. In advanced spots, the spots may not disappear completely - during remission, one or several small plaques remain on the skin.

If left untreated, elbow psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. A complication shows swelling and swelling in the area of the affected joint, a local increase in temperature and pain during movement.

Characteristics of elbow psoriasis

Psoriasis of the elbows has certain characteristics of development and course, they include:

1. Age of disease onset. Most often, elderly people consult a doctor with this form of the disease, in children and adolescents, damage to this area is rare;
2. Only in 30% of cases is the symmetry of the lesion determined - plaques are formed on both the right and left elbow. In other cases, the inflammation covers only one elbow area;
3. Psoriatic lesions in psoriasis, unlike eczema and dermatitis, are localized only on the outer, extensor side of the joint;
4. The disease is characterized by seasonality - most often exacerbations occur during the cold months of the year, that is, when the skin is more dehydrated;
5. The rash can be dry or wet;
6. Lesions spread primarily to the forearm;
7. Over time, elbow psoriasis causes thickening of the skin in the affected area. The skin becomes dense, dry and quickly cracks, which is accompanied by the appearance of blood, pain and itching.

Psoriasis of the elbow should be treated, and this should be done under the supervision of a dermatologist.The lack of therapy leads to the fact that it is impossible to completely eliminate all changes in the affected area, which causes internal discomfort and can cause depression.

Elbow psoriasis treatment methods

Treatment of elbow psoriasis should be comprehensive. It includes the use of external agents, systemic drugs, physiotherapy and traditional methods of treatment.

Ointments

In the initial stage of the disease, when only a few small plaques are formed and in the absence of pronounced swelling and redness, you can use ointments that have a softening, anti-inflammatory effect and can soften the keratinized outer layer of spots.

In severe cases, that is, when swelling, itching, hyperemia are expressed and the spots tend to increase rapidly, therapy begins with the use of glucocorticosteroid ointments.

Any of the above ointments for elbow psoriasis must be prescribed by a doctor. They are used in a short course, observing the frequency of application and dosage. Non-compliance with the instructions for the use of hormonal drugs significantly increases the likelihood of developing local and systemic side effects.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are recommended to use ointments with emollient components and vitamins even during an exacerbation of the disease. Their constant application nourishes the skin, prevents dehydration, thus prolonging periods of remission.

Drug therapy

Medicines are selected for the patient depending on the symptoms of the disease, their severity and concomitant diseases. Medications are mainly prescribed if psoriatic changes continue to progress, with frequent relapses.

Standard oral therapy:

1. Antihistamines.The main purpose of prescribing antihistamines is to reduce itching, which accelerates the healing process of plaques and prevents the penetration of microbes into the damaged epidermis;
2. Medicines with a sedative effect– tinctures of valerian, motherwort. Their use helps to reduce nervousness, improves the quality of sleep and prevents the development of depression;
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Medicines from this group well relieve inflammation and pain, promote skin regeneration;
4. Vitamin therapy.The use of vitamins increases the body's protective properties and improves metabolic processes.

All medications prescribed by your doctor must be taken in full.The reduction of rash lesions does not mean that the therapy should be completed, otherwise the disease may again enter a progressive stage.

Physiotherapy

The main treatment of psoriasis of the elbow can be supplemented with physical therapy. They are prescribed to improve blood circulation and metabolic reactions in the skin, their use helps improve local immunity and accelerates the recovery of the normal epidermis. In psoriasis, procedures such as magnetic therapy, phototherapy, PUVA method, laser treatment and irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet rays show good results.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are prescribed sanatorium treatment, diet therapy and normalization of the nervous system.

Removing psoriasis with traditional methods

Treatment of inflamed elbow skin at home with folk methods can be carried out after the acute process subsides. The effectiveness of self-prepared ointments and tinctures for compresses, herbal mixtures for internal use and medicinal baths has been proven. All means of traditional therapy should be used, taking into account the tolerability of the components that are their basis.

• Baths for the treatment of elbows.Chamomile, sage, celandine and string should be mixed in equal proportions. Two to three tablespoons of the mixture are poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10. The mixture is infused for half an hour, after which you can dip your elbows in the medicinal solution. The duration of the procedure is until the infusion has completely cooled;
• Therapeutic bath.The shells of 10 walnuts are infused with a liter of boiling water, after an hour the infusion is filtered and poured into a water bath. You should lie in the healing bath for 20-30 minutes, repeat it daily for at least 5 days;
• Compress with garlic.A few small cloves of a head of garlic are ground and poured with a glass of hot water. The garlic solution should be infused for an hour and a half, after which you should dip a bandage folded in several layers into it, squeeze it slightly and apply it to the elbow area. The compress is changed when the gauze dries, it is recommended to carry out the procedure within an hour;
• Birch tar.You will need purified birch tar, apply it to the plaque area. The first procedure should last no more than 8-10 minutes, each day it increases. The course of treatment with tar is 14 days. You can wash off elbow tar with laundry soap;
• Phytocompress.10 grams of dry grape leaves, 10 grams of burdock root and 10 grams of linseed should be ground in a blender. The finished mixture is poured with a glass of hot milk and heated over low heat for 2-3 minutes. After cooling in the liquid, moisten a gauze napkin and apply it to the elbows. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Psoriasis of the elbows causes a lot of inconvenience, but this form of the disease is considered one of the mildest. Timely consultation with a doctor, changes in lifestyle and diet and compliance with preventive measures can completely clear the skin in the elbow joint and significantly extend the remission periods of the disease.