What is psoriasis and what does it occur from?Psoriasis is a non -infectious condition of the skin, the result of which are red inflamed plaques, as well as dry scale - the result of excessively rapid growth of skin cells.The disease most often affects the skin on the elbows, knees and scalp.
In some people, it manifests itself in mild form, the symptoms are practically absent.Others note severe symptoms, frequent relapses.What is psoriasis, where it comes from, why it looks, the reasons for the appearance, how they become infected - we will try to answer these and other questions on the pages of our portal.
Psoriasis is incurable, long -term (chronic) skin condition.The exacerbation stages are quickly replaced by stages of improvement.Many patients note the worsening of symptoms from November to February (winter months) as well as in hot summer time.Psoriasis affects all ethnic races and representatives of both sexes.Although psoriasis can occur in people of any age - from babies to the elderly - most often the disease is diagnosed in adolescence under 20 years of age.
At what age does psoriasis occur?The disease is rare in infants (less than 4% of patients), in children psoriasis can occur if the parents are carriers of the disease.Psoriasis in such young children is often preceded by acute pharyngitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis or respiratory infection, such as cold, influenza or pneumonia.People with psoriasis have more chance of getting diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and heart disease.
Why does psoriasis occur?The causes of psoriasis are unknown to the end, but usually the disease is related to the problem of the immune system.What and how does psoriasis appear?The key element is a special type of lymphocytes called T lymphocytes or T cells.As a rule, these white blood cells move throughout the body to detect and eliminate foreign substances such as viruses or parasites (Streptococcus).However, in patients with psoriasis, T-lymphocytes mistakenly attack healthy skin cells (to combat false infection).
Hyperactive lymphocytes cause immune reactions, including the enlargement and increase of vessels around the papules and Pasriasis pustules.These changes lead to an increase in production of both healthy skin cells and other white blood cells.This causes a continuing cycle against which the new skin cells move to the upper layers of the epidermis too quickly - in a few days.
Researchers also find genes related to the development of psoriasis, proving that the disease is hereditary but external environmental factors (physical, chemical, thermal effect on the skin) and internal (stress, unbalanced eating, disorder of day and sleep, infection, excessive/regular use of alcohol and smoking) also plays a role.
Signs and symptoms
Psoriasis manifests itself in the form of red or pink flaky cones that merge into large papules (plaques) of the skin.Sometimes, when the combing of these small dry white flakes, slight bleeding occurs.
There are several types of psoriasis - not pustular (affects large areas of the skin) and pustule (a slower shape, usually manifests on the hands or feet).The rash can have different outlines and shapes from point and rocky to monetary visible.
The first signs of psoriasis are increased fatigue, weakness throughout the body, sometimes mild dizziness, general malaise.As the rashes develop and increase, symptoms such as itching, burning, pain, sometimes fever, chills are added.
Stages
In the absence of treatment, psoriasis develops quite quickly.At the initial stage, small pink or reddish flakes appear on the skin (which are usually symmetrically arranged, for example, on both hands spots will be located in the same way).In addition, a flaky surface layer begins to develop on top of the reddish spots.
This is keratinized skin that is easily removed independently.After the formation of flakes, the reddish spots are collected in large red plaques, this stage is accompanied by severe itching and burning, as well as by hanging the skin.
Exacerbation
The worsening stage is characterized by the appearance of large (often swollen) spots on the skin (plaque, dad), severe itching, burning, often pain.The area of spread of the disease also increases significantly (plates become more than 10 cm in diameter).A special feeling of skin tightness appears.When moving the disease at the exacerbation stage, you should contact a specialist immediately.During this stage, cracks appear on the skin (due to tightness, dryness and keratinization).
Life -threatening
During the deterioration stage, keratinized dry areas crack, the skin begins to bleed and becomes more susceptible to infections, which causes the appearance of new plaques (Kobner's syndrome).
The most serious consequence of exacerbation can be psoriatic arthritis (the disease will spread to bones and joints and will cause their inflammation and deformity) or psoriatic erythroderma (a very severely incurable skin disease that can lead to death).
Psoriasis continues to be one of the most complex skin diseases.A wide range of procedures available to treat psoriasis illustrates this.It is very important to take measures to limit the disease and prevent it from going at the exacerbation stage, as it is necessary to seek the help of a specialist, and to change your lifestyle, to consult medicines and methods of traditional medicine.