In clinical dermatology, there are 3 stages of psoriasis, including: progressive, stationary and regressing.They differ in duration, degree of skin damage and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the course of the pathology into 4 stages, taking into account the initial one.
Initial stage
At an early stage, the patient develops small rashes.Depending on the type of disease, they can be localized:
- on hands, elbows and feet;
- on head and face;
- on the abdomen, thighs and back.
Rashes rarely exceed 2-3 mm in size and are characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after the appearance, the rash is covered with a grayish plaque.This process means death of the skin.
In people who have psoriasis for a long time, the epidemic layer does not have time to renew itself, because the skin is immediately covered with plaques.In new patients, a similar process lasts 3 weeks, during which the development of the disease can be stopped.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical medications are used to treat lichen planus at an early stage of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of unpleasant sensations, and also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs from the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Among the traditional therapeutic methods are recommended:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and soothing effect, they have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.How to use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to the rashes.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It is applied precisely and does not wash off.Before use, you should consult a dermatologist.
Progressive
Features of the stage: damage to large areas of the skin, formation of plaques (with psoriasis vulgaris) or other pronounced papules.The rash can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rashes will merge with each other and distinct gray scales will form on the plaques.
One of the main symptoms of this stage is the phenomenon of Kebner (isomorphic auctor), which consists in the formation of papules on the affected areas of the skin layer.That is, if the patient injures the skin, after some time a psoriasis rash will appear on the irritated area.
The last sign of a progressive stage: a capillary layer, which can be seen by removing the scales from the plaques.When the plaque is removed, spot bleeding begins.
Treatment
At this stage, all the main methods of treatment are used - oral and local drugs, diet and physiotherapy.Physiotherapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet irradiation, PUVA therapy.
Among the drugs, the following should be noted:
- Vitamin complexes.It is used to strengthen the immune system.Such treatment is necessary for the body to resist the disease.
- Retinoids.Similar products also refer to vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), affecting the membrane structures of cells and inhibiting the death of the skin.
- Steroids.They are used less often than other drugs, as they have a negative effect on the body.Steroid drugs affect metabolic processes and have an anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effect.
Among the traditional methods of treatment, the same oils and hydrogen peroxide are used.
To them you can add a tincture based on celandines.To prepare it, you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dry or fresh) and salt water.Do not use alcohol under any circumstances, as this can dry out the skin.
How to prepare the medicine:
- the components must be mixed together;
- leave for several hours.
Stationary stage
The stationary period of disease development continues indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, not even a pink border remains.The layer formed on the papules can be gray or gray-white.In the stationary stage, the skin becomes rough and scaly.
The symptoms of psoriasis are mild: if in the progressive stage the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, then in the stationary stage these symptoms lose intensity.However, the rash still doesn't stop itching.
You can see what the psoriasis rash looks like in the stationary period in the photo.
Treatment
Some new drugs can be used to treat stable psoriasis, but in general the treatment regimen will not change.Powerful drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can try only proven means:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
Medicines on this list have a minimum of contraindications and are quite cheap.
Traditional methods
Several effective recipes for the treatment of dermatosis:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture should be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore the elasticity of the skin.
- Beeswax.This product has an anti-inflammatory and softening effect.Beeswax should be melted in a water bath and then carefully applied to the crust covering the papules.
- honeyThe main waste product of bees has a positive effect on the human body in psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities - 2 tablespoons per day.
Regressive stage
This stage is characterized by a Voronov symptom (pseudoatrophic Voronov rim), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rashes begin to disappear.Initially, the rash changes color, first becoming pale pink and then adapting to the color of healthy skin.At the stage of regression, the itching disappears completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The last stage is the most painless and leads to remission.Squamous lichen can appear in a latent form from several months to tens of years.To prevent worsening of the disease, you should regularly visit a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Therapy at this stage does not require the addition of new drugs.In the period of regression, the patient is recommended to focus on internal treatment, i.e.to actively take vitamin complexes.You should continue to use drugs that previously gave a positive result.The use of hormonal drugs should be completely avoided, as they negatively affect the body and weaken the immune system.
A common and effective way to heal quickly: leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to alternative medicine, but is recognized by many specialists.Such therapy should be discussed in advance with a doctor.Its duration is from 3 to 10 days, depending on the condition of the patient and the stage of the disease.During remission, the duration of treatment with leeches is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth considering that severe forms of psoriasis can manifest ambiguously.Only complex treatment will help to avoid relapse.Usually, lichen scaly gets worse during the winter season when a person's skin comes in contact with clothes and does not breathe.