Psoriasis is a pink rash with silvery scales. It is itchy and occurs in millions of people around the world. If a person or his relatives do not have such rashes, it does not mean that they will not appear. It is important to start treating the disease at an early stage of psoriasis and not to start it severely.
Psoriasis can be inherited, but not in all cases.
Features of the disease
Psoriasis is not an infection and the cause is considered to be a disorder of the immune system. And also the disease can be the result of external factors, skin injuries, stress, alcohol, antibiotics, infections.
Wounds can cover any part of the body. Rash is especially common on the hands and feet. They also appear on the palms, soles, scalp and nails.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a wavy course. The person may experience periods of rash reduction or exacerbation. Recurrences can be caused by various external factors.
Psoriasis does not affect normal life and does not require constant hospitalization. However, this is a serious pathology that brings many inconveniences and limitations.
Manifestations of psoriasis can fade and become almost invisible.
Conditional division of psoriasis
There are several forms of psoriasis:
- vulgar;
- seborrheic;
- drop shape;
- palmar-plantar;
- genital psoriasis.
The most common psoriasis is the vulgar form of the disease. With it there are swollen rashes of bright color, which are accompanied by severe itching.
There are three degrees of psoriasis, depending on the size of the affected area:
- Cure. About 3 percent of the skin is affected.
- Average. The number of rashes varies from 3 to 10 percent of the skin surface.
- Heavy. The rash occupies 10 percent or more of the skin surface.
Sometimes the disease invades the joints. This is the most severe degree, no matter what percentage of the skin is affected by plaque. This can lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis, which is accompanied by pain and swelling in the joints of the bones.
There are three stages of psoriasis according to the degree of exacerbation:
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
Even a doctor may not always recognize psoriasis at some stage. In many cases, special monitoring of the development of the disease is needed. This will help determine if the psoriasis is in remission or not.
Psoriasis vulgaris has a bright pink color.
Progressive stage
In the initial stage, psoriasis develops quite quickly. Various rashes appear on the arms, back, buttocks and legs, which grow over time and form plaques. The progression of the disease is characterized by severe itching of the affected areas, which get wet and can cause infection.
Early psoriasis is treatable. That is why it is important to make the correct diagnosis in time. At the first symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage you should consult a doctor. Only he can determine the nature of the skin disease and the stage of its development.
You can find out for yourself what psoriasis looks like on some symptoms:
- The rash appears in places where the clothing is in close contact with the body. For example, on the hands at the elbow, under the belt of pants, rubber bands.
- The itchy rash is covered with gray scales.
- If you remove the scale, you can see thin, moist skin underneath.
- The condition of the nails is disturbed, dimples appear on them.
Do not use any ointment without consulting your doctor. The use of some drugs in the early stages of the disease can lead to the formation of stretch marks, thinning of the epidermis and addiction.
Your doctor will usually prescribe a non-hormonal medicine based on zinc. It is an effective remedy that allows you to relieve itching, reduce the proliferation of skin cells and inflammation, restore the protective functions of the skin and reduce the development of psoriasis in a progressive stage.
Psoriasis occurs mainly in places where skin and clothing come into contact.
Stationary stage
The previous stage is replaced by a stationary stage of psoriasis. Inflamed nodules do not disappear, but do not grow. The plaques become dry and the inflammation decreases.
Tar-containing preparations are very often used to treat the stationary stage of psoriasis. Systemic therapy is sometimes used and the body is affected by ultraviolet radiation.
Regression stage
This is the last stage of psoriasis, in which the plaques begin to shrink and slowly disappear. Absorption occurs from the middle of the wound and by the end of this stage small rings and patterns remain on the skin. The itching and peeling disappear. After a rash on the skin, barely noticeable pigmented areas remain.
This process is the end of the psoriasis cycle, but it is not a complete recovery. The disease can recur at any time. If left untreated, then plaques will appear regularly.
After psoriasis, spots and patterns may remain on the skin.
Treatment and prevention of psoriasis
Everyone should monitor their health and pay more attention to the skin:
- Avoid hard towels that can scratch your skin.
- It is preferable to use special medicated shampoos. This is especially true for scalp psoriasis.
- It is necessary to take care of the optimal humidification of the air in the rooms to avoid drying of the skin.
- Avoid abrasions, injuries and cuts on the skin.
- A certain diet must be followed, which improves the course of the disease.
- One of the basic rules of prevention is the rejection of alcohol. You should not drink alcohol and quit smoking.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that will not cause abrasion.
A special massage is used for the prevention and treatment of psoriasis. Improves blood circulation so that the skin is cleansed faster. The areas of the body around the plaques are stretched by a few centimeters and come back. The procedure takes about 15 minutes.
The symptoms of the disease appear against the background of psycho-emotional stress. Therefore, it is important to minimize stress. They recommend practicing various methods of relaxation, getting enough sleep and more rest, using herbal preparations and sedatives.
Some patients use folk remedies at home. For this purpose, use various herbal infusions and decoctions, ointments of eggs and lard, garlic compresses and lotions at bedtime. After consultation with a specialist, alternative methods should be used.
Some medications can cause relapse and side effects. They should only be taken as directed by your healthcare professional. Unfortunately, there is no single drug that can get rid of psoriasis 100 percent forever. You can keep the disease in remission only by choosing the right drugs.