Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has an undulating course.This disease affects the human skin and less often the joints.The aggravation of the pathology occurs due to the influence of certain negative factors and is characterized by worsening of symptoms.After that, the disease subsides, a period of remission begins, which can also be replaced by an exacerbation.
Features of the course of the disease
The disease manifests itself differently in different patients.Furthermore, symptoms can vary from one patient to another, from small local lesions to extensive lesions affecting large areas of skin.
The disease usually progresses with age.Over time, periods of remission become shorter, and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in its early stages and how it can be treated to prevent further progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If the parents suffer from dermatoses, there is a high probability that the child will develop psoriasis when exposed to certain factors.
The factors that determine the beginning of the development of the pathology are:
- allergic reactions;
- severe infectious diseases;
- reduced immune defense of the body;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- exhaustion of the nervous system.
Also, the impetus for the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatoses can be the long-term use of certain drugs used to treat chronic diseases.
Types and stages of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis - type 1 and type 2. The pathology of the first type is diagnosed in children and adolescents.The disease of this form is genetically determined, while the child's parents can be healthy, and there are cases of psoriasis in older generations.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never affects the joints.
The second type of disease occurs mainly in people with an average age of over 45 years.A characteristic feature of this form of the disease is the damage to the joints.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of psoriasis development:
- early (initial stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressing.
The preferred sites for the disease are the elbows, head and torso.In rare cases, severe cases of the disease affect the flexor parts of the upper and lower limbs.
Initial stage of the disease
Psoriasis in the initial stage has symptoms and signs of a skin allergic reaction.The disease begins suddenly, small reddish rashes appear on the skin.In childhood, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with diathesis or the manifestation of a food allergic reaction, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In young children, the manifestation of psoriasis in stage 1 can be localized in areas subject to friction when wearing clothes, while in adults the first signs of the disease are noticed on the hands or body.
Over time, the papules (as psoriasis pimples are called) group together to form scaly plaques.Islands of the disease can be covered with grayish scales, which painlessly separate from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis itches in the initial stage and how to recognize the symptoms of psoriasis on the skin in stage 1.The following signs will help you determine what early psoriasis looks like:
- when the rash is scraped off, the plaque becomes white, the scales come off easily;
- if you continue to scrape, a reddish smooth spot ("thermal film") forms in place of the plaque;
- If you continue to scrape the resulting spot, it will be covered with small drops of blood due to punctate hemorrhages.
The above techniques are used when examining a patient and help to identify psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, an exudate can be released at the places of the formed plaques.The wounds are covered with a crust, under which they become wet due to the release of fluid.This course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of infection and the appearance of an extensive inflammatory process.
Arthropathic form of the disease
If the disease affects the hands, palms and the area between the fingers, an arthropathic form of psoriasis is diagnosed.This form is considered the most severe, as over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracked.There is a high probability of damage to the joints, which leads to the development of arthritis.This is fraught with incapacitation and harm to the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate, which leads to its separation from the fingers.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient experiences serious discomfort at work and at home, as any movement of the hands leads to increased pain.
Drug treatment
To the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stage, doctors, unfortunately, cannot give a positive answer.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute phase of the disease and return the patient to a normal life.
If initial psoriasis is diagnosed, the treatment should be chosen only by a dermatologist after all examinations.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not lead to the expected result and only worsen the course of the disease.
Whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages largely depends on the extent of damage and the location of the plaques that have formed.
The initial form of psoriasis is treated with the following means:
- ointments for topical treatment of the skin;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapy methods;
- dietary adjustments;
- immunomodulators.
Ointments for the treatment of the affected skin are selected by the doctor depending on the degree of damage.Preparations based on tar or grease are usually used.In case of extensive skin lesions, the treatment can be carried out with ointments containing corticosteroids.Such drugs have a number of side effects, so they are prescribed only in cases of severe disease.The course of treatment should not be long, and after relief of acute symptoms, such ointments should be replaced with more gentle preparations.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at a very early stage, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy - paraffin baths or ultraviolet irradiation.
For psoriasis in the initial stage, treatment at home must be agreed with a doctor.Once you understand how psoriasis manifests itself in the initial stage, it is necessary not to delay the visit to a specialist, since the disease progresses quickly.
Exacerbation can start suddenly;in this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, medicinal baths with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula) and natural oils are used.The goal of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling, but it should be used in conjunction with medications recommended by a doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages and whether psoriasis can be cured at the earliest stage in children can only be given by the attending physician based on the characteristics of the patient's disease.