How psoriasis starts: symptoms, pictures, treatment

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin pathologies.It can occur in patients of any age.The etiology of the disease has not yet been fully established, so it is impossible to completely cure psoriasis.That is why it is so important to recognize it in the initial stage of development.In this article, we will look at what psoriasis is, how it manifests itself and how to treat it.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease manifested by a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis progresses in waves, with periods of relapses and remissions possible.

Relapse can be caused by lack of adequate treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.The rash in both adults and children spreads gradually, covering more and more areas of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of raised, reddish, dry patches with a scaly, silvery-white surface.This rash is called "psoriatic plaques".

Most often, psoriasis is observed in the area of the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, that is, in the places of greatest pressure and friction.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms, soles, and external genitalia.Psoriatic plaques on the face are very rare.

reasons

Many people wonder whether or not psoriasis is contagious to others.The pathology is not contagious, that is, it is not transmitted to other people.Among the causes of psoriasis are:

1. Hereditary predisposition.
2. Endocrine diseases (diabetes, thyroid dysfunction).
3. Stress, nervous and mental overstrain.
4. Parasitic infestations (giardiasis, ascariasis, pork or beef tapeworm infection).
5. Metabolic pathologies (silicon deficiency is especially dangerous).
6. Proneness to allergies.
7. Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
8. Weak immune system.
9. Long-term use of drugs.

In most cases, psoriasis appears between the ages of 15 and 30 for one or more reasons. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of patients with psoriasis have relatives suffering from this disease.

Symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage

To understand how psoriasis begins, you need to familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.You should be careful:

• the formation of brightly colored skin rashes with clearly visible edges (most often appear at the site of injury - burns, cuts, frostbite);
• the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plaque;
• itching of psoriatic formations (appears only in half of the cases due to weakened immunity);
• swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash appears.

At first the rashes are very small, about the size of a pin head.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth shiny surface.After a few days, the rashes increase in size and are covered with light scales that are easily separated.When the plaque is scraped, droplets of blood appear on its surface, which indicate punctate hemorrhages.

Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this exudate and transform into a rough crust.If you remove it, there are wet areas underneath.Such phenomena are dangerous due to the addition of secondary bacterial infection.

As a rule, early-stage psoriasis lasts 2-3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow to 5-7 cm, merge and form entire conglomerates covering large areas of the skin.

What does psoriasis look like in the initial stage?

Now let's look at what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different places.For easier perception, we present the corresponding photos.

1. Legs.The disease begins with single small rashes localized mainly on the knees and feet, but can also be observed on any surface of the legs.

2. the elbows.In most cases, plaque-type psoriasis appears in this place, which is characterized by small rashes with very severe peeling.The skin on the elbows becomes rough.

3. hands.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly in the form of a small rash, which many people mistake for an allergy.Only after the appearance of dry scales do people consult a doctor.Often the rashes are localized between the fingers of the palms.

4. Head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, ear area and back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by moist scales and is almost always itchy.

5. Face.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.

6. The nails.Nail psoriasis is more of a fungal disease.Longitudinal stripes or dots first appear along the edge of the nails, and then spread to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate itself becomes matte and thickened.

Treatment of psoriasis

Therapy should begin with a visit to a dermatologist. In no case should you self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage should be comprehensive.Nowadays, new treatment methods have been developed that help to completely get rid of scaly rashes, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During therapy, it is necessary to exclude all factors that provoke an exacerbation of the pathology, to change the diet and follow a special diet.

Drug therapy

Tactics for the treatment of early-stage psoriasis are gradually changing.If previously hormonal drugs with a general effect were prescribed, now local means are widely used.

The following ointments provide good relief from the manifestations of psoriasis:

1. Keratolytic and moisturizing.
2. A vegetable.
3. Glucocorticoid.
4. Cytostatic.
5. Based on solid oil.
6. Petroleum based.

The doctor can also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:

• paraffin baths;
• PUVA therapy;
• UV radiation;
• sulphide and radon baths.

Electrosleep and magnetolaser therapy have a beneficial effect.Cryotherapy (treatment with cold) and hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) are gaining popularity.

When treating scalp psoriasis, you should not brush the skin.The head should be washed daily with medicated shampoos with zinc, tar and selenium sulfide.

Treatment at home

Before using any prescription, you should consult your doctor so as not to provoke the development of complications. Treatment with traditional medicine is primarily aimed at strengthening the immune system and relieving the inflammatory process.Therefore, it is necessary to drink vitamin teas - decoctions of rose hips, lemon, viburnum, raspberries, chamomile, etc.It is recommended to add honey to herbal teas.

The most effective home remedies include:

1. yellow flowers.It relieves inflammation well and soothes the skin.Plaques should be lubricated daily with juice from this plant.
2. Hydrogen peroxide.To begin, dilute the peroxide with water in a ratio of 1:3 and use the solution to lubricate the psoriatic rash for disinfection.Use before applying ointment or lotions.
3. Linseed oil.It perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice daily.
4. Bicarbonate of soda.It neutralizes the acidity of the skin, which increases in psoriasis.
5. Solid oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the disease.You should lubricate the affected areas before going to bed.

Prevention and recommendations

To reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these directions:

• regularly moisturize your skin with creams;
• avoid skin damage in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc.;
• strengthen your immune system, exercise and walk more in the fresh air;
• give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
• Take only those medicines prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to note separately a special diet for psoriasis. It helps to achieve remission faster and reduces the duration of relapses of the disease.The table below contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.

Products	Allowed	Limited use	Forbidden
Fish and meat	turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish	lean beef and lamb	pork, sea fish
Cereals and flour products	oats, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes	rice	semolina, puff pastries, baked goods from wheat flour, bread
Dairy products	low-fat cottage cheese, skimmed milk	kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream	cheese
vegetables	carrots, broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, lettuce, green beans	corn, pumpkin	pepper, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant
Fruits and berries	kiwis, pineapple, mango, grapes, nectarines, cherries	plum, blueberry, blackcurrant, cranberry, avocado	strawberry, citrus, red apple
Nuts	almonds	pine nuts	everyone else
Sweets	dried apricots, raisins, dates	honey	chocolate, sweets and other confectionery
Spices	fennel, parsley, green onion	horseradish, garlic, onion	black pepper, cloves, nutmeg
Oils	sunflower, olives, cotton, corn	oil	fat, margarine
Drinks	herbal teas, juices, compotes	green tea	black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol

Do not forget about the drinking regime.You should drink 1.5-2 liters of drinking water per day.

Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes a lot of inconvenience.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent approach to treatment, a stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist.Psoriasis in the initial stage responds well to drug therapy.You should not self-medicate, as this will only worsen the course of the disease.