What is it? Psoriasis is a disease of the skin of a non -infectious nature, so it is impossible to become infected. It affects not only the skin, but also has a negative effect on the whole organism as a whole. It is characterized by a chronic course with periods of exacerbations and remissions.
The disease is caused by the immune cells of their own body, that is, it is an autoimmune disease. Rising from the depths of the skin to the upper layers, these cells provoke inflammation, the excessive division of the epidermis cells, leading to excessive growth, the appearance of new small capillaries.
Outwardly, it looks like the formation of red or red spots - psoriatic plaques.
The first signs and symptoms of psoriasis
Since psoriasis - a systemic disease that affects all systems of the body - the patient suffers from general weakness, rapid fatigue.
The main symptom of the initial stage of psoriasis is psoriatic rashes and plaques, however, it accompanies a person with the further development of the disease.
They arise due to accelerated uncontrolled division of cells located in the upper layer of the skin-keratinocytes. Involved cells are formed, and the skin in these areas thickens, acquires red because of the enhanced formation of new capillaries. This leads to minor drip bleeding for any, even light, injury to plaques.
The surface of the plaques is often covered with a gray raid, similar to paraffin. Even the term "paraffin lakes" was formed. This plaque consists of dead epithelium cells that accumulate on the surface of plaques due to impaired rejection process.
Spots can reach quite large sizes, merge with each other. They are hot to the touch, often accompanied by severe itching. Combs can lead to infection.
Over time, nails begin to change. Their surface becomes cut, pits appear, pink spots are noticeable under the nail plate - the accumulation of fluid, the nail turns yellow, thickens, takes the form of poultry claws. All this occurs due to a violation of the nutrition of nails and blood circulation.
The nail bed is subjected to excessive deterioration, which leads to the rejection of the nail and loss. Often there is a red inflamed border around the nails.
Small joints are affected by illness and small joints - this is accompanied by pain and inflammation.
In addition to plaques, with psoriasis, papules form on the skin - small (about 1 mm) protruding formation resembling a rash. Often localized on elbows and knees, preserved even during the period of remission.
During improvement, plaques begin to light from the middle, acquire the shape of rings and can completely disappear. Pigmented areas remain in their place.
Psoriasis on the scalp has the same symptoms as on the body. In this case, the hair structure does not change. The rashes also cover the adjacent areas of the skin - behind the ears, around the neck.
Types of psoriasis
According to the manifesting symptoms, the disease is divided into two types: pustular and not pustular. There are several varieties of the disease inside these groups.
Forms of pustular psoriasis:
- generalized;
- striking mainly limbs;
- Ladomary;
- impetigo.
NOT PUSTULE PSORIASIS:
- ordinary (chronic psoriasis);
- Erytro-dermo.
In addition, the following types of the disease are distinguished:
- psoriasis of skin folds and flexion surfaces;
- drug.
Forms by severity:
- light (affected by less than 3 % of the surface of the body);
- average (affected up to 10 % of the body surface);
- heavy (more than 10 % of surfaces are affected).
Depending on the form of rashes, such types of psoriasis are distinguished:
- point;
- haggard;
- monetary.
Stages of development of psoriasis, symptoms
The first plaques appear in areas with the dry skin and never happen where the skin is too wet, for example, armpits. First, the appearance of spots can be seen on the inside of the elbows, under the knees, along the border of the hair on the head, as well as in places subjected to any injury or friction. The location is usually symmetrical.
Take such stages during the disease:
- progressive (the formation of new spots, the growth of existing, itching, noticeable peeling);
- stationary (slowdown or suspension of growth of plaques, the absence of newly formed spots);
- Regression (decrease or lack of peeling, disappearance of spots and plaques with the appearance of pigmented skin areas in their place, signs of psoriasis are almost absent).
There are no special tests to establish a diagnosis. The diagnosis is made on the basis of external characteristic features. One of these signs will be the occurrence of bleeding when the plaques contact, the so -called bloody dew.
Another specific sign of psoriasis will be the presence of a pale border around a young papule, not yet covered with scales. This is what the vascular reaction of the skin looks, which means the progression of the disease.
In severe forms of the disease, a blood picture may change. Signs of the flowing inflammatory process appear. In some cases, you have to do a biopsy to exclude other skin diseases and confirm the presence of psoriasis.
Effective treatment of psoriasis
In the treatment of psoriasis, both local remedies and internal, physiotherapy, and spa treatment are used.
In the initial mild course of the disease, drugs in the form of ointments are used. First, ointments and creams of simple composition are used, then go to ointments containing hormones. Cream from psoriasis should be applied only to plaques and spots.
Ointment from psoriasis: an overview of hormonal and non -hormonal agents
With the average and severe course of the disease, internal products that affect the entire body, but give the best results, are used. This group includes vitamin A, immunosuppressants, cytostatics.
Physiotherapists bring tangible relief to patients with psoriasis, can inhibit the development of the disease and sometimes replace the use of some drugs.
UV irradiation (phototherapy), laser, ultrasound and magnetotherapy, hyperthermia, electrons, electrophoresis, electrophoresis are used.
Psoriasis is capable of gaining resistance to used treatment over time, therefore it is recommended to change methods (rotation of treatment) from time to time.
Diet with psoriasis
Nutrition should help adjust the metabolism and prevent the appearance or exacerbation of skin symptoms. Since almost all patients have a violation of lipid metabolism, preference should be given to low -fat products.
Special diets of fire and others gained wide fame.
When compiling a diet, you need to try to comply with some simple rules:
- Rejection of alcoholic beverages;
- Food up to 6 times a day, little by little;
- Exclude fried, smoked food from the diet;
- Reduce salt content in food;
- If possible, do not consume foods with the content of dyes, stabilizers and other nutritional supplements;
- Exclude citrus fruits;
- Increase the share of vegetables and cereals in the diet;
- Mandatory use of vegetable oils.
Compliance with these simple rules will help to avoid exacerbation of psoriasis and independently compose a therapeutic diet.