What is psoriasis and why is it dangerous? Complete description of the disease

Psoriasis occurs as a non-infectious skin disease of a chronic nature. Statistics say that 3. 7% of the world's inhabitants are prone to this disease, called squamous lichen. Sex in this case does not matter, psoriasis is not a contagious disease, while the risk group is represented by people aged 14-27 years. A speckled red peeling with white scales appears on the skin.

Localization is possible anywhere on the body, but the most common locations are the scalp, lower back, knees, and elbows. Since the disease in question is chronic, it manifests itself with periods of remission and exacerbations. How much does the pathology affect the patient's life and how to get rid of psoriasis forever?

Reasons for appearance

To understand what the causes of psoriasis are, it is worth realizing that the process of formation of pathology is systemic, both the skin and the entire human body are involved in it. The reasons are not entirely clear, they can be viral, infectious, hereditary, neurogenic or mixed. Humoral and cellular immunity is activated, which contributes to the initiation of an autoimmune process of cell damage, mainly epidermal cells.

Metabolism is also disturbed, and burdened heredity also exacerbates skin psoriasis. As a result, cell regeneration is accelerated by 3-5 times, which leads to the formation of psoriatic plaques. So, why does psoriasis occur, in which the quality of life depends 80% on the correct treatment and timely detection of the disease:

1. Bad inheritance;
2. Depression, constant stress;
3. Dysbacteriosis;
4. Problems with hormones
5. allergic diseases;
6. Candidiasis and streptoderma;
7. Viral pathologies;
8. Dependence;
9. Infections of a parasitic nature;
10. Problems with metabolism.

Symptoms

The amount of rash at the onset of the pathology can be considered insignificant. Studying the symptoms will allow you to know what psoriasis looks like on the body and how to recognize it. Psoriatic plaque plays the role of a key symptom. This is a hyperemic area of the skin with scales. Against the background of healthy skin, it looks noticeable and sublime. The presence of the following signs is the reason to urgently consult a dermatologist:

• Convex spots on the skin with light scales;
• Itching in problem areas;
• Excessive dryness of the skin and peeling;
• Painful cracks, blisters in the area of the palms and feet;
• Deformed and exfoliating nail plates.

Types of psoriasis

The classification of psoriasis provides for the division of the disease into different types and forms. It is worth considering the following types of psoriasis, taking into account the localization of the pathology and the nature of the rashes:

1. Plaque psoriasis on the body is often referred to as vulgar, ordinary, or simple. This is the most common variant, which is diagnosed in 85% of the total number of patients. The inflamed areas of the skin have a typical appearance for the disease in question: they exfoliate easily, become red, with fever. The red skin under the scales is easily injured and can bleed. Over time, the plates melt into the so-called paraffin lake.
2. Inverse skin psoriasis affects the flexor surfaces. The inflamed areas of the skin are free of flaking and almost do not protrude above healthy skin. Localization is represented by skin folds, i. e. folds under the breast, if psoriasis in women, armpits, the area of the external genital organs, the inner surface of the thighs and skin folds in the groin. When sweat is released, the skin is injured or friction occurs, the condition of the inflamed areas worsens. Diabetics and children are the most frequent patients.
3. Pustular psoriasis on the skin is characterized by the most complex symptoms. Blisters with clear, uninfected exudate of an inflammatory nature rise above healthy areas of the skin. Around the pustules thickened, inflamed, reddened skin with fever.
4. Rupioid psoriasis in humans is characterized not only by plaque-like rashes, but also by acute inflammation of the epidermis. The surface of the skin under the plaques is bright and weeping pink.
5. Guttate psoriasis in adults is characterized by an abundant number of small purple or red blisters. The shape of the bubbles can resemble circles, tears, dots or drops. The affected area is often quite extensive, it can be psoriasis on the head, neck, shoulders, back, lower legs or thighs. Streptococcal angina or pharyngitis often provokes the development of the pathology in question.

Forms of psoriasis

As for the forms of psoriasis, it can be psoriatic erythroderma, arthropathic psoriasis or psoriatic onychodystrophy:

• Psoriatic onychodystrophy, affecting the nails, leads to deformation of the nail plate on the fingers of the lower or upper extremities. It is possible to change the color of the nail itself or the nail bed. This type of psoriasis also leads to the formation of thickening, transverse lines, spots, spots, as well as increased fragility and delamination. Complete loss of the nail is also possible.
• Erythrodermal psoriasis in men and women develops gradually and proceeds with complications. This is a consequence of ignored plaque psoriasis, when the epidermis becomes very red and swollen, characterized by a clear acute inflammatory process. Peeling and inflammation spreads over large areas, accompanied by pain, itching and swelling of the subcutaneous tissue. With this form of disease, a lethal outcome is more likely than with others, as the body loses the ability to regulate body temperature due to extensive inflammation, peeling, and detachment.
• Psoriatic arthritis, in addition to the main symptoms, is complemented by an inflammatory process in the joints and connective tissues. This form of pathology can affect any joint, but most often these are small joints of the upper and lower limbs. If the disease spreads to the knee or hip joints, there is a high probability of losing the ability to move. The considered form of the disease accounts for 10-15% of all cases where psoriasis skin disease is diagnosed.

Stages of development

The way psoriasis develops is characterized by three successive stages. Each patient with the disease in question goes through them all, but with proper treatment the duration of the second stage can be significantly shortened:

1. The progressive phase is characterized by an increase in the first signs and a deterioration in the general state of health;
2. In the stationary phase, there is a peak in the development of pathology;
3. The regression phase is represented by the disappearance of symptoms and a significant improvement in general health.

Diagnostics

A dermatovenereologist is engaged in the diagnosis and further treatment of skin disease psoriasis. There is usually no difficulty in determining the disease, since skin lesions are of a special nature. Rarely, additional laboratory tests in the form of a rheumatoid factor determination and a complete blood count are needed. The participation of a rheumatologist becomes relevant if psoriatic arthritis is diagnosed. In such a situation, it is necessary to take an x-ray of the joints. The expediency of a skin biopsy is observed in extreme cases, when it is difficult to make a differential diagnosis.

The quality of life

The onset of psoriasis leads to a significant decrease in the quality of life. Difficulties may arise during social and work adaptation due to physical and emotional distress. Severe itching and pain can complicate basic life processes: sleep, body care, walking, playing sports, running professional errands, caring for the house, pets.

Patients often have excessive concern for their own appearance, are afraid of a negative reaction from others, and have low self-esteem. Pain along with itching and emotional distress often leads to social isolation, anxiety disorders, social phobia, and depressive states.

Treatment

Getting rid of psoriasis involves an integrated approach that uses the following categories of drugs and medications.

Creams and ointments

Ointments and creams allow you to fight psoriasis quite effectively with minimal side effects. These funds are usually applied directly to the inflamed areas:

• Hormonal ointments are among the most effective, they eliminate the main symptoms and block the proliferation of keratinocytes. The most powerful means of this category can irritate the skin, provoke dryness and thinning of the epidermis.
• Salicylic acid eliminates psoriatic scales by cleansing the skin. Dosage when using this remedy is extremely important, as overuse leads to hair loss and skin irritation.
• Retinoids are the active form of vitamin A, they are almost as effective as hormonal ointments, but the clinical effect is achieved longer. Hypersensitivity to ultraviolet light is the most common adverse syndrome.
• Tar ointments reduce the severity of negative symptoms and block the growth of skin cells. Side effects include alopecia, acne, or folliculitis.
• Vitamin D ointment or gel. Combined use with hormonal agents gives maximum effect.
• Moisturizers help eliminate negative side symptoms in the form of dryness and itching, but they are unacceptable as the main treatment method.
• Anthralin in the composition of ointments helps eliminate scales, blocks the proliferation of keratinocytes. After applying to the inflamed area, the product should be washed off after a while.

Tablets for psoriasis

Since it is not always possible to defeat psoriasis through local therapy, it becomes necessary to supplement the treatment strategy with a drug tablet. Side effects can increase significantly, so you need to constantly monitor your overall health through tests and doctor visits:

1. Systemic glucocorticosteroids reduce the inflammatory process, swelling and itching, block the increase in the activity of skin cells. Side effects are extremely numerous, so tablets from the Anna group are rarely prescribed.
2. Whole-body psoriasis can be treated with methotrexate, which exhibits an effective cytostatic and anti-inflammatory effect. The body reacts quite positively to low dosages. Rare side effects include increased fatigue, decreased appetite, and digestive problems.
3. Retinoids are effective in cases where psoriasis skin disease cannot be treated by other means. Side effects include alopecia and inflammation of the lip area. After using the tablets of this group, you can not give birth for 3 years, as retinoids provoke the occurrence of birth defects.
4. Ciclosporin has a lot in common with methotrexate and belongs to the category of immunosuppressants. An increase in blood pressure and the onset of kidney disease are the most common side effects.
5. If the listed drugs cannot be used due to the characteristics of the patient's body, it becomes advisable to prescribe hydroxyurea.

injections

Medicines that help get rid of psoriasis can be presented in the form of injections with the following components:

• Antihistamines instantly stop acute itching;
• Glucocorticosteroids in the form of injections are used if tablets and ointments with this component are not effective;
• Biological preparations are the result of the synthesis of human and animal proteins. They have a beneficial effect on the body's immune system, but their price is too high for many patients.

Application of shampoo

It is also worth considering special therapeutic shampoos, as only they can remove psoriasis on the head:

1. Antifungal shampoos are effective if the causative agent of pathological inflammation is a fungal infection;
2. Shampoos containing corticosteroids;
3. Tar shampoo or soap is used to eliminate psoriatic scales, as well as reduce burning and itching. It is also acceptable to add birch tar directly to the shampoo the patient usually uses.

Medicines

If the appearance of psoriasis is diagnosed in time, many drugs can bring the correct result, the specialist will recommend the most suitable one.

Biologically active substances

Since it is rarely possible to get rid of psoriasis quickly, food supplements should be taken as an additional maintenance therapy:

1. Vitamin D is useful, as calcium is one of the most important minerals in the fight against the skin disease in question and vitamin D is required for its absorption. The use of this supplement in the transition phase from the active to the active phase. stationary phase is more effective.
2. Silicon in the composition of vitamin-mineral complexes plays the role of a sorbent that attracts antigens, and also improves the condition of the skin.
3. Lecithin is able to quickly restore epithelial cells, which die in this pathology. The integrity of the skin is restored much faster, and the inflammatory process becomes less pronounced.
4. Omega-3 acids and fish oil also contribute to the elimination of the inflammatory process.

Folk approaches to treatment

To increase the effectiveness of drugs, complex therapy can be supplemented with alternative treatment methods, but remember that psoriasis on the back and other areas can be sensitive to allergenic substances, so you should first consult your doctor:

• Chinese green tea helps reduce discomfort due to itchy skin, plaques light up. Application is possible inside in the form of a drink or externally in the form of masks on the affected areas.
• Sunbathing can reduce the manifestations of psoriasis, especially in combination with sea water. Exposure to ultraviolet rays should not be direct, it is better to sunbathe in the shade. If you ignore this recommendation, the manifestations of psoriasis are eliminated only for a while, but soon the disease will return with even more pronounced negative symptoms.
• Birch Tar Ointment, Salicylic Alcohol, and Sea Buckthorn Oil should be applied directly to the affected areas for 2 hours. If the psoriasis on the abdomen or back is extensive enough, it is worth spreading gauze over the ointment. After washing off the ointment, it is necessary to apply celandine tincture in the form of oil.
• An infusion of flax seeds allows you to get rid of the clinical symptoms of the disease in question in a week. For a day, soak a tablespoon of seeds in a glass of boiling water, then boil, cool and strain, take in the morning before meals in combination with activated carbon (1 tablet per 10 kg of weight). The course should be continued for 20 days, even if the manifestations of psoriasis have disappeared. Products with caffeine in the composition should not be consumed.
• Propolis and butter in the form of an ointment in a ratio of 1: 20. Mix the ingredients, boil for 15 minutes, strain and apply to the affected areas. The product must be kept in the refrigerator.
• Celery decoctions can be taken orally once a day, and a compress can be applied for 2 hours for 21 days. Three courses with a week break will be enough to forget about the disease for several years.
• Celandine powder and petroleum jelly in the form of an ointment should be used for 3 days, applied to inflamed skin areas. After a 4-day break, the course continues until the external manifestations completely disappear. To prepare the product, all components are mixed in equal proportions.

Prevention

Psoriasis prevention, as well as measures to prevent flare-ups, are as important as the treatment itself:

1. Skin cleansing should be monitored very carefully, use moisturizers based on natural ingredients.
2. Monitor your overall health, especially if you have immune problems. Taking multivitamin complexes is a mandatory component of psoriasis prevention.
3. Regular massage improves lymphatic outflow and blood circulation, thanks to which decomposition products are removed faster and the skin is cleaned better.

4. Any contact with household chemicals should be limited as much as possible. Household gloves and respirators are mandatory protective equipment if household chores cannot be transferred to other family members. When choosing household chemicals, pay attention to the presence of dyes, chemicals and fragrances. The level of the Christmas tree should be equal to the natural one. It is also worth minimizing the use of skin care cosmetics and decorative cosmetics.
5. Often the first signs of the disease appear after nervous exertion, so it is important to master various methods of relaxation and self-control. The benefits of healthy sleep shouldn't be overlooked. With frequent stress, it is permissible to take soothing herbal tinctures and teas.
6. Smoking is initially a direct provocateur of both exacerbations and the disease itself. We are talking about smokers who consume more than 20 cigarettes a day. Under the influence of cigarette smoke, immunity decreases, blood vessels are affected, and the body's antioxidant defense weakens. As for alcohol, it does not affect the onset of this skin pathology, but it can aggravate its course.

Psoriasis and pregnancy

Pregnancy greatly aggravates the treatment of psoriasis, since the use of far on all drugs is allowed. It is also worth understanding in detail the issue of pregnancy planning and other situations related to this period in a woman's life.

Planning of pregnancy

The reproductive function of women and men is not affected by the disease. As for the possible harm to the baby, psoriasis is not transmitted by contact, so breastfeeding and communication with the baby will not be a problem. Another thing is the ability of the disease to be transmitted on a genetic level, but the probability is not that great: 8-15% if one of the parents is sick. The risk increases if both parents are affected - 50-60%.

When planning a pregnancy, you must first undergo another course of treatment to achieve remission. We are speaking specifically of a woman, since the condition of the father does not affect the bearing of the fetus. Stress also needs to be minimized and treated responsibly in this respect.

Pregnancy

As for the pregnancy itself, many note that the course of the pathology is greatly facilitated, but the symptoms worsen soon after delivery. This is due to the weakening of the woman's immune system, as the baby exhausts the body, absorbing nutrients through the umbilical cord. If treatment is required during gestation, it is worthwhile to give preference to safer means with a minimal likelihood of side effects. Analyze your condition and you can understand how the disease will behave in future pregnancies. Next, it is worth considering which remedies can be used and which ones should be avoided.

	Prohibited	Recommended
Local treatment	Preparations based on vitamin A are categorically contraindicated.	Glucocorticosteroids in the composition of ointments and creams are acceptable in minimal quantities. It is not recommended for use on the shoulders, abdomen and mammary gland area, as cortisone can cause stretch marks.
	Vitamin D preparations are allowed only in small quantities in certain problem areas.	Soothing and moisturizing creams have no contraindications.
Systemic treatment	Methotrexate and acetrithin cause miscarriage or fetal defects. Treatment with these drugs before pregnancy requires abstinence from pregnancy for 4 months. in addition, such drugs negatively affect the condition of the sperm of men, so the rule of compliance with this period also applies to men.	UV-B phototherapy is not harmful, neither for the unborn child nor for the mother.
	Puva therapy during pregnancy is also not suitable, as it requires the preventive use of photosensitizing agents.	In severe cases of the disease, cycloporine can be prescribed, which does not have a negative effect on the baby's body, but can provoke side effects in the mother.

Caesarean section

The presence of psoriasis is no reason to perform a caesarean section during childbirth, but the possibility of Koebner's phenomenon is worth considering. We are talking about the appearance of psoriasis in areas where the skin has been damaged. So far, no formal studies have been conducted on the healing rate of these areas and the risk of infection.

Psoriasis after childbirth

After childbirth, in most cases, an exacerbation of the pathology occurs, the cause of which is stress, fatigue, chronic lack of sleep, irregular and limited nutrition and hormonal imbalance. Breastfeeding is allowed, since the pathology is not transmitted to the baby with milk, however, when using drugs on large areas, breastfeeding is not recommended, as some components can get into the milk.

No drug can guarantee 100% safety for the mother and fetus, so consultations with the doctor who guides the pregnancy are mandatory.

Although psoriasis is chronic, with well-planned treatment it is possible to successfully eliminate negative symptoms and avoid a deterioration in quality of life due to the many limitations associated with the disease.