Developmental features and symptoms of psoriasis affecting the elbows

Psoriasis with localization of the main changes in the elbow area occurs in about 5% of patients suffering from this disease. The formation of psoriatic lesions on the elbows is possible at any age, but according to statistics this form of the disease is characteristic mainly of older people.In most cases, the pathology can be successfully treated with timely consultation with a doctor, but in advanced cases it can be complicated by psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and symptoms

Elbow psoriasis has the same etiological causes of development as other forms of the disease. These are heredity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, decreased functioning of the immune system, mechanical damage to the skin and traumatic situations. The provoking factor for the appearance of psoriatic lesions in the elbow area is considered to be dyshidrosis - chronic dehydration of the skin.

The disease begins with the appearance of one or more reddish spots that protrude slightly above the skin. At first they are red, then they become covered with a whitish film and gradually a layer of scales forms on their surface which gives the plaques a silvery color.

In addition to these changes, elbow psoriasis can be identified by the following symptoms:

• The resulting individual spots merge with each other over time, which leads to the appearance of large lesions;
• The scales peel off easily from the surface, leaving a thin skin on which droplets of blood may appear;
• The formation of pustules is characterized by the appearance of a well-defined red border that separates the healthy skin from the affected tissue;
• The appearance of skin rashes is accompanied by severe itching in 80% of cases;
• Regression, that is, the disappearance of the plaque, begins from the center and in its place, after the process has calmed down, a bright spot remains.

In mild cases, the pathology disappears within a month and a half to two months. In advanced ones, the spots may not resolve completely: during the remission phase, one or more small plaques remain on the skin.

If left untreated, elbow psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. A complication is indicated by swelling and swelling in the affected joint area, a local increase in temperature and pain during movement.

Characteristics of elbow psoriasis

Psoriasis on the elbows has some characteristics of development and course, including:

1. Age of onset of the disease. In most cases, older people consult a doctor with this form of the disease, in children and adolescents damage in this area is rare;
2. Only in 30% of cases is the symmetry of the lesion determined: plaques form on both the right and left elbows. In other cases the inflammation affects only one area of the elbow;
3. Psoriatic lesions in psoriasis, unlike eczema and dermatitis, are localized only on the external and extensor side of the joint;
4. The disease is characterized by seasonality: very often exacerbations occur in the cold months of the year, that is, when the skin is most dehydrated;
5. The rash may be dry or wet;
6. The lesions spread predominantly towards the forearm;
7. Over time, elbow psoriasis causes the skin in the affected area to thicken. The skin becomes dense, dry and cracks rapidly, accompanied by the appearance of blood, pain and itching.

Elbow psoriasis must be treated and this must be done under the supervision of a dermatologist. The lack of therapy leads to the fact that it is impossible to completely remove all changes in the affected area, and this causes internal discomfort and can cause depression.

Treatment methods for elbow psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis on elbows should be comprehensive. It includes the use of external agents, systemic drugs, physiotherapy and traditional therapeutic methods.

Ointments

At the initial stage of the disease, when only a few small plaques are formed and in the absence of pronounced swelling and redness, you can use ointments that have an emollient and anti-inflammatory effect and can soften the keratinized outer layer of the spots.

In more severe cases, that is, when swelling, itching, hyperemia are pronounced and the spots tend to increase rapidly, therapy begins with the use of ointments with glucocorticosteroids.

Any of the above ointments for psoriasis on the elbows must be prescribed by a doctor. They are used in a short course, observing the frequency of application and dosage. Failure to comply with instructions for use of hormonal drugs significantly increases the likelihood of developing local and systemic adverse reactions.

Patients with elbow psoriasis are recommended to use ointments with emollient components and vitamins even during exacerbations of the disease. Their constant application nourishes the skin, prevents dehydration, thus lengthening the periods of remission.

Pharmacological therapy

Drugs are selected for the patient based on the symptoms of the disease, their severity and concomitant diseases. The drugs are prescribed especially if the psoriatic changes continue to progress, with frequent relapses.

Standard oral therapy:

1. Antihistamines.The main purpose of prescribing antihistamines is to reduce itching, which accelerates the healing process of plaques and prevents the penetration of microbes into the damaged epidermis;
2. Medicines with sedative effects– valerian tinctures, motherwort. Their use helps reduce nervousness, improves the quality of sleep and prevents the development of depression;
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Drugs of this group relieve inflammation and pain well, promote skin regeneration;
4. Vitamin therapy.The use of vitamins increases the protective properties of the body and improves metabolic processes.

All medications prescribed by the doctor must be taken completely.A decrease in skin lesions does not indicate that therapy should be completed, otherwise the disease may again enter a progressive phase.

Physiotherapy

The main treatment of elbow psoriasis can be supplemented with physiotherapy. They are prescribed to improve blood circulation and metabolic reactions of the skin, their use helps to improve local immunity and accelerates the restoration of normal epidermis. For psoriasis, procedures such as magnetotherapy, phototherapy, PUVA method, laser treatment and skin irradiation with ultraviolet rays show good results.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are prescribed sanatorium treatments, diet therapy and normalization of the nervous system.

Eliminate psoriasis with traditional methods

Treatment of inflamed skin on the elbows at home using folk methods can be carried out after the acute process has subsided. The effectiveness of self-prepared ointments and tinctures for compresses, herbal mixtures for internal use and medicinal baths has been proven. All means of traditional therapy should be used, taking into account the tolerability of the components that form its basis.

• Baths for the treatment of elbows.Chamomile, sage, celandine and string should be mixed in equal proportions. Two or three spoons of the mixture are poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10. The mixture is infused for half an hour, after which you can immerse your elbows in the medicinal solution. The duration of the procedure is until the infusion is completely cooled;
• Therapeutic bath.The shells of 10 walnuts are infused with a liter of boiling water, after an hour the infusion is filtered and poured into a bain-marie. You need to lie down in the medicinal bath for 20-30 minutes, repeat it every day for at least 5 days;
• Garlic compress.A few small cloves of garlic are ground and poured into a glass of hot water. It is necessary to infuse the garlic solution for an hour and a half, then you need to soak a bandage folded in several layers in it, squeeze it slightly and apply it to the elbow area. The compress changes as the gauze dries, it is recommended to carry out the procedure within an hour;
• Birch tar.You will need purified birch tar; apply it to the area with plaques. The first procedure should last no more than 8-10 minutes, each subsequent day its time increases. The course of tar treatment is 14 days. You can wash the tar off your elbows with laundry soap;
• Phytopack.10 grams of dry grape leaves, 10 grams of burdock root and 10 grams of flaxseed should be ground in a blender. The prepared mixture is poured into a glass of hot milk and heated over low heat for 2-3 minutes. After cooling in the liquid, moisten a gauze napkin and apply it to the elbows. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Elbow psoriasis causes a lot of inconvenience, but this form of the disease is considered one of the mildest. Timely consultation with a doctor, changes in lifestyle and diet, and adherence to preventive measures can completely eliminate the skin in the elbow joint and significantly lengthen the periods of remission of the disease.