One of the most mysterious autoimmune diseases is psoriasis. The disease cannot be completely cured, affects patients of different age groups and manifests itself in the form of raised red-pink spots. If you have the necessary information, you can recognize the first signs of psoriasis on your own, but to accurately diagnose the pathology and prescribe a course of treatment, you should contact a specialist. Early detection of pathology helps to quickly reduce symptoms and gives a greater chance of achieving long-term remission.
The material presented contains information on the first manifestations of psoriasis in women and men. In addition, the article provides a detailed answer to the question of how to recognize psoriasis at the initial stage and what to do to avoid progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
Before moving on to the signs of the disease, it is necessary to learn more about the causes of its occurrence.
Additional Information!The exact cause of the disease is currently unknown to science. There are numerous scientific theories that explain the manifestation of the disease.
The most justified among these are:
- immune;
- genetic.
Since psoriasis belongs to the category of autoimmune diseases and dysfunction of the immune system can actually provoke the development of the disease, which has been repeatedly proven, the immune theory is the most justified.
However, the importance of genetic theory should not be underestimated, since according to statistical studies the probability that a patient whose parents have psoriasis is 70%.
Factors that contribute to the manifestation of the signs of psoriasis:
- abuse of fatty foods, foods rich in emulsifiers, leavening agents, colorings and other food additives;
- excessive alcohol consumption;
- smoking, drug use;
- exposure to stress, frequent emotional outbursts, increased anxiety;
- frequent use of chemically aggressive drugs;
- excessive use of some drugs;
- mechanical damage to the skin.
Onset of psoriasis, general signs of the disease
There are different forms of psoriasis, each with specific signs and symptoms. However, some manifestations of the disease, the onset of which indicates the development of the disease, are inherent in all forms of pathology.
Onset of psoriasis, signs (common to all forms of the disease):
- the appearance of pimples (papules) on the skin;
- increase in the affected area, spread of the rash;
- lamination of the nail plate;
- peeling of the skin;
- the appearance of blisters on the palms and feet;
- the appearance of burning and itching.
Additional Information!The first signs of psoriasis in women are identical to those that appear in men and children. The nature of the rash that occurs in the initial stages of the development of the pathology is mistakenly confused with the allergic one, but the nature, as well as the causes of this lesion are slightly different.
The first symptoms of psoriasis in different forms of the disease
Most often, patients are exposed to the following forms of psoriasis:
- Vulgar or simple psoriasis;
- Seborrheic;
- Psoriasis of the soles and palms;
- Nail psoriasis;
- Inverse or folding psoriasis;
- Teardrop shaped.
Let's focus in more detail on the signs and symptoms of these forms of pathology.
Signs of psoriasis vulgaris
Psoriasis vulgaris can be diagnosed in the early stages. The first signs of this form of the disease are expressed by the appearance of rounded pink-red plaques covered with silver scales, which after a certain time begin to peel off and itch.
In some cases, the appearance of plaques can be preceded by the formation of papules on the scalp and joints (elbows, ankles and knees).
Note!At the initial stage of the disease, the papules formed on the epidermis may not bother the patient for quite a long time. They cause no pain, are barely noticeable and do not itch, so some patients mistakenly confuse them with allergies.
How to distinguish a psoriatic rash from manifestations of an allergic reaction:
- psoriatic papules are easy to peel;
- when scraping a papular rash, terminal film phenomena appear;
- Further scraping of the papule leads to the appearance of small droplets of blood.
A feature of psoriatic rash that distinguishes it from signs of other diseases is the fact that in summer the affected area decreases or even disappears completely, while in winter it increases.
Seborrheic psoriasis
The first signs of seborrheic psoriasis appear on the scalp, subsequently the pathology spreads to the shoulders and facial skin. The danger of this form lies in its secretive nature, since, unlike simple psoriasis vulgaris, seborrheic psoriasis is not characterized by the formation of papules; sometimes it can manifest itself only in the form of flaking of the scalp. To get rid of flaking, many patients use special anti-dandruff shampoos, confusing psoriasis with ordinary seborrhea.
Important!After detecting the first signs of the disease, you should consult a dermatologist; an experienced specialist will be able to diagnose the disease and prescribe treatment. It is recommended to fight the disease in the initial stages of its development, this significantly increases the chances of reducing the symptoms of the disease and achieving long-term remission.
If treatment of seborrheic psoriasis is not prescribed in a timely manner, the disease gradually affects the skin of the shoulders, ears, forehead and face. The subsequent stages of the development of the pathology are characterized by the appearance of plaques, increased burning and itching. Eliminating these symptoms is much more difficult than eliminating the peeling characteristic of the first stage of the disease, but with the help of modern methods it is still possible to achieve the desired result.
Inverse psoriasis (fold psoriasis)
Characteristics of inverse psoriasis:
- the location of the disease is the folds in the armpits, on the genitals, in the groin, under the mammary glands;
- psoriatic spots are shiny, smooth, bright red;
- plaques that look like normal spots practically do not come off, so the manifestations of the disease are often confused with irritation resulting from increased sweating;
- signs of psoriasis in men - rashes on the inner surface of the foreskin, usually the head of the penis is also affected;
- For women, a rash in the area of the labia minora is typical.
Psoriasis of the palms and soles
The localization sites of this form of pathology are the palms of the hands and the feet. The plaques have a callus-like shape with a dense surface, subsequently psoriasis phenomena such as terminal pellicle and bloody dew appear. Sometimes cracks form on the affected surface, causing physical discomfort while walking.
The symptoms of the disease can be alleviated through the use of special ointments and drugs.
Nail psoriasis
Early signs of nail psoriasis include:
- separation of the nail plate;
- fragility of nails, their thickening;
- change in the color of the nail plate;
- the appearance of white transverse stripes, dots and spots on the nail;
- formation of hemorrhages under the nail plate.
Patients whose relatives suffer from psoriasis, and any form of it, are more susceptible to psoriatic onychodystrophy, so these individuals should be more attentive to their health, especially the state of their nails.
Guttate psoriasis
The pathology appears especially on the thighs; the papules have the shape of a tear, which explains, in fact, the etymology of the name of this type of disease. Over time, rashes form on other areas of the skin, indicating the progression of the disease.
In summary we can highlight the fundamental rules to follow in case of psoriasis:
- the onset of an autoimmune pathology indicates the presence of disturbances in the functioning of the systems of the whole body, in particular the immune system;
- If the disease is detected in the early stages, you should immediately contact a dermatologist and not self-medicate, which can lead to the development of the disease and deterioration of health.