In clinical dermatology, there are 3 stages of psoriasis, including: progressive, stationary and regressive.They differ in duration, degree of skin damage and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the course of the pathology into 4 phases, taking into account the initial one.
Initial phase
In an early stage, the patient develops small rashes.Depending on the type of disease, they can be localized:
- on the arms, elbows and legs;
- on the head and face;
- on the stomach, thighs and back.
The rashes rarely exceed 2-3 mm in size and are characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after appearing, the rash becomes covered with a grayish coating.This process means the death of the skin.
In people who have been suffering from psoriasis for a long time, the epidemic layer does not have time to renew itself, as the skin immediately becomes covered with plaques.In new patients, a similar process lasts 3 weeks, during which it is possible to stop the development of the disease.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical drugs are used to treat lichen planus at an early stage of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of unpleasant sensations and also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs from the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Among the recommended traditional therapeutic methods:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and calming effect and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.Directions for use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to irritations.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It applies precisely and does not wash off.Before use, you should consult a dermatologist.
Progressive
Features of the stage: damage to large areas of the skin, formation of plaques (with psoriasis vulgaris) or other pronounced papules.The rash can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rashes will merge with each other and pronounced gray scales will form on the plaques.
One of the main symptoms of this phase is the Kebnera phenomenon (isomorphic author), which consists in the formation of papules on the affected areas of the skin layer.That is, if the patient injures the skin, after some time a psoriatic rash will appear on the irritated area.
Last sign of a progressive stage: a capillary layer, visible by removing the scales from the plaques.When the plaque is removed, localized bleeding begins.
Treatment
At this stage, all main treatment methods are used: oral and topical medications, diet and physiotherapy.Physiotherapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet irradiation, PUVA therapy.
Among the medicines the following should be noted:
- Vitamin complexes.Used to strengthen the immune system.Such treatment is necessary for the body to resist the disease.
- Retinoids.Similar products also refer to vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), which affect the membrane structures of cells and inhibit skin death.
- Steroids.They are used less frequently than other drugs, as they have a negative effect on the body.Steroid drugs affect metabolic processes and have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Among traditional methods of treatment, the same oils and hydrogen peroxide are used.
You can add a tincture based on celandine to them.To prepare it you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dry or fresh) and salted water.Under no circumstances should you use alcohol, as it may dry out your skin.
How to prepare the remedy:
- the components must be mixed together;
- leave for a couple of hours.
Stationary stage
The stationary period of development of the disease lasts indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, not even a pink border remains.The layer formed on the papules can be gray or grayish-white.In the stationary phase, the skin becomes rough and peels.
The symptoms of psoriasis are mild: if in the progressive phase the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, in the hospital phase these symptoms lose intensity.Despite this, the rashes still do not stop itching.
You can see what a psoriasis rash looks like during the stationary period in the photo.
Treatment
Some new drugs may be used to treat the stationary form of psoriasis, but, in general, the treatment regimen will not change.Strong drugs should be prescribed exclusively by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can try only proven remedies:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
The drugs on this list have a minimum of contraindications and are quite cheap.
Traditional methods
Several effective recipes for the treatment of dermatosis:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture should be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore the elasticity of the skin.
- Beeswax.This product has an anti-inflammatory and emollient effect.Beeswax should be melted in a water bath and then carefully applied to the crust covering the papules.
- Honey.The main waste product of bees has a positive effect on the human body suffering from psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities - 2 tablespoons per day.
Regression phase
This stage is characterized by Voronov's symptom (pseudo-atrophic Voronov's rim), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rashes begin to resolve.Initially, the rash changes shade, first becoming pale pink, and then adapting to the color of healthy skin.In the regression phase the itching disappears completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The last phase is the most painless and leads to remission.Scaly lichen can occur in a latent form for several months to tens of years.To prevent the disease from worsening, you need to regularly visit a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Therapy at this stage does not require the addition of new drugs.During the period of regression, the patient is recommended to focus on internal healing, that is, to actively take vitamin complexes.You should continue to use drugs that previously gave a positive result.The use of hormonal drugs should be completely avoided, as they negatively affect the body and weaken the immune defense.
A common and effective way to quickly cure: leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to alternative medicine, but is recognized by many specialists.Such therapy should be discussed in advance by a doctor.It lasts from 3 to 10 days, depending on the patient's condition and the stage of the disease.During the remission period, the duration of treatment with leeches is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth considering that severe forms of psoriasis can manifest themselves ambiguously.Only comprehensive treatment will help avoid relapses.Usually, scaly lichen worsens during the winter season, when a person's skin comes into contact with clothing and he cannot breathe.