Psoriasis is a pink rash with silvery scales. It is itchy and occurs in millions of people around the world. If a person or her relatives do not have such rashes, this does not mean that they will not appear. It is important to start treating the disease at an early stage of psoriasis and not start it severely.
Psoriasis can be inherited, but not in all cases.
Features of the disease
Psoriasis is not an infection, and the cause of its appearance is considered to be a violation of the functions of the immune system. And even the disease can be the result of external factors, skin lesions, stress, alcohol, antibiotics, infections.
The wounds can cover any part of the body. Rashes are especially common on the arms and legs. They also occur on the palms, feet, scalp, and nails.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a wavy course. The person may experience periods of dulling of the rash or cause an exacerbation. Relapses can be triggered by various external factors.
Psoriasis does not affect normal life and does not require constant hospitalization. Despite this, it is a serious pathology that brings many drawbacks and limitations.
Manifestations of psoriasis can fade and become almost invisible.
Conditional division of psoriasis
There are several forms of psoriasis:
- vulgar;
- seborrheic;
- drop-shaped;
- palmar-plantar;
- psoriasis on the genitals.
The most common psoriasis is the vulgar form of the disease. With it, there are edematous rashes of a bright color, which are accompanied by severe itching.
There are three degrees of psoriasis, depending on the size of the affected area:
- Light. About 3% of the skin is affected.
- Average. The number of rashes varies from 3 to 10 percent of the skin surface.
- Heavy. Rashes take up 10 or more percent of the skin's surface.
Sometimes the disease invades the joints. This is the most severe grade, regardless of the percentage of skin affected by the plaque. It can lead to the development of psoriatic arthritis, which is accompanied by pain and swelling in the joint parts of the bones.
There are three stages of psoriasis based on the degree of exacerbation:
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressive.
Even a doctor may not always be able to recognize psoriasis at a particular stage. In many cases, special monitoring of the development of the disease is required. This will help determine if the psoriasis is going into remission or not.
Psoriasis vulgaris has a bright pink color.
Progressive phase
In the initial stage, psoriasis develops quite quickly. Various rashes appear on the arms, back, buttocks and legs, which grow over time and form plaques. The progression of the disease is characterized by severe itching of the affected areas, which become wet and can cause infections.
Early psoriasis is treatable. Therefore, it is important to make the correct diagnosis in time. At the first symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage, you should consult a doctor. Only he can determine the nature of the skin disease and the stage of its development.
You can independently understand what psoriasis looks like by some signs:
- Rashes appear where clothing is in close contact with the body. For example, on the arms in the elbow area, under the trouser belt, rubber bands.
- The itchy rash is covered with gray scales.
- If you remove the scale, you can see the thin, moist skin underneath.
- The condition of the nails is disturbed, dimples appear on them.
Do not use any ointments without consulting your doctor. The use of some remedies at an early stage of the disease can lead to the formation of stretch marks, thinning of the epidermis and addiction.
Usually, the doctor will prescribe a non-hormonal zinc-based drug. This is an effective remedy that allows you to relieve itching, reduce the proliferation of skin cells and inflammation, restore the protective functions of the skin and reduce the development of psoriasis in a progressive stage.
Psoriasis occurs mainly where the skin and clothing come into contact.
Stationary phase
The previous phase is replaced by the stationary phase of psoriasis. The inflamed nodules do not disappear, but they do not grow. The plaques dry out and the inflammation decreases.
For the treatment of the stationary phase of psoriasis, tar-containing preparations are often used. Sometimes systemic therapy is used, and the body is affected by ultraviolet radiation.
Regressive phase
This is the last stage of psoriasis, in which the plaques begin to shrink and slowly disappear. Resorption occurs from the middle of the sore and, at the end of this stage, small rings and patterns remain on the skin. Itching and peeling disappear. After a rash, barely noticeable pigmented areas remain on the skin.
This process is the end of the psoriasis cycle, but it is not a complete recovery. The disease can recur at any time. If left untreated, plaques will appear regularly.
After psoriasis, spots and marks may remain on the skin.
Psoriasis treatment and prevention
Each person should monitor their health and pay more attention to the skin:
- Avoid hard wipes that can scratch the skin.
- It is preferable to use special medicated shampoos. This is especially true of scalp psoriasis.
- It is necessary to take care of the optimal humidification of indoor air to avoid overdrying the skin.
- Avoid abrasions, wounds and cuts on the skin.
- A certain diet should be followed which improves the course of the disease.
- One of the main rules of prevention is the refusal of alcohol. You shouldn't drink alcoholic beverages and quit smoking.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that does not cause chafing.
For the prevention and treatment of psoriasis, a special massage is used. It improves blood circulation so that the skin is cleaned faster. The areas of the body around the plates are stretched by a few centimeters and returned to the back. The procedure takes about 15 minutes.
Symptoms of the disease occur against the background of psychoemotional stress. Therefore, it is important to keep stress to a minimum. They recommend practicing various methods of relaxation, getting enough sleep and getting more rest, using herbal preparations and sedatives.
Some patients use folk remedies at home. To do this, use various herbal infusions and decoctions, egg and lard ointments, garlic compresses and lotions before bedtime. Alternative methods should be used after consulting a specialist.
Some medications can cause relapses and side effects. They should only be taken as directed by your doctor. Unfortunately, there is no single drug that can get rid of psoriasis 100% forever. You can keep the disease in remission only by choosing the right drugs.