Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has a wavy course.This disease affects human skin and, less commonly, joints.Exacerbation of the pathology occurs due to the influence of some negative factors and is characterized by a worsening of symptoms.Then the disease subsides, a period of remission begins, which can even be replaced by an exacerbation.
Characteristics of the course of the disease
The disease manifests itself differently in different patients.Furthermore, symptoms can vary from one patient to another, from small local lesions to large lesions affecting large areas of skin.
Typically, the disease progresses with age.Over time, periods of remission become shorter and shorter and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in its early stages and how it can be treated to prevent further progression of the disease.
Causes of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If parents suffer from dermatosis, there is a high probability that the child will develop psoriasis if exposed to certain factors.
The factors that determine the onset of the development of the pathology are:
- allergic reactions;
- serious infectious diseases;
- decrease in the body's immune defense;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- exhaustion of the nervous system.
Also, the impetus for the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatosis may be the long-term use of certain drugs used to treat chronic diseases.
Types and stages of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis: type 1 and type 2 disease. Pathology of the first type is diagnosed in children and adolescence.The disease of this form is genetically determined, while the child's parents can be healthy, and in older generations there are cases of psoriasis.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never affects the joints.
The second type of disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people over 45 years of age.A feature of this form of the disease is damage to the joints.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 phases or stages of development of psoriasis:
- early (initial stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regressing.
Favorite places for the disease are the elbows, head and torso.In rare cases, severe cases of the disease affect the flexor parts of the upper and lower extremities.
Initial stage of the disease
Psoriasis in the initial stage presents symptoms and signs of an allergic skin reaction.The disease begins suddenly, small reddish rashes appear on the skin.In childhood, symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with diathesis or the manifestation of a food allergic reaction, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In young children, the manifestation of stage 1 psoriasis can be localized in areas subject to rubbing when wearing clothing, while in adults the first signs of the disease are noticed on the hands or body.
Over time, papules (as pimples in psoriasis are called) clump together, forming scaly plaques.The islets of the disease may become covered with grayish scales, which separate painlessly from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis itches in the initial stage and how to recognize the symptoms of stage 1 skin psoriasis. The following signs will help determine the appearance of incipient psoriasis:
- when the rash is scraped, the plaque turns white, the scales come off easily;
- if you continue to scrape, a smooth, reddish spot (“thermal film”) forms at the site of the plaque;
- If you continue to scrape the resulting spot, it will become covered with small drops of blood due to pinpoint hemorrhages.
The above techniques are used when examining a patient and help identify psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, exudate may be released at the sites of formed plaques.The wounds become covered with a crust, under which they become wet due to the release of fluid.This course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of an infection and the onset of an extensive inflammatory process.
Arthropathic form of the disease
If the disease affects the hands, palms and the area between the fingers, the arthropathic form of psoriasis is diagnosed.This form is considered the most serious, as over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracked.There is a high probability of joint damage, leading to the development of arthritis.This is fraught with loss of working capacity and disability for the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate, causing its separation from the fingers.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient feels severe discomfort at work and at home, since any movement of the hands leads to increased pain.
Pharmacological treatment
When asked whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stage, doctors, unfortunately, cannot give a positive answer.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute phase of the disease and return the patient to normal life.
If initial psoriasis is diagnosed, treatment should be chosen only by a dermatologist after all examinations.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected result and only worsen the course of the disease.
The possibility of curing psoriasis in the early stages largely depends on the extent of damage and the location of the resulting plaques.
The initial form of psoriasis is treated by the following means:
- ointments for local skin treatment;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- diet adjustments;
- immunomodulators.
Ointments for the treatment of affected skin are selected by the doctor based on the degree of damage.Typically, preparations based on tar or grease are used.For extensive skin lesions, treatment can be carried out with ointments containing corticosteroids.Such drugs have a number of side effects, so they are prescribed only in case of serious illness.The course of treatment should not be long, and once the acute symptoms are relieved, such ointments should be replaced with more gentle preparations.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at a very early stage, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy: paraffin baths or ultraviolet irradiation.
For psoriasis in the early stage, home treatment should be agreed with a doctor.Having understood how psoriasis manifests itself in the initial stage, it is necessary not to delay the visit to a specialist, as the disease progresses rapidly.
A flare-up may begin suddenly;in this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, medicinal baths with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula) and natural oils are used.The purpose of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling, but it must be used in combination with medications recommended by a doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stages and whether psoriasis can be cured in the initial stage in children can be given only by the attending physician, based on the characteristics of the disease in the patient.