In different parts of the body, the disease can take different forms, this is due to the characteristics of the skin and the type of psoriasis that concerns the patient.
The initial stage of psoriasis on the face, photo
The initial stage of psoriasis on the face usually appears in late autumn or winter. At this time, the skin becomes especially vulnerable. An unbearable itching becomes a harbinger of the disease.
The symptoms of the initial stage of psoriasis on the face are very similar to food allergies or common skin irritation: small inflamed spots appear (the size of a pinhead), located mainly on the forehead or cheeks. However, over time they increase in size and, merging, take the form of compacted nodules - papules, which have a pale red hue.
Most often, very small rashes appear on the face, the size of which does not exceed the size of a pinhead. Initially, the psoriasis patch is located on a small area of the skin, but over time it starts to grow.
After exfoliating the scales on the surface of the face, an almost imperceptible pink spot remains, which will remind you of the disease for a long time until the skin is renewed or covered with a tan.
The first sign that the rash is not an ordinary dermatitis i. e. psoriasis is itching, it grows as the number of rashes and their size increases.
Starting psoriasis on the head, photo
Scalp psoriasis is manifested by small, solitary papules, which, due to their location, are not immediately noticed by the patient. Only the appearance of intense itching and exfoliation of scales, similar to dandruff but much larger in area, alarms him.
If the scales are combed under them, a thin and very traumatized skin is formed, if the combing continues, small drops of blood will come out. With this picture, it is clear that the name of this phenomenon is psoriasis.
Over time, the plates begin to connect, capturing a growing surface, moving to the forehead and encircling the scalp in a crown. Behind the auricles there is also a displacement of a large number of rashes.
Psoriasis on the head does not pose a significant threat to health, but it often provokes the development of psychological complexes and even causes social isolation due to the unsightly appearance of patients: after all, this part of the body is always in sight and unattractive crusts cannot be hidden from others. The disease can occur in people of any age group, but it is more common in young people.
Primary signs of leg disease, photo
A distinctive feature of the disease that affected the legs will be swelling and pain in the joints. The location of rash formations occurs between the toes, on the feet, in the area of the knees and femoral folds, the epidermis is compressed in these places. Primary psoriatic spots are distinguished by a smooth surface and are taken by a person for irritation. Then the skin starts to peel, dry and crack, and ulcerative sores can even form.
In the lower extremities, psoriasis develops in conditions that are even more ideal for itself when compared to other parts of the body. The fact is that feet often sweat and are subject to friction due to shoes and socks. Psoriatic lumps itch more and more from this exposure, and when combed and damaged more often than in other areas, they are susceptible to infection as sweat is a favorable environment for the development of pathogenic microorganisms.
How is it in the hands, photo
In the upper extremities, psoriasis mainly affects the fingers, nails, elbows, and back of the hands.
Patients, as in other cases, get the first reddened spots from irritation from the use of chemicals or household cosmetics, but not for psoriasis.
A missed moment of diagnosis can lead to complications, for example, psoriatic arthritis, which can greatly harm the life of its owner.
Nail psoriasis initially looks like a fungal infection. Nail tips begin to change color, gradually peeling off and collapsing. The nail plate is covered with depressed grooves or holes, and the skin under it turns an unhealthy color with small hemorrhages.
In children, photo
Often, the symptoms of the manifestation of the disease in children are significantly different from adults, to a greater extent this applies to babies. The initial stage will not be so characteristic, its external signs can be easily confused with allergic reactions, diaper rash or diathesis (atypical dermatitis).
Hyperemic areas of the skin are located separately, keratinized epithelial cells begin to gradually peel off.
Childhood psoriasis at the initial stage of its development causes great discomfort to small patients due to constant itching. The baby can't scratch the itchy spot or complain to the mother, he's just constantly nervous, whimpering and fiddling with his diapers.
The locations of psoriasis patches in young children also differ from the areas most commonly affected in adults. Most often this occurs on the skin of the face, in the natural folds of the skin, of which there are many babies, and on the mucous membranes, including in the groin. Also, the primary signs usually appear in places where the skin is rubbed with clothes or diapers.
The acute stages of the disease in childhood last much longer. The only exception is the teardrop-shaped form of psoriasis.
If psoriatic disease is suspected, parents should urgently contact a pediatric dermatologist. The sooner the correct diagnosis is established and the proper treatment is prescribed, the faster and easier the symptoms will pass and the disease will go into remission. Early diagnosis will help to avoid complications that can permanently harm the baby's health.
Symptoms and signs
Long before the first eruptions, the body begins to "anticipate" the disease and react to it.
Psoriasis precursors:
- A state of general depression and depression;
- development of depression;
- Constant feeling of tiredness;
- sleep disorders;
- Decreased appetite;
- Emotional instability, excessive aggression or irritability.
Signs of psoriasis depending on the type of disease:
- With plaque psoriasis, which is diagnosed much more often than other types, the main symptoms are:
- The papules are round and with well-defined edges;
- The rashes are located above a layer of healthy skin;
- around the rash, the skin is hot to the touch, inflamed, and hyperemic;
- The plaques are covered in grayish or whitish horny scales, which are exfoliated when exposed to them;
- When the scales are removed, the skin under them is broken and bleeds, the old plaques become larger and new ones are formed;
- The whole process is accompanied by intense itching.
- For inverse psoriasis:
- Peeling is almost completely absent;
- The affected areas of the epidermis are highly inflamed and swollen;
- The location of rashes occurs in the natural folds of the skin.
- With a drop-shaped variety:
- The rash is a small rash, very droplet-like;
- The rash has a red tint, less often - purple;
- Distribution areas are larger than with other types of disease;
- Streptococcal infection (eg, tonsillitis) precedes the development of this type of disease.
- For pustular psoriasis:
- The rash in this case is blisters with liquid inside;
- The surrounding epidermis becomes inflamed and reddened;
- Blisters burst easily, an infection can easily get into the wounds, so this form is considered the most difficult to treat.
- For psoriatic arthritis:
- Joints are affected, which swell and begin to hurt;
- Motor function is difficult;
- Over time, deformation of the affected joints is observed;
- In severe cases, disability or complete immobilization occurs.
- Features of erythremia:
- It develops from plaque-like or pustular psoriasis;
- Large areas of skin are affected;
- The skin is massively exfoliated;
- The patient's condition deteriorates markedly;
- body temperature rises sharply;
- Possible development of sepsis and death.
how are they treated
The course and intensity of treatment are defined by a dermatologist exclusively individually for each patient. Everything will depend on the type of disease, the area of the affected skin and the characteristics of the course.
In the initial phase, when the disease is just beginning to develop, it is quite possible that local treatment with ointments and physical therapy will be sufficient.
Typically, a specialist prescribes the following groups of drugs:
- Keratolytic - destroys the keratinized elements of the epithelium, contributes to the exfoliation of scales and cleaning of the skin. Salicylic and ichthyol ointments are used most often, and tar shampoos are used for the scalp.
- Cytostatic - have an inhibitory and depressant effect on the pathological processes of epithelial cell division.
- Retinoid - promotes skin regeneration, smoothing, cleansing and healing.
- Non-hormonal ointments - used to relieve swelling and prevent inflammation;
- Hormonal ointments - are prescribed if other local therapy drugs do not have an adequate effect on the course of the disease.
The complex of physiotherapeutic procedures includes:
- paraffin therapy - thanks to this method, dry and cracked skin softens, becomes softer and more sensitive to the touch;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- PUVA therapy (photochemical);
- electrical stimulation of the brain (electrosleep);
- laser therapy;
- magnetic therapy.
Folk remedies
Along with the methods of traditional medicine, traditional medicine can be connected to the treatment of the initial stage of psoriasis. There are many remedies and prescriptions that will help to return the disease to the stage of remission and quickly alleviate the patient's condition.
Here are the most productive methods:
- Celandine. The medicinal juice is squeezed from the freshly harvested grass and applied as a compress to the affected areas of the skin. The healing properties of celandine help to resist infection and relieve pain.
- Series. The alcohol-infused herb boosts the immune system, supports the body's defense reactions, and relieves inflammation. You can make the medicine yourself or buy a ready-made tincture at a pharmacy kiosk. It should be taken in the morning, afternoon and evening, 20 drops each.
- White clay + sea salt. A mask made of kaolin and sea salt, mixed in a ratio of 1: 1, is applied daily for half an hour to the inflamed skin.
- wound. Dried birch fungus is poured with water, left to ferment for four hours. Then it is chopped and poured again with the same water (1 liter of water is added to 200 g of chaga). After two days, the mushroom cake is squeezed and the resulting infusion is taken in a glass three times a day half an hour before meals.
Prevention
If psoriasis has already manifested itself, be it an early stage or already a chronic course, it will not work forever to get rid of it. However, it is quite possible to transfer the disease to the remission stage and keep it in that state for a long time.
Useful tips:
- Once and for all, get rid of bad habits: smoking and drinking alcohol, even in small doses. These factors can not only cause psoriasis to recur, but also worsen it, expanding the areas of manifestation and intensity of the rashes.
- Avoid over drying the skin. Moisturize your skin as often as possible, choose a cream that is suitable for you.
- Only wear clothes made from natural fabrics so you don't rub and injure the dermis again.
- Limit your exposure to the scorching sun. In small doses, the sun's rays have a beneficial effect on health, but in excessive amounts they only bring harm.
- Do not be nervous about trifles, always try to remain calm and respond to stressful situations in a balanced way. Remember that all diseases are caused by nerve shock, including psoriasis.
- Do not self-medicate, if you need to take this or that medication, always consult a specialist. Only a qualified doctor will be able to properly assess the situation, determine the safety of taking this medication and prescribe the correct dosage.
A mindful attitude to your own health will help you to live a full life despite an unpleasant diagnosis.