Psoriasis, also known as psoriasis, is a chronic skin condition. The disease is non-infectious in nature and manifests itself in the form of the formation of characteristic plaques on the surface of the skin, covered with scales of dry skin.
Psoriasis, whose symptoms are quite specific, can develop at any age, regardless of the person's gender. Dermatosis is also diagnosed in childhood.
Reasons for the development of psoriasis
Approximately 4% of all skin conditions are due to psoriasis. The reasons why acne develops are not known with certainty to doctors. But there are several theories practically confirmed.
The most common cause of the formation of psoriasis medicine considers violations in the work of the human immune system. The impulse is the already existing predisposition to psoriasis, which a person received from his ancestors. The first symptoms of an injury can appear against the background of any chronic infection, for example, sinusitis or tonsillitis. The immune system during this period is not able to contain psoriasis and it "breaks out" in the form of characteristic rashes. If blood chemistry is performed during this time, the analysis will easily reveal autoimmune antibodies.
The next theory of the development of psoriatic skin lesions is infectious. Doctors have long tried to identify an infectious agent. In particular, spirochetes, streptococci and epidermophytes have been "accused" of developing psoriasis. But the theory was debunked. Today, it is practically proven that psoriasis - symptoms and treatment will be discussed a little later - can occur in the context of a weakened immune defense during tonsillitis, influenza and SARS.
The genetic version of disease transmission is also considered. But here we can only speak of a predisposition established at the genetic level.
Additional reasons that can cause psoriasis to develop, doctors call:
- deviations in the work of the endocrine system;
- disturbances of the passage of metabolic processes;
- the presence of parasites in the human body.
Neurogenic and allergic versions are not excluded.
Factors that can trigger the development of psoriasis
Doctors identify several factors that can become a trigger for the development of psoriasis. This one:
- a state of habitual stress;
- infectious pathology;
- administration of a vaccine;
- hormonal changes;
- skin injury;
- take medication;
- food poisoning;
- excessive consumption of chocolate and citrus fruits;
- excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages;
- change in weather conditions.
Psoriasis - the first signs of the disease
Psoriasis has enough characteristic symptoms to confuse it with other skin dermatitis. The treatment of the disease is always long-term and aims to achieve remission.
The symptoms of the pathology will be as follows:
- In the early stages, psoriatic formations can form on the surface of the knees and elbows, as well as the sacral region and scalp. It is these places that are most often affected by psoriasis.
- Small lumps form on the skin, covered with whitish scales of dry skin. Initially, they are not very big in volume. But quickly they begin to increase, reaching the size of a coin. The only exception is the teardrop-shaped form of psoriasis.
- The gradually growing rash merges together, forming plaques typical of psoriasis.
Along with the rash, the following symptoms may occur:
- there is an increase in body temperature;
- an increase in lymph nodes is fixed;
- the rash is very itchy (in some cases, patients complain of a burning sensation).
Primary psoriatic eruptions can sometimes appear in atypical locations:
- under the mammary gland;
- on the surface of Organs genitals;
- in the armpit.
When typical symptoms appear, you should see a doctor. If you leave the situation unattended, psoriasis will enter the second stage.
At this stage of dermatosis, primary psoriatic eruptions do not appear. But at the same time, existing plaques can actively increase in size, capturing large areas of skin. The second stage of the disease is called "stationary".
The third stage of pathology- regressive - characterized by the disappearance of skin rashes. Here begins the period of remission.
Psoriatic lesions can affect the joints. This is where psoriatic arthritis develops. Both the phalanges of the fingers and the joints of the spine can be involved in the inflammatory process. The disease, current in this format, is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- pain in inflamed joints;
- mobility restriction;
- swelling of the affected joint.
Lack of proper therapy can lead to the following:
- irreversible joint deformity;
- ankylosis;
- partial/complete disability.
Treating the symptoms of psoriasis
The causes of psoriasis and its treatment are still a mystery to doctors, but there is a certain method of therapy. There are no standards of treatment - in each case, an individual scheme is selected depending on the shape of the dermatosis and the complexity of the course of the pathology.
When prescribing drugs, the following points are taken into account:
- a type of psoriatic lesion;
- history of dermatosis;
- the prevalence of the disease;
- features of psoriatic plaques;
- age;
- patient's sex.
local treatment
The treatment of psoriasis involves the use of various ointments. Means contribute to the elimination of severe symptoms of the disease.
Preparations must contain components such as:
- phenolic acid;
- hydroxyantrone, an anthracene derivative;
- sulfur;
- urea.
Scalp psoriasis is treated with lotions containing glucocorticosteroid components.
With a complex course of dermatosis, more "heavier" drugs are prescribed - hormonal agents.
With an exacerbation, drugs containing a high percentage of fluoride are prescribed for admission. On average, symptoms of exacerbation (about 70%) resolve within two weeks.
Psoriasis in children during an exacerbation can be treated with drugs containing non-halogenated glucocorticosteroids as they do not cause side effects. Means of this category can be prescribed for elderly patients.
A good result is given by preparations containing the hydroxyantrone component (anthracene derivative). They have anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative effects.
Medications need to be changed from time to time as there is an addictive effect and the effectiveness of the therapy drops.
Systemic treatment of psoriatic lesions
The mainstay of therapy is the intake of the following drugs:
- Drugs from the retinoid category. Means perfectly cope with the symptoms of exacerbation of psoriasis.
- Means from the group of anti-inflammatory drugs.
- With a complex course of dermatosis, an immunosuppressant that selectively acts on T lymphocytes can be prescribed.
- To suppress the division of pathological cells, a cytostatic drug from the group of antimetabolites, folic acid antagonists, is prescribed. But its use is justified only in severe forms of psoriatic lesions - erythrodermic, pustular and arthropathic forms - since the drug has many side effects.
Traditional medicine in the treatment of psoriasis
Psoriasis on the body is successfully treated with ointments prepared by the patient on his own.
To cook you will need:
- cow's milk butter (200 grams);
- propolis (10 grams).
Melt the butter and add the crushed propolis. The composition must be boiled and cooked over low heat for fifteen minutes. The product must be poured hot through gauze, folded several times. The ointments should harden and be used to treat diseased areas of the skin. Keep the product in a cool place.
For the next ointment you need to take:
- St. John's wort, celandine grass, propolis (20 grams each);
- marigold color (10 grams);
- a small amount of vegetable oil.
Herbs need to be rubbed well and a little oil is added to "bind" the preparations. The resulting ointment should be smeared with inflamed plaques up to three times a day.
Wash fish scales, dry and grind. Combine the powder with liquid fish oil to make a sour cream consistency. Lubricate psoriasis plaques with the resulting composition every four hours. Before starting the treatment, the inflamed area should be cleaned with warm water.
With oily herring, you need to remove the skin and clean the psoriatic plaques with it. After one hour, the treated surface should be washed with unscented soap (preferably for children) and additionally cleaned with a 9% vinegar solution (two small spoons of vinegar essence should be dissolved in a glass of water). The treatment will take a long time, but it will give excellent results.
It is necessary to take in equal proportions (by weight) celandine powder and petroleum jelly. The components must be connected, achieving complete uniformity. Ointment to treat the inflamed surface of the skin and do not rinse. Then you need to take a break of four days and repeat the treatment. Treatment is carried out until the symptoms of exacerbation disappear.
To compile the following ointment you will need:
- chicken eggs (2 pieces);
- vegetable oil (large spoon);
- vinegar (40 grams).
The components must be combined until homogeneous. The resulting product must be kept in the refrigerator. Formations should be lubricated once a day before a night's sleep. The agent gives the maximum effect at the initial stage of dermatosis.
Another set of ingredients for making an ointment is as follows:
- birch tar (50 grams);
- honey (30 grams);
- petroleum jelly (20 grams);
- boric acid (10 grams);
- fish oil (10 grams);
- egg white (1 piece).
All ingredients will need to be mixed and brought to full uniformity. For storage, use a dark glass container and a cool place.
It is necessary to combine celandine grass (four parts), walnuts (two parts), wolf berries, ichthyol / tar (one part each). The ingredients will need to be mixed and applied like an ointment.
other recipes
There are other recipes that can alleviate the symptoms of dermatitis. For example, you can prepare an alcoholic tincture of buddha in the form of ivy. To do this, for half a liter of vodka you need to take two hundred grams of the product. Leave the remedy uninsisted for a day. Then the composition can be used to treat psoriatic plaques three times a day. Shake the container well beforehand.
You can use vinegar instead of vodka. Here, for a glass of vinegar, you need to take two large spoons of crushed budra. Insist for seven full days. The container with the composition must be shaken well daily.
In an enameled pan, bring the milk to a boil and heat over low heat for another five minutes. Then pour the liquid into another container. Remove the milky white plaque formed on the walls with your finger and apply to the surface of the psoriatic formations.
Every day you need to bathe in a hot bath with the addition of herbal infusions such as chamomile, twine, sage or celandine. After showering, you don't need to use a towel.
It is necessary to mix equal parts by weight of freshly dug burdock root, grape leaves, milk and flax seeds. Cook over low heat for five minutes. The remedy should be used in the form of compresses on the inflamed skin.
Vaporize the flax seeds and use the resulting liquid to treat psoriatic plaques.
It helps to use porridge from Kalanchoe leaves in the form of compresses.
Dietary nutrition for psoriasis
Diet in psoriasis plays as important a role as drug treatment. To reduce the number of relapses, you need to give up the following products:
- pork;
- spices;
- chocolate
- fat;
- smoked products;
- coffee;
- alcoholic beverages.
The main part of the diet should be sour milk products, fresh herbs, fish dishes. It is necessary to introduce oils containing fatty acids into the diet, as well as products with lecithin. It is helpful to spend one or two fasting days a week.