The disease, which affects up to 6-7% of the population worldwide, psoriasis is a concern of physicians and patients. Main reasons of anxiety are the prevalence of the disease and the complexity of its treatment. However, to deal with psoriasis it is quite possible, and even developed a lot of techniques and there are many means than to treat.
Brief description of psoriasis
Psoriasis belongs to the category of skin diseases. The disease is not considered contagious, its roots and the etiology is poorly understood. Psoriasis tend to hurt people with fair skin type. Susceptible people of all ages, regardless of region of residence.
In medical practice it is believed that this disease occurs due to genetic predisposition. Hereditary pathology can be transmitted and evolve on the cellular level.
To treat psoriasis is difficult due to the lack of data on the cause of its origin. Actuality are currently several theories that interpret the causes of the disease. Currently considered the likelihood of viral, neurological, genetic origin of psoriasis. Relevant the theory of multi-textured and metabolic origin of psoriasis.
Clinical signs
Psoriasis is characterized by rash papular rash red. The size of lesions ranges from 2 to 20 mm, and they form large lesions of the skin. Granules themselves may also increase in size, especially in chronic course of psoriasis.
The most common symptoms occur in areas of flexion of the lower and upper extremities. Less likely to notice signs of the disease in the back, chest, abdomen, and head. At the same time in some forms of psoriasis can affect the fabric of the nails.
In the process of progression if not treated with medication, the lesions begin to peel off, and papular point of education is to open and bleed. A characteristic feature of psoriasis is that the hair in case of appearance of signs not surprised.
Approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis may experience additional symptoms, which manifest themselves by itching the affected skin. As secondary signs, the lesions may be skin disease, rash, dermatitis. In advanced forms the disease progresses and from point entities in the affected area of skin starts to separate bloody exudate.
Common clinical parameters - body temperature, local temperature, pressure, pulse and other physiological parameters remain within normal limits. An important circumstance that accompanies psoriasis, nervousness. Many doctors believe that emotional stress not only accompany the clinical picture, but often are the cause of the disease or its exacerbation.
The treatment of psoriasis
Due to the fact that the disease studied is not deep enough practical and unanimously approved methods of treatment does not exist. When the diagnosis of the disease dermatologist prescribes course of treatment on an individual basis, guided by the diagnostic results, the physiological characteristics of the patient and course of the disease. At the same time account for the shape of the lesion, the degree of progression and other important medical factors.
Traditionally, when treated with psoriasis, take into account the following factors:
- structural features of the patient's skin;
- the history and form of the disease;
- the intensity of the lesions;
- physiological characteristics of the organism;
- individual tolerability of the drug components;
- the age of the patient;
- the duration of the progression of the disease;
- a manifestation of concomitant and secondary diseases;
- the degree of manifestation and development phase of the disease.
Only a comprehensive assessment of all these criteria is possible to develop a treatment that would be effective and was able to stop psoriasis. Thus has for its purpose the location of the lesion lesions of the skin, prevent the progressive phase, minimize favorable for disease development conditions. An important condition for effective treatment is symptomatic treatment, and exclusion of possible complications on the background of secondary pathology.
Classification of therapeutic methods
To expedite the healing dermatologists usually treat patients complex method, which include all available treatment regimens of psoriasis. Treatment can take place in outpatient or inpatient.
Maximum efficiency is achieved by such methods:
- systemic medication;
- the use of external medical resources;
- physiotherapeutic methods and tools;
- correct skin care;
- national recipes of treatment;
- diet;
- photochemotherapy;
- sanatorium and resort treatment.
In each of these methodologies contain principles for the treatment of psoriasis using certain tools. However, the widely practiced complex therapy of psoriasis with the use of medical tools and procedures of different methods at the same time.
Systemic drug methodology
The purpose of this method - the impact of the disease on a hormonal and cellular level. Tools that are used for systemic treatment of psoriasis, active affect physiological processes, stimulating the body to enhance its own resources.
In addition, the methods allow the system to cope with the disease at the level of cellular metabolism, which contributes to elimination of the alleged causes of psoriasis. Certain categories of drugs intended to modulate hormonal balance also has a positive impact on the healing process.
Prescriptions of systemic action can have a complex effect or to achieve a focused effect. For example, the group of corticoids could use for relief of acute manifestations. Drugs in this group almost completely eliminate the chance of side effects.
The question of side effects is more relevant to a group of hormonal drugs or cytotoxic agents. However, their correct use, effectiveness and intensity of treatment is quite high.
For the correction of cellular processes and in the treatment of psoriasis in the chronic stage effective intramuscular or intravenous administration of drugs of the group of immuno-suppressors. They regulate the immune physiology of, preventing the progression of the disease.
These funds have a restorative effect, as well as prevent the development of inflammation, inhibit the progression of autoimmune cells and inhibit allergic disease. Identical ability to treat has a category of steroid drugs.
To effectively treat such diseases as psoriasis, can be applied to specific medicines and drugs General systemic action:
- vitamin complexes;
- hepatoprotective agent;
- preparations for the General strengthening of the body;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- immunostimulatory drugs.
Symptomatic treatment can be carried out using an antihistamine medicines. Their purpose is to treat the uncomfortable condition, eliminate itching in the affected area of psoriasis. The disease itself these means are not treated.
Systemic treatment can occur in different forms - injections, oral medications, intravenous introduction of specific medications.
Its ability to treat effectively demonstrate the drugs such as methotrexate, ciclosporin, calcipotriol, preparations of a number of retinoids.
An important condition for the treatment of drugs of systemic action - correct dosages and individual compliance with the selected funds. All systemic medications be prescribed by a dermatologist. Independent treatment of these groups of drugs can lead to worsening of the problem.
This category includes various ointments, creams, lotions, tinctures.
The basis of these drugs are active components, which have different effects:
- softening the skin;
- hormones;
- reduce inflammation;
- eliminate peeling;
- prevent the progression of the disease.
These drugs are applied directly on the affected area of skin to be treated. They contain in their structure a base of tar, naphthalene, salicylic acid, urea or lactic acid. Effective preparations based on zinc. Some of the drugs for topical treatment of psoriasis include in its structure Ichthyol and sulphur components. Their action is directed on reduction of the lesion, removal of the inflammatory process, exfoliate dead skin cells.
Some of these drugs as well as drugs for systemic effects, may require precise dosage and the correct application procedure. In particular, some hormonal ointments are capable of frequent and extensive use can cause pathological sprouting hair, changing the structure of the skin up to its atrophy.
In the medical practice that treated in this way is necessary under the supervision of a physician. While dermatologists recommend to avoid the frequent use of the same ointment, prolonged use of identical formulations.
In order to avoid adaptation of the cells and the skin to the action of remedies, it is recommended to periodically change the treatment regimen, replacing the identical drugs in this group to their counterparts.
Treat psoriasis ointments in just a few short courses. It is desirable to combine several drugs in this group with the mass actions system - this achieves a greater effect and there has been progress in recovery.
As a means of external treatment can be used for water treatment with bath with medicinal additives. Effective as some beauty tools, which include components of inflammation, hormonal and other components.
More affordable but no less effective are tar, grease, ashes, honey, sea buckthorn oil, vaseline.
Physiotherapeutic methods against psoriasis
Means of physiotherapy based mostly on modern techniques. Their quality takes the action of light rays, magnetic fields, electrical impulses. In addition, for the physiotherapy of psoriasis effectively used the technique of plasmapheresis separation of blood into fractions and partial replacement of plasma in a sick body.
Physiological therapeutic methods show their efficiency, both in individual use and in complex therapy:
- Plasmapheresis - a method based on blood transfusion of the patient with its fragmentation into different factions and components. In the process separates plasma. At the same time it is the removal of abnormal cells, affected blood components, patients of microparticles. Instead of a remote plasma in the blood introduced hematopoietic or means preparations of donor blood. This process is also called the "hemo-correction" than it reflects the nature of the medical procedure.
- The UV - irradiation technique impact on the affected skin to UV rays the medium-wave range. The advantage of this method is the localization of the treatment process without affecting healthy areas of the skin. However, the frequent use of this technique on the patient's body produces dermatitis, dry, aging skin or its pathological pigmentation.
- Photochemotherapy - the cycle of the introduction of chemicals photosensitizing destination. This method is most effective used in combination with ultraviolet irradiation.
- Laser therapy is a modern technique that has a narrow action with local irradiation of the affected areas.
- Cryotherapy - this method was known hundreds of years ago, but now it has been scientifically substantiated and adapted to the realities of modern medicine. The essence of cryotherapy is the use of critical low temperatures in the lesions of psoriasis. When exposed to cold cells in these areas shrink with the skin and lose nutrients. At the same time, the blood deviate from these centers, preventing the occurrence of itching and painful sensations. The cold stimulates and activates physiological processes, the immune system and cells of the whole organism.
In the structure of the scheme of treatment of psoriasis physiotherapy are also be prescribed by a dermatologist. It is important to remember that almost all of them failing to follow the order of their use may have unwanted consequences.
Traditional methods
In this category of methods a huge variety of drugs and bracing and local action.
Especially effective are:
- ointments based on herbs and natural ingredients, infusions, decoctions;
- bee products, especially recipes based on honey and propolis;
- water treatments, in particular therapeutic baths with infusions of herbs that contribute to the regeneration of skin tissue;
- effective in healing psoriasis the oil of eggs, which is obtained by firing an egg yolk on an open fire.
Vitamins support the skin provides fish oil. Effectiveness of Flaxseed and sea buckthorn oil, pine turpentine, tinctures of celandine and other natural components. Recipe of folk methods, as well as the procedure for appointment and application deserve special attention in a separate review.
Sanatorium-and-Spa technique
One of the most pleasant methods of treatment of psoriasis based on the receiving water and mud treatments. Their beneficial effect in these cases provide iodine-bromine, sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, silica or radon water. Accordingly, depending on skin type, intensity of lesions of psoriasis and other factors, prescribed a trip to a particular resort area.
Conclusion
It would seem that methods of treatment of psoriasis more than enough. But the disease remains unknown till the end and therefore intractable. In addition to medicinal drugs dermatologists advise not to neglect proper nutrition, selection of food components in the diet and mode of eating.