Psoriasis

It must be said that the suffering caused by psoriasis is not appreciated by others. According to scientists, psoriasis does not lag behind chronic heart failure and chronic lung diseases in its negative impact on the quality of life.

This disease does not kill directly, but it destroys people's lives a lot.

Let's talk about psoriasis.

This is a chronic skin inflammation process that modern medicine classifies as autoimmune, i. e. related to allergies to your own tissues.

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases, affecting 1-2% of the population in developed countries.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly patches covered with silvery scales that itch. Psoriasis usually appears between the ages of 20 and 30 and is often hereditary.

This pathology is not an infectious disease. In addition to physical suffering, even mild psoriasis can cause serious psychological problems: low self-esteem, shame and social isolation. It is impossible to die from psoriasis, but the impact of this disease on a person's life is very serious.

Causes of psoriasis

The causes of psoriasis have not been fully determined. The mechanism of the disease is associated with a violation of the division of skin cells, which in turn causes a reaction of the immune system. Such a reaction is one of the autoimmune reactions, because it occurs in response to a malfunction in the body itself, and not to the penetration of a danger from the outside.

Is psoriasis contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious and it is stupid and cruel to be afraid to shake hands with a person suffering from this disease.

As already mentioned, psoriasis is not an infectious disease, and several studies indicate that it is autoimmune in origin. In psoriasis, it is believed that immune T cells, which are supposed to attack foreign organisms, tragically mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This leads to the thickening of its upper layer, the epidermis, and an inflammatory process that penetrates deeper into the dermis.

The autoimmune theory of the origin of psoriasis has its place, but the autoantigen that should trigger this process has not yet been found, that is, the i point has not been set.

However, it's clear: you can't catch psoriasis - you can only get it.

Is psoriasis hereditary?

Like rosacea, psoriasis is hereditary. The hereditary nature of psoriasis is confirmed by the fact that it is higher in families where psoriasis has already been diagnosed, and the concentration of morbidity in twins is also higher than in other groups.

But it is necessary to awaken heredity. This is done by provoking factors:

• psychological trauma and chronic stress situations;
• past infectious disease;
• skin lesions;
• some medications;
• hormonal changes in the body;
• allergies (for example, citrus fruits, eggs, chocolate can aggravate the disease);
• alcohol intoxication;
• even climate change.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The first signs of psoriasis: skin rashes in the form of bright pink plaques with a crusty surface. Plaques are single, rise above the level of healthy skin and are located in the elbows and popliteal spaces.

Most often, psoriatic plaques appear on the knees, elbows, chest, abdomen, back and scalp, but as the disease progresses, they can appear in any other, most unexpected places on the skin.

At the beginning, the papules are small - 3-5 mm, the color is bright pink. They gradually increase in size and are covered with silver coins, then they merge into larger formations called plaques.

Fresh elements of papules are usually bright in color, even red, while "old" ones are paler. In the initial stage of psoriasis, the edges of the papule do not peel off. They represent a hyperemic border - growth corolla

Auspitz's triad is a sign of psoriasis. This triad can be observed when scraping the surface of the papule with a sharp object. It includes three phenomena:

• stearin stain phenomenon - the layering of a large number of silvery-white scales that are easily separated during scraping;
• a sign of the psoriatic film is an exudated surface made of a spinous layer that is opened after peeling off the lower layers of the horny plates;
• "blood dew" phenomenon - exposure of surface capillaries in the form of small blood spots after the separation of the psoriatic film

Stages of psoriasis

The main element of psoriasisis a single pink or red papule covered with numerous loose silvery-white scales.

Psoriasis develops quite slowly, and an increase in the number of plaques can be observed over several months or years. In a small number of patients, the disease may become more severe. As a rule, this is preceded by severe mental stress or a serious illness that requires massive drug treatment. In this case, the papules are not pale pink, but bright red, swell with obvious signs of inflammation, and itch.

The second stagepsoriasis is characterized by more extensive lesions. At the site of the scratch, new papules appear that form new plaques. As a result of growth, new growths merge with existing ones. Plaques affect symmetrical limbs and form similar patterns and lines.

In the third stagegrowth slows down, the changes are mainly related to the structure of the rash. The boundaries between healthy and affected skin become clearer. The plaques acquire a blue color and begin to peel off actively. In the absence of therapy, they thicken and sometimes form papillomatous nevi (brown) and warty growths (flesh-colored).

There is another stage -disease regression, when the symptoms disappear. Peeling goes on, the definition of the border disappears, the skin normalizes and returns to its original state.

Types of psoriasis

• Patchy psoriasis is represented by pale pink, weakly infiltrated spots. Reminds me of toxicoderma.
• Irritant psoriasis - occurs as a result of exposure of the skin to aggressive environmental factors (sunlight, cold, heat) and irritating drugs. The color of the plaque becomes more intense, increases in size, rises above the surface of the skin, and along the edges a belt in the form of redness is formed.
• Seborrheic psoriasis - often develops in patients with seborrhea. The clinical picture is very similar to seborrheic eczema.
• Exudative psoriasis is quite common. It occurs due to excessive secretion of inflammatory fluid - exudate. Absorbs clusters of scales, turning them into scale shells.
• Psoriasis of the palms and feet is represented by either ordinary plaques and papules, or hyperkeratotic formations similar to calluses and calluses.
• Follicular psoriasis is extremely rare. The rash consists of white miliary nodules with a funnel-shaped depression in the center.
• Psoriasis of mucous membranes is also rare. It is formed in the mucous membrane of the oral cavity and bladder. It appears as gray-white areas with a red border

Depending on the seasonality of exacerbation, several types of psoriasis are distinguished:

• summer - aggravation occurs due to exposure of the skin to sunlight;
• winter - occurs due to extreme cold affecting the skin.

With non-seasonal psoriasis, the disease does not occur year-round.

According to the affected skin area:

• limited psoriasis - occupies less than 20% of the skin of the body;
• general - more than 20%;
• generalized - the whole skin is affected.

Indeed, there are several subtypes of the disease, and sometimes a patient develops two or three forms at once. Often - in 80-90% of cases - plaque psoriasis develops.

30% of patients have psoriatic arthritis, when the joints are inflamed with external manifestations, and 10% have a tear form of the disease.

Other, rarer subtypes are also known. All of them are manifested by special rashes and itching that can occur anywhere on the body, sometimes very painful. But there is good news: according to statistics, psoriasis occurs in a mild form in 80% of cases, and the lesions cover less than 3% of the body surface.

Forms of psoriasis

1. Pustular form of psoriasis. It is characterized by the presence of plates with cortical scales impregnated with exudate. If damaged, for example, as a result of scratching or self-inflicted body folds, the rash becomes wet. They cause itching and burning and cause physical discomfort. This type of disease is more often diagnosed in people with body weight, hypothyroidism and diabetes.
2. Pustular (generalized) form. It has a classic pattern of development starting from a single vesicle that develops into plaques. Lesions are symmetrical and can affect any part of the body. The severe course of this form of psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of intraepidermal pustules. They combine to form "purulent lakes".
3. Arthropathic form. The most severe form of psoriasis, in which the changes first affect the small joints and then the large joints, including the spine. This is expressed by pain symptoms and their deformation. Probably joint fusion, loss of mobility. Against the background of this form of psoriasis, other pathologies arise: ankylosis, which causes disability, osteoporosis.

Complications

Many people know what psoriasis looks like, but the disease, in addition to external manifestations, has a number of complications. They are manifested by a decrease in the activity of the skin, temperature regulation and a violation of the water-salt balance. The protective function against various bacteria also decreases.

For example, psoriasis on the hands is only part of the clinical picture. People with this diagnosis often suffer from chronic gastrointestinal and heart diseases.

Severe psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and overall cardiovascular death.

The group of complications also includes:

• psoriatic arthritis of the joints. About 30% of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis during their lifetime, which is characterized by joint stiffness, pain, and swelling. The disease can progress to the point of joint destruction. 80-90% of patients experience psoriatic nail lesions and onycholysis.
• psoriatic erythroderma;
• generalized pustular psoriasis;
• autoimmune diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease);
• erectile dysfunction in men;
• metabolic syndrome, which is a combination of visceral obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia.

It should also be noted that the pathologies associated with psoriasis, especially in severe form, are prone to depression, anxiety disorders, including suicide.

Psoriatic erythroderma is less common. This condition occurs when the skin is completely damaged. Patients are concerned about itching and burning, excessive peeling of dead tissue and strong skin reaction to temperature changes.

The next most common type is pustular psoriasis. This complication is associated with the addition of secondary infection - staphylococci and streptococci. Clinically, pustular psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of pustules - pustules the size of buckwheat grains. Pustules appear in different places. They rise above the surface of the skin, are characterized by rapid growth and a tendency to merge. Current symptoms are accompanied by high fever and signs of severe intoxication.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis is carried out by a dermatologist. First, an external examination of the affected areas is performed and an anamnesis is collected. Sometimes the disease resembles other diseases, especially in the early stages.

If the hands and nails are affected, it is important to exclude the presence of fungal infections. Seborrheic eczema, pityriasis rosea, and papular syphilis should also be ruled out.

But I want to say that in most cases, the diagnosis of psoriasis is not difficult, it does not even require a test, it is enough to check the skin.

Treatment of psoriasis

Can psoriasis be treated? Yes!

Using the pathogenetic technique, we put the skin in a state of perfect remission, the skin is cleansed, regenerated, and a person can lead a full life. The treatment regimen for psoriasis is carried out using medicinal acids under the activation of points. The duration of therapy is different for each patient, 6 procedures may be required, maybe 10. Maintenance therapy is required from 2 to 6 months, everything is individual.

I always warn patients that the treatment of psoriasis is torpid in nature, meaning it is slow. But we can make long (about a month) breaks between procedures.

Home care is very important in the treatment of psoriasis. Homemade cosmetics consist of almost 99% natural ingredients. I spent nearly two years at home developing better formulas to support skin with complex dermatoses.

Home care regimens for patients with psoriasis are selected individually. But there are also moderate regimens that are suitable for skin care with psoriasis. Check out my social media. networks, there is an ocean of data out there.

Recommendations to eliminate the symptoms of the disease

I always tell my patients that effective treatment of any disease is possible only with a comprehensive approach. I would like to emphasize that it is of great importance to take maximum precautions to reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease. As always, everything is trivial and nothing new, but I will say it anyway.

Recommended:

• prevent skin damage;
• avoid hypothermia;
• give up bad habits;
• avoid stressful situations;
• timely treatment of infections and accompanying diseases;
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Psoriasis patients should be especially careful in observing personal hygiene requirements.

If you are taking a shower or bath, then:

• use products without dyes and fragrances;
• choose a mild shampoo;
• do not use rough sponges, creams, gels with abrasive particles;
• Avoid harsh soap as it dries the skin too much;
• adjust the water temperature to keep it warm;
• not to be in the water for more than 10-15 minutes;
• use a soft towel, do not rub or scratch the skin.

After showering and bathing, it is recommended to use special body moisturizers. Try to comb your hair as little as possible to avoid irritating the surface of your scalp. The same goes for blow drying. If you can't do without it, choose a hot or cold stream.

Choose clothes made from light, natural fabrics and with a loose fit so they don't restrict movement or chafe.

You should not sunbathe for too long in the summer. To protect your skin from UV rays, use high SPF sunscreens as part of your home care routine.

Prevention of psoriasis

Based on the fact that psoriasis is considered a multifactorial disease with a share of immunopathological, genetic, endocrine, metabolic and possibly infectious components, there are no uniform rules for prevention.

People at risk should pay special attention to their health:

• those who have relatives suffering from psoriasis;
• those who often and constantly injure the skin;
• there are chronic infections;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• endocrine disorders.

Increased nervousness, stress, alcohol abuse, often increase the likelihood of hypothermia and sunburn pathology.

If the treatment of psoriasis according to WHO standards (hormones, phototherapy) did not help you, come on, let's remove this "snowflake" from your life. After all, without timely and competent treatment, psoriasis begins to negatively affect vital organs and systems.