Psoriasis is a complex skin disease, the defeat of which is expressed by rashes and scaly and is accompanied by a feeling of tightness and severe itching.
Some statistics
How to cure psoriasis forever? This disease, considered rare, affects about 4-8% of the world's population (approximately 4.5 million people). Moreover, highly developed countries also did not pass skin lesions, because the healing medicine for psoriasis has not yet been invented. Among ethnic groups in the white-skinned population, its prevalence is higher compared to blacks, Hispanics and Indians. This disease does not distinguish by gender, equally affecting both women and men.
The occurrence of psoriasis is due to a genetic and hereditary factor: out of 100% of the patients surveyed, 40–65% of skin diseases affected relatives and friends. In a number of studies, when assessing the degree of risk of morbidity, it was found that if one of the twins is diagnosed with psoriasis, then the probability of the occurrence of the disease in the second is 58%. This conclusion was made public in a survey of 141 pairs of twins. If a brother or sister suffers from psoriasis, the degree of risk is reduced to 6%. In case of illness of both parents in 65%, the child will also be affected by this disease; if one of the couples is sick, then the risk of getting sick is reduced to 20%. Moreover, the degree of the disease and its localization in different family members is not the same.
Psoriasis is not contagious
There is a widespread opinion about the infectiousness of psoriasis, which is especially intensified when looking at a person affected by a disease. Psoriasis is not contagious! Neither touching the sick skin, nor using common objects, nor caring for the patient will cause infection, since the source of the disease is the white blood cells of the patient himself, sincerely thinking about how to cure psoriasis forever.
External signs of the disease
External signs of psoriasis:
- Rashes on the skin, often accumulating in the knee-elbow region and on the scalp. Most often they are located symmetrically, less often localized on a separate part of the body, strip-like.
- Plaques, which are raised rounded thickenings of the skin of pink or bright red color, covered with loose scales. In the early stages, their size is several millimeters, increasing with the development of the disease to 10 or more centimeters.
- Disturbed condition of the nails, characterized by small dimples, yellowish color and separation of the end of the nail from the nail bed.
- Excessive dryness, peeling, exfoliation and bleeding of the skin.
The disease may occur:
- in partial form, characterized by the presence of several spots on the body;
- in continuous form, affecting the skin completely.
Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis occurs due to a violation of the performance of its functions by the epidermis, which normally should be updated approximately once a month.
With psoriasis, this happens several times faster, that is, the skin tries to rejuvenate in 3-4 days. The factor that causes the accelerated-abnormal process of undergoing the complete cell cycle is inflammation. This forces new cells to go outside not fully formed, which not only negatively affects the entire body, but also leads to a deterioration of the outer skin layer, namely, the appearance of repulsive scaly.
The process that began once accompanies a person all his life, alternating with periods of exacerbation and temporary lull of skin manifestations (otherwise, remission). How to cure psoriasis forever and get rid of not only psoriatic rashes, but also excruciating itching, which can still be somehow controlled in the afternoon? At night, the sleeping patient has to involuntarily comb the lesion, which leads to damage to the epidermis and aggravation of the disease.
Psoriasis Factors
Factors causing the occurrence of psoriasis are:
- metabolic disorders, as well as the functioning of the immune and endocrine system;
- genetic predisposition;
- systematic medication;
- previous disease (tonsillitis, flu and others);
- adverse ecology;
- stress and neurosis, constant emotional stress.
The true cause of psoriasis is genetics
Provoking the onset of psoriasis, none of the above factors is the cause of the disease, the presence of which does not affect the well-being and the patient’s working capacity. Discomfort is caused only by unpleasant sensations, itching and the appearance of the skin. The most difficult for the patient in psychological terms, as you have to constantly experience the cautious attitude and slanting glances of people around. The feeling of loneliness provoked by society, and the unattractive appearance prompt the patient to intensively search for methods that can solve the question of how to cure psoriasis forever.
Life With Psoriasis
Having found signs of psoriasis, do not panic: this is not a death sentence. Unfortunately, a completely healing medicine has not yet been invented, but modern methods of therapy can reduce the degree of damage, stop the development, and also control the process of the disease with the help of many drugs.
People live side by side with a disease that is pacified by methods that suppress the active activity of the immune system. Removing the
symptoms of psoriasis forever, modern means cannot affect the true cause: the overly active effect of the immune system on the skin. The disease, which lasts for years, is variable, then subsiding for a long time (even disappearing completely), then worsening. In any case, psoriasis that affects the body will never leave it; cells of the immune system will always attack the skin.
Psoriasis treatment
The treatment of psoriasis is a complex process, divided into several stages depending on the form and stage of the disease, the area of skin lesions, gender and age of the patient, the presence of concomitant diseases, restrictions on a particular treatment method or drug. It is important to take full account of the doctor’s recommendations, not to self-medicate and not to be deceived into the inviting advertisements of the “miracle cure for psoriasis”, which are a means of easy money for swindlers. It is unrealistic to cure psoriasis with its complex and ambiguous nature; according to some methods, only methods can remove symptoms for a while. Therapeutic tactics must be selected individually, taking into account previously conducted therapy. In severe cases, with a sufficient prevalence of psoriasis, treatment is recommended in a hospital setting.
Psoriasis Treatment: Methods
The treatment of psoriasis is complex and includes:
- Local (external) therapy, carried out to reduce inflammation, reduce peeling and skin infiltration. Psoriasis ointment, creams, lotions, which contain salicylic acid (2%), sulfur (2-10%), urea (2-10%), dithranol (0.25-3%), dexpanthenol, help relieve the symptoms of the disease pyrithione. In the treatment of psoriasis, tar and naphthalene preparations are effective, safe in their use and have a disinfecting, anti-inflammatory and absorbable effect. Sometimes they are prescribed in combination with salicylic acid, which helps soften and remove scales.
- Systemic therapy, in which the most prescribed medicine for psoriasis is the drug Methotrexate, which suppresses cell division. Used intramuscularly once a week for 6-8 weeks and aimed at reducing the excessive activation of skin cells, can cause liver dysfunction. Also, doctors in a small dosage prescribe the drug "Cyclosporin" - a powerful immunosuppressant with a pronounced effect on the immune system. Its reception is recommended strictly under the supervision of a physician.
- Photochemotherapy (or PUVA therapy) is the most common treatment for psoriasis. In other words, ultraviolet irradiation (whose wavelength is 360 mm), used in combination with photosensitizers. The course is aimed at inhibiting excessive cell division and autoimmune pathological processes in the skin, causing the destruction of T-lymphocytes. Photochemotherapy is contraindicated in people with hypertension who have had a heart attack, as well as surgery to remove the tumor. Such patients are prescribed exclusively medication.
- Selective phototherapy (SFT), in which 315 nm rays are used (nanometer - one billionth of a meter). The course of treatment is approximately 25-30 procedures.
- Spa therapy. The most effective and enjoyable method that can calm psoriasis. Reviews about the treatment in unique conditions that attract psoriasis patients from all over the world are only positive. Beautiful nature, a relaxing environment, healing air and healing water are important components for recovery. In this case, the Dead Sea in Israel will help to heal psoriasis - a rather expensive, but effective option for spa therapy. Improvements in the skin are clearly visible with a recommended stay of 28 days. And in the sun it is advisable to be no more than 6 hours, in 2 doses. Bathing in sea water should also be dosed - 2 times a day, and not exceed 20 minutes. As an alternative, you can consider a more convenient way on a budget - treatment in the sanatoriums of Pyatigorsk and Matsesta.
Patient reviews on treatment methods
Patient reviews about the treatment of psoriasis are different: it all depends on the degree of skin damage and the means used to get rid of this disease.
Regarding photochemotherapy, a “European” regimen is recommended, characterized by a quick cure with a minimal radiation dose. The "American" mode is more cautious, designed to minimize the occurrence of adverse reactions. Both methods are equally effective, the only difference is the duration of treatment.
Side effects with this method of treatment can be various: from pruritus and dry skin to photoaging and cancer of the epidermis. It all depends on the degree of radiation and the duration of treatment therapy.
Systemic therapy used in severe cases of a disease with a significant area of skin lesion has side effects such as disruption of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney function and the appearance of allergic reactions.
According to patients' reviews, mud therapy is an effective way to get rid of psoriasis, which consists in externally affecting the affected lesions with mud, sulphide and silt mud, peat, sapropel. The anti-inflammatory, absorbable and analgesic effect in this case occurs due to acids, ions, trace elements and gases that cleanse the skin of alkalis, bacteria, acids. The duration of the procedure takes from 10 to 30 minutes a day and is carried out by applying local applications of heated to 40 ° C mud.
Useful recommendations for people with psoriasis
With psoriasis, in addition to a responsible approach to treatment, the following recommendations are required:
- In no case do not touch, comb, do not pick itchy plaques.
- Bathing procedures should be carried out very carefully, carefully handling damaged skin. It can not be rubbed with a washcloth, when drying, you need to gently pat it with a towel, slightly pressing it to the body. It is important to carefully dry all inaccessible places and hidden folds after a shower, paying particular attention to the area behind the auricles, ear canals, axillary cavities, umbilical region and groin, skin folds under the mammary glands, and the skin between the toes.Bathtubs are not recommended, as they have a very drying effect. If you really want to, you can occasionally afford to lie in the bath, provided that it takes a little time and the water temperature does not exceed 37-38 ° C. Bathing with psoriasis is not allowed only during periods of exacerbation, during which the skin is especially vulnerable. The bath sponge should be made of soft materials that prevent scratching. When visiting the pool before water procedures, it is recommended to apply petroleum jelly on plaques, as a protection against the action of chlorine. At the end of swimming, rinse with clean warm water and apply psoriasis cream to the body. Of the domestic brands, “Tsinokap” and “Solipsor” creams have good effect - non-hormonal drugs, as well as herbal creams: “Psorikon” and “Pulsar”, directed against the inflammatory and destructive skin process. Patient reviews about these drugs are versatile: both positive and negative. Being highly effective, these drugs are not addictive, significantly increasing the relapse period. In particular, this applies to the drug "Solipsor". Tsinokap cream does not help everyone, but most patients with psoriasis still recommend it.
- Washing a patient with psoriasis is preferably carried out with children's means. For the face, it is better to use a special lotion from psoriasis, which increases the elasticity of the skin and improves its appearance, which gives confidence to sick people.
- Clothing - made from natural materials, should be spacious enough and comfortable to wear, without a dragging-out effect.
- Food should be medical, excluding alcohol, fried and fatty foods. During the week, organizing fasting days is required.
- Cosmetics for psoriasis are recommended for a mild, caring effect that does not cause irritation and an allergic reaction. Otherwise, the formation of new plaques may occur. Ideal are preparations for sensitive and children's skin, which contain lactic acid, amino acids, urea, which have a softening effect, and beeswax, petroleum jelly, ceramides and vegetable oils, which have a protective effect.
- To care for the scalp affected by psoriasis, it is required to use a keratolytic shampoo from psoriasis, which has a calming, relaxing and healing effect. Of tar products, Friederm Tar, Algopix shampoo have a healing effect; from antifungal it is worth stopping the choice on shampoos "Nizoral" and "Sulsena". Shampoo "Algopiks", according to reviews, has a pronounced smell of tar, so it is better to apply it to the hair a few hours before bedtime. By price category - a relatively inexpensive tool, improvements are observed after a week of use.Salicylic acid in its composition helps to get rid of scales, and licorice extract relieves irritation and soothes itching. Psoriasis shampoo is applied to the hair roots and washed off after 5 minutes, after which the hair must be thoroughly rinsed. You can try to remove the scales from the scalp. For this, it is advisable to use a keratolytic cream for psoriasis. It is necessary to apply it for 2 hours to get the maximum effect and put a shower cap on your head.
Folk ointments in the treatment of psoriasis
How to cure psoriasis forever using folk methods?
- Effectively in folk treatment, a therapeutic agent based on birch tar manifests itself . This is an ointment for psoriasis, which can be purchased at almost any pharmacy. She needs to lubricate the affected areas of the skin.
- You can prepare an ointment from psoriasis from celandine, which in dry form must be ground to a powder state and mixed with turkey fat. The resulting composition must be held in a water bath for an hour, and then cooled down to lubricate plaques on the skin.
Upbeat forecast
Research to find a cure for psoriasis is ongoing. Therefore, there is hope that the moment is not far off when there will be more happy people on the planet who have overcome the disease.
And at the moment, folk and medical products used in a comprehensive manner, in full accordance with the recommendations of the attending physician, will help cure psoriasis. In parallel, the patient needs to pay more care and attention, since the latter is especially in need of the support of family and friends.