Psoriasis is a serious pathology, which is manifested by a number of unpleasant symptoms. For those who have never encountered such an ailment, it is important to find out all the features of its course and treatment. Patients with this diagnosis are often interested in whether psoriasis is being treated or not. Further, the features of this disease, as well as methods of its treatment, will be examined in detail.
general description
Is psoriasis treated or not? To answer this question, you will need to consider in detail the features of the disease. Psoriasis is being studied by specialists from all over the world. However, this is still one of the most mysterious diseases. It is still not precisely established why people suffer from this ailment.
Many patients are interested in whether psoriasis is contagious or not for others. Doctors know for certain that this ailment is not contagious. This is due to the features of its occurrence. Psoriasis occurs due to malfunctions of the person’s own immune system.
At the beginning of the disease, skin cells begin to divide very quickly. Because of this, their life cycle is noticeably reduced. If in an ordinary person this figure is about 30 days, then with psoriasis it decreases to 3-5 days. Peeling and redness appear on the skin. Some areas of the skin become inflamed. A rash and pustules may appear.
Unpleasant symptoms often occur on the bends of the arms and legs, in places where the clothes are too tight on the body, and also along the hairline. Inflammatory foci can be observed in other places.
It is worth noting that psoriasis is a common disease. On average, the disease affects about 3% of the world's population.
Disease development
Knowing the answer to the question, is psoriasis contagious or not for others, it should be noted that the degree of the disease can be different. The disease is manifested by the occurrence of psoriatic plaques. These are chronic inflammatory processes. Significant accumulations of different types of lymphocytes are determined here. Also, an excess of new capillaries in the subcutaneous layer is formed here. Such spots are called psoriatic plaques.
Due to the active work of the immune system in these areas, the skin begins to thicken. The epithelium rises above the level of healthy skin. Here you can observe the formation of gray, silver. They resemble wax, which is frozen on the body.
This is a chronic disease. The condition may spontaneously worsen or improve. At the same time, patients can not even establish the reason why the disease suddenly changed its shape. However, scientists are precisely aware of the factors that provoke a worsening of the condition. These include alcohol consumption, smoking, stress, and certain types of infections. A number of drugs can also cause a similar ailment.
The severity of the disease can vary significantly in the same person. If untreated, the disease progresses over time. In some cases, remission does not occur at all. Affected areas can be almost everywhere. They are determined on the scalp, on the palms, nails, etc.
Adult psoriasis can be complicated by arthritis. This is an inflammatory process in the joints. It is present in 10-15% of patients with psoriasis.
Causes
The causes of psoriasis can be different. Most often, the disease appears at the age of 15-20 years. However, in young children, this problem often arises as a hereditary factor. If one of the parents suffers from psoriasis (even in the absence of rashes on the skin), the baby can get this disease with a probability of 25%. If both parents have such a pathology, the risk increases to 60%.
The trigger for the development of the disease in adulthood can be a strong emotional shock. This is due to the release of a large amount of adrenaline, as well as cortisol. Violation of the integrity of the skin can also lead to psoriasis. The nature of the disease is quite controversial.
Scientists agree that people with thin, dry skin are prone to this ailment. Also, women suffer from psoriasis more often than men. Abuse of detergents, skin contact with household chemicals, aggressive substances can also trigger the development of pathology.
Physical, mental stress can become a provoking factor. Also, streptococcal infections sometimes cause psoriasis. Exacerbations cause climate change, changing seasons, stress, adverse environmental factors.
Medicines such as beta-blockers, lithium carbonate, paroxetine, antidepressants and other chemical compounds worsen the condition of the skin during psoriasis. Negative changes in drinking and smoking are especially noticeable. Obesity, overweight, improper lifestyle also aggravate the course of the disease. If the patient is diagnosed with this disease, you should abandon hairspray, creams, hand lotions on a synthetic basis, most types of cosmetics, perfumes, as well as household chemicals. Skin should not come into contact with these products.
Diagnostics
Which doctor to go with psoriasis? The answer to this question is obvious. However, not all so simple. Since the disease appears on the skin, it is diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist. If there is no such specialist in the local hospital (in a small village), the therapist decides these questions.
The disease can have various complications. Therefore, consultation with a number of other specialists is often required. They can be a rheumatologist, endocrinologist, etc. Only an experienced specialist can deal with the treatment of this autoimmune disease. This process begins with a proper diagnosis.
First, the doctor examines the skin of the patient. The characteristic external signs almost certainly indicate the development of this pathology. Specific diagnostic methods are not needed in this case. If the disease is in a serious stage or is noticeably progressing, the patient should take a blood test. This allows us to confirm the presence of an autoimmune, inflammatory process, the development of rheumatic reactions, etc. Biochemical, endocrine disorders are also detected.
To exclude the likelihood of other diseases, in rare cases, a skin biopsy is performed. This allows you to histologically confirm or refute the diagnosis. In case of psoriasis, accumulations of Reete bodies are determined on the taken skin sample. The layer of keratinocytes thickens. Infiltration of tissues by T-lymphocytes, macrophages is also determined. Under the plaques, point hemorrhages easily appear. The fragility of blood vessels in these places provokes the appearance of bleeding.
Treatment methods
Is psoriasis treated or not? The answer to this question is ambiguous. You can significantly reduce the intensity of negative manifestations on the skin. Sometimes, especially if the disease appeared in childhood, it will be much easier to cure it. In this case, with proper treatment, it can pass almost without a trace. Occasionally, small rashes and pustular foci on the skin may appear.
In adulthood, defeating an ailment is completely much more difficult. This is a chronic disease. It is difficult to treat. However, it is possible to reduce the intensity of negative manifestations. With the right treatment, relapse can be significantly reduced, improving the patient's quality of life.
During treatment, various ointments, drugs are used. Their choice depends on the characteristics of the course of the disease, the severity of the disease. Be sure to assign a diet. The use of alcohol in any quantities is excluded. You will also need to abandon chocolate and a number of other products. The diet should be healthy, balanced. It is supplemented with calcium preparations, as well as vitamin complexes. In food, you need to add vegetable, butter. It is also important to consume fish oil.
Potent, toxic drugs are prescribed as a last resort if other treatments have been ineffective. In combination with the main, treatment with herbs and other traditional medicine can be prescribed. Often in combination with other drugs, physiotherapy is prescribed. Effective is a spa treatment.
Ointments
Choosing an effective ointment for psoriasis, the doctor takes into account the severity of the disease. Since the treatment is to alleviate external symptoms, proper skin care is required. For this, many varieties of not only ointments, but also special lotions, creams, shampoos, and other similar products are on sale.
There are several main types of external drugs. The first group includes keratoplastic and keratolytic ointments, and the second includes corticosteroids. There are also drugs that are synthetic substitutes for vitamin D. Many creams contain a number of other vitamins. Herbal preparations are actively used.
There are no universal drugs that help get rid of unpleasant manifestations. To achieve long-term remission, you will need to make every effort. First, more gentle preparations are used. If they do not help, the doctor prescribes strong enough drugs that have side effects. However, sometimes one cannot do without it.
Effective ointments for psoriasis are made on the basis of solidol. Bright representatives of this group of products are Magnipsor, Kartalin, Cytopsor, etc. Many tar-based preparations are also on sale. This, for example, Colloidin, Antipsorin, anthramine and antrasulfone ointments.
In more complex cases, glucocorticosteroids are prescribed for external use, for example, Budesonide, Mometasone and other similar drugs.
Tablets
Pills for new generation psoriasis can also be used during treatment. These drugs are prescribed for severe stages of the disease. They affect the internal autoimmune processes that occur in the body.
One such drug is Kartalin. It allows you to reduce the rate of cell division. It is used in severe stages of the disease, with a constant deterioration of the patient's condition. The drug can also be produced as an injection. This drug has a number of serious side effects on the body. It leads to severe changes in liver cells, as well as bone marrow. This affects the work of all body systems.
Diprospan tablets are considered one of the most effective drugs today. They belong to the category of hormonal. The composition of the drug includes 2 main active ingredients. The first of them gives a quick, but short-lived effect, and the second acts on the pathology gradually. This medicine also has a number of side effects. Therefore, it is prescribed to patients with a severe course of the disease.
To eliminate toxic substances from the body during the treatment of psoriasis, Reamberin is used. It helps restore body systems. The composition includes succinic acid. It has an antioxidant effect on the body. This promotes metabolic processes at the cellular level.
There are also a number of new drugs that affect T cells. This allows you to influence the internal processes in the body. Such drugs include Timodepressin, Basiliximab, Alefacept, etc.
There are a number of homeopathic remedies for psoriasis. Their use is permissible only for moderate to mild disease. Such drugs are used under strict medical supervision. Their effect on the body is quite specific. The first results may not appear immediately.
Physiotherapy
Effects on the body can be not only medication. With psoriasis, physiotherapeutic methods are quite effective. Ultraviolet irradiation is especially widely used. His illness does not tolerate. You need to start the procedure from minor effects on the skin. It is gradually being increased. This has a good effect on the condition of the skin, as well as the general well-being of the patient.
In addition to UV therapy, laser, ultrasound procedures can be prescribed. Good results are shown by magnetotherapy.
Particular attention is paid to nutrition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is necessary to add vitamin complexes to the diet. Psychotherapeutic effects are shown. Stress in psoriasis is unacceptable. You can do yoga, breathing exercises.
Sanatorium treatment
Good results are shown by the spa treatment of psoriasis. In our country, there are several centers where such therapy is carried out. Sanatoriums treating psoriasis are located in different regions of Russia.
One of the centers of spa therapy of the presented disease is in Sochi the Matsesta hydrogen sulfide source. Its waters cause redness of the skin and its slight burning sensation. This leads to accelerated blood circulation. The capillaries expand, which significantly improves the condition of the skin.
Other popular spa areas for the treatment of psoriasis are in the Kuban Territory Goryachy Klyuch, Caucasian Mineralnye Vody (Pyatigorsk). You can also visit the resorts of Tatarstan “Bakirovo”, Bashkiria “Krasnousolsk”. The Ust-Kachka boarding house operates in the Perm Territory, which also specializes in eliminating this ailment.
ethnoscience
Alternative treatment of psoriasis at home is carried out as an additional measure of exposure. Take baths with celandine, hops, three-colored violet. Tar soap and homemade ointment based on tar are also used. This helps alleviate unpleasant symptoms.
Having considered the question of whether psoriasis is treated or not, it should be noted that it is quite possible to achieve long-term remission of the patient, to improve his quality of life. Timely and correct therapy gives high results.