Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease in which chronic flaking begins. The causes of psoriasis can be different. According to statistics, four percent of the world's population suffers from this disease.
Signs of ailment
For the first time, psoriasis manifests itself at any age. A child at 4 months old and an old man may get sick. Most often, the disease first appears on the body at the age of 21 to 45 years. The disease, which appeared at an early age, is more difficult, with prolonged relapses.
Regardless of the cause of psoriasis, small scales appear on the body. Initially, their size is several millimeters. This is the first sign of a disease. Gradually, the scales grow, from the size reaches 5-8 centimeters. If the disease is not stopped, then the spots grow together, covering large areas of the body.
Psoriasis has typical signs that distinguish it from other types of rash:
- the shape of the scales is round;
- the edge is clear;
- differs in color from skin;
- the scales are light.
Most often, the disease manifests itself at the site of wounds, burns, scratches, frostbite. Where constant skin irritation occurs, psoriasis most often occurs.
Forms of the disease
Psoriasis is a skin disease, the causes of which do not depend on the part of the body on which the rash is located, but determine the form of the disease:
- ordinary, plaque-like psoriasis attacks the skin of the hands, ulnar folds;
- the reverse is formed in the knee bends;
- teardrop-shaped appears in the form of drops on the sides and lower back, on the head, often a provocateur is a transferred sore throat;
- pustular is considered the most severe form with large plaques-blisters, occurs in the shin area;
- psoriatic onychodystrophy infects the nails on the hands and feet, small blotches appear, leads to loss of the nail;
- psoriatic arthritis progresses in the joints, not allowing a person to live fully, sometimes bedridden.
Regardless of the cause of psoriasis, the disease goes through three stages of development:
- The initial stage resemble an allergic reaction. The spots are small pink. The scales are almost invisible. At this stage, patients rarely go to the doctor.
- Progressive differs from the first stage in the growth of the number of plaques. Spot sizes are increasing. Pronounced white flakes appear.
- Stationary stops the spread of plaques. In their place appears skin tightening.
- The regressive stage is manifested by the attenuation of the disease, a decrease in spots. It appears that the disease has receded.
Children's psoriasis in appearance is similar to a rash or prickly heat. In adults, the spots are rough and bright red or pink.
Symptoms of the disease
Itching on the skin, red spots, pain on touching are the first symptoms of psoriasis. The causes of the appearance do not affect the development of the disease. When treatment is started at the initial stage, the patient recovers faster.
The main distinguishing features of psoriasis are the symptoms characteristic only for this disease:
- Stearin stain. Scales covering red spots are easy to clean. If you remove the peeling skin, then under it will be a red papule, resembling a drop of wax.
- Psoriatic film. The film is also called terminal. It is visible when the skin is completely cleansed of scales. It is transparent, moist, covering a completely inflamed area.
- Auspitz phenomenon. When removing the terminal film, small bruises in the shape of droplets will appear at the site of damage.
Pronounced symptoms allow you to quickly diagnose the disease. To confuse with other rashes on the body is almost impossible.
When psoriasis appears on the hands, papules are visible on the elbows or between the fingers. With a disease of the head, the first scales are visible on the back of the head, near the forehead, at the parting. If the disease spreads to the body, then the papules will be visible on the back, neck, hips, stomach. On the legs, the rash appears on the knees. Palms and feet are affected by psoriasis at the same time. The disease rarely activates on the face, affects the area of the eyes and ears.
In children, psoriasis appears in the folds of the skin, forms in places atypical for the adult body. Infantile psoriasis is accompanied by severe itching.
Joint psoriasis is externally manifested by papules on the surface of the skin of the hands. The pain occurs with redness or earlier. Tissue edema occurs, mobility decreases.
Diagnosis of Psoriasis
In the diagnosis, a dermatologist is based on a visual examination of the patient. The disease has pronounced symptoms sufficient to make a diagnosis. The doctor directs the patient to a general blood test. As a rule, with the disease, changes in the results of the tests occur. This allows you to confirm or exclude a severe form of the disease.
The causes of psoriasis affect the inflammatory process in the body. With an increase in rheumatoid titers, proteins, white blood cells or ESR, the presence of autoimmune or rheumatic processes is determined. Endocrine disorders provoking diseases and biochemical changes in the blood are also detected.
One way to identify psoriasis is by biopsy. It is rarely used, it is intended to exclude other skin diseases. Diagnosis shows the presence of Rete bodies, an increase in the content of T-lymphocytes, macrophages. The appearance of new blood vessels in the tissue under the plaques is also revealed. For this reason, point hemorrhages appear in places of skin lesion, vascular fragility increases.
Psoriasis in women
The causes of psoriasis on the body are not known for certain. The disease remains one of the most mysterious. There are several theories for the development of psoriasis, but not one of them has become the only one. It is possible that a combination of several factors causes the disease to manifest.
Women are more emotional than men. Stressful situations, mental imbalance are provoking factors in the development of the disease. Improper nutrition, genetics and infectious diseases are the causes of psoriasis in women.
In women, the disease can develop on the labia. It does not appear immediately, it may not cause inconvenience. The vulgar form of the disease is easily treatable and does not cause trouble. Another form of female psoriasis is called pustular, its distinguishing features:
- a large number of vesicles in the lower abdomen or groin;
- persistent itching;
- weakness;
- temperature rise;
- vomiting
If this form of psoriasis developed during pregnancy, the question arises of interruption. The disease is not contagious, but it affects the development of the baby.
The causes of psoriasis in women on the legs are not known, this form is more common in men. In women, psoriasis on the legs is divided into several types:
- pustular psoriasis on the feet causes pain when walking, develops in the form of vesicles;
- plantar similar to dry corns, but spreads to the entire surface of the foot, the patient experiences severe itching;
- psoriasis of the patella covers the legs with scales, which easily fall off, capillary bleeding appears.
These types of diseases are difficult to treat with ointments alone; it is necessary to approach the solution of the problem comprehensively under the supervision of a doctor.
The provoking causes of psoriasis in women on the body are:
- damage to the skin, mechanical friction, burns;
- stress, depression, anxiety;
- work with chemicals, skin irritation;
- inflammatory or infectious diseases.
Psoriasis in men
Men suffer from psoriasis less than women. The causes of psoriasis in men are not exactly known. There are factors that increase the risk of developing the disease:
- insufficient moisture in the skin;
- infections
- prolonged stress, psychological stress;
- smoking and alcohol;
- decreased immunity;
- poor environmental conditions;
- metabolic disease.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that results in the death of the upper layers of the skin much faster than normal.
One of the causes of psoriasis is a genetic predisposition. It is proved that if both parents suffer from this disease, then the child will inherit psoriasis in 70% of cases. If only one parent is sick, then in half the cases, psoriasis will pass by inheritance.
Another cause of psoriasis in men on the body is infection. The disease occurs as a result of the presence of bacteria and fungi on the body. Scrapes did not confirm this, but clinical observations indicate that psoriasis is more common with infectious diseases. Scientists suggest that an allergic reaction to the vital activity of bacteria occurs on the skin.
It has been established that severe forms of the disease appear with a steady stress state of the body, neurosis. Constant itching aggravates the condition. This is joined by the poor environmental situation in large cities. The body gets rid of toxic products through the skin, which leads to the appearance of plaques.
The presence of chronic infections in the oral cavity, frequent tonsillitis, pharyngitis, otitis media provoke the appearance and exacerbation of psoriasis. Diabetes mellitus also provokes the onset of the disease.
Children
Child psoriasis is less common than an adult. Of the total number of cases, only 10% first encountered this disease under the age of 15. The remaining 90% sought help at an older age.
It is recorded that half of sick children are overweight. This fact confirms the theory that one of the causes of psoriasis in children is a metabolic disorder. Children's psoriasis affects such parts of the body:
- elbows
- a head;
- knees;
- lower back;
- ears
- the palms.
For children, the disease brings a lot of trouble: pain from friction and avoiding peers. Psoriasis in the visible parts of the body repels children and adults.
In infants, plaques form on the face, head and buttocks. At this age, the spots do not merge with each other. There are no scientific explanations for this. Skin manifestations do not have clear contours, larger scales. Self-medication and diagnosis without a doctor at this age is unacceptable.
Features of the course of childhood psoriasis:
- small rash, at the initial stage can be confused with diaper rash;
- large scales on plaques;
- itching
- bleeding may appear.
Depending on the degree of skin lesion, the following degrees of psoriasis are distinguished:
- mild - a lesion of no more than 3%;
- moderate 3-10%;
- severe - over 10%.
Risk factors
The causes of psoriasis are not known for certain. Doctors drew attention to factors that contribute to the onset of the disease:
- injuries of the skin of a different nature;
- hypothermia of a person;
- prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, burns;
- alcohol abuse
- prolonged use of high doses of antibiotics;
- hormonal changes during pregnancy and lactation;
- teenage years;
- menopause in women.
Taking medications increases psoriasis and relapses. Medications aggravating the course of the disease:
- beta blockers;
- B vitamins for injection;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, butadion, etc.);
- antibiotics (penicillin, tetracycline, ampicillin, etc.).
In people who are addicted to alcohol, the disease is severe, the period between relapses is reduced.
Patient reviews about the disease
People suffering from psoriasis note that the quality of life during exacerbations is significantly reduced. Most of the trouble is caused by the disease on the scalp and face. The causes of psoriasis on the head are still unknown. It is not clear to the person what is required for repeated rashes to disappear. Patients experience physical or psychological discomfort. In particularly complex and severe cases, the appointment of disability is possible.
Patients say that with itchy skin and pain it is difficult to perform the simplest things. Sleep becomes restless. Clothing rubs damaged areas while driving. However, there is no way to physically work or play sports.
Patients experience psychological discomfort from ignorance of the causes of psoriasis. Treatment provides temporary relief. It is noted that patients suffer from low self-esteem, are afraid of being rejected by society. This leads to depression, social phobia. In 71% of patients, the disease significantly affected their lifestyle. 58% feel shame and embarrassment from the manifestation of the disease.
Treatment
Psoriasis is a chronic disease. At the initial stage, gentle treatment methods are used. If the effect is not achieved, then more intensive means are used.
An individual approach is applied to each patient, symptoms, causes of psoriasis are determined. Treatment consists in studying the medical history, determining the factors that influence the exacerbation of the disease.
To select medicines, the doctor collects the following information:
- the frequency and degree of development of the disease;
- state of the digestive system;
- overweight and metabolic disorders;
- chronic diseases;
- state of the nervous and endocrine systems;
- patient age;
- genetics.
Treatment begins with the use of ointments that reduce pain and itching. The ointment is based on fat, which prevents dry skin and enhances the absorption of active ingredients. Most often, ointments based on lard and salicylic acid are used for treatment, which does not cause discomfort and relieves itching and inflammation.
Hormonal drugs are prescribed if the patient worsens. The treatment is short-term, with prolonged use cause a number of side effects.
With psoriasis, the balance of nutrients in the body is disturbed. To supplement them, vitamin complexes are prescribed. They help to enhance general immunity, participate in protein metabolism. Reduce the number of relapses in the autumn-winter period.
If the endocrine glands are disturbed, drugs that improve metabolism are used. In some situations, the doctor prescribes antihistamines.
Alternative methods of treatment involve the use of decoctions of herbs. Before using them, it is necessary to consult your doctor in order to avoid allergic reactions.