There is probably no person who does not know about the existence of a disease such as psoriasis. After all, this is a fairly common disease, which brings a lot of discomfort and restrictions in lifestyle. Most often, insidious rashes affect the knees, elbows, arms and back of a person. But did you know that psoriasis can cover the genitals? Of course, such a disease is extremely rare, but from this it is not less intimidating. Dryness, peeling, painful rashes in intimate places bring a huge amount of not only physical, but also emotional discomfort.
Usually people seek help already in the advanced stages of the disease. But in this case, the treatment is always very difficult and long. So do not ignore the warning signs.
Leakage features
It is no secret to anyone that the reproductive organs of women and men are structured very differently, which is why the symptoms of psoriasis in different sexes are different. True, pathology also has common signs:
- the presence of plaques;
- redness of the skin;
- itching
- pain nodules;
- severe irritation.
The clinical picture of the disease in women
Among the fair sex, psoriasis not on the genitals is quite common. This disease is especially common among women in whose body hormonal changes occur. And this can happen at different periods of life, for example during pregnancy, breastfeeding, puberty or menopause.
Genital psoriasis in women usually encompasses the vaginal mucosa, the space between the buttocks, the pubis, and the labia minora and labia minora. It can also affect the inguinal zone, forming small pink papules, gradually covered with white scales.
Many women confuse psoriasis symptoms with manifestations of sexually transmitted pathologies. Although in its course it is more reminiscent of vulvitis.
Genital psoriasis in women can suddenly appear during the bearing of a child and menopause. During this period, it is very difficult to understand that this disease is developing, because at the same time a large number of other symptoms appear.
It is noteworthy that psoriasis on the genitals is always accompanied by rashes on other parts of the body. The disease is characterized by pronounced clinical manifestations. So, on the inflamed places there are always white scales replacing pink rashes.
Symptoms in men
Can there be psoriasis on the penis? You may be surprised, but this really happens, though not so rarely.
In men, psoriasis can cover the head of the penis, inguinal region and pubis. The main symptom of pathology is bright pink or red spots with clear boundaries. The surface of such rashes is always covered with white scales, which indicate peeling of the skin.
Much less often, the rash spreads to the inside of the foreskin of the penis. In such cases, psoriasis resembles a balanoposthitis well known to many men.
In addition, a rash can also appear in the inguinal zone, since the surface layer of the epithelium is destroyed by the disease. Originating on the head of the penis, the disease pretty quickly spreads to the rest of the skin in the genital area.
Psoriasis in men most often occurs between the ages of 25-50, and much less often it develops later. Sometimes a rash on the reproductive organs is combined with damage to the scalp, armpit skin and near the ears.
In men, pathology is almost always accompanied by severe itching in the scrotum and pubis. Rashes on the head of the penis lead to the appearance of swelling and soreness. In addition, psoriasis on the genitals in men makes the penis hot.
It is noteworthy that this form of the disease does not belong to the group of infectious diseases and is not sexually transmitted.
Reasons for the development of pathology
Genital psoriasis occurs for the same reasons as a general disease. Here are the main ones:
- hereditary predisposition;
- emotional overstrain, severe stress;
- violation of the immune system;
- pathology of the pelvic organs;
- hormonal disorders;
- all kinds of diseases of the reproductive system.
The risk of psoriasis on the genitals increases at times if a person already has similar rashes in other parts of the body. If the patient is not involved in the treatment of the disease, then sooner or later it will begin to progress and gradually spread throughout the skin.
Signs of the atopic course of the disease
Atopic psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of pathological spots of bright scarlet color, which have a clear outline and a smooth surface. Keep in mind: with this pathology, characteristic white scales may be absent on the rash.
With atopic psoriasis, in addition to the genitals, other parts of the body are affected: the chest, folds between the buttocks, armpits. However, the patient feels a burning sensation, itching and skin irritation. Cracks and ulcers may appear in parallel.
Such a disease can spread throughout the body, so histological examination may be required to make an accurate diagnosis.
Flow stages
The appearance and development of psoriasis on the genitals always goes through several main stages. Each of them is characterized by a specific clinical picture:
- The period of exacerbation. At this phase, a large number of new papules and plaques appear on the penis or vagina, which quickly spread over the skin and mucous membrane, occupying an increasingly large area.
- Stabilization period. At this stage, the appearance of the rash remains unchanged, the same applies to the symptoms characteristic of all types of psoriasis.
- The period of remission. At this stage, the intensity of the rash decreases, and the papules themselves decrease in size. Keep in mind that even an ordinary scratch can disrupt remission. That is why during this period it is so important to protect the reproductive organs from various injuries.
Determining the phase of the disease is very important for choosing the optimal treatment tactics.
Diagnostics
How to identify the disease? The main diagnostic method is a visual examination of the affected areas. For an in-depth examination, additional techniques can be used - a biochemical and general blood test. This is necessary to confirm or exclude the rheumatoid factor.
Keep in mind that this disease can not go away on its own, so you can not do without complex therapy. If you refuse treatment, the rashes will increase and spread throughout the body, bringing more and more discomfort.
Therapy Features
Therapy with this form of the disease is practically no different from the treatment of rashes in other parts of the body. The approach must be comprehensive and constantly monitored by a dermatologist. Treatment for genital psoriasis can last from 6 weeks to a year. The tactics of therapy completely depends on the variety of the disease, its severity, the area of the affected skin and the characteristics of the symptoms. All medicines and procedures are selected individually.
Mild forms of genital psoriasis can be treated with special creams and ointments. But severe types of the disease require the use of systemic medicines and physiotherapeutic procedures.
How to treat psoriasis on the genitals
Therapy of the early stage of the disease involves the external use of topical gels, creams and ointments. Such funds effectively fight rashes and help cleanse the skin from pathological plaques and peeling. If the patient is diagnosed with a pathology during the period of exacerbation, oral systemic drugs, special ointments and a variety of physiotherapeutic procedures are used.
How to treat psoriasis on the penis and vagina? The therapeutic complex practiced today by doctors is used for all varieties of the disease, including for the treatment of sexual psoriasis.
- Corticosteroid ointments containing antibacterial ingredients - Diprospan, Silkaren, Avekort, Clobetasol, Diprosalik, Carizon, Ultralan, Betazone, Dayvobet. The action of these drugs is aimed at normalizing metabolic processes in the body, blocking the production of prostaglandins, which increase the manifestations of inflammation. Just keep in mind that such ointments often lead to thinning of the skin and can be addictive.
- Preparations with vitamin D in the composition - Dayvoneks, Psorkutan, Xamiol, Calcipotriol, Dayvobet. With psoriasis of any kind, the use of such drugs is mandatory. After all, vitamin D prevents the involvement of joints in the pathological process. The largest amount of this substance is found in ordinary fish oil.
- How to smear the penis with psoriasis? For this, effective and safe ointments with tar content are excellent - Berestin, Colloidin, Alfozil. Such drugs effectively stop the inflammatory process, stop even the most severe itching and significantly improve the condition of the skin, accelerating its healing.
- Turpentine salt and vegetable baths with the addition of valerian, pine needles, sage, walnut. They accelerate the healing process of the skin, are effective for psoriasis on the skin of the penis and the mucous membrane of the vagina.
- Ultraviolet irradiation of damaged areas. Such a procedure is appointed purely individually. It is not suitable for the treatment of mucous membranes and directly of the genitals. In other words, using ultraviolet radiation, you can get rid of psoriasis on nearby tissues, for example, on the pubis.
- Salicylic ointment - for psoriasis on the penis and vagina. This tool helps to quickly exfoliate the skin and soften the upper layers of papules. True, salicylic ointment can be used to treat genital organs for a maximum of a week. Otherwise, the development of side effects such as migraine, allergic reactions and nausea is not ruled out.
- Naftalan, ichthyol, dermatol, sulfur ointments. These are anti-inflammatory non-hormonal agents that have a disinfecting and healing effect. It is allowed to use for the treatment of psoriasis on the genitals for 2-3 weeks.
- Immunomodulators - Tacrolimus, Pimecrolimus. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect. Such drugs do not cause thinning of the skin, but are quite capable of leading to the development of skin infections. That is why doctors forbid using them for a long time - you can use immunomodulators in courses of 5-6 days with mandatory interruptions.
In addition to that, additional funds may be used to alleviate symptoms, improve overall well-being and speed up recovery:
- Eliminate severe itching and accelerate the exfoliation process using vegetable baths with calendula, chamomile and propolis. No less useful will be a starch bath.
- To strengthen the immune system, it is recommended to take immunosuppressants.
- Many patients are shown symptomatic therapy, including anti-allergenic, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs.
- To make the treatment as effective as possible, it is advisable to cleanse the body. To do this, you can use sorbents and ointments, which help to accelerate the release of toxins.
- Many patients with genital psoriasis require the help of a psychologist. Indeed, the mood in this case plays an important role in the treatment process. With emotional stress and depression, the doctor can recommend sedatives to the patient.
- If the patient is concerned about severe itching and swelling of the reproductive organs, hormonal creams can be used. But to prevent addiction, they can be used only in short courses. With such creams, it is permissible to treat affected skin, and the vagina, and the penis.
- To prevent the occurrence of dryness and microcracks of the mucous membranes, emollients and moisturizers are used.
- For the treatment of psoriasis on the genitals of men, drying preparations should be used, since very often rashes in these places turn out to be wet.
If local therapy is ineffective, tablets are added to the course of treatment. But at the same time, it is impossible to stop the treatment of the genitals with the prescribed means. Even if you suffer from severe itching, you can not comb the affected areas. Otherwise, open wounds will appear that will contribute to secondary infection.
As symptomatic therapy can be used:
- "Fenkarol", "Suprastin" - for insomnia, the course of treatment is 7-10 days.
- "Festal", "Creon" - for violations of the digestive tract.
- "Ketorop", "Nurofen" - with a pronounced pain syndrome.
Additional recommendations
What else is needed for a full recovery? Doctors give some tips:
- Patients with a diagnosis of genital psoriasis should refrain from drinking alcohol and smoking.
- It is advisable to wear loose underwear without synthetics in the composition.
- You need to relax and walk as much as possible, lead a healthy lifestyle.
- If intimacy is not painful, then it is not prohibited. But shaving near the genitals will have to be abandoned, since it contributes to the appearance of microtraumas.
- Diet for psoriasis may include fruits, vegetables, various cereals and legumes. It is worth giving up coffee, spices, hot spices, fried and fatty dishes.
Such treatment tactics can reduce relapses of the disease, cleanse the skin and mucous membranes, alleviate symptoms and restore a person to a normal emotional state. Regular visits to the doctor and examinations make it possible to observe the dynamics of therapy. But it is worth saying that approximately 80% of the success of treatment depends only on the efforts made by the patient.