Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease with recurring relapses that affects periarticular tissues. A distinctive feature is the merging red nodules and spots that are irregular in shape and are covered with silver or grayish scales. These spots appear on different parts of the body. Patients who detect such manifestations think about whether psoriasis always itches or not. Indeed, in the initial stages it is difficult to independently establish the disease, and this symptom is one of the main ones.
Causes
Doctors cannot accurately answer for what reasons psoriasis develops, since they are not thoroughly studied. There are hypotheses that indicate the approximate sources of the onset of the disease:
- Viral: the patient develops fragility of blood vessels, changes in the functioning of the lymph nodes occur.
- Genetic: if one of the parents suffers from psoriasis, then the probability of illness of the child increases by 3 times. It is believed that the child inherits the structure of the skin and imperfect metabolism, and not the disease itself.
- Immune: skin psoriasis occurs as a result of autoimmune aggression of lymphocytes, which perceive cells as foreign, leading to inflammation. Occurs after burns and injuries.
- Endocrine: psoriatic dermatitis occurs due to a malfunction in the hormone production system and endocrine system dysfunction. This is especially true for people with diabetes and impaired pituitary or adrenal gland function.
- Neurogenic: vasomotor neurosis develops in the vascular walls and muscle tissue, resulting in narrowing of blood vessels and a decrease in blood supply, which provokes the appearance of papules.
- Improper metabolism: cholesterol rises, problems arise in lipid metabolism, which leads to the formation of keratinized scales.
A person with psoriasis has a deficiency of minerals and vitamins of groups A, B and C. It is important to note that none of the above versions is considered the main one. According to doctors, psoriasis develops due to a combination of several factors.
Psoriasis is a recurring disease that develops in people with disorders of the central nervous system and metabolic processes, a genetic predisposition.
Symptoms
Symptoms of developing psoriasis are flaky, inflamed red spots that are accompanied by severe itching. Their sizes are also different: from the size of a small coin to a vast area.
People who suspect this disease are wondering if psoriasis itches. Together with the rashes of the patient, itching and peeling of the skin are disturbing. After desquamation of the flakes that are located on the surface, deeper dense flakes remain, suppurations and cracks also appear. In some patients, the disease affects the nail plate. Spotting and pinholes appear on the nails, and they also crumble and become denser.
In the summer, the disease subsides, all characteristic symptoms either subside or even disappear. If skin is scratched during psoriasis, patients are advised not to be in the sun for a long time, as this can significantly worsen the course of the disease.
Stages of psoriasis
In dermatology, 3 stages of psoriasis are known, differing in duration, symptoms and degree of skin damage. In addition, some dermatologists define 4 stages, considering the first stage to be initial. So, let's dwell on them in more detail.
initial stage
Many are interested in the question of whether psoriasis itches at the initial stage. During this period, a person is concerned about small rashes of a pale pink color, the size of which is no more than 3 mm. After about 4-6 days, the rash is covered with a gray coating. The itching is not strong, but the patient constantly combes the skin, which leads to increased sensations.
Progressive stage
This stage is characterized by damage to the skin, the formation of pronounced papules. The rashes have different shapes and sizes, they merge and become covered with pronounced scales. The disease at this stage develops from 14 to 60 days. The main symptom of a progressive stage is an isomorphic reaction, in which papules form on the affected skin. If the patient combs the skin, a psoriasis rash will develop on it. An obvious sign is the capillary network, visible when scraping the scales from the plaques. In this case, the patient begins with bleeding.
Stationary stage
The development of psoriasis at this stage lasts for an indefinite period. Rashes cover thick crusts without a pink rim, a layer of grayish-white or gray color forms, the skin coarsens. Does psoriasis itch at the stationary stage? Symptoms are manifested somewhat more weakly: at the previous stage of the patient, intolerable burning and itching are disturbing, and on a stationary one the symptoms become less intense, although itching is noted in some cases.
Regression stage
The patient usually develops a Voronov symptom: papules are surrounded by white rings, rashes are absorbed, they acquire a pale pink tint, gradually adjusting to healthy skin. Itching disappears and new papules do not appear.
The last stage is considered to be painless, scaly lichen usually proceeds in a latent form, the duration of this stage can reach tens of years.
So that the disease does not bother the person and does not go into the regressing stage, it is strongly recommended to consult a dermatologist in a timely manner, who will most correctly determine the optimal treatment regimen.
Medicines
Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the skin of a relapsing nature, which is manifested by a rash of papules with peeling. Scale depriving affects 5% of people, regardless of gender, aged 20-50 years. In addition to the skin, psoriasis affects the joints. In this case, we are talking about psoriatic polyarthritis. So, the reasons why psoriasis itches are established, now we need to treat it:
- Hormonal ointments that quickly stop peeling, inflammation and itching. But it is worth remembering that these are very powerful tools that the body quickly gets used to, heavily succumbing to other drugs. Apply: "Dermoveyt", "Clobetasol", "Sinaflan", "Mometasone", "Triacort", "Flucinar", "Lorinden".
- Non-hormonal ointments with two active components acting on the epidermis. However, the effectiveness of the use of ointments occurs in 1.5-2 weeks. Use salicylic, zinc, ichthyol, sulfuric, tar, Vishnevsky ointment, "Tsinokap", etc.
- Injections are attributed if the previous groups of drugs do not give the desired result. Immunosuppressants: "Stelara", "Remicade"; immunomodulators: Glutoxim, Pyrogenal; hepatoprotectors: Heptral, Heptor; hormonal: Diprospan, Flosteron.
- Tablets. Particularly effective are the preparations Prednisolone, Milgamma, Psorilom, etc. These are hormonal, antihistamines, vitamins, sedatives, and detoxifiers that are not addictive and give good results. Antihistamines: Telfast, Suprastin, Zirtek, Erius; anti-inflammatory: Nise, Ketorol, Ibuprofen; hepatoprotectors: Karsil, Creon, Essential, Festal; immunomodulators: Methotrexate, Immunal; vitamins: Aevit, Neotigazone, as well as vitamins of groups E, B, A, C, folic acid, calcium and zinc.
It is very important to use any medications under the supervision of a doctor, since uncontrolled intake will cause irreparable harm to health and can provoke the development of other, no less dangerous diseases.
Folk methods
In addition to the methods of traditional medicine, psoriasis can be tried to cure with folk remedies. For the most effective treatment of this disease, the people use various compounds and agents that promote skin healing and relieve inflammation:
- Flax infusion. 1 tbsp. l seed is poured into a glass of boiling water and infused throughout the night. Drink the broth before meals twice a day, along with 2 tablets of activated charcoal.
- Lotions. Grind the root of the cinquefoil and boil in 200 ml of water until about one third of the mixture is evaporated. Lotions to the affected skin should be applied in the evening.
- Soda. In a soda mixture (1-1.5 tsp. Soda diluted in 1 tbsp of warm water) of sufficient density, a cotton pad or piece of cotton wool is moistened and applied to the desired location. In a more liquid solution, you can moisten a towel and also apply to the skin until it cools.
- Herbal harvest. To prepare it, take chamomile, motherwort, a string, calendula and celandine. Mix 2 tbsp. l celandine herbs and 1 tbsp. l other plants that have anti-inflammatory effect. Pour hot water, let it brew, then strain and add the broth to the bathroom. Such procedures need to be repeated 1-2 times in 10 days.
Of course, these are not all ways to get rid of psoriasis without visiting doctors, but here are the popular and effective ones. It is important to understand that home treatment is not a 100% panacea. And in some cases, a person will need urgent specialist advice.