Psoriasis

It must be said that the suffering caused by psoriasis is underestimated by others. According to scientists, psoriasis in its negative impact on the quality of life is not inferior to chronic heart failure and chronic lung diseases.

This disease does not kill directly, but it greatly destroys people's lives.

Let's talk about psoriasis.

This is a chronic inflammatory skin process, which modern medicine describes as autoimmune, that is, associated with allergies to your own tissues.

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases and affects 1-2% of the population in developed countries.

Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes red, scaly patches covered in silvery scales that are itchy. Psoriasis usually appears between the ages of 20 and 30 and is often hereditary.

This pathology is not an infectious disease. In addition to physical suffering, even mild psoriasis can lead to serious psychological problems: low self-esteem, shame and social isolation. It is impossible to die from psoriasis, but the impact of this disease on a person's life is very serious.

Causes of psoriasis

The causes of psoriasis have not been fully identified. The mechanism of the disease is associated with a violation of the division of skin cells, which causes a reaction of the immune system. Such a reaction is part of autoimmune reactions, since it occurs in response to a malfunction in the body itself, and not to the penetration of a threat from the outside.

Is psoriasis contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious and being afraid to shake hands with someone with the disease is stupid and cruel.

As we have already mentioned, psoriasis is not an infectious disease and several studies indicate that it is of autoimmune origin. In the case of psoriasis, it is believed that immune T cells, which are supposed to attack foreign organisms, tragically mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This leads to a thickening of its upper layer, the epidermis, and an inflammatory process which penetrates deeper into the dermis.

The autoimmune theory of the origin of psoriasis has its place, but the autoantigen that should trigger this process has not yet been found, that is, the i has not been dotted.

However, it's obvious: you can't get psoriasis, you can just get it.

Is psoriasis hereditary?

As with rosacea, psoriasis tends to run in families. The hereditary nature of psoriasis is confirmed by the fact that the incidence is higher in families in which psoriasis has already been diagnosed. Moreover, in twins the incidence concentration is also higher than in other groups;

But heredity must be awakened. This is done by provoking factors:

• psychological trauma and chronic stressful conditions;
• previous infectious disease;
• skin injuries;
• certain medications;
• hormonal changes in the body;
• allergies (for example, citrus fruits, eggs, chocolate can aggravate the condition);
• alcohol poisoning;
• even climate change.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The first symptoms of psoriasis: skin rashes in the form of bright pink plaques with a scaly surface. The plaques are single, rise above the level of healthy skin and are localized on the elbows and in the popliteal cavities.

Most often, psoriatic plaques appear on the skin of the knees, elbows, chest, abdomen, back and scalp, but as the disease progresses, they may appear in other places on the skin. the most unexpected skin.

At first, the papules are small - 3-5 mm, bright pink in color. Gradually, they grow in size and become covered in silvery scales, then coalesce into larger formations called plates.

Fresh elements of papules are usually brightly colored, even red, while "old" ones are paler. In the initial stage of psoriasis, the edges of the papule do not peel off. They represent a hyperemic border - a corolla of growth

The hallmark of psoriasis is the Auspitz triad. This triad can be observed by scratching the surface of the papule with a sharp object. It includes three phenomena:

• the phenomenon of stearin stain - the layering of a large number of silvery-white scales, which are easily separated when scratched;
• a symptom of psoriatic film is an exuded surface consisting of a prickly layer, which opens after peeling off the lower layers of the horny plates;
• the phenomenon of "blood dew" – exposure of superficial capillaries in the form of small blood spots after detachment of the psoriatic film

Stages of psoriasis

The main element of psoriasisis a single, pink or red papule, covered with a large number of loose, silvery-white scales.

Psoriasis develops quite slowly; an increase in the number of plaques and their growth can be observed over several months or years. In a small percentage of patients, the disease may get worse. As a rule, this is preceded by severe mental stress or a serious illness requiring massive drug treatment. In this case, the papules are not pale pink, but bright red, with obvious signs of inflammation, swollen, itching.

Second steppsoriasis is characterized by more extensive lesions. At the scratching site, new papules appear, forming new plaques. Due to growth, new growths merge with existing ones. The plaques affect symmetrical limbs and form similar patterns and lines.

At the third stagegrowth slows down, changes mainly concern the structure of the rash. The boundaries between healthy and affected skin become clearer. The plates acquire a bluish tint and begin to actively peel off. If left untreated, they thicken and sometimes form papillomatous nevi (brown) and warty growths (flesh-colored).

There is another step -regression of the disease, at which point the symptoms disappear. The coat disappears, the definition of the border disappears, the skin normalizes and returns to its original state.

Types of psoriasis

• Plaque psoriasis is represented by pale pink, weakly infiltrated spots. This reminds me of drug addiction.
• Irritable psoriasis - occurs due to exposure of the skin to aggressive environmental factors (sunlight, cold, heat) and irritating medications. The color of the plaque becomes more intense, it increases in size, rises further above the surface of the skin, and a belt in the form of redness forms along the edges.
• Seborrheic psoriasis - often develops in patients suffering from seborrhea. The clinical picture is very similar to that of seborrheic eczema.
• Exudative psoriasis is quite common. Occurs due to excessive secretion of inflammatory fluid - exudate. It permeates scale clusters and transforms them into scale crusts.
• Psoriasis of the palms and soles is represented either by ordinary plaques and papules, or by hyperkeratotic formations similar to calluses and calluses.
• Follicular psoriasis is quite rare. The rash consists of white miliary nodules with a funnel-shaped depression in the center.
• Mucosal psoriasis is also rare. Occurs on the mucous membrane of the mouth and bladder. Appears as gray-white areas with a red border

Depending on the seasonality of the exacerbation, several types of psoriasis are distinguished:

• summer - exacerbation results from exposure of the skin to the sun;
• winter – occurs due to extreme cold that affects the skin.

With non-seasonal psoriasis, there are no periods of remission; the disease occurs all year round.

By affected skin area:

• limited psoriasis - occupies less than 20% of the body's skin;
• common - more than 20%;
• generalized - all skin is affected.

Indeed, there are several subtypes of the disease, and sometimes the same patient develops two or three forms at the same time. Most often - in 80-90% of cases - plaque psoriasis develops.

30% of patients suffer from psoriatic arthritis, in which the joints become inflamed accompanied by external manifestations, and 10% suffer from a teardrop form of the disease.

Other rarer subtypes are also known. All of them are manifested by specific skin rashes that can occur on any part of the body and by itching, sometimes very painful. But there is good news: according to statistics, in 80% of cases, psoriasis presents in a benign form and the lesions cover less than 3% of the body surface.

Forms of psoriasis

1. Pustular form of psoriasis. It is characterized by the presence of plaques with cortical scales, impregnated with exudate. If damaged, for example from a scratch or self-harm in the folds of the body, the rashes become moist. They itch and burn and cause physical discomfort. This type of disease is more often diagnosed in people who are overweight, hypothyroidism and diabetes.
2. Pustular form (generalized). Its development is classic, starting with a single vesicle which transforms into plaques. The lesions are symmetrical and can affect any part of the body. The severe course of this form of psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of intraepidermal pustules. They can unite to form "purulent lakes". Pustules do not open on their own, as they are externally protected by a dense brown crust.
3. Arthropathic form. This is the most severe form of psoriasis, in which changes first affect small joints and then large ones, including the spine. This results in painful symptoms and their deformation. Probably joint fusion, loss of mobility. Against the background of this form of psoriasis, other pathologies appear: ankylosis, osteoporosis, which lead to disability.

Complications

Many people know what psoriasis looks like, but the disease, in addition to external manifestations, has a number of complications. They are manifested by a decrease in the functioning of the skin, disturbances in temperature regulation and water-salt balance. The protective function against various bacteria is also reduced.

For example, hand psoriasis only represents part of the clinical picture. People with this diagnosis often suffer from chronic gastrointestinal and heart diseases.

Severe psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality in general.

The group of complications also includes:

• arthritis of psoriatic joints. About 30% of patients with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis in their lifetime, characterized by stiffness, pain and swelling of the joints. The disease can progress to the destruction of the joints. 80 to 90% of patients suffer from psoriatic nail lesions and onycholysis.
• psoriatic erythroderma;
• generalized pustular psoriasis;
• autoimmune diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease);
• erectile dysfunction in men;
• metabolic syndrome, i. e. a combination of visceral obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

It should also be noted that the pathologies associated with psoriasis, especially in its severe form, include depression, anxiety disorders, including suicidal tendencies.

Psoriatic erythroderma is slightly less common. This condition occurs when the skin is completely damaged. Patients worry about itching and burning, excessive peeling of dead tissue and a strong skin reaction to temperature changes.

The second most common type is pustular psoriasis. This complication is associated with the addition of a secondary infection - staphylococci and streptococci. Clinically, pustular psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of pustules - pustules the size of buckwheat grains. Pustules appear in different places. They rise above the surface of the skin, are characterized by rapid growth and a tendency to merge. The existing symptoms are accompanied by high fever and signs of severe poisoning.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

The diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis is carried out by a dermatologist. Initially, an external examination of the affected areas is carried out and an anamnesis is collected. Sometimes the disease resembles other diseases, especially in the first stage.

If hands and nails are affected, it is important to exclude the presence of fungal infections. Seborrheic eczema, pityriasis rosea and papular syphilis should also be excluded.

But I want to say that in most cases diagnosing psoriasis is not difficult, it does not even require tests, it is enough to examine the skin.

Treatment of psoriasis

Can psoriasis be cured? Yes!

Thanks to the pathogenetic technique, we perfectly put the skin into remission, the skin is cleansed, restored and the person can lead a full life. The treatment regimen for psoriasis is carried out using medicinal acids under point activation. The duration of treatment is different for each patient, it may require 6 procedures, or even 10. Maintenance treatment is needed from 2 to 6 months, everything is individual.

I always warn patients that the treatment of psoriasis is numb in nature, that is, it progresses slowly. But we can take long breaks (about a month) between procedures.

Home care is of great importance in the treatment of psoriasis. Homemade cosmetics are made up of almost 99% natural ingredients. I spent about two years developing better formulas to be able to support skin with complex dermatoses at home.

Home care regimens for patients with psoriasis are selected individually. But there are also average diets suitable for caring for skin with psoriasis. Check out my social media. networks, there is an ocean of information there.

Recommendations for eliminating symptoms of the disease

I always tell my patients that effective treatment of any disease is possible only with an integrated approach. I would like to emphasize that it is of great importance to take maximum precautions to reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease. As always, everything is banal and nothing new, but I'll say it anyway.

Recommended:

• avoid skin injuries;
• avoid hypothermia;
• give up bad habits;
• avoid stressful situations;
• promptly treat infections and concomitant diseases;
• Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

Patients with psoriasis should be especially attentive to compliance with personal hygiene requirements.

If you are taking a shower or bath, then:

• use products without dyes or perfumes;
• choose a mild shampoo;
• avoid using rough sponges, creams, gels containing abrasive particles;
• Avoid harsh soaps, as they dry out the skin too much;
• adjust the water temperature to keep it warm;
• do not stay in the water for more than 10 to 15 minutes;
• use a soft towel, do not rub or scratch the skin.

After showering and bathing, it is recommended to use special moisturizing body creams. Try to comb your hair as little as possible so as not to irritate the surface of your scalp. The same goes for blow drying. If you can't do without it, choose a hot or cold jet.

Choose lightweight clothing, made from natural fabrics and loose cut so that it does not restrict movement or chafe.

In summer, you should not tan for too long. To protect your skin from UV rays, apply sunscreens with a high SPF factor as part of your proper home care routine.

Psoriasis prevention

Since psoriasis is considered a multifactorial disease with a share of immunopathological, genetic, endocrine, metabolic and, possibly, infectious components, there are no uniform prevention rules.

People at risk should pay particular attention to their health:

• those who have loved ones suffering from psoriasis;
• those who frequently and constantly injure the skin;
• has chronic infections;
• diseases of the nervous system;
• endocrine disorders.

Increased nervousness, stress, alcohol abuse, frequent hypothermia and sunburn increase the risk of pathology.

If treatment of psoriasis according to WHO standards (hormones, phototherapy) has not helped you, come and remove this "plume of snow" from your life. After all, without timely and competent treatment, psoriasis begins to negatively affect vital organs and systems.