psoriasis

It must be said that the suffering that psoriasis brings is underestimated by others. According to scientists, psoriasis is in no way inferior to chronic heart failure and chronic lung diseases in its negative impact on quality of life.

This disease does not kill directly, but it significantly ruins people's lives.

Let's talk about psoriasis.

This is a chronic inflammatory process of the skin that modern medicine classifies as an autoimmune disease, i. e. h. associated with allergies to your own tissue.

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

Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, scaly patches with silvery scales that cause itching. Psoriasis usually occurs 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 cause 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 are not fully understood. The mechanism of the disease is associated with a violation of the division of skin cells, which in turn provokes a reaction from the immune system. Such a reaction belongs to autoimmune reactions, since it occurs in response to a malfunction in the body itself, and not to the intrusion of an outside threat.

Is psoriasis contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious and being afraid to shake hands with a person suffering from this disease is stupid and cruel.

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

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

However, one thing is clear: you can't catch psoriasis - you can just get it.

Is psoriasis inherited?

Like rosacea, psoriasis is usually hereditary. The hereditary nature of psoriasis is confirmed by the fact that the incidence is higher in those families where psoriasis has already been diagnosed. In addition, the frequency of incidence in twins is higher than in other groups.

But heredity must be awakened. This happens due to provoking factors:

• psychological trauma and chronic stress conditions;
• previous infectious disease;
• skin injuries;
• some medications;
• hormonal changes in the body;
• Allergies (e. g. citrus fruits, eggs, chocolate can worsen the disease);
• alcohol poisoning;
• even climate change.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The first symptoms of psoriasis: skin rashes in the form of light pink plaques with a scaly surface. The plaques are solitary, rise above the level of healthy skin and are located on the elbows and back of the knees.

Most often, psoriasis plaques appear on the skin of the knees, elbows, chest, abdomen, back and scalp, but as the disease progresses they can also appear in other, completely unexpected areas of the skin.

Initially, the papules are small – 3-5 mm, the color is bright pink. Gradually they increase in size, become covered with silvery scales, and then merge into larger formations called plaques.

Fresh elements of papules usually have a light color, even red, while "old" papules are more likely to be faded. In the initial stage of psoriasis, the edges of the papules do not peel off. They represent a hyperemic border - a growth crown

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

• the phenomenon of stearin spot - the layering of a large number of silvery-white scales that are easily detached when scraped off;
• A symptom of psoriasis film is a protruding surface from a spinous layer, which opens after the lower layers of the horny plates peel off;
• the phenomenon of "blood dew" – exposure of surface capillaries in the form of small blood spots after the psoriasis film has detached

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 condition may become more severe. This is usually preceded by severe psychological stress or a serious illness that requires massive drug treatment. In this case, the papules are not pale pink, but bright red, with clear signs of inflammation, swollen and cause itching.

Second stagePsoriasis is characterized by more extensive lesions. New papules form at the scratch site, forming new plaques. Through growth, new plants merge with existing ones. Plaques affect symmetrical limbs and form similar patterns and lines.

In the third stageGrowth slows down, changes mainly affect the structure of the rash. The boundaries between healthy and affected skin become clearer. The plaques take on a bluish tint and begin to actively peel off. Without treatment, thickening and sometimes papillomatous nevi (brown) and warty growths (flesh-colored) occur.

There is another stage -Disease decline, at which point the symptoms disappear. The peeling disappears, the contours disappear, the skin normalizes and returns to its original state.

Types of psoriasis

• Patchy psoriasis is represented by pale pink, weakly infiltrated patches. Reminds me of toxicoderma.
• Irritable psoriasis – occurs when the skin is exposed to aggressive environmental factors (sunlight, cold, heat) and irritating medications. The color of the plaque becomes more intense, it increases in size, protrudes more from the surface of the skin, and a belt in the form of redness forms around the edges.
• Seborrheic psoriasis – often develops in patients with seborrhea. The clinical picture is very similar to seborrheic dermatitis.
• Exudative psoriasis is quite common. Occurs due to excessive secretion of inflammatory fluid – exudate. It impregnates scale piles and turns 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.
• Psoriasis of the mucous membranes 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 – aggravation occurs when skin is exposed to sunlight;
• Winter – occurs due to extreme cold that affects the skin.

There are no periods of remission in non-seasonal psoriasis; the disease occurs all year round.

By affected skin area:

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

In fact, there are several subtypes of the disease, and sometimes a 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 joint inflammation occurs along with external manifestations, and 10% have a teardrop form of the disease.

Other, rarer subtypes are also known. They all manifest themselves through specific skin rashes that can appear on any part of the body, as well as itching, which is sometimes very painful. But there is good news: according to statistics, psoriasis occurs in a mild form in 80% of cases, 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 there is damage, for example from scratching or self-harm in the folds of the body, the rashes become wet. They cause itching and burning and cause physical discomfort. This type of disease is more often diagnosed in people with obesity, hypothyroidism and diabetes.
2. Pustular (generalized) form. It has a classic developmental pattern that begins with a single vesicle that develops 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 and form "purulent lakes". The pustules do not open on their own because they are protected from the outside by a dense brown crust.
3. Arthropathic form. The most severe form of psoriasis, in which changes first affect small joints and then large joints, including the spine. This is manifested by pain symptoms and their deformation. Probably joint stiffness, loss of mobility. Against the background of this form of psoriasis, other pathologies appear: ankylosis, osteoporosis, which leads to disability.

Complications

Many people know what psoriasis looks like, but in addition to the external manifestations, the disease also brings with it a number of complications. They manifest themselves in reduced skin function, disturbances in temperature regulation and water-salt balance. The protective function against various bacteria is also reduced.

For example, psoriasis on the hands is only 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 heart attack, stroke, and overall cardiovascular mortality.

The group of complications also includes:

• Arthritis of the psoriatic joints. Approximately 30% of patients with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by stiffness, pain, and swelling of the joints, during their lifetime. The disease can progress to joint destruction. Psoriatic nail lesions and onycholysis occur in 80–90% of patients.
• psoriatic erythroderma;
• generalized pustular psoriasis;
• Autoimmune diseases (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease);
• erectile dysfunction in men;
• metabolic syndrome, which means a combination of visceral obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia.

It should also be noted that among the pathologies accompanying psoriasis, especially in severe form, are depression, anxiety disorders, including suicidal tendencies.

Psoriatic erythroderma is somewhat less common. This condition occurs when the skin is completely damaged. Patients are concerned about itching and burning, excessive flaking of dead tissue, and a severe skin reaction to temperature changes.

The second most common form 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 protrude 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 intoxication.

How is psoriasis diagnosed?

Psoriasis is diagnosed and treated by a dermatologist. First, an external examination of the affected areas is carried out and an anamnesis is taken. Sometimes the disease resembles other diseases, especially in the first stage.

If the hands and nails are affected, it is important to rule out the presence of a fungal infection. Seborrheic dermatitis, pityriasis rosea, and papular syphilis should also be excluded.

But I want to say that in most cases the diagnosis of psoriasis is not difficult, it does not even require a test, it is enough to examine the skin.

Treatment of psoriasis

Can psoriasis be cured? Yes!

Using the pathogenetic technique, we bring the skin perfectly into a state of remission, the skin is cleansed, restored and the person can lead a fulfilling life. The treatment regimen for psoriasis is carried out using medicinal acids with activation of points. The duration of therapy is different for each patient; 6 or perhaps 10 procedures may be required. Maintenance therapy is required from 2 to 6 months, everything is individual.

I always warn patients that treatment for psoriasis is inherently indolent, meaning it progresses slowly. However, we can take long breaks (about a month) between procedures.

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

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

Recommendations for eliminating the 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 note that it is of great importance to take maximum precautions to reduce the risk of exacerbation of the disease. As always, it's all banal and nothing new, but I'll say it anyway.

Recommended:

• Avoid injuries to the skin;
• avoid hypothermia;
• give up bad habits;
• avoid stressful situations;
• Treat infections and comorbidities promptly;
• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight.

Patients with psoriasis need to be particularly careful in maintaining personal hygiene rules.

When you shower or bathe:

• use products without dyes and fragrances;
• Choose a mild shampoo;
• Avoid using rough sponges, creams and gels with abrasive particles.
• Avoid harsh soap as it dries out the skin too much;
• Adjust the water temperature to keep it warm.
• Do not stay in the water for longer than 10-15 minutes.
• Use a soft towel, do not rub or scratch the skin.

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

Choose clothing that is lightweight, made from natural fabrics, and has a loose fit so that it does not restrict movement or cause chafing.

In summer you shouldn't sunbathe for too long. To protect your skin from UV rays, apply sunscreen with a high SPF as part of your home care routine.

Prevention of psoriasis

Due to the fact that psoriasis is considered a multifactorial disease with a share of immunopathological, genetic, endocrine, metabolic and possibly infectious components, there are no uniform rules for prevention.

People at risk should pay particular attention to their health:

• those whose relatives suffer 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 likelihood of pathology.

If the treatment of psoriasis according to WHO standards (hormones, phototherapy) did not help you, come and let us remove this "snow cloud" from your life. Because without timely and competent treatment, psoriasis begins to negatively affect vital organs and systemsinfluence.