Scaly lichen is a very common skin disease and dermatologists are most often associated with it. This disease is not only very aesthetic (irregularly shaped scaly red spots on the skin frighten many others), but it leads to mental discomfort, physical and psychological problems and, in the future, serious complications. .
Therefore, knowing the insidious nature of the disease and the pitfalls of its chronic course (frequent relapses) in a family where there are already patients with scaly lichen, its members are especially afraid of getting sick and wary of any changes. of skin.
How to recognize the first signs of psoriasis (another name for scaly lichen)? How does the disease start? At what age does the disease appear most often? What do you need to know so that you don't miss the first symptoms of psoriasis and start treatment on time? Is there a difference in the first manifestations of the disease in men and women? We will try to answer these questions and many more in this article.
What triggers the first signs of psoriasis?
Despite the fact that psoriasis is not inherited (this has been proven by the latest research), there are many factors that, together with a predisposition to psoriasis, can trigger its clinical manifestation.
- Usually, the onset of psoriasis is preceded by some kind of nervous breakdown or mental trauma. This factor most often causes the development of psoriasis.
- Hormonal imbalance can push the disease, therefore, women during pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause should be especially careful with themselves - adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid negative emotions, do not stay in the bathroom for a long time. sun and being outdoors more often.
- The trigger for the development of psoriasis may be a change in the surrounding climate (moving to another place of residence, rest in a warm country in January). Therefore, it is better to refrain from a sharp change in latitude, and even from winter to summer (moving in an area with a climate with a large temperature difference), if there isscaly lichen in family history. In the event of forced displacement, it is very important during such a period to pay special attention to your body.
- Foci of chronic infection can also lead to the appearance of psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases should always be treated, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, a strep focus in the body is especially dangerous. However, caries, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all these lazy diseases pose a threat to any organism.
At what age do the first signs of psoriasis usually appear?
The first signs of psoriasis can appear at any age. Scaly lichen does not spare the elderly and children. There are cases of the onset of the disease in infants and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after 80. But most often the first signs of psoriasis appear at a young age of 14 to 30. As a rule, such patients, even at such a young age, already have concomitant diseases, for example, such as obesity, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia, thyroid pathology.
The first signs of psoriasis in men
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. But, in all cases, the first symptoms of skin forms of psoriasis are the appearance of a rash. The rash is a rounded epidermal papule What is the mechanism of development of psoriatic papules?
Provoking factors trigger the inflammatory process, which is based on hyperkeratosis (pathological cell proliferation). As a result, the epidermis thickens, begins to protrude above healthy skin, forming a nodule. This is the main component of squamous lichen - psoriatic papule.
The papule has a bright pink color, which differs in intensity. Initially, the papule is dark pink (to a dark red color), then it becomes more faded and scaly. The dead scales of the epithelium have a grayish-silvery color, they are very easily separated by scratching. In the underlying layer of the dermis, new blood vessels appear, which supply nutrients to the emerging cells of the epidermis. Because of this, during remission, even in the absence of plaque, the skin will be reddish in color. As the process worsens, the elements increase and occupy an increasingly larger area. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeding, that is, there is an obvious clinic of psoriasis.
Favorite places for the first rash of psoriasis are the scalp, face (in adolescents), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet and soles of the feet. Psoriatic plaques, unlike eczema, are usually located on the outer extensor surfaces of the joint.
They talk about the initial stage of psoriasis if no more than 10% of the skin surface is affected. An experienced dermatologist will recognize the symptoms of psoriasis immediately, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (with psoriatic joint damage) is mistaken for psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis
Plaque soriasis is common skin psoriasis, so its early signs are the easiest to spot. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules, usually located in the area of the joints. They look like a small abscess filled with light-colored contents. The main elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are barely noticeable. They can pass on their own, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more noticeable. If you scratch the papule, it immediately becomes covered with silvery scales. In the summer, under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the rash may disappear. With the progression of the disease, its amount increases, it covers more extensive areas, and the individual elements merge into extensive plaques.
Sometimes the first signs immediately appear violently and profusely. In response to the provoking factor, the skin becomes covered with bright pink-red psoriatic plaques, which are severely itchy. But such an onset is rare for psoriasis.
The first signs of psoriasis of the nails
The first changes in the nails can be varied and resemble a fungal infection. Delamination, brittleness, thickening of the nail plate appear, sunken points or grooves are visible all over the nail. In addition, the first pathological signs appear at the edge of the nail, then they move to the root. One of the first symptoms of nail psoriasis is discoloration of the nail. The nail plate may turn yellow, gray, or white. Bleeding may appear under the nail. All of these signs can be on all the nails or just one.
The first signs of psoriasis of the soles of the feet and palms
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is lesion of the soles of the feet or palms in the form of dense psoriatic lesions covered with scales. When scratching, a shiny, shiny surface appears, which, along with other injuries, begins to bleed ("bloody dew" syndrome).
The first signs of scalp psoriasis
Scalp psoriasis resembles seborrhea due to the profuse peeling. It can separate, without affecting other areas of the skin, for a long time. Patients are treated for dandruff by purchasing special shampoos, without even realizing that they have psoriasis on their head. After a while, the lesion affects the back of the ear, the neck and descends below. And only in this case, patients begin to sound the alarm and go to the doctor.
The first signs of psoriatic arthritis
With psoriatic arthritis, the rashes may not be present. The first signs of psoriasis will be complaints of deformed joints, which grow larger and become painful. The fingers and toes are swollen and look like sausages. As the disease progresses, the gait changes. It can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis in this form, many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in the parents and a careful differential diagnosis of diseases affecting the joints help to make the correct diagnosis.
The first signs of psoriasis in women
Psoriasis is the same for men and women. But, unlike men, in whom the first symptoms of psoriasis usually appear around the age of 25 to 30, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear earlier. The trigger for the development of the disease is often hormonal changes during the puberty period. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormonal levels throughout their lives. For the onset of psoriasis, the most important and dangerous periods in a woman are:
- the menstrual cycle (especially its appearance);
- pregnancy;
- delivery;
- lactation period;
- menopause.
If psoriasis occurs already at the time of conception, pregnancy can have a beneficial effect on skin manifestations and a period of remission will begin. But after childbirth, perhaps an aggravation of all the processes. Most often, according to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women occur during childbirth and during menopause. For the other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis in women and men do not differ. But children's psoriasis has its own characteristics.
What to do when the first signs of psoriasis are detected?
In any case, if the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are detected, it is urgent to consult a dermatologist in order to start treating the disease in a timely manner. The doctor will prescribe the treatment of psoriasis, taking into account the severity of the course and the specifics of the manifestations of the disease. It has been proven that if less than 5% of the skin is affected by psoriasis, all symptoms can be eliminated. But the treatment should be selected by a competent specialist.
Outraged:
- if you find the first signs of psoriasis in yourself or in your family, try to remember what could have caused the disease and avoid these factors in the future;
- be outdoors more often and don't forget to sunbathe;
- mood - take a contrast shower, do not forget to water;
- try to go to the sea and swim more;
- take good care of your skin, protect it from injury, use moisturizers;
- for psoriasis of the head, choose shampoos without harsh ingredients; do not dye the hair;
- review your diet;
- avoid conflicts and stressful situations; learn to control your emotions (but do not suppress them), the ability to remain calm in dramatic moments of life will help to maintain remission for a long time;
- you can take valerian, motherwort (consult your doctor) if you are emotionally labile;
- dress in cotton, pay special attention to underwear, which should only be made of natural fabrics, do not wear synthetic materials;
- treat chronic infections in a timely manner;
- go to bed earlier, get yourself a good rest.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis or questionable symptoms appear, consult a dermatologist in Germany:
- You will be convinced of the reliability (or error) of the diagnosis:
- Thanks to experienced specialists, you will be able to quickly eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis (especially if these are the first signs of the disease);
- You will receive expert advice with detailed recommendations and instructions;
- You will buy quality medicines prescribed by a doctor to relieve a possible exacerbation;
- In the future, if necessary, you will be able to keep in touch with the attending physician via Skype, phone or e-mail.