Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It manifests itself in the form of rashes. The initial stage is characterized by symptoms similar to the clinical picture of other pathologies of the epidermis. In order to prevent the progression of the disease, to facilitate its course, it is necessary to differentiate the pathology. To do this, you need to know the symptoms, manifestations of psoriasis in different stages.
Causes in adults and children
Why psoriasis occurs in children and adults, medical scientists have not yet fully understood. There is only speculation about the cause of the development of this disease. It is therefore assumed that psoriasis can be inherited: in people whose parents suffered from such a skin disease, a psoriatic rash is often observed. Some doctors associate the development of the pathology with immunological instability, metabolic disorders and the presence of chronic infection. In most patients, doctors note severe hyperlipidemia.
To check the susceptibility to such a disease, you need to perform a classical genomic analysis. Those with ten chromosomal loci are more likely to develop psoriasis. The main genome responsible for the congenital predisposition is PSORS1.
Psoriasis can develop at any age: in children, young men and women, the elderly. In adults, according to medical scientists, the disease is caused by the following factors:
- low immunity;
- chronic fatigue;
- alcohol abuse;
- severe stress;
- poor hygiene;
- constant overeating;
- insect bite;
- infectious pathologies (influenza, ARVI); vaccination
- ;
- temperature difference;
- vitamin deficiency;
- smoking;
- long-term drugs;
- burn;
- allergy;
- hormonal imbalance;
- climate change;
- poor nutrition.
Children most often experience psoriatic rashes:
- after a sore throat;
- if there is a chronic infection in the body;
- with low immunity.
Psoriasis should not be started:people with this diagnosis increase the risk of early atherosclerotic vascular lesions and the development of heart disease. There is also a threat of arthritis.
Most often, psoriasis occurs in people with low heredity.
How psoriasis manifests itself
Psoriasis is characterized by the appearance of large plaques on the skin. The spots are initially insignificant and appear on parts of the body where the skin is coarser (on the elbows, knees). Such formations flake off. When scratching, sores appear, which turn pale in the morning.
The disease is characterized by the following manifestations:
- Stearin stain.These are small, scaly papules fused into plaques.
- Film terminal.Under the psoriatic plaques there is a thin, bright pink skin. Her doctor can see after removing all the scales.
- localized bleeding(bloody dew syndrome). If the terminal film is damaged as a result of scratching the stratum corneum of the epidermis, drops of blood appear.
Such manifestations in the aggregate are called the psoriatic triad. They are detected during a sample of the inflamed skin area.
Psoriasis also has the following symptoms:
- the formation of new papules in case of skin lesion and an increase in the area of the lesion;
- the elements of the rash have a dense structure;
- there is a red border around the plate;
- weakness;
- the presence of a three-millimeter whitish pseudo-atrophic border around the rash;
- purulent smell of the skin (when pustules form);
- the phenomenon of oily formation, in which a yellowish-brown spot appears under the nail plate;
- proliferative acanthosis, in which the skin thickens, interpapillary processes lengthen;
- thimble symptom (nail psoriasis);
- itch.
Psoriasis being a chronic condition, its symptoms start to go away after a while, the wounds heal. But then the papules form again.
The first symptoms of the onset of the disease
In the first stage of psoriasis, a rash always forms.
At first it is almost invisible, with no characteristic scales. Several rashes appear on the limbs.
After a few weeks, the number of affected areas increases. The rash merges into large patches covered with silvery scales. The itching in the early stages of psoriasis is moderate. A person complains of chronic fatigue, weakness.
These symptoms are also characteristic of allergic skin reactions, dermatitis and shingles. Therefore, it is important to perform a differential diagnosis.
On examination, the doctor discovers the psoriatic triad. By the size of the rash, the doctor determines the etiology of psoriasis: teardrop-shaped, punctate, or coin-shaped.
Signs of a progressive stage of the disease
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases, the rash spreads to healthy areas of the body. The slightest scratch, bump or burn will cause a lumpy rash. The second step takes a lot of time. On palpation, you can find dense boundaries between the inflamed areas of the epidermis. The plates have a border that is distinguished by a bright color and is covered with scales.
In the last stage of the disease, the symptoms gradually begin to disappear. The plates become lighter, their borders fade. After a while, the papules disappear, in their place remain dry skin, hyperpigmented spots.
The temperature in psoriasis can rise only in the presence of an inflammatory process, suppuration of acne. Then the affected areas can hurt.
What is the phenomenon of stearic coloring
Stearin spots are the main symptom that forms the psoriatic triad. It is a small area with papular elements of the rash, which are strongly scaly. The more the doctor scratches the affected skin, the more peeling appears. When handling, the person does not feel pain. The phenomenon gets its name from the fact that the peelable skin flakes look like stearin spots.
Where does it appear first: localization of rashes
Psoriatic rashes initially form on the elbows, feet and knees. Then the papules spread to areas of the body with thinner and more delicate skin: on the lower leg, lower back, wrist, abdomen, groin area, scalp. The rash may be localized to other places. But these areas of the body are most often affected by psoriasis.
Without proper treatment, the disease spreads to nails, mucous membranes, joints.
The localization of the psoriatic rash in adults may be:
- Head. Rashes are observed on the scalp, on the ears, on the back of the head, in the area of the eyebrows, eyelids, eyes, nasolabial folds.
- Lower limbs.
- Elbows. Scaly patches form, which become rough over time.
- Upper limbs. A small rash similar to hives occurs.
In children, rashes usually appear on:
- legs;
- buttocks;
- skin folds;
- elbows;
- the scalp.
How does scaly lichen on the head begin
Scaly lichen can spread throughout the body. It is usually acute. A rash is a pea-shaped bead. The papule is covered with silver and white scales. Rashes increase in size over time, merge into a single focus with uneven edges. This plate has a clear border. When the scalp is affected by psoriasis, a psoriatic crown forms: red pustules with purulent contents appear behind the ears and along the forehead line.
How quickly the pathology develops
The speed at which psoriasis grows depends on its form. So, the gout-shaped type of pathology is distinguished by the ability to appear and disappear abruptly. Severe plaque psoriasis is characterized by the gradual spread of pustules throughout the body. The rash then becomes covered with scales that flake off in a short time. The rashes merge together, forming large plaques.
Diagnostic methods
If psoriasis is suspected, consult a dermatologist. The doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis on the basis of the patient's complaints and examination. The doctor gives a recommendation for instrumental laboratory research. Differential diagnoses are also performed.
As the disease progresses, it is recommended to donate blood for analysis to detect an acute, autoimmune or rheumatic process. In severe situations, a biopsy is also performed, which shows the accumulation of Rete's body, the thickening of the layer, the infiltration of the skin by polyblasts, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, increased langiogenesis under psoriatic plaques.
For differential diagnosis, perform:
- allergy test
- ;
- serum biochemical test;
- analysis of feces for dysbiosis;
- histological examination of the biopsy.
No special tests are required to diagnose psoriasis in children. Pathology is detected on the basis of examination of the elements of the rash.
How to treat psoriasis
Because psoriasis is considered a chronic disease, it cannot be completely cured. The goal of therapy is to achieve stable remission and to eliminate complications. To do this, use drugs, physiotherapy, traditional methods. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized. At the initial stage, therapy can be performed at home.
In-clinic therapy
To treat psoriatic lesions, doctors prescribe antihistamines to relieve the swelling, itching, and redness.
Enzymatic agents are also used. They stimulate the body to produce the necessary enzymes. Damage to the skin of the body causes discomfort, tightness.
The realization that a disease cannot be cured leads to psychological problems. Therefore, doctors prescribe sedative drugs to help restore emotional state.
Hepatoprotectants are used to improve liver function. Inflammation and itching can be relieved with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To strengthen the body, immunomodulators are prescribed.
Physiotherapy techniques are also used. They help to remove pigmentation and speed up healing. Doctors recommend:
- selective herbal medicine; laser action
- on the skin; ultrasound treatment
- ; magnetotherapy
- .
In a hospital, the patient is under the constant supervision of doctors. Therefore, it is easy to monitor the effectiveness of the prescribed treatment regimen, to make timely adjustments to the applied treatment.
Home treatment
After leaving the hospital, treatment continues. To maintain normal health, to achieve stable remission, doctors prescribe a number of drugs in a course. Vitamin complexes, ointments and folk remedies are used.
The patient is recommended to treat the areas of the skin affected by psoriasis daily with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments.
To improve the condition of the epidermis, dermatologists prescribe vitamins. Vitamins A, E, D and C are particularly useful in the fight against psoriasis, they strengthen the body's defenses, help restore and cleanse the skin.
Traditional healers suggest using activated charcoal. One of the main reasons for the development of psoriasis is metabolic disorders, intoxication. Activated charcoal acts as an absorbent, so it cleanses the body of harmful substances well. It should be consumed for a month, twice a day, at the rate of 1 tablet per kilogram of body weight.
White clay helps restore the skin. It relieves inflammation, dries, eliminates itching. Baths with the addition of sea salt are also useful.
When treating psoriasis at home, it is recommended to follow a few rules:
- Take the medicines prescribed by your doctor at the indicated dose.
- Treat the skin with ointments and creams.
- Carefully remove crusts once softened.
- Take some air and sun baths.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Observe the daily routine, the diet.
- Get enough rest.
- Take breaks while taking medication.
By adhering to these recommendations, a person can prevent a relapse of the disease.
Thus, psoriasis is a serious chronic disease. The reasons for its development have not been precisely established, only the provoking factors are known. The disease has characteristic symptoms, but at the first stage it is similar to other skin pathologies. To identify and start treating the disease in time, you need to contact a dermatologist when a suspicious rash appears.