Psoriasis on the elbows is an inflammatory process with characteristic rashes. Among the factors provoking the onset of the disease, heredity, various diseases, bad habits, stressful situations and others can be distinguished.
Pathology is accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, pain in the affected areas. To make a diagnosis, tests of urine, blood, feces, biopsy, bakposev for microflora are prescribed. Treatment includes the use of drugs, local remedies, physiotherapy, nutritional adjustments.
Before starting the treatment of psoriasis on the elbows, it is necessary to exclude other pathologies: eczema, fungal infection.
Only after a comprehensive examination are specific medications prescribed. Therefore, prior consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.
steps
Psoriasis occurs in several stages, periodically replacing each other.
Initial
The outer surface of the elbow area is covered with small papules. Outwardly they look like acne with a random arrangement. After 14-21 days, the formations turn into voluminous plaques covered with scales. The dryness of the skin increases, the surface becomes rough.
progressive
This stage is characterized by the formation of several large plaques. Patients complain of peeling, redness in the affected area. The boundaries of the rashes are represented by a well-defined rim. At this stage, the transition of the disease to a period of exacerbation is noted.
Stationary
With a correctly selected scheme of therapeutic measures, the clinical picture becomes less pronounced, and the disease enters a state of rest. The number of psoriatic rashes decreases, new papules are absent.
regressive
This stage is accompanied by a decrease in the severity of symptoms, the number of plaques is markedly reduced. The skin, where the rashes were previously localized, is noticeably pigmented, but at the same time there are no characteristic scales in the places of the lesions, the epidermis does not peel off.
Symptoms
The beginning of the development of the pathological process is indicated by the appearance of small red spots of an oval or rounded shape. As the disease progresses, the number of formations increases, they spread to the surrounding healthy areas of the skin.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that cannot be completely cured. However, modern methods help to quickly get rid of the exacerbation of the disease and achieve long-term remission.
Antihistamines are used; for rashes on the joints, local ointments and creams with corticosteroids, salicylic acid are used.
An important method of treatment is the appointment of a diet and vitamin complexes; a positive effect of some homeopathic preparations has been noted.
The early stage is characterized by a small number of rashes. If at this stage it is time to seek help from a specialist, it is possible to reduce the risk that the disease will become chronic.
The main characteristic of psoriasis is the formation of scales of a slightly silvery tint. Under mechanical action, their integrity is violated, as a result of which a smooth surface with bloody cracks appears.
There have also been cases where there were no scales on the psoriatic plaques.
Patients begin to complain of severe itching, swelling at the site of injury, burning. If you feel the damaged areas, you will notice an increase in temperature and pain in these places.
Depending on the effectiveness of the protective functions of the organism, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques, when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper limb. If appropriate measures are not taken in time, the probability of the pathology transitioning to a neglected form increases several times.
The severity of the clinical picture also depends on the stage of disease progression. During the period of remission, the manifested symptoms subside, the patient feels better. A recurrent condition is characterized by the appearance of multiple psoriatic plaques, due to painful symptoms, the general well-being of a person worsens.
causes
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, it was not possible to fully study and establish the exact factors that cause it. However, experts identify several suspected causes that may contribute to the occurrence of psoriatic lesions on the elbows.
One of the most common factors is genetic predisposition. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, the pathology is diagnosed in a person whose relatives were also susceptible to this disease.
Prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are the lack of body resistance to infectious diseases, malnutrition, uncontrolled intake of drugs, which has a negative impact on the immune system, contributing to its weakening.
Among the reasons are also:
- Endocrine disorders;
- diseases of the digestive system;
- skin injury;
- frequent stress, neurosis, depression.
Vitamin deficiency and a lack of trace elements in the body can contribute to the manifestation of psoriasis.
Diagnostic
The development of psoriasis on the elbows is accompanied by pronounced clinical signs, the detection of pathology is not difficult. First, the dermatologist conducts an external examination of the damaged areas of the epidermis and collects the patient's history.
To confirm the preliminary diagnosis, the patient is sent for a laboratory test.
A blood test can determine a possible predisposition to an allergic reaction to certain drugs that can be used in the treatment of psoriasis. In addition, the analysis can help in the diagnosis of anemia, which will be accompanied by characteristic deviations in the levels of leukocytes and erythrocytes.
Urinalysis helps to determine the level of water-salt balance, that is, the amount of salt and water that has entered and been removed from the human body.
The study of feces is necessary to identify the helminths contained in them.
When the main methods for making a definitive diagnosis are not sufficient, the doctor will prescribe an additional examination:
- biopsy of epidermal samples taken from lesions;
- bakposev on microflora;
- test with potassium oxide.
If a complicated course of the pathological process is suspected, an X-ray examination is performed, which makes it possible to assess the involvement in the disease of the joints.
If psoriasis develops in women during the period of bearing a child, they are referred for a prolactin test.
Additionally, you may need to see an orthopedist, rheumatologist, venereologist, or mammologist.
Treatment methods
There is no cure for psoriasis, but flare-ups can be avoided and the remission phase prolonged. Therapy in this case should be complex. It consists in the use of such methods of treatment:
- usemedicaldrugs inside;
- usefundslocal action;
- vitamin therapy;
- sanatorium resortprocessing;
- applicationhomeopathicmedications.
In addition, it is important to follow a special diet. It includes foods in the diet that contain substances that contribute to the onset of remission and limits the use of foods harmful to psoriasis.
Medicines used for psoriasis
In the treatment of the disease, it is important to use drugs for internal administration in the form of capsules, tablets, plates.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It is important to remember that only an experienced specialist can prescribe such drugs, taking into account the severity of the disease, the age criterion, as well as the individual characteristics of the patient's body.
Ointments for rashes on elbows and shins
Psoriasis on the elbows is widely used for external use.
Experts say that the treatment of psoriasis must be comprehensive, so a single application of creams will not be enough, since they only eliminate the symptoms of the disease on our skin.
vitamins
In psoriasis, vitamin therapy is considered an important method in the complex treatment. In case of damage to the skin of the flexor surface, it is recommended to use vitamins of groups B, E, D, A and ascorbic acid.
To do this, you have to eat well: increase the consumption of foods that contain these substances. In addition, vitamins can be purchased from pharmaceutical establishments. A solution of vitamins can be used to lubricate problem skin.
Some ointments contain the necessary substances, which is why experts often prescribe such drugs for external use.
Vitamin and mineral complexes may be prescribed.
Also prescribed for severe degrees of psoriasis drugs for intramuscular injection.
They are made daily or every other day.
homeopathic remedies
Combined agents are considered the most effective.
The dosage of these drugs is determined by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
Diet
In a pathological condition, it is important to adhere to dietary nutrition. Therefore, the psoriasis diet should contain the following products:
- lean fish;
- dairy products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- greenery.
These ingredients enrich the body with useful substances and reduce acidity. In case of illness, it will be useful to establish a drinking regime. The amount of water consumed daily should be at least 1. 5 liters.
The following products are contraindicated for use in pathology:
- smoked meats;
- spicy seasonings and spices;
- pickles;
- sweet products;
- fatty meats;
- alcoholic beverages;
- sausages;
- Coffee;
- citrus;
- Chocolate;
- confectionery.
Limit the consumption of fried, fatty and salty foods.
Also, split meals are recommended for psoriasis: portions should be small, and the number of meals per day should be increased up to six times.
spa treatment
With psoriasis, it is recommended to visit resorts located in areas with a predominance of hot and dry climatic conditions.
An annual stay in sanatoriums where there are radon or sulphide baths is also desirable. In such places, the patient can undergo physiotherapy procedures that help eliminate signs of the disease and prolong the remission phase. These include applications with paraffin or ozocerite, UV rays, phototherapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are carried out for 21-29 days a day.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows is carried out with an integrated approach. Drug therapy includes the use of funds for internal and external use. It is also important to take vitamins and a diet during treatment. It is recommended to stay in sanatoria and use homeopathic medicines.
Consequences
With a long absence of therapeutic measures, the course of the pathology of the elbows is complicated by the appearance of a number of diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma may begin. In most cases, it occurs against the background of a sharp discontinuation or complete absence of treatment, frequent stressful situations, diseases of infectious origin of a serious nature, alcohol abuse.
Generalized pustular psoriasis is a more serious health threat. Such a course of the pathology is characterized by a massive association of papules, as a result of which large foci are formed, in the place of the localization of which the skin exfoliates, pustular areas are formed.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. It is a pathological process that affects the joints, which is accompanied by swelling, severe pain and limited mobility.
Prevention
The epidermis of this area being quite dry, regular care of the elbow area is necessary. To do this, you need to use a special cream with moisturizing properties.
You should also stop smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. To this end, experts recommend taking vitamin-mineral complexes, playing sports and spending more time walking in the fresh air.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage, not to expose the body to frequent stress and psychological disorders.
At the first symptoms of the development of an infectious disease, a visit to the doctor should not be postponed to provide timely medical care.