Psoriasis is a common, chronic, noncommunicable disease that affects approximately 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis
This is how the disease manifests itself.Skin cells divide 10 times faster than normal, layering on top of each other and forming raised red spots covered in silvery-white scales.These sores can appear anywhere, but most commonly on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are some additional signs that appear with spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and tiny pitting in nails;
- swollen and painful joints.
There may be other symptoms, depending on the type of psoriasis.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven in total
- Ordinary, that is to say vulgar.The most common type: raised, red, inflamed skin covered with white scales.
- Teardrop shaped.Small pink-red spots usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms and torso.
- Nail psoriasis.They become yellow-brown, soft and can separate from the alveolus.Imprints or thickenings appear.
- Pustular.A rare form of the disease, it can be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness and a rapid pulse.Purulent bumps appear on the arms, legs and fingers, surrounded by red skin.
- Reverse.Smooth, shiny red spots without scales.Most often, they appear in the groin, armpits, under the breasts and on the buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and swelling in the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults than children.
The exact causes of the disease are unknown.But it is believed to be an autoimmune disease: cells of the immune system, also called white blood cells, become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
- infection;
- stress;
- smoking or drinking alcohol;
- sunburn;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- certain medicines and substances - lithium preparations, beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides.
You cannot be infected with psoriasis.It is not transmitted by contact with a patient's skin.
How is psoriasis treated?
There is no way to get rid of psoriasis, but you can relieve the symptoms.The selection of procedures and medications is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.A dermatologist must develop and adjust the treatment plan.
The doctor may recommend the following.
Skin creams and ointments
They are used to soften plaques, reduce itching and slow the growth of skin cells.Here are the external remedies:
- hormonal ointments;
- coal tar shampoos and ointments;
- preparations with retinoids.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in a hospital setting under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used in parallel with external medications.
The simplest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, you should first discuss it with your doctor.This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
It's heavy artillery when other methods fail.The doctor prescribes a course of tablets or injections that affect the whole body.
Prescribing medication or taking it on the advice of friends is a very bad idea.
Self-medicating psoriasis can cause the disease to spread to undamaged areas of the body and increase the frequency of flare-ups.
The patient does not take into account the side effects of various medications and harms himself.
Don't do this, go to the doctor!
How to reduce the frequency of psoriasis flare-ups
In addition to the prescribed treatment, do the following:
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.Treating bad habits is less effective.
Watch your weight.After losing extra pounds, many patients find that medications that did not work before begin to work.
Eat a balanced diet.This will reduce the risk of complications associated with psoriasis - high blood pressure, diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis.
Do yoga and meditation.They reduce stress and anxiety that can cause flare-ups.
Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin as needed throughout the day to soften it.Make sure to do this after your shower and before bed.
Take colloidal oatmeal or salt baths every day for 10 minutes.Just make sure the water isn't too hot.And don’t use aggressive soap, which dries the skin too much.