Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.Occurs when the immune system malfunctions.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages: onset, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of the itching, and the extent of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish the stages of development of the disease and what are the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the healing process?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to correctly select therapeutic methods.The set of drugs and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatment.They also prescribe medications that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
At the initial stage of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and in remission
During the acute and progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dose.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In the remission phase, they support the body.Correct nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Speed of processing
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Prompt treatment limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of desquamation.Since in its early stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic skin rash, it is necessary to know the first signs so as not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Noticed :Doctors are still looking for the causes of psoriasis.But it is well known that psoriatic inflammation of the skin is not contagious.It cannot be transmitted by a sick person, nor caused by infection resulting from an injury.This is our own personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immune failure, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to recurrences and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing itchy skin.
What stage of psoriasis is called initial stage?How to distinguish initial psoriasis from a diathetic rash?And how will the disease evolve in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearances of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears on the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is pressed tightly to the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes may also appear on the edges and under the hair, around the nails, and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis appears on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back, or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) at the initial stage have a modest appearance.They have :
- Pink or red color;
- Clear, non-blurred edge;
- Small size - the button at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small point pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of peeling skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against a red button background.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by fairly intense itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing shiny areas of pink, youthful skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it gets injured and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis can be up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of progression
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into a single common point, forming so-called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with flaking.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques is a non-scaly pink-red rim.
The presence of an edge is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the stain extends.This is skin that is already inflamed, but has not yet peeled off.After a while, it will also become covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of the skin and forming a new, wider edge.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques cause severe itching, causing discomfort in a person, disrupting work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.It is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
At the stage of progression, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still claim the opposite.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, fades and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing begin, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is visible to the naked eye that flaking intensifies in the stationary stage.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic spot, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, by which ordinary people usually recognize it.An extended coat in the stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells have disappeared from the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a slight light tint will remain in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which the development of the disease can be judged.This is the nature of the itching sensation (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
At the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible.Additionally, the itching gets worse every day.In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable.Disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the itching sensation does not give him the opportunity to rest.
At the stationary stage, the itching decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the attenuating phase
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only a different pigmentation of the skin is reminiscent of psoriasis.Instead of the old psoriatic spots, it appears lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, hyperpigmentation forms.The skin over psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of relapse of psoriasis is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins present in his body, in his blood and in his liver.You can reduce the risk of repeated skin inflammation if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often, after cleansing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes help to strengthen immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during treatment of advanced psoriasis.Their need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.