Lichen squamous is a very common skin disease, and it is most commonly encountered by dermatologists. Not only does this disease seem unpleasant from an aesthetic point of view (the scaly red patches of irregular shape on the skin scare away many others), but it also brings mental discomfort, physical and psychological problems and, in the future, serious complications.
Therefore, knowing the insidiousness of the disease and the pitfalls of its chronic course (frequent relapses) in a family where there are already patients with squamous lichen, its members are especially afraid of getting sick and are wary of any changes in the skin.
How to recognize the first signs of psoriasis (another name for squamous lichen)? How does the disease start? At what age does the disease manifest itself most often? What do you need to know in order not to 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 and many other questions in this article.
What triggers the first signs of psoriasis?
Despite the fact that psoriasis is not inherited (as shown by the latest research), there are many factors that, 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.
- A hormonal imbalance can drive the disease, therefore, women during pregnancy, lactation and menopause should take special care with themselves: adhere to a healthy lifestyle, avoid negative emotions, do not stay in the sun for a long timetime and being outdoors. more often.
- The trigger for the development of psoriasis can be a change in the surrounding climate (moving to another place of residence, resting 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 are scaly lichens in the family history. In the case of a forced movement, it is very important during this period to take special care of your body.
- Chronic infection foci can also lead to psoriatic plaques. Chronic diseases should always be treated, but in a family where there are already cases of psoriasis, a streptococcal focus in the body is especially dangerous. However, cavities, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, gingivitis - all these slow 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. Squamous lichen does not spare neither the elderly nor children. There are cases of the onset of the disease in childhood and the appearance of psoriatic plaques after 80. But more often, the first signs of psoriasis are revealed at an early age from 14 to 30. As a general rule, these patients evenat such young age, they already have concomitant diseases, for example, such as obesity, allergies, diabetes mellitus, neurasthenia, thyroid pathology.
The first signs of psoriasis in humans.
The manifestation of psoriasis depends on the type of disease. But in any case, the first symptoms in 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?
Triggering 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 element of squamous lichen - psoriatic papule.
The papule has a bright pink color, differing in intensity. Initially, the papule is dark pink (up to a deep red color), then it becomes more discolored and scaly. The dead scales of the epithelium have a silvery gray color, they are separated very easily by scraping. New blood vessels appear in the underlying layer of the dermis, supplying nutrients to the emerging cells of the epidermis. Because of this, during remission, even in the absence of plaque, the skin will have a reddish color. As the process worsens, the elements increase and occupy an increasing area. The skin in these places is dry, cracked, bleeding, that is, there is an obvious clinic of psoriasis.
Favorite places for the first psoriasis eruptions are the scalp, face (in teens), natural skin folds (in children), joints (elbows, knees), feet, and soles. Psoriatic plaques, unlike eczema, are usually located on the external extensor surfaces of the joint.
They speak of the initial stage of psoriasis if no more than 10% of the skin surface is affected. An experienced dermatologist will immediately recognize the symptoms of psoriasis, but sometimes allergic dermatitis or rheumatoid arthritis (with psoriatic joint damage) is mistaken for psoriasis.
The first signs of plaque psoriasis.
Plaque psoriasis is a vulgar skin psoriasis, so its first signs are the easiest to detect. Psoriasis begins with the appearance of a small number of small nodules, which are usually located in the joint area. They resemble a small abscess filled with light-colored content. The primary elements of psoriasis do not bother the patient and are hardly noticeable. They may pass on their own, but after a while they reappear in greater numbers and become more noticeable. If you scrape the papule, it is immediately covered with silvery scales. In the summer, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the rash may disappear. With the progression of the disease, their quantity increases, covers more extensive areas, and individual elements merge into extensive plates.
Sometimes the first signs appear immediately violently and abundantly. In response to the provoking factor, the skin becomes covered with bright pinkish-red psoriatic plaques, which cause intense itching. But that beginning is rare for psoriasis.
The first signs of nail psoriasis.
The first nail changes can vary and look like a fungal infection. Delamination, brittleness, thickening of the nail plate, depressed spots or visible grooves appear throughout the nail. Also, the first pathological signs appear on the edge of the nail, then move to the root. One of the initial symptoms of nail psoriasis is a discoloration of the nail. The nail plate can turn yellow, gray, or white. Bleeding may appear under the nail. All of these signs can be on all nails or just one.
The first signs of psoriasis on the soles and palms.
In some patients, the only clinical sign of psoriasis is the lesion of the soles of the feet or the palms of the hands in the form of dense psoriatic lesions covered with scales. On scraping, a shiny, lustrous surface appears which, with further injury, begins to bleed ("bloody dew" syndrome).
The first signs of psoriasis of the scalp.
Scalp psoriasis resembles seborrhea due to the abundant scaling. You can proceed separately, without affecting other areas of the skin, for a long time. Patients are treated for dandruff by buying special shampoos, without even realizing that they have psoriasis on the head. After a while, the injury affects behind 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, there may not be a rash. The first signs of psoriasis will be complaints of deformity of the joints, which increase in size and become painful. Fingers and toes are swollen and look like hot dogs. As the disease progresses, the gait changes. It can be problematic to diagnose psoriasis in this way, many patients are treated for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In this case, the presence of psoriasis in relatives and a careful differential diagnosis with diseases that affect the joints helps 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 25-30 years, the first signs of psoriasis in women appear earlier. The triggering mechanism for the development of the disease is usually hormonal changes in the pubertal period. In general, the development of psoriasis in women is associated with frequent changes in hormone levels throughout their lives. For the appearance of psoriasis, the most significant and dangerous periods in a woman are:
- the menstrual cycle (especially its appearance);
- the pregnancy;
- Birth;
- lactation period;
- menopause.
If psoriasis already occurs at the time of conception, then pregnancy can have a beneficial effect on skin manifestations and a period of remission will begin. But after childbirth, perhaps an aggravation of all processes. Most of the time, according to statistics, the first signs of psoriasis in women occur during childbirth and during menopause. For other positions, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis in women and men do not differ. But childhood psoriasis has its own characteristics.
What to do when the first signs of psoriasis are found?
In any case, if the first signs and symptoms of psoriasis are found, 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 specific details of the manifestations of the disease. It has been shown that if less than 5% of the skin is affected by psoriasis, all symptoms can be eliminated. But the treatment must be selected by a competent specialist.
What's more:
- 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;
- stay outside more often and don't forget to sunbathe;
- temperament - take a contrast shower, do not forget to soak;
- 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 your hair;
- review your diet;
- avoid conflict and stressful situations; learning to control your emotions (but not suppress them), the ability to remain calm in dramatic moments in life will help maintain remission for a long time
- you can take valerian, motherwort (consult your doctor) if you are emotionally labile;
- Dress in cotton, especially in underwear, which should only be made of natural fabrics, do not use synthetics
- treat chronic infections in a timely manner;
- Go to bed earlier, arrange a good rest.
If possible, when the first signs of psoriasis or any doubtful symptoms appear, go for a consultation with dermatologists 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 instructions and recommendations;
- You will buy quality medications prescribed by a doctor to alleviate a possible exacerbation;
- In the future, if necessary, you will be able to keep in touch with the treating doctor via Skype, phone or email.