Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease. It manifests itself in the form of rashes. The initial stage is characterized by symptoms that are similar to the clinical picture of other pathologies of the epidermis. 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, the manifestations of psoriasis at different stages.
Causes in adults and children
Why psoriasis occurs in children and adults, medical scientists have not yet found out precisely. There is only speculation about the cause of the development of this disease. Therefore, it is 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 pathology with immune instability, metabolic disorders and the presence of a current chronic infection. In most patients, doctors notice severe hyperlipidemia.
To verify susceptibility to such a disease, you must perform a classical genomic analysis. Those with ten chromosomal loci have a high probability of developing psoriasis. The main genome responsible for 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 following factors cause the disease:
- low immunity;
- chronic fatigue;
- alcohol abuse;
- severe stress;
- poor hygiene;
- constantly overeating;
- insect bite;
- infectious pathologies (influenza, ARVI);
- vaccination;
- temperature difference;
- vitamin deficiency;
- smoking;
- long-term medication;
- burn;
- allergy;
- hormonal imbalance;
- climate change;
- inadequate nutrition.
Children more often face psoriatic eruptions:
- after 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 appearance of cardiac pathologies. There is also the threat of arthritis.
Psoriasis is seen more often in people with poor 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 those parts of the body where the skin is rougher (on the elbows, knees). Such formations are detached. When scratching, sores appear, which turn pale in the morning.
The disease is characterized by the following manifestations:
- Stearin staining.These are small scaly papules fused into plaques.
- Terminal movie.Beneath the psoriatic plaques, there is a thin, bright pink skin. Your doctor can see after all the scales are removed.
- Spot bleeding(bloody dew syndrome). When the terminal film is damaged as a result of scraping the stratum corneum of the epidermis, drops of blood appear.
Together these manifestations 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 damage and an increase in the area of the lesion;
- elements of the eruption have a dense structure;
- there is a red border around the plate;
- weakness;
- the presence of a three-millimeter whitish pseudoatrophic border around the eruption;
- purulent odor from the skin (when pustules form);
- the phenomenon of fat formation, in which a yellowish-brown spot appears under the nail plate;
- proliferative acanthosis, in which the skin thickens, the interpapillary processes lengthen;
- thimble symptom (nail psoriasis);
- scabies.
Since psoriasis is a chronic pathology, its symptoms begin to disappear after a while, the wounds heal. But then the papules form again.
The first symptoms of the onset of the disease
In the early stage of psoriasis, a rash always forms.
At first, it is almost invisible, without characteristic scales. Several points of eruption appear on the extremities.
After a couple of weeks, the number of affected areas increases. The eruption coalesces into large plaques, which are covered with silvery scales. Itching in the early stages of psoriasis is moderate. The person complains of chronic fatigue, weakness.
These symptoms are also characteristic of allergic skin reactions, dermatitis, and herpes zoster. Therefore, a differential diagnosis is important.
On examination, the doctor discovers the psoriatic triad. By the size of the rash, the doctor determines the etiology of psoriasis: drop-shaped, dotted, or coin-shaped.
Signs of a progressive stage of the disease
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases and the rash spreads to healthy areas of the body. The slightest scratch, bump, or burn will trigger a nodular rash. The second stage takes a long time. On palpation, you can find dense boundaries between the inflamed areas of the epidermis. The plates have an edging that stands out with a bright color and is covered with scales.
In the late stage of the disease, symptoms gradually begin to disappear. The plates lighten, their edges fade. After a while, the papules disappear, in their place remains dry skin, hyperpigmented spots.
The temperature in psoriasis can rise only in the presence of an inflammatory process, suppuration of acne. So the affected areas may hurt.
What is the stearic spot phenomenon?
Stearin spots are the main symptom that forms the psoriatic triad. It is a small area with papular elements of the rash, which are very scaly. The more the doctor scrapes the affected skin, the more peeling appears. During manipulation, the person does not feel pain. The phenomenon got its name because the removable skin flakes look like stearin spots.
Where it first appears: Location of eruptions
Initially, psoriatic rashes 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, scalp. The rash can be located in other places. But these areas of the body are often affected by psoriasis.
In the absence of proper treatment, the disease spreads to the nails, mucous membranes, and joints.
The location of the psoriatic eruption in adults can be:
- Head. Rashes are observed on the scalp, on the ears, on the occiput, in the area of the eyebrows, eyelids, eyes, nasolabial folds.
- Lower limbs.
- Elbows. Scaly plaques form that become rough over time.
- Upper limbs. A small rash similar to hives occurs.
In children, rashes usually appear in:
- legs;
- buttocks;
- skin folds;
- elbows;
- the scalp.
How does flaky scalp start on head?
Squamous lichen can spread throughout the body. It is usually sharp. A rash is formed from a bead to a pea. The papule is covered with silver and white scales. The eruptions increase in size over time, merging into a single focus with uneven edges. This plate has a clear edge. When psoriasis affects the scalp, a psoriatic crown forms: red pustules with purulent content appear behind the ears and along the forehead line.
How quickly the pathology develops
How quickly psoriasis develops depends on its shape. So, the drop-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 scaly scales in a short period. The eruptions coalesce and form large plaques.
Diagnostic methods
If psoriasis is suspected, consult a dermatologist. The doctor makes a presumptive diagnosis based on the patient's complaints and examination. The doctor gives a referral to undergo a laboratory instrumental investigation. Differential diagnoses are also performed.
When 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, showing accumulation of Rete bodies, thickening of the layer, cutaneous infiltration with polyblasts, T lymphocytes, dendritic cells, increased angiogenesis under psoriatic plaques.
For differential diagnosis perform:
- allergy test;
- serum biochemical test;
- stool analysis 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
Since psoriasis is considered a chronic disease, it cannot be completely cured. The goal of therapy is to achieve a stable remission and eliminate complications. To do this, use drugs, physiotherapy, folk methods. In severe cases, the patient is hospitalized. In the initial stage, therapy is allowed to take place at home.
Therapy in the clinic
To treat psoriatic lesions, doctors prescribe antihistamines to relieve 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, tension.
The understanding that an illness cannot be cured causes psychological problems. Therefore, doctors prescribe sedative drugs to help restore emotional state.
Hepatoprotectors are used to improve liver function. The inflammation and itching can be relieved with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. To strengthen the body, immunomodulators are prescribed.
Physiotherapy techniques are also used. They help remove pigmentation and speed healing. Doctors recommend:
- selective herbal medicine;
- action of the laser 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 therapy.
Home Treatment
After discharge from the hospital, treatment continues. To maintain normal health, to achieve stable remission, doctors prescribe several drugs in one course. Vitamin complexes, ointments, folk remedies are used.
The patient is recommended to treat psoriasis-affected skin areas daily with hormonal and non-hormonal ointments.
To improve the condition of the epidermis, dermatologists prescribe vitamins. Vitamins A, E, D and C are especially useful in the fight against psoriasis, they strengthen the body's defenses, help to 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, which is why it cleanses the body of harmful substances well. It should be consumed for a month, twice a day, at a dose of 1 tablet per kilogram of body weight.
White clay helps restore skin. 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 series of rules:
- Take the medicines prescribed by the doctor in the prescribed dose.
- Treat the skin with ointments and creams.
- Gently remove the scabs after softening them.
- Get air and sunbathe.
- Avoid stressful situations.
- Observe the daily routine, the diet.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Take breaks while taking medicine.
By following these recommendations, a person can avoid a relapse of the disease.
Therefore, 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 in 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.