Psoriasis on the feet is a common problem. It can occur due to hormonal disorders, weakening of the immune system, and other reasons. It can be cured with the help of medications, traditional medicine recipes, and physical therapy procedures.
Causes and risk factors of psoriasis in the legs.
Psoriasis on the legs is a pathology, the cause of which doctors cannot identify. However, possible provoking factors include:
- Inheritance. The disease can be inherited (from parents to children).
- Alterations in the work of the central nervous system. Frequent stress leads to the disruption of many processes in the body. In many patients, such rashes appear precisely after stressful situations.
- Hormonal disturbance in the body. Alterations in the endocrine system lead to metabolic disorders, which is a factor that causes excessive production of skin cells.
- Weakened immunity. Psoriasis develops against the background of infectious diseases. The risk group includes patients who often suffer from viral infections and suffer from respiratory diseases (bronchitis, tonsillitis).
- Mechanical injury to the skin.
- Climate change.
- Frequent use of certain medications.
- The abuse of hygiene products that lead to the destruction of beneficial microorganisms on the skin.
- The use of chemicals.
- Consume foods that contain food additives, alcohol.
Classification and symptoms of psoriasis on the legs.
There are several types of the disease, each of which has its own symptoms:
- Common (spotted, vulgar). The most common type of psoriasis, affecting almost 90 percent of all patients. It manifests as rashes in the form of red spots, which are rapidly distributed on the legs. Small plaques, 3-4 cm in diameter, in the absence of treatment, can coalesce and create large areas of eruptions. It is accompanied by intense itching, bleeding may occur when scratching. Knee rash occurs with these symptoms.
- Exudative (pustular). This type is rare and occurs in a more serious form. Repeated relapses are possible. Complex curative therapy is time consuming. Rashes in the form of pustules with a clear liquid often bleed, while the patient's skin is constantly warm. This type is seen in feet and legs.
- Drop-shaped (tip). It is not very common. It is characterized by point rashes of red or scarlet color, which resemble a drop. Basically, the factor that causes the appearance of this species is streptococcal bacteria. The rash is located on the knees.
- Reverse. During the disease, pale pink spots appear, soft to the touch. There is no peeling, but slight peeling of the skin can sometimes be observed. The spots do not rise above the surface of the skin, they are concentrated on the inner thigh.
- Psoriatic onychodystrophy (nail psoriasis). From the name, it is clear that the disease affects the nail bed and the skin around it. Point depressions appear on the nails, in which the color of the nail plate changes (turns yellow or turns white). Stains appear on them, they become brittle. Sometimes it bleeds under the nails. The detachment of the nail from the soft tissues occurs - onycholysis. Later, scars appear.
- Psoriatic erythroderma. It is characterized by red rashes, peeling skin, excruciating itching, swelling, and swollen lymph nodes. Erythroderma has a wide range of lesions, from the groin area to the feet.
- Psoriasis on the feet. This type of disease causes many problems for the patient. When walking, wounds and cracks appear that constantly bleed and interfere with walking. The blisters are located on the heels, around the nails, on the fingertips and between them. The constant friction causes irritation with severe itching and scratching, which can lead to yeast infections. To some extent, perspiration contributes to the development of foot rashes. Sweat is an excellent breeding ground for the development of pathogens that cause inflammation.
- Psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis of the joints). This type develops not only in the epidermis, but also in the joints. Psoriasis affects the knees and finger joints. The main symptom of the development of arthritis in the legs is the curvature of the joints and changes in their size. As a result, the joint and limbs are disturbed (a small bone appears near the finger). The dermis in this place stretches and turns burgundy, swelling is observed.
Pharmacological treatment for psoriasis
Medication for psoriasis depends on the degree of development of the disease.
- Light. For the treatment of a disease of this mild degree, local therapy (ointments, creams, gels) is used. Salicylic and zinc ointments show good results. To achieve high treatment results, complex therapy is used, which includes drugs with hormonal components and vitamins. They use drugs that include a medicinal substance - dithranol.
- Average. For the treatment of this degree of the disease, all treatment methods are important to eliminate all symptoms of the disease. Along with drug therapy, laser treatment, light treatment, as well as plasmaphoresis (removal of toxic substances from the blood) and cryotherapy (cold treatment) are used. In case of complications, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed: hydrocortisone, cortisone.
- Heavy. This grade is the most difficult and requires treatment with all means and methods that alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis on the legs. In these cases, drugs that suppress the immune response, antihistamines, and antibiotics are prescribed.
Physiotherapy for psoriasis
Physiotherapy effectively complements the pharmacological treatment of psoriasis. In medical practice, there are several methods of physiotherapy procedures:
- Light therapy for legs. Ultraviolet radiation is the most effective treatment for psoriasis. The method involves exposure to ultraviolet rays in a medical facility. No side effects found, it does not affect the body. After phototherapy, the plaques shrink and, in 80% of cases, the patient makes a full recovery.
- Cryotherapy. The method is based on cold treatment. The course can last from one to six months. With psoriasis of the legs, a local procedure is prescribed, when the cold is directed only at certain lesions. These sessions reduce itching, inflammation, promote tissue repair and slow down the formation of new scales.
- UV blood count (plasmaphoresis). This method in medicine is relatively new; its distinguishing feature is a fast treatment result. The essence of the procedure is that a tube is inserted into a vein through which blood is poured into a vessel located in a special device. There, the blood is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and is then returned. The procedure is performed in complete sterility.
- Puva therapy. The method of treatment is prescribed for patients with severe forms of psoriasis. It is based on the use of psoralens, substances that increase the sensitivity of cells to ultraviolet radiation. The method is highly effective, after 25 sessions, the profuse eruptions almost disappear.
Traditional medicine recipes for psoriasis
- Many patients use traditional medicine to treat the disease. It can be tinctures, baths, lotions, decoctions. Various herbs are used to cleanse the skin, such as calendula, chamomile, celandine. They are able to relieve inflammation and burning sensation.
- Broths. For the broth, you should use a series (2 tablespoons), celandine (1 tablespoon), licorice root (2 tablespoons) and oregano (1 tablespoon). All the herbs are mixed and infused for 20 minutes. The broth is taken orally for half a glass 2 times a day. This remedy is effective for mild psoriasis.
- Ointments There are many popular recipes for making ointments based on birch tar.
- Mix birch tar (50 ml) with olive oil (50 ml). Apply the resulting ointment on sore skin, preferably before bedtime, wrap it with gauze. Rinse with lukewarm water in the morning.
- Birch tar (30 ml), castor oil (30 ml), honey (60 grams) and 2 chicken eggs. Mix all the ingredients and leave in a cold place for 2 days. Apply the prepared mixture every day for a month.
- Spa. Traditional medicine offers the treatment of diseases in the legs, using celandine-based baths. Celandine contributes not only to the elimination of rashes, but also eliminates the causes of the manifestation of the disease. The herb is poured with boiling water and infused for an hour. Strain the infusion and add to the foot bath. Bath time does not exceed 15 minutes.
- Compress. Also, with psoriasis on the legs, potato compresses will help. To prepare such a compress, you need to grate the potatoes and put the prepared composition on your feet, wrapping it with cling film. The duration of the compress is no more than three hours.
Diet
Diet plays an important role in psoriasis. During severe inflammation, it is necessary to follow some dietary rules. Do not eat smoked, salty and fatty foods. Sweets, citrus fruits and dairy products are also contraindicated in case of illness. Drinking alcohol is strictly prohibited.
Complications and consequences.
Any ailment, if left untreated, can lead to serious complications. Psoriasis of the feet can have the following consequences:
- the appearance of pain when walking;
- common psoriasis can turn into erythroderma;
- the appearance of other infections;
- violation of metabolic processes;
- decrease in the protective functions of the epidermis;
- violation of thermoregulation of the skin.
Prevention of psoriasis on the legs.
If you follow all preventive measures, psoriasis disease can be prevented. Prevention recommendations:
- treat your feet with antibacterial and nourishing preparations;
- treat toenails to prevent a fungal infection;
- solar treatments;
- when wearing closed shoes, you should ventilate your feet;
- frequent physical activity.
The main rule in the prevention of any disease is adherence to a healthy lifestyle.