Psoriasis is a long-term and practically incurable disease, not contagious. It mainly affects the skin, nails and joints. Psoriasis can occur in a person at any age, even children.
There are several theories about the cause of psoriasis:
- Theory of neurogenic disorders;
- Theory about problems in the endocrine system;
- The theory of viral disorders or the theory of metabolic disorders.
But none of these theories have been scientifically proven in practice. To date, scientists have concluded that the onset of the disease is influenced by heredity or a person's genetic predisposition to pathological changes in skin cells.
These cells are formed in the basal layer and, upon reaching the external stratum corneum, form scales. The genetic factor proves the presence of the disease in relatives. In other words: if your family members have psoriasis, then it can appear in you or your children.
Factors that affect the appearance of psoriasis.
The following factors affect the appearance of psoriasis:
- Nervous breakdown;
- Mental and physical shock, overload of the body;
- Endocrine system diseases;
- Biochemical and enzymatic disorders;
- Hypothermia of the body;
- Decreased immunity
It is difficult to identify and confirm what caused this disease. They often say that the disease appeared for no apparent reason.
What type of disease is psoriasis? How does it manifest?
With this disease, papules and plaques appear on the skin. Plaques are very limited and compacted spots on the skin of a pinkish or reddish hue with small light scales. The plates come in different shapes, but most often they are round or oval. They can be located anywhere on the human body, but are most commonly seen in large joints, in the sacrum and lower back, under the hair on the head.
Psoriatic papules are characterized by rapid growth with the formation of plaques of several centimeters, which then fuse into large skin lesions.
How is psoriasis diagnosed?
The following indicators are important for diagnosis:
- If you try to scrape the papule, the scales are easily sprayed and a "stearin spot" forms.
- A reddish shiny surface appears on the skin, the terminal film of the stain;
- If you continue to scrape the stain, then a punctual bleeding appears on its surface: "blood spray. "
Stages of psoriasis
For rashes associated with the disease, the following stages of development are characteristic:
- Progressive stage (appearance of small papules, which grow over time and merge into larger ones);
- Stationary stage (plates grow and do not change for a certain period of time);
- Regressive stage (the rash pales, thins and disappears from the surface of the skin).
Depending on the state of the body, the disease can last for a long time.
For the first stage of the rash, the Kebner effect is characteristic: new psoriatic lesions appear at the site of the damaged skin after about a week.
During the period of remission of the skin in the area of the elbow or knee joints, isolated plaques, so-called "duty" plaques, may remain.
Types of psoriasis
There are several types of diseases:
- Exudative form - with it, swelling and glossiness of papules with yellowish crusts on their surface are expressed;
- Follicular form: small papules are located in the area of the follicular orifices;
- Palmo-plantar form of psoriasis: with it, the skin of the soles of the feet and palms is covered with cracks and scales, psoriatic plaques are visible on them;
- Seborrheic psoriasis: located mainly on the scalp;
- Psoriatic erythroderma. In this form, the disease is very difficult, the entire surface of the skin is affected by psoriasis, peripheral lymph nodes increase, fever appears, itching, sleep disturbances appear, blood and urine changes are observed;
- Arthropathic psoriasis: affects and deforms the joints, restricting movement in them. It is characterized by severe pain and swelling in the affected joint area. This is a very painful form of psoriasis that often results in disability.
In all forms of psoriasis, a change is observed in the nails: they become cloudy, thicken, and small specks appear on them, as if they were punctured with a needle.
The disease lasts for many years with periods of deterioration and improvement of health, it is characterized by seasonality - exacerbation in the cold and remission in the warm season.
Psoriasis treatment
Psoriasis should be treated under the supervision of a doctor from the dermatology department. Treatment is prescribed by optimally combining therapeutic drugs with ointments and physiotherapy, as well as limiting animal fats and carbohydrates in food, alcohol and spicy foods.
Patients must be under the supervision of the dispensary by a physician and need an annual spa treatment. With psoriasis, it is recommended to visit radon springs and hydrogen sulfide baths, swim in the sea and take sun baths.