Psoriasis is a disease whose mechanisms of onset are not yet fully understood.However, it has been precisely established that a number of failures occur in the immune system, as a result of which skin cells begin to divide at a very high speed, without having time to physiologically die.This is how a psoriatic plaque begins to form: an itchy formation covered with whitish scales (the same cells whose life cycle turned out to be too short).
Only a dermatologist can make an accurate diagnosis after an examination, but knowledge of the characteristics of the stages of the disease will help to draw the first conclusions about the nature of the skin changes that appear.
Psoriasis or not?
The disease goes through 3 stages:
- Progressive.The onset of the disease can be sudden and may be preceded by severe stress or hormonal imbalance.A small reddish spot the size of the head of a pin appears on the skin.Gradually, the changed skin surface rises: this is a papule;In it you can see silvery scales of keratinized skin.The papules coalesce into plaques, the skin is very itchy, and when scratched, it becomes wet due to injury to the superficial layer.
- Stationary.After a certain time, the pathological process stops.No new spots or papules appear;The existing plaques are covered by a gray crust with scales that come off easily.This period is characterized by a decrease in the inflammatory process, the gradual disappearance of itching, but the symptoms do not disappear completely.
- Regressive.At this stage, a decrease and sinking of the plaques is noted, the skin acquires a tone close to normal.The peeling and itching disappear.After the resorption of pathological elements, ring-shaped pigmented patterns remain on the skin, which is due to the uneven disappearance of the plates of the central part.After a few weeks, the last traces of spots and papules disappear, only mild foci of depigmentation are reminiscent of psoriasis.
The duration of the described stages may vary for each patient.The regressive stage does not indicate recovery: the exacerbation can begin unpredictably and suddenly.
How to recognize psoriasis at an early stage?
Therapeutic measures for psoriasis give the best effect in an early phase, which explains the special importance of an accurate diagnosis.Only a dermatologist can determine whether it is psoriasis or another disease after an examination and tests.However, the patient himself can suspect this pathology if he pays sufficient attention to the symptoms that appear.
The following signs are most likely to indicate the development of this disease:
- The first plaques appear on the elbows, knees, hairline or where the skin experiences the most friction or contact with clothing;
- the rash is accompanied by intense itching, silvery scales easily come off the surface of the skin;
- after removing the scales, slightly moist skin with blood spots is found (symptom of spot bleeding);
- Later, small indentations often appear in the nails, as if made by the tip of a needle.
Psoriasis can be easily confused with various types of lichen, dermatitis and eczema, so at the first changes in the skin it is better to consult a dermatologist so as not to harm yourself with the use of inappropriate products.The prescribed complex treatment suppresses the uncontrolled proliferation of epidermal cells, reduces itching and peeling, restores the skin's barrier function and prevents infections.