Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages: onset, progression, stabilization and regression.Different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching, and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what are the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why is it necessary to know the stages of psoriasis?
Doctors use the division of psoriasis into stages to correctly select therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the onset of the disease, general therapy is necessary: vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, UV treatment.They also prescribe medications that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
At the initial stage of the disease, do not use strong medications that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the acute and progressive course of the disease, various drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is complemented by photochemical therapy, ultrasound and laser.Antiseptic treatments are also prescribed for damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing their dosage.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In the remission stage, they support the body.Correct nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Treatment Opportunity
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the onset of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still discovering the causes of psoriasis.But it is known for certain that psoriatic skin inflammation is not contagious.It cannot be contracted from a sick person or caused by infection through injury.This is one's own personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune failure, which can be due to several factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong medications, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is prone to recurrences and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itching.
What stage of psoriasis is called initial stage?How to distinguish psoriasis at the beginning from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearances of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is tight against the body (for example, under a belt at the waist).Rashes may also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails, and in the nail bed.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms of the hands.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically: on the elbows of both arms, on both sides of the lower back, or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology, papules) at the initial stage have a modest appearance.Have:
- Pink or red color;
- Clear and crisp edge;
- Small size: the grain at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small pointed grains at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of peeling skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against the background of the red grain.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by quite intense itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales fall off, revealing shiny areas of young, pink skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it becomes injured and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of progression
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge at a common point, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques.They rise above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a non-scaly pinkish-red border.
The presence of a border is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The border represents the area where the stain expands.This is skin that is already inflamed, but has not yet sloughed off.After a while, it will also become covered in scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large red inflamed spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort to the person and interrupt their work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
In the progression stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say the opposite.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, lasting several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also decreases and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear when the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing begins, the regeneration of new, healthy skin.
It can be seen with the naked eye that peeling intensifies in the stationary phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic spot, leaving no room for the edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, which is often recognized by ordinary people.Extensive peeling in the stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a slight light tint will be left in their place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization.
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are other signs by which you can judge the development of the disease.This is the nature of the itching sensation (strong or tolerable), the general condition and depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible.Furthermore, the itching intensifies every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable.It disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the itchy sensation does not give him or her a chance to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching disappears.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks, from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in attenuation stage.
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin is reminiscent of psoriasis.Instead of the old psoriatic spots, it has a lighter appearance.The surface of healthy skin has a darker tone.
In some cases the so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another month or two.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of a relapse of psoriasis is determined by the lifestyle, diet, allergic mood, and the condition of the person's body in general.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in your body, in the blood and in the liver.You can reduce the likelihood of repeated skin inflammation by strengthening your immune system and cleansing the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often, after cleansing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes helps to increase immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants were used during treatment in the advanced stage of psoriasis.Its need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.