Psoriasis - all about diseases, causes, photos, treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease, the basis of the pathogenesis of which is abnormally rapid growth of skin cells, which leads to the appearance on the surface of the skin of compacted areas of various colors.

Today, psoriasis has become the most common non -infectious dermatological disease.Psoriasis does not have a gender predisposition - both men and women suffer from them equally often.You can get this pathology at any age, but more often the first signs of the disease appear up to 20 years.

Psoriasis is quite poor in therapy, partly due to the fact that so far the etiology and pathogenesis of this pathology are still not clear.In addition, there is no means of specific prevention of psoriasis, since it is impossible to determine whether a person has a predisposition to the disease.

The reasons for the development

At the moment, scientists cannot unequivocally answer the question “Why is psoriasis developing?”.Two main factors of the development of the disease are distinguished - this is a genetic predisposition and hyperreactivity of the immunity system.

It has been established to date thatThe predisposition to the development of psoriasis is inherited.But the difficulty lies in the fact that it is extremely difficult to trace how exactly this predisposition is inherited and after the influence of which factors psoriasis can develop.

It is believed that the following factors can induce the development of psoriasis:

• Frequent hypothermia of the skin, as well as the effect of dry climate on it;
• Infectious processes;
• Frequent stresses;
• The use of some groups of pharmaceuticals: non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs (especially aspirin), some hypotonic and psychotropic drugs;

Pathogenesis

At the moment, the pathogenesis of psoriasis has not been finally clarified.Two main links of pathogenesis can be distinguished:

1. Violation of skin keratinization.
2. Disruption of the immunity system.

Together, the above factors lead to the fact that the cells of the lower layers of the epidermis for an unknown reason begin to share very quickly.This process leads to a reactive increase in the withering rate of the upper layer of epidermal cells, which is externally manifested by peeling of the skin.

Symptoms

The disease always begins acutely, without any harbingers of the development of the pathological process.As a rule, the first elements of the rash are localized in the place where the skin was damaged.

At the beginning of the symptoms of psoriasis, papules of pink or red colors appear on the skin.This process is accompanied by itching.The size of the elements ranges from a few millimeters to 1.5 centimeters (in some cases, the elements reach even large sizes).Then the elements of the rash are covered with easily separated scales of silver.

Sometimes psoriasis damages the nail plates.This pathology externally resembles the fungal damage to the nails and is manifested by the following symptoms:

• There are many small recesses on the surface of the nail;

• The edge of the nail plate thickens and acquires a dull, yellowish color;

Another characteristic manifestation of psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis (symmetrical damage to the joints and periarticular tissues).Most often, the pathological process develops in the interfalanced joints of the feet and hands.At first, the disease is manifested by pain and swelling, and then deformation of the affected joint develops, which can even lead to disability of the patient.It should be noted that in rare cases, damage is also possible.Sometimes psoriatic arthritis develops even in the joints of the spinal column.

Types

The following types of psoriasis are distinguished depending on the severity and features of clinical manifestations:

• Plaquaper.This type is the most common - it is diagnosed in almost 90% of people suffering from psoriasis.The elements of the rash, theoretically, can occur on any area of the skin.However, the most typical localizations are the lower back, the scalp and extensors of the upper and lower extremities (the area of the elbows and knees).It should be noted that with this form of psoriasis, pathological elements do not appear on the face, palms and soles remain intact.Outwardly, this form looks like an inflamed plaque covered with silver with scales.When the plaques are displayed from under the scales, lymph is released.With further injury, the plaque begins to bleed.The plaque form of psoriasis is also characterized by the appearance of the so -called “paraffin lakes” - the confluence of several plaques in one element.
• Reverse psoriasis (psoriasis of flexion surfaces or intertrigonic).This form is quite rare.The elements of the rash have the form of red spots without peeling, which do not protrude above the surface of intact skin.Typical localization of this form of psoriasis - skin folds (axillary cavities, inguinal folds, skin under the chest in women).Also, due to the characteristics of localization, a fungal infection often joins the reverse psoriasis.
• Genital psoriasis.This form most often develops in girls, mainly in adolescence (up to 16 years).Often the development of the pathological process is preceded by streptococcal infection (for example, angina).The rashes with a rocky psoriasis resemble an ordinary allergic rash - small dots that have a color from gray to lilac, not protruding above the surface of the skin.Such rashes can appear on any area of the skin.The skin on which rashes are located, as a rule, has an inflamed appearance.

• Pustulenia psoriasis.It is a more severe form than the above.With pustular psoriasis, small painful pusions filled with pus appear on the patient's body.This form can occur both locally and generally.With pustular psoriasis, the general condition of patients often worsens, body temperature rises.With the generalized form of pustular psoriasis, hospitalization is necessary.
• Erytroderma is the most severe form of psoriasis.With it, almost the entire skin of the patient is damaged.This form is accompanied by chills, an increase in body temperature to high numbers, a sharp deterioration in the patient's condition.This disease requires urgent medical intervention, in the absence of which a fatal outcome may even occur.

Severity

There are many different gradations of psoriasis in terms of severity.However, in routine clinical practice, the simplest of them is most often used, which does not require any special research methods.

Thus, distinguishThree degrees of severity of psoriasisdepending on the prevalence of the pathological process:

• Light shape.This form is set in cases where the patient is affected by psoriasis of less than 3% of the skin.
• Moderate form.This diagnosis is made with psoriasis damage from 3 to 10% of the skin of the patient.
• Heavy shape.This form is exhibited taking into account the lesion of the skin and clinical manifestations.Thus, this form is exhibited with a lesion of more than 10% of the skin or with a significant deterioration in the patient's well -being.It should be noted that psoriasis is considered severe in the presence of psoriatic arthritis, regardless of the degree of prevalence of the pathological process.

The course of the disease and prognosis

Psoriasis is a disease with a wave -like course, that is, it has periods of remission (when the symptoms practically disappear) and exacerbation.As a rule, the process is aggravated during the off -season periods.

The prognosis for psoriasis depends on the form of the disease and severity.As a rule, with classic forms of psoriasis, the prognosis is favorable, but in severe forms, disability is possible and even death.

Despite the favorable prognosis in most forms of psoriasis, do not forget about the social aspect of this disease.In the acute period of the disease, the skin and hairy part of the human head are covered with peeling plaques, which is often perceived by others as a manifestation of any contagious disease.Because of this, those around them begin to shun the patient, which causes him to be closed, and often depression.

Diagnostics

The basis for diagnosis is the clinical manifestations of the disease, the features of its current, as well as the data of the objective inspection.There are a number of characteristic symptoms that are determined for the diagnosis of psoriasis:

• “Psoriatic film” - if you cleanse the surface of the papule of peeling, then it becomes smooth and shiny.
• “Stearin stain” - when the psoriatic elements are displayed, their surface becomes whitish, starin films appear.
• “Blood dew” - if, after the manifestation of the above symptoms, do not stop the sling of the elements, then their surface is covered with droplets of blood (capillary bleeding appears).

Three symptoms described above are called “psoriatic triad” and are the main method of diagnosis of psoriasis.However, there are several more signs that are determined in a certain stage of the disease:

• In the acute stage of psoriasis, Pilnov symptoms are caused (psoriatic elements are surrounded by a red rim) and Kebner (new rashes are actively appearing in damaged areas of the skin).
• The stages of regression also determine the symptom of Voronov (around the elements a brilliant light rim of a little wrinkled skin is determined).

Of the laboratory and instrumental methods, the following are used:

• Microscopy of scales and dough with potassium hydroxide (for differential diagnosis with fungal skin damage).
• In complex clinical cases, with an atypical course, pathological elements resort to conducting a biopsy.
• With psoriatic arthritis, blood test indicators are examined (mainly ESR and rheumatoid factor) and conduct an X -ray of the affected joints (for differential diagnosis with arthritis of another etiology).

Treatment

Treatment of psoriasis is a long and complex process.Unfortunately, since psoriasis is a chronic disease, the aim of therapy is not the cure of the patient, but the achievement of prolonged remission and the prevention of exacerbations.Treatment depends on the stage, shape and severity of psoriasis.It should be noted that a set of medical measures must be prescribed by a dermatologist and only after a thorough examination of the patient and the verification of the diagnosis.

Diet.Treatment of psoriasis should begin with the correction of the patient’s everyday diet.If we talk about general recommendations, then people with psoriasis should reduce the amount of protein in the diet and increase the amount of carbohydrates due to the consumption of vegetables and fruits.It is also necessary to exclude those products that can provoke exacerbation of psoriasis: alcohol, chocolate, various spicy spices, as well as limit the use of garlic and onions.It is also worth limiting the consumption of fried meat and fish, smoked meats.

Also, when compiling an optimal diet, the patient’s predisposition to allergies to any products and, if possible, exclude them should be taken into account.The optimal diet is the use of a large amount of fresh and vegetables and lean varieties of meat and fish in boiled form.

Drug treatment.For the treatment of psoriasis, pharmaceuticals are used in various forms of release: ointments, tablets, injections, etc.

In addition to local drugs, system therapy is also used, when drugs are prescribed in the form of tablets or injections.The following drugs are most often prescribed:

• Immunosuppressants.They have an overwhelming effect on the immunity system.It is prescribed only in severe cases that are not amenable to other methods of therapy, as it has a large number of side effects and is difficult to transfer.

• Cytostatics.Its action is aimed at reducing the rate of cell division, which leads to a decrease in the rate of development of psoriasis and a decrease in peeling.It is used only in very severe cases, with resistance to other methods of therapy.
• Various homeopathic drugs.Unfortunately, these drugs are not suitable for all patients and do not always have the necessary effect.

Photochemotherapy.Lighting is one of the main methods of psoriasis therapy.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that psoriasis is a complex and not fully studied disease.A qualified doctor must be done by treatment.Remember that no miraculous methods praised on the Internet will help you get rid of psoriasis yourself.

The same can be said about folk medicine - all its methods will benefit only in combination with basic remedies that the attending physician prescribed.

Thus, we can conclude that to achieve success in treatment, the patient should use only those methods that he agreed with his attending physician, as well as observe all his recommendations.This is the only way to achieve good success in the treatment and prolonged remission of psoriasis.