A complex systemic disease that is accompanied by skin lesions is psoriasis.In a healthy body, cells live for 30-40 days, then they are renewed.With the development of psoriasis, the life of skin cells is 4-5 days.When they die, peeling, plaques, and dryness occur.Treatment of early stage psoriasis is always easier, so it is important not to let the disease progress.Treatment methods for the progressive phase differ significantly.You will read about the treatment of only the initial stage of psoriasis in the article.
Causes of the disease
With psoriasis, the functioning of several systems at once is disrupted: endocrine, immune, nervous.Doctors have not fully figured out the causes of this disease, nor have they invented a cure for psoriasis.
Experts put forward the following hypotheses for the development of the disease:
- Viral.The causative agent of psoriasis can be retroviruses that are inherited.Many patients had changes in peripheral lymph nodes, which may indicate the viral nature of the disease.
- Immune.With weakened immunity and disruption of protective mechanisms at the cellular level, favorable conditions arise for the progression of psoriasis.Among the causes of the disease is also autoimmune aggression, a process in which lymphocytes begin to attack the body’s own healthy cells.
- Infectious.Many researchers have searched for the causative agents of psoriasis.Epidermophytons, spirochetes, and streptococci were suspected, but all assumptions remained incorrect.However, scientists have discovered that infectious diseases: ARVI, influenza, sore throat are the trigger mechanism in the development of psoriasis.In 90% of cases, this disease is accompanied by tonsillitis.
- Genetic.Psoriasis is transmitted to a child from parents.60% of patients have relatives suffering from this skin disease.If a mother or father is diagnosed with psoriasis, then the risk of such a disease in a child increases by 25%, if both parents are sick - by 60%.
- Metabolic.Metabolic disorders (lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) can cause psoriasis.Patients often experience disorders in the functioning of the thyroid gland and other glands of the endocrine system.
Main signs and symptoms
This local disease is not contagious.Skin, nails and hair are damaged.Small rashes appear on the epidermis, on which, over time, papules form - areas of red or bright pink color that protrude above the skin.On top they are covered with silvery scales (plaques).
Papules may itch a little or not bother you at all, peeling is not noticeable.At first, the size of the affected skin areas is 1-2 millimeters, over time their size is estimated at 10 centimeters or more.
Psoriasis initial stage: what areas of the body can the disease affect?The main symptoms of the disease in different localizations:
- On the head.The scalp is covered with red, scaly patches with a large number of scales resembling dandruff.The hair is not involved in the pathological process.Patients experience itching.Skin lesions may spread to the neck and behind the ears.
- On the face.At the initial stage, psoriatic plaques form on the skin around the eyes, on the eyelids, in the area of the nasolabial folds and eyebrows.Occasionally, psoriasis affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, and a little more often the lip contour.
- In my arms.Single red papules appear on the palms and between the fingers.The back of the hand is affected much less frequently.If spots form on the fingertips, sensitivity is lost over time.Psoriasis can spread to the nails.
- On the elbows.At the initial stage, single elements of psoriasis appear, covered with silvery scales.Then they grow into a continuous affected area of skin, from which the scales and thin film are easily removed.After this action, the affected area takes on a pink-red color, and drops of blood appear on it.
- On my feet.The skin of the foot and the back of the leg suffers.The symptoms are similar to those that occur with elbow psoriasis: at the initial stage, small lesions appear that grow into large areas, and a symptom of blood dew is observed.
How and with what to treat psoriasis at the initial stage
Cure psoriasis forever – how realistic is it?Unfortunately, the answer so far is disappointing - this autoimmune disease can be corrected, but it is impossible to completely get rid of it.
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage gives excellent results and allows you to get rid of the visible manifestations of the pathology.Traditional medicine uses ointments, creams, solutions, therapeutic ultraviolet irradiation, and systemic drug treatment.There are also grandmother’s remedies, but they do not give a stable result.
Hypoallergenic diet
Patients with different types of psoriasis need to learn the basics of an alkaline diet.Patients need to eat foods that alkalize the internal environment.Their share should be 65-75%, the part of acidic food should be 25-35%.
General recommendations:
- A third of the diet is unprocessed vegetables and fruits.Include beets, cabbage, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, onions, garlic, and celery in your menu.
- Another third of the daily menu for psoriasis is complex carbohydrates and natural sweets in limited quantities.Eat porridge (barley, buckwheat), dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dates).
- The last part of the diet is animal and plant proteins.Eat lean meat, fish, peas, beans, seeds, eggs, nuts.Polyunsaturated fatty acids should also be included in the menu.
- Drink at least 7-10 glasses of clean water a day.Alcohol is prohibited.
- For effective treatment, avoid citrus fruits, fatty dairy products and meat, chocolate, and red foods.Use honey to a minimum.
- It is important to exclude sweets, spicy, smoked and sour foods from the diet, as they have a bad effect on the skin.The amount of salt should be reduced to a minimum.
Drug therapy
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage is successful with the prescription of medications.There are several groups of them.
Local preparations: creams and ointments.Medicines consist of water, emulsifier and oil.They are enough to treat the initial stage of psoriasis.
Ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal.The second group is safer, but not as effective.
Pills.Treatment of psoriasis with medications is more often used to combat the advanced stage.
Systemic therapy.Its nature (dosage, duration of therapy) is determined only by a doctor for the treatment of advanced forms of pathology.
The complex uses:
- vitamins;
- fatty acids;
- hepatoprotectors;
- immunomodulators;
- antiallergenic agents;
- drugs to remove toxins from the intestines.
Physiotherapy
What is psoriasis and how to treat it?The complexity of therapy is important.In the initial stage of psoriasis, this means proper nutrition, the use of local medications and treatment with physiotherapeutic procedures.The latter are aimed at:
- decreased excitability of the central nervous system;
- normalization of the patient’s psychological state;
- reduction of itching;
- acceleration of resorption of psoriatic papules.
Electrosleep:
- An excellent procedure with a calming effect.
- Thanks to the complete restoration of the body, the papules decrease in size, and the disease goes into remission.
- A patient with psoriasis needs to undergo 8-10 procedures lasting 20-60 minutes.
- At the first sessions, patients are immersed in shallow sleep, and then move into deep sleep.
X-ray therapy:
- The affected areas of the skin are treated with X-rays, which accelerate the process of resorption of psoriasis plaques.
- The treatment method involves the use of soft x-rays.
- One session is carried out every 4-7 days, the total radiation dose is safe (3.5-4 Gy).
Ultrasound treatment:
- The skin is treated with ultrasound with vibrations at a frequency of 800-3000 kHz.
- The procedure eliminates inflammation, itching and pain, reduces sensitivity to allergens and kills bacteria.
- The cycle of procedures covers 8-14 sessions, each of which lasts a quarter of an hour.
Among other effective physiotherapy methods against psoriasis, it is worth noting cryotherapy, immersion in a magnetic field, treatment with current, and laser.Treatment of psoriasis at home can be accompanied by taking baths with sea salt (5 g of salt per 1 liter of water, temperature - 37-38 ° C, duration 15 minutes, 15-20 daily sessions).With the onset of the disease, it is important to go to sanatoriums and participate in health programs.
Ultraviolet irradiation
Psoriasis is effectively treated by treating the affected areas of the skin with ultraviolet light.The wavelength should be 311-313 nm, but a specialist may recommend a different radiation spectrum.The patient is immersed in a special chamber equipped with ultraviolet lamps.Before this, he takes photosensitizing medications that increase the effectiveness of treatment.An effective method of UV therapy is PUVA therapy.The wavelength is 320-400 nm.To achieve a good treatment result, the patient undergoes 25 irradiations, due to which 80% of the affected areas disappear.
Effective folk remedies for treatment at home
At the initial stage of psoriasis, you can use folk recipes:
- Treatment with chicken egg oil.To get half a glass of the product, you will need 20 domestic eggs.Cook the product for 15 minutes after boiling.You will need yolks.Mash them into a paste and fry in a frying pan without oil over low heat for 45 minutes.Transfer the prepared mass to cheesecloth and squeeze.Apply the oil to the affected areas 1-2 times a day until the symptoms of psoriasis are completely eliminated.
- Treatment of the initial stage with complex ointment for psoriasis.Ingredients: 50 grams of birch tar, 20 grams of grease or petroleum jelly, 10 grams of boric acid, 30 grams of honey, 1 chicken egg white, 10 grams of fish oil.Store the product in a dark corner.Lubricate papules 1-2 times a day.
- Treatment with celandine juice.Treat the affected skin areas with fresh juice from the roots.At the initial stage, this should be done daily throughout the summer for three seasons in a row.
Features of treatment in children
Do not use folk remedies on a growing organism.They are not always effective, and delays in this case are completely unacceptable.If the initial stage of psoriasis occurs, parents should take the child to a dermatologist, who will prescribe a comprehensive examination and treatment.If the disease has not spread much, children are prescribed topical ointments and creams for the skin: keratolytics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Using tar-sulfur or salicylic ointment, the top layer of psoriasis plaques is removed.To do this, apply a bandage to the skin soaked in the active agent, which is removed after 3-5 hours.Then the child should take a bath with a string - it will help remove the crusts painlessly.The last stage of treatment is the application of glucocorticoid preparations to the skin in the dosage prescribed by the doctor.Children are prescribed antihistamines and vitamin complexes.
What does the initial stage of psoriasis look like - photo
The first stage of psoriasis is accompanied by damage to certain areas of the skin of the body.
If you notice a rash like the one in the photo, rush to see a dermatologist.There is no need to hope in vain that the problem will be solved on its own.
This skin disease is complex and requires quick and comprehensive treatment.The sooner a person goes to a specialist, the more favorable the outcome will be.
Successful therapy leads to rapid remission and restoration of quality of life.