Psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious skin disease. This disease is recurrent. Very rarely, psoriasis can affect joints, nails and mucous membranes. People of all ages are susceptible to psoriatic disease. According to statistics, there is a tendency for the development of the disease in childhood.
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease of a chronic nature at all. Most dermatologists tend to believe that psoriasis is a systemic disease. In his opinion, the disease affects not only a specific area of the skin, but also attracts almost all systems of the body (endocrine, immune, nervous) to the pathological process.
From the outside, it may seem that psoriasis is a mild disease. But in reality, this is far from the case. The disease is dangerous. Deaths are known in dermatology. In case of premature or incorrect treatment, psoriasis affects the whole body, which leads to serious complications. For example:
- psoriatic arthritis
- swollen lymph nodes
- conjunctivitis
- mucosal damage
- flattening and damage to nail plates
- spontaneous pain
- amyotrophy
- rarely - damage to the heart
As a rule, psoriasis does not disturb the normal rhythm of life of a sick person. The only drawback is the peeling and inflammation of the skin. Unfortunately, it is impossible to recover from this disease, but it is perfectly possible to stop its development or prevent the occurrence of relapses. For that, it is enough to fulfill all the doctor's prescriptions and make systematic treatment in a hospital.
Causes of psoriasis
There is no specific cause for the onset of the disease. There are many factors that can lead to the development of psoriasis. There is no unequivocal opinion on one reason or another in dermatology. There are many versions. Most dermatologists believe that the disease has a genetic predisposition. It is impossible to state or deny unequivocally that heredity is the main reason. There are cases where the whole family had psoriasis.
In other words, we can say the following: if a mother has psoriasis, it is not necessary for her child to show signs of this disease. But it is also impossible to exclude a genetic predisposition. For example, if a grandmother suffers from this disease, it is possible that grandchildren will never be diagnosed with psoriasis. The question of the causes of the development of the disease at the gene level remains open today.
The next factor, which, according to many dermatologists, can cause psoriasis to appear, is a disease of the endocrine system. For example, adrenal dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, pituitary dysfunction. The percentage of signs of psoriatic disease in people suffering from pathologies of the endocrine system is quite high. Therefore, the connection between diseases exists and is proven by numerous examples.
In addition to the reasons above, there are many endogenous factors. For example:
- Postponed diseases of a contagious nature, for example, tonsillitis. According to statistics, 17% of the surveyed patients believe that psoriasis is a consequence of the complications of angina.
- Chronic infectious pathological processes, such as laryngitis or tonsillitis, can also cause psoriatic disease.
- Long-term use of certain medications: interferons, NSAIDs, beta-blockers and others.
- As strange as it may seem, pregnancy can also lead to the development of psoriasis. In the woman's body, significant hormonal changes occur, which often trigger a latent pathological process in the body.
- It is impossible to exclude the negative effect on the human body from excessive consumption of ultraviolet radiation, that is, prolonged exposure to the scorching sun or frequent visits to the solarium.
Of course, in addition to endogenous factors, there are several exogenous causes. For example, skin diseases (dermatitis, ringworm, pyoderma), mechanical damage to the integrity of the skin, allergic dermatitis.
Interesting fact. Psoriasis is significantly more common in people infected with HIV than in healthy people. It is important to note that women are more susceptible to psoriatic disease than the male population. Dry, thin and sensitive skin is another predisposing factor.
You should know that if a person has disorders of the immune system, this pathology often causes psoriasis. Immunological diseases and psoriatic disease are closely related.
There are a number of reasons that lead to psoriasis, but there is not a single reason that leads completely to the development of the disease.
Types and forms of psoriasis
Psoriasis is a multiform disease. According to statistics, people generally suffer from only one form of psoriasis at a time. But there are cases where a person has had several forms of psoriasis at the same time. Very often in dermatological practice, and in cases where one form of psoriasis passes smoothly to another. This "rebirth", as a rule, leads to an abrupt interruption of the prescribed treatment.
In dermatology, there are two main groups of types of psoriasis: non-pustular and pustular.
Pustular shapes- Barbera psoriasis, psoriasis of plants and palms (see photo), Tsumbusha psoriasis, annular pustulosis. This form of psoriasis is conventionally divided into generalized and localized. The last pustular psoriasis can occur on absolutely any area of the skin. There are cases where the pustules form in plaques in psoriasis vulgaris.
As an example of an independent disease, you can consider Allopo's acrodermatitis. As a rule, this disease is characterized by lesions of pustules and crusts of the distal phalanges of the fingers and toes. Another example of a disease independent of a localized form of psoriasis is pustular psoriasis of the sole of the foot and palms. It is important to note that some dermatologists tend to believe that this disease is a form of pustular bacteriide.
Generalized pustular psoriasis includes:
- herpetiform impetigo,
- Tsumbusha psoriasis,
- exantemic generalized psoriasis.
As a rule, men aged 15 to 35 suffer from Tsumbush psoriasis. This disease is much less common in women.
Exantemic pustular psoriasis occurs in an abrupt (sudden) and acute form. In most cases, there is a close relationship with other infectious diseases, such as tonsillitis. The rash is located mainly on the trunk. More often children, adolescents are susceptible to the disease, less often adults.
Herpetiform impetigo is a serious disease that can lead to death. As a rule, this disease is characteristic of pregnant women, most often in the second trimester. But, in dermatological practice, there are still extremely rare cases of the disease in men, non-pregnant women and children.
Non-pustular psoriasis. . . In other words, we can say simple psoriasis. This form of the disease differs from the others in a stable course. In the non-pustular form of psoriasis, almost the entire surface of the body is affected. This type includes:
- erythrodermic psoriasis
- common, plaque or plaque psoriasis.
Common psoriasis occurs quite frequently; up to 90% of patients with psoriasis are patients with the common form of the disease.
Psoriatic erythroderma is a serious disease that often leads to a fatal outcome - the patient's death. With the disease, there is a violation of the thermoregulation function, as well as a decrease in the skin barrier function. These pathologies lead to pyoderma or sepsis.
Classification and symptoms of psoriasis
There is no single classification of psoriasis that is generally accepted by dermatologists. There is still debate about how to classify this skin disease. Some sources have their own list of forms of psoriasis. The most common classification of the disease:
- Guttate psoriasis
- Pustular psoriasis
- Psoriatic onychia
- Psoriasis of the mucous membranes
- Exudative psoriasis
- Psoriasis of plants and palms
- Arthropathic psoriasis
- Intertriginous psoriasis
- Psoriatic erythroderma
- Seborrheic psoriasis
- Psoriasis vulgaris
- Pustular bacteria
- Tsumbusha psoriasis
Arthropathic psoriasisinitially it is almost asymptomatic. Patients sometimes notice only mild pain in the joints. Over time, the pain intensifies, it becomes acute and acute. The affected joints become swollen. If the disease is not treated, the joints are deformed and their mobility is limited. As a rule, arthropathic psoriasis is usually accompanied by rheumatoid-type pain. In winter, the disease worsens, that is, seasonality is characteristic of this psoriasis.
Pustular psoriasis. . . It is not common, only 1% of the total mass of patients with psoriasis falls into this type of disease. In most cases, the rash is symmetrical and located on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. Pustular psoriasis is widespread and localized. The latter form is more common than the former. Generalized pustular psoriasis is difficult. In dermatology, cases of death from sepsis and severe bodily intoxication are frequent.
Psoriatic erythroderma. . . Severe psoriasis resulting from exacerbation of pre-existing psoriasis. This disease can be a consequence of an exacerbation of the underlying disease and the first time it appears. Secondary psoriatic erythroderma develops, as a rule, in 2% of people who suffer from this disease.
Often, this disease occurs spontaneously, but cases of psoriasis due to improper and irritating treatment of acne in the acute period of the disease are not excluded. Patients observe an increase in the pathological foci of desquamation, an increase in temperature and dehydration is detected. In dermatological practice, there have been cases of death from psoriatic erythroderma.
Guttate psoriasis- the second most common disease among all forms of psoriasis, children and adolescents suffer most often. It is characterized by the appearance on the skin of a large number of dry, purple and small elements that rise slightly above the surface of the unaffected skin. The rash is in the form of a drop, circle or tear. As a rule, the elements cover the entire human body, but most "densely" are located on the thighs. In most cases, the appearance of teardrop psoriasis is caused by a streptococcal infection. For example, strep throat, strep throat.
Psoriatic onychia. . . This disease is characterized by several changes in the appearance of the nail plate, both in the hands and feet. First, the color of the nail changes, sometimes the nail bed together. The nail turns gray, yellow or whitish. Spots or small spots appear on the nails and sometimes even under the nail plate itself. The nail plate thickens, streaks and fragility appear. Another clinical manifestation of the disease is thickening of the skin around the nail bed. The difficult result of psoriatic onychia is spontaneous nail loss.
Psoriasis of the mucous membranes- is a type of pustular psoriasis or common psoriasis. Most of the time, the mucous membrane of the cheeks, tongue and lips is affected, less often the mucous membrane of Organs genitals and eyes. In the pustular form of psoriasis, the rashes are more extensive, a large area of the mucous membrane is affected and geographical glossitis is observed. In common psoriasis, flat, grayish-white papules with clear borders appear on the mucous membranes, rising over the unaffected surface.
Psoriasis of plants and palms. . . This disease is a form of localized pustular psoriasis. As a rule, this form is chronic and recurrent. In dermatology, there are cases where Barbera's psoriasis has evolved at the same time to plaque psoriasis. Pustules appear on the inner surface of the hands and / or feet. Over time and under the influence of medical therapy, the vesicles-pustules dry up. Then, these dry elements form dense brownish crusts.
Psoriasis intertriga. . . This disease is characterized by the appearance of rashes on the skin, especially in large folds of the skin. For example, intergluteal, folds between the fingers, folds groin, armpits and the area under the mammary gland. Psoriasis intertriga is more common in patients with diabetes mellitus, IVC (vegetative-vascular dystonia), obesity, who do not follow simple rules of hygiene.
Erythematous, erythematous, papular foci, erosive and watery, form in the folds. An important characteristic of the elements of this disease is that the detachment of the stratum corneum is pronounced along the periphery. Psoriasis intertriga is very similar to epidermophytosis, candidiasis or rubromicosis. It is important to note that the clinical picture of candidiasis or dermatomycosis is much clearer and sharper than that of psoriasis.
Seborrheic psoriasis. . . In terms of symptoms, seborrheic psoriasis is very similar to seborrheic eczema. As a rule, the psoriatic rash has the same location as the elements with seborrheic eczema. It might be:
- nasolabial folds
- scalp
- auricles
- chest area
- interscapular region
In seborrheic psoriasis, areas appear on the head in which a severe peeling of the skin is observed. An important feature of this disease is the formation of a kind of psoriatic crown. The lesion of the skin occurs from the forehead and spreads smoothly to the scalp, in such a simple way the contours of the crown appear. It should be noted that dandruff is an alarm signal that "speaks" of the development of seborrheic psoriasis.
As a rule, red eczema forms behind the ear and purulent scabs usually form in layers. For skin rashes located on the chest and face, yellowish-gray scales are characteristic. A psoriatic rash always causes severe itching. It is important to note that seborrheic psoriasis is difficult to diagnose, as it is often confused with seborrhea.
Exudative psoriasis. . . This type of psoriasis is more common in children and the elderly. A very high risk of developing this disease in patients with disorders of the endocrine and immune systems. Exudative psoriasis usually affects the healthy skin of overweight people or diabetes.
This disease is characterized by the excessive accumulation of exudate in the papule, which gradually reaches its surface, forming yellowish crusts. If the scabs are removed, a weeping and bleeding surface is exposed. The scales dry over time and stay on top of each other, forming a very dense and massive conglomerate.
The main characteristic of exudative psoriasis is the clear location of pathological foci. As a rule, the lower limbs and large folds are the most affected. The rash gives the person the strongest itchy and burning sensation. The clinical picture of this disease is clear and acute.
Psoriasis vulgaris. . . It has different names in different sources. For example, plaque, common, simple. This type of psoriasis ranks first in terms of prevalence - in almost 90% of patients with psoriasis, this type is observed. The disease usually begins sufficiently acutely. The first symptoms appear almost immediately.
Psoriasis vulgaris is characterized by the appearance of typical elements that rise slightly above the unaffected areas of the skin. The rash is inflamed, red and hot to the touch. The elements are thickened, covered by a dry, whitish and scaly film (skin), which comes off easily.
You should be aware that the gray scabs are easily removed, which leads to lesions in the lower layer of the papule, which is equipped with several small vessels. This usually results in a small undercut. The lesions affected in dermatology are called psoriatic plaques.
These plates tend to coalesce, which leads to their increase in size. Over time, plaque plaques are formed, which have a peculiar name - "paraffin lakes". Psoriatic rashes with common psoriasis are highly scaly. Treatment is long-term, requiring hospitalization.
Pustular bacteria. . . According to statistics, this disease occurs mainly in young people (from 20 years old) and in the middle (up to 50 years old). The exact etiology of the pustular bacteriide has not been established. It is assumed that the disease develops in the context of a strong and prolonged allergy associated with infectious outbreaks. For example, decayed teeth, tonsillitis or tonsillitis.
Psoriatic rashes affect the skin on the palms and soles. The pustular bacteria is chronic and recurrent. The first foci appear, whether on the palms, then in the center, if on the sole, then on the arch. The primary psoriatic elements are small in size, not exceeding the size of a pinhead. Over time, the pustules dry out and form lamellar crusts. Patients experience severe itching and pain in the affected areas.
The paroxysmal course of the disease is characteristic of a pustular bacteriid. At the same time, inflammation occurs in all areas affected by psoriasis. Gradually, psoriatic foci increase and, after several weeks, almost the entire surface of the palms or soles of the feet is attracted to the pathological process. As a rule, the pustular bacteria lasts for years and with constant relapses.
Nutrition for psoriasis
Psoriasis patients are simply required to follow a diet and adhere to the basic principles of proper nutrition. The main task of the diet is to maintain the normal acid-base balance. But it is important to note that the alkaline bottom of the body should slightly prevail over the acid.
Naturally, the body's balance depends on the foods that psoriasis patients consume daily. It is important to know for each person who suffers from this disease that 70% of the daily diet must be accounted for by products that form alkalis in the body. For acid formation - no more than 30%. In simpler terms, it is possible to say the following: products that produce alkalis should be consumed 4 times more than those that form acids.
List of products that form alkalis in the body:
- All vegetables except rhubarb, pumpkin and Brussels sprouts. It is important to remember that potatoes, peppers, eggplants and tomatoes are strictly prohibited.
- Fruits should not be discarded. The main thing is not to use plums, cranberries, currants and blueberries. It is important to note that bananas, melons and apples should not be eaten at the same time as other foods.
- Be sure to drink fresh vegetable juices from carrots, beets, parsley, celery and spinach.
- Fruit juices of grape, pineapple, pear, orange, papaya and grapefruit, mango, lemon and apricot can be consumed daily. It is important to add lemon juice to the food.
The list of foods that psoriasis patients are prohibited from eating (in the form of acid):
- You should completely eliminate or minimize the consumption of foods that contain starch, fats, sugars and oils. This typically includes the following foods: potatoes, beans, cream, cheese, cereals, meat, dried peas. An unbalanced daily intake of these products inevitably leads to the initiation of acidic reactions in the blood. The result is a deterioration in well-being.
- It is important to properly balance your diet. There are several foods that are prohibited from being consumed at the same time. For example, meat products with foods that contain a lot of sugars, sweets and starch should not be combined.
- It is important to limit your sugar intake. Preservatives, vinegar, dyes and various food additives should be included in the diet as little as possible.
- The main point is that it is necessary to completely exclude the consumption of alcohol and alcoholic beverages.
Every psoriasis patient should remember that eating well is an important condition in the treatment of this disease. It is imperative to replace frying with cooking or boiling. It is necessary to eat foods that are subject to delicate processing.
Psoriasis treatment
Treatment of psoriasis should occur during an exacerbation in a hospital setting and on an outpatient basis - during remission. The diet is an important point in the treatment. Fasting days are useful.
In addition to diets and specialized treatments, it is important to carefully monitor skin hygiene. For washing, it is better to use tar soap, you can also use baby soap. You should, whenever possible, bathe with a decoction of celandine, violet tricolor or hops.
If there are no contraindications, you can try to treat psoriasis and folk remedies. Do not experiment and self-medicate. Only the doctor has the right to advise the folk remedy that is useful and necessary.
List of safe and effective ointments for psoriasis:
- A packet of butter (but not spread) should be placed in a pan with crushed propolis (10 g). Put on the fire and cook after boiling for 15 minutes. Then - it is necessary to stretch the mixture well and let it cool. Keep this medicine only in the refrigerator. Application method - rub on the affected area several times a day.
- In a clay dish, it is necessary to grind fresh flowers of St. John's wort (20 g), celandine root, propolis, marigold flowers (10 g). Vegetable oil is added to the resulting mixture. Store in a cool place, protected from direct sunlight. Application method - lubricate psoriatic rashes completely, 3 times a day.
- In a liter of white wine for half an hour, boil the gallbladder and scales of sea fish, whose weight exceeds three kilos, over very low heat. Cool, strain and add a glass of olive oil. Application method - wash the affected areas thoroughly with egg soap and dry. Then, lubricate the elements with this mixture. The course of treatment is until the medication runs out.
- Mix equal parts of powdered celandine and petroleum jelly (by weight) thoroughly. Application method - the ointment is spread in a thin layer over the rash and left for up to three days. After that, you need to take a short break, about 4 days. Treat until the psoriasis is completely gone.
- A tablespoon of vegetable oil is added to the beaten homemade eggs (2 pieces). The mixture is whipped again, after which acetic acid (40 g) is added. Store the ointment in a tight-fitting bottle. Application method - treat psoriatic rashes once a day, preferably at night.
- An equally effective and common remedy for the treatment of psoriasis is curative mud. The mud must be heated to 38 degrees and applied to the affected skin. This procedure should be performed at night, preferably before going to bed. After 30 minutes, the dirt is removed with warm water. It is important to remember that after soiling, all rashes must be treated with saline. The body must dry up and the excess salt must fall. Without washing or moisturizing your skin, you need to go to bed. And only in the morning, lubricate the psoriatic elements with cream. The recommended course is 20 procedures (on alternate days).
Whichever popular psoriasis treatment method you choose, it must be negotiated with the responsible dermatologist.