In clinical dermatology, there are 3 stages of psoriasis, including: progressive, stationary and regressive.They differ in duration, degree of skin damage and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the course of the pathology into 4 stages, taking into account the initial one.
Initial stage
Initially, the patient develops small rashes.Depending on the type of disease, the following may be located:
- on the arms, elbows and legs;
- on the head and face;
- on the belly, thighs and back.
The rashes rarely exceed 2-3 mm in size and are characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after the onset, the rash becomes covered with a grayish layer.This process means the death of the skin.
In people who have had psoriasis for a long time, the epidemic layer does not have time to renew itself, as the skin is immediately covered with plaques.In new patients, a similar process lasts 3 weeks, during which the development of the disease can be stopped.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical medications are used to treat lichen planus at an early stage of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of discomfort and also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs from the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Among the recommended traditional therapeutic methods:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and calming effect and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.Directions for use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to the rashes.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It is applied precisely and does not come off.Before use, you must consult a dermatologist.
Progressive
Features of the stage: damage to large areas of the skin, formation of plaques (with psoriasis vulgaris) or other pronounced papules.The rash can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rashes merge and pronounced gray scales form on the plaques.
One of the main symptoms of this phase is the Kebnera phenomenon (isomorphic auctor), which consists of the formation of papules in the affected areas of the skin layer.That is, if the patient injures the skin, after some time a psoriasis rash will appear in the irritated area.
The last sign of a progressive stage: a capillary layer, which can be seen by removing scales from the plates.When the plaque is removed, pinpoint bleeding begins.
Treatment
At this stage, all main treatment methods are used - oral and topical medications, diet and physiotherapy.Physiotherapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet irradiation, PUVA therapy.
Among the medications, the following stand out:
- Vitamin complexes.Used to strengthen the immune system.This treatment is necessary for the body to resist the disease.
- Retinoids.Similar products also refer to vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), affecting cell membrane structures and inhibiting skin death.
- Steroids.They are used less frequently than other medications as they have negative effects on the body.Steroid medications affect metabolic processes and have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Among traditional treatment methods, the same oils and hydrogen peroxide are used.
You can add a celandine-based tincture to them.To prepare it you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dry or fresh) and salt water.Under no circumstances should you use alcohol as it can dry out your skin.
How to prepare the medicine:
- the components must be mixed;
- leave for a few hours.
Stationary stage
The stationary period of disease development lasts indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, not even a pink border remains.The layer formed on the papules may be gray or grayish-white.In the stationary phase, the skin becomes rough and flakes.
The symptoms of psoriasis are mild: if in the progressive phase the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, during the hospitalization phase these symptoms lose intensity.Despite this, the rashes still don't stop itching.
You can see in the photo what a psoriasis rash looks like during the stationary period.
Treatment
Some new medications may be used to treat the stationary form of psoriasis, but in general the treatment regimen will not change.Powerful medications should be prescribed exclusively by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can only try proven remedies:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
The medicines on this list have a minimum of contraindications and are quite inexpensive.
Traditional methods
Several effective recipes for treating dermatoses:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture must be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore skin elasticity.
- Beeswax.This product has an anti-inflammatory and softening effect.Beeswax must be melted in a water bath and then carefully applied to the crust covering the papules.
- Honey.The main bee waste has a positive effect on the human body with psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities - 2 tablespoons per day.
Regression stage
This stage is characterized by Voronov's symptom (pseudoatrophic Voronov's border), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rashes begin to disappear.Initially, the rash changes tone, first becoming pale pink and then adapting to the color of healthy skin.In the regression phase, the itching disappears completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The last stage is the most painless and leads to remission.Scaly lichen can occur in a latent form from several months to tens of years.To prevent the disease from worsening, it is necessary to regularly visit a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Therapy at this stage does not require the addition of new medications.During the regression period, the patient is recommended to focus on internal healing, that is, actively taking vitamin complexes.You should continue to use medications that previously gave a positive result.The use of hormonal medications should be completely avoided, as they negatively affect the body and weaken the immune defense.
A common and effective way of quick healing: leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to alternative medicine, but is recognized by many experts.This therapy must be discussed in advance by a doctor.It lasts from 3 to 10 days, depending on the patient's condition and the stage of the disease.During the remission period, the duration of leech treatment is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth considering that severe forms of psoriasis can manifest themselves ambiguously.Only comprehensive treatment will help avoid relapses.Generally, scaly lichen worsens during the winter when a person's skin comes into contact with clothing and cannot breathe.