Psoriasis is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbations.Skin inflammation occurs in several stages: initial, progressive, stationary, regressive.Such a division will help in diagnosis and appropriate therapy.
Interesting to know
Psoriasis is a genetic disease.About 10% of the population has characteristic DNA anomalies and only 2% of them show signs of a disorder in the functioning of the skin.
The appearance of the pathology is provoked by the following factors:
- severe emotional stress;
- injuries;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- unbalanced diet;
- infectious and other diseases;
- certain drugs;
- endocrine diseases;
- predisposition to allergies;
Due to an incorrect response of the immune system, which reacts to the epidermal tissue as if it were foreign elements, the first signs of the disease appear.Let's look at the stages of psoriasis, its symptoms and treatment regimens.
Early stage of psoriasis
The first sign isthe appearance of a pimple(papules).The shape is round, the color is reddish or pink.In the lower extremities, due to slow blood flow, manifestations of a bluish tint may occur.Papular formations are small, the size of a pinhead.
The initial phase is characterizedmany papules, which have clearly defined limits.Whitish scales also appear.They are easily separated from the surface when touched.The papules can merge into one, forming larger elements.
During remission at an early stage, the rashes become pale.The affected areas of the skin are partially discolored.In children, this stage of psoriasis is often confused with manifestations of allergies or diathesis.The rash may be accompanied by intense itching.Signs that can help diagnose psoriasis:
- when scraped, the surface of the plaque becomes whitish, resembles a drop of crushed stearin, the scales peel off;
- if you continue to scrape the stain and remove the scales, a bright red surface will appear;
- When scraped, small drops of blood appear.
Progressive stage of psoriasis
During the progressive stage of psoriasis, the following symptoms appear:
- The papules turn red and remain covered with white scales.They peel off easily, revealing a smooth layer of reddish skin underneath.When damaged, blood appears.
- During exacerbation, papular elements grow and merge.They are clearly different from healthy areas of the skin.
- The itching intensifies.But it disappears when the process enters the stationary phase.Painful and obsessive itching interferes with sleep and daily activities.If you simply scratch the cover, lesions and new plaques will appear.The appearance of new plaques at the site of the injury is Koebner syndrome.The number of itching manifestations gradually increases and covers the trunk, limbs and head.
- There are no scales on the edges of the plates;are hyperemic, which indicates the continuation of the inflammatory process.
Consequences
Psoriasis can have negative effects on the joints (psoriatic arthritis).Severe pain and deformities in the joints then occur if the process is not treated.
Stationary stage of psoriasis
The main characteristic of the stationary stage of psoriasis is that new elements stop appearing.Positive changes occur through appropriate treatment.
Clinical manifestations:
- the itching disappears;
- there are no lesions (Koebner's symptom disappears);
- peeling may increase.
All spots stop developing.If during the progressive phase the plaques had a scaleless border, then during the stationary phase the entire inflamed surface of the skin will peel off and acquire a characteristic psoriatic appearance.
Scales are characteristic of the last stage of inflammation.At the beginning of the development of the pathology, the scales do not follow the progressive growth of the plaques and are unable to cover them completely.In half of the cases it seemspseudoatrophic corolla.
Pseudoatrophic corolla
It resembles a light border around the element, which has a structure resembling a rough tissue paper, consisting of a stratum corneum and not exceeding two millimeters in width.
Regressive stage of psoriasis
With the regressive stage of psoriasis, the psoriatic cycle ends.Characteristic features:
- the exacerbation process stops, the inflammation disappears;
- plaques gradually disappear;
- peeling stops, the elements of the rash become flattened;
- rashes become pale pink and gradually discolor;
- papules may still remain on the arms and elbows.
There is no scarring or atrophy of the affected areas.Temporary hyperpigmentation or areas of no pigment may occur at the site of the rash.
Remission occurs after complex therapy.The relief period varies from person to person..The disease can last several months or even years in a latent form.Exacerbations occur more frequently in winter, with the only exceptions being some forms of psoriasis.
Treatment of psoriasis at different stages
Therapy for any form of psoriasis consists of general and local treatment, physiotherapeutic methods and dietary adjustments.At the initial stage of therapy it is necessary:
- give up bad habits;
- strictly follow a therapeutic diet;
- use ointments that contain vitamin A, D3, hormones;
- use systemic medications and sedatives;
- undergo ultraviolet therapy.
If the plaques are located on the head, the doctor prescribes shampoos based on tar, zinc and selenium sulfide.
All products must be used as prescribed by a doctor.Prolonged use of medications (especially with tar) can cause skin irritation.Products must be changed every 7 days.
Treatment of psoriasis at an early stage
The effectiveness of therapeutic measures at an early stage depends on when the patient sought the doctor and started treatment.
Early therapy, in most cases, helps prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Experts recommend using salicylic acid ointment.This is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial medicine that has a beneficial effect on the affected areas of the skin.Using the keratolytic effect, the ointment will cleanse plaque from the keratinized parts of the integument.Mothball ointment will help relieve itching.
The following medications are usually prescribed:
- tar-based;
- solid oil based;
- petroleum-based.
Not so long ago, drops and oil for psoriasis appeared.The product can soothe the skin, moisturize it, prevent skin dryness and relieve swelling.The medicine contains ubiquinone, beta-carotene, castor fat, propolis, pumpkin oil and other components, with the help of which the number of plaques decreases, there are fewer plaques and the skin becomes more hydrated.It is recommended to use it in combination with other medications and after consulting a specialist.
Treatment of progressive stage psoriasis
Therapy must be comprehensive and careful.The clinical picture is quite serious;treatment should only be entrusted to specialists.Patients are helped by intravenous and intramuscular administration of special medications.Sorbents help remove toxins from the body.
Manifestations are alleviated with salicylic acid ointments and softening emulsions.They moisturize and eliminate inflammation.During an exacerbation, you should not use medications that contain tar or other irritating components.
Physiotherapeutic procedures (PUVA therapy, ultraviolet irradiation, paraffin baths) are best carried out during the period of reducing inflammation.Corticosteroids and cytostatics are prescribed only when the processes are particularly complex.
Prescribe antihistamines (reduce the development of an allergic reaction), sedatives (soothing), anti-inflammatory drugs, keratolytics (softening), diuretics (relieve swelling, remove toxins).
Treatment of psoriasis in the stationary phase
The patient needs a slight adjustment of therapy.Shampoos with tar, emulsions with oil and calcipotriol are usually prescribed.Systemic therapy is used when the disease affects large areas of the skin.Ultraviolet irradiation and PUVA techniques are widely used.
If there is no effect, some cytostatic agents are prescribed.In severe cases, the patient is prescribed an immunosuppressant, a cytostatic.
Treatment of regressive stage psoriasis
Therapy in the last stage of psoriasis must be comprehensive and adjusted by a specialist.Therapy is gradually being canceled and replaced by preventive measures.Treatment at all stages is carried out with caution;Under no circumstances should the rash be damaged.
Of particular importance is adherence to a strict diet and lifestyle correction.Stress can be a powerful provoking factor, significantly worsening the condition at the beginning of the disease.
In combination with drug therapy, rashes on the hands can be treated with sea salt baths or by mixing baby cream with string powder and lubricating the plates with this mixture.
Additional therapies
A patient with psoriasis has a deficiency of vitamins, which affect the regulation of metabolic processes and have a purifying, sedative and blood-restoring effect.
The vitamin complex must contain B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, folic acid and others.They are prescribed orally, intramuscularly and also in droppers.
The division of pathology into several stages is a conditional measure that helps specialists to correctly identify one or another stage, facilitates diagnosis and treatment.It is impossible to completely get rid of psoriasis, but if all the rules of complex treatment are followed, with systematic preventive measures, the disease can remain hidden for a long time and not prevent a person from living a full life.