Psoriasis is an autoimmune, non-infectious disease that manifests itself in severe redness, inflammation and peeling of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wave-like nature - it progresses with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant if it touches the face, since this part of the body cannot be covered with clothes. Psoriasis on the face not only causes itching and discomfort associated with skin irritation, but also causes moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Do you have psoriasis on your face?
In most cases, psoriatic skin lesions affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits and groin. Can psoriasis be on the face? Maybe, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. The face is often affected by the second form, which is considered more severe due to particularly dense, large papules and scales covered with a layer of sebum with a yellowish tint.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Doctors are still unable to form a unified opinion about the causes of the skin pathology, but they suggest that psoriasis is caused by the following:
- autoimmune disorders;
- metabolic disorders.
Autoimmune disorders occur due to the improper functioning of the immune system, when it begins to aggressively perceive its own body. The tendency to such disorders is inherited, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disorders are caused by nervous strain, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, and hormonal disorders. Unpleasant climatic conditions and bad habits can also be the cause of improper metabolism.
Psoriasis cannot occur on the face for one reason. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify factors that increase the likelihood of the manifestation of pathology:
- chronic inflammation;
- exchange errors;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin injuries (the main reason that provokes psoriasis on the nose and other prominent places);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- freezing and overheating;
- poisoning, including alcoholism;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta-blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: types
There are two types of psoriasis on the face:
- It occurs at a young age - up to the age of 40. The peak incidence occurs at the age of 16-24. Early pathology often becomes general, severe, difficult to treat and often relapses.
- It affects people over 40 years of age. The peak occurs at the age of 55-60. This type is less durable, the symptoms are not as strong as the previous version, it is easier and easier to treat.
There are two main types of psoriasis on the face: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in most patients and rarely affects the face. Seborrheic type psoriasis is more typical for such a place, which often relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are especially dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellowish tint, so they are very noticeable.
The disease can be localized on the face in the following places:
- on the cheeks;
- On the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis is diagnosed on the lips. In a neglected version, skin defects can also extend to the ears.
Clinical stages
The pathology is not immediate, it progresses in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start the treatment in the first stage, but for this you need to know how psoriasis starts.
The stage of the pathology can be determined based on the symptoms:
- Psoriasis of the face initially manifests itself in papules resembling acne scars. They itch, grow, and form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin turns red, and the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis, or seborrhoeás). This stage is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, fast, peeling, covered with a yellow, thick crust.
- Then the affected areas start to bleed and itch badly. After scraping off a thick scale, drops of blood come out. Wound surfaces do not heal. The peeling spreads over the entire face, the itching becomes unbearable.
- After that, the stationary phase begins, during which the growth of the papules stops and the desquamation decreases. Plaques on the face acquire a bluish tint.
- The last stage is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease goes into remission, peeling and itching disappear completely, papules and plaques disappear.
Since psoriasis is chronic, there will definitely be a relapse after remission. The duration of remission is individual and largely depends on the correct treatment and skin care. If the pathology is not treated, then instead of remission, various complications can be achieved.
Consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. The neglected form of psoriasis often leads to arthritis, and if it spreads to the eyelids and ears, it can cause blindness and deafness. In addition, comorbidities worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. Therefore, it is very important to treat it in time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face
The disease cannot be completely cured, as it is chronic, but many years of remission can be achieved. For this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be complete - complex and should consist of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with systemic and locally acting special preparations;
- physiotherapy;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- folk remedies.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a standard series of tests to determine the characteristics of the pathology. The therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
Preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids quickly and powerfully combat the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop the abnormal cell division, as a result of which the disease stops and goes into remission.
Anti-allergic drugs help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A medicine containing succinic acid can speed up the recovery of the skin and improve its condition. Injections of group B vitamins are prescribed for general strengthening of the body. Instead of injections, children can receive tableted vitamin complexes.
If the drugs are ineffective, then the strongest immunosuppressant drug is used instead for psoriasis rashes. Due to the high probability of side effects, it is used as a last resort.
Mild forms of the disease, as well as childhood psoriasis, are treated with local medicines - ointments, creams, gels.
How to apply psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. Usually assigned to:
- ointment with 0. 5% salicylic acid;
- tar and sulfur-based ointment, at least 10% (concentration of the active ingredient);
- naphthalene cream 5%;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- non-hormonal cream of plant origin, fat-based.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations intended for local application, are applied to the skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs increase the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis.
In addition to the listed medicines, it is imperative to take sedatives (valerian, motherwort), as stress aggravates the symptoms. After the transition of the pathology to a calm stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiation therapy against itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Therapy with folk remedies
How to treat psoriasis of the skin is recommended by traditional medicine. Masks help to quickly remove psoriasis from the face at home:
- from the infusion of dry chamomile - boil the flowers, filter, dip the gauze in the solution and apply to the face, hold for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and rub the affected areas of the face with juice;
- of turmeric - the spice is diluted with water to a paste and applied to plaques. It should last 8-12 hours.
Face masks can be made every other day or every day before going to bed for 2-4 weeks. After that, it is desirable to take a short break, after which the treatment can be repeated.
Another powerful remedy for psoriasis on the face is concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). It is recommended to add the oils to the care cream or washing water. They soften, nourish and hydrate the skin and facilitate the exfoliation of seborrheic psoriasis.
Pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which should be added to masks, washing water and scrubs. Alternative treatment methods do not replace the official ones, but they significantly speed up the healing process. It is recommended to combine such treatment with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
Diet and lifestyle
All patients (even children) should follow a diet that removes all possible allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, seafood. If psoriasis is on the forehead or cheeks, it is absolutely necessary to give up sugar and starchy foods.
In addition, the problem can be treated by giving up bad habits - alcohol addiction and smoking. The correct lifestyle must be maintained continuously, even after the disease has gone into remission.
Face skin care
The problematic skin of the face must be cared for carefully, regularly and correctly. For care, it is better to use a daily moisturizing cream for the face with vitamin D. It improves the quality of the skin, softens it and saturates it with nutrients for healing. And you also need:
- avoid actively rubbing the skin with a towel (it is better to wipe your face with a paper napkin after washing);
- during relapses, do not use decorative cosmetics on the face, especially in the hot season;
- do not peel or damage the skin by peeling;
- replace razors with electric shavers (advice for men);
- regularly protect the facial skin from the sun's ultraviolet rays with the help of special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis on open areas of the body? No, the affected skin should be protected from sunlight, especially in the acute stage, as ultraviolet radiation can cause complications.
Despite the specific nature of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive, competent approach to treatment, if all the doctor's recommendations are followed, the prognosis for achieving a long remission will be favorable.