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Psoriasis

Psoriasis treatment methods

Is psoriasis contagious or not?

When answering the question of whether psoriasis is contagious or not, it is important to understand that the disease is not transmitted sexually, by airborne droplets, by contact, or by any other means. It is impossible to get infected with it.

Dry spots appear on the body due to disruption of the exfoliation process of keratinized skin scales. You cannot die from them, but patients experience serious mental discomfort due to their appearance.

Causes of psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis has not yet been determined. There are various theories about the development of the disease. Experts tend to believe that skin and nail damage can be caused by:

  • stress, negative emotional experiences;
  • endocrine pathologies;
  • hereditary predisposition;
  • failure of the immune system, due to which the growth and division processes of epithelial cells are interrupted.

The autoimmune cause of psoriasis is when the immune cells T-helper and T-killer cells, which are normally responsible for protecting the body against tumor cells, pathogenic viruses and bacteria, begin to invade the upper layers of the skin. Here, substances are produced that activate the inflammatory process. As a result, skin cells divide and multiply rapidly. Proliferation is observed.

Psoriasis can develop as a result of several factors from the list below:

  • Very thin and poorly hydrated skin (little sebum is produced).
  • Frequent contact with irritating compounds - low-quality cosmetics, alcoholic solutions, household chemicals.
  • Washing your body and hands too often (especially if you use hard washcloths and antibacterial soap/shower).
  • Alcohol abuse.
  • Development of infectious diseases caused by staphylococci, streptococci, fungi.
  • Taking antidepressants, lithium carbonate, beta blockers, malaria and anticonvulsant drugs.
  • Change of climate zone.
  • Mechanical damage to the skin.
  • Tendency to allergic reactions.
  • HIV infection.

Classification of the disease

If you study different photos of psoriasis at the initial stage, you will notice differences - there are many variants of this dermatological pathology. Depending on the location of the injury, this happens:

  • Psoriasis of the scalp (manifests in itching, cracked and bleeding skin).
  • Nail psoriasis (the nail plate gradually separates from the bed and becomes painful, red spots form on it).
  • Palmoplantar psoriasis (the disease is common only on the soles and/or palms).
  • Skin psoriasis (dry plaques appear on different parts of the body).
  • Arthropathic psoriasis (joints are affected).
  • Genital psoriasis (disease affecting the skin of the genitals).

Clinical forms of psoriasis:

  • Common or vulgar. It looks like small flat pink-red papules that are slightly raised above the healthy skin. The top of the papules is covered with light scales that fall off even with a light touch. If the treatment of psoriasis is not started in time, the small lesions will merge into large ones.
  • Exudative. It occurs more often among obese, hypothyroid and diabetic patients. The symptoms of this form of psoriasis are as follows: the papules are bright red, with yellow-gray scales on top. Plaques affect skin folds - the armpits, the area under the mammary glands in women. Patients complain of itching and burning.
  • Seborrheic. Psoriasis can be observed on the head, behind the ears, in the nasolabial and nasolabial folds, between the shoulder blades, and on the chest. The borders of the spots are not clearly defined. The exfoliation is silver-yellow. If you look at the photo of psoriasis on the head, you can get associations with such a common fungal disease as dandruff.
  • Palm planter. The disease occurs in people between 30 and 50 years old, whose work involves heavy physical work. Rashes can also appear on the body with this form.
  • Pustular. Pustular elements form on the body. In medicine, another type of pustular form is identified - Tsumbusch psoriasis. It can be idiopathic (primary) - blisters appear on the skin, which turn into pustules. The pustules open and dry out. Later, scaly rashes characteristic of the disease appear on them. And also with a secondary, benign course. In this case, pustules appear on the surface of typical psoriatic plaques due to the irritating effect of the drugs.
    Another type of pustular form is Barber's psoriasis. It only affects the soles and palms. Purulent pustules appear on the skin. They do not open and eventually turn into a dark, dry crust. Barber's psoriasis is distinguished by the symmetry of the lesion.
  • Arthropathic (joint). Severe form. Occurs in patients with skin rash. It usually appears five to six years after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, if the treatment of psoriasis was not adequate. Pathologies of the joint system can be different, from mild joint pain that does not lead to changes in the joint apparatus, to deforming ankylosis (the joint becomes completely immobile).
  • Psoriatic erythroderma. It is a consequence of vulgar or exudative psoriasis. Almost all skin is affected. It becomes red, covered with a large number of dry scales. Body temperature rises, enlargement of lymph nodes (especially femoral and inguinal) is observed. If the patient does not learn how to treat psoriasis, hair loss and brittle nails can occur.

According to the criterion of seasonal relapses, psoriasis is divided into:

  • summer;
  • winter (most common);
  • uncertain.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The treatment depends on the dominant symptoms of psoriasis, therefore, during the first appointment, the doctor performs a thorough examination of the patient and carefully examines the localization of psoriasis lesions.

More often, the disease manifests itself in winter. In the summer, the symptoms of psoriasis may disappear completely due to exposure to the sun. However, with the "summer" form of the pathology, sun exposure should be avoided. During the exacerbation, the patient complains of very strong itching. Damage to the nail plates is observed in only 25% of patients.

If there is a disease of the scalp, the hair is not involved in the pathological process. First, the skin begins to peel off. Over time, the areas of rashes can "spread" to the neck area, behind the ears. The inflammatory process is caused by the very rapid division of keratinocytes.

With psoriasis of the palms and soles, the stratum corneum thickens and is covered with deep cracks. Pustules with transparent content can be seen on the photo of psoriasis in the initial stage. Later they turn white and turn into dark scars.
As for the nail plates, the most common types of damage are:

  • The nail is covered with holes that look like puncture marks ("thimble type").
  • The nail changes color and begins to peel, which resembles a fungal disease. A psoriatic papule surrounded by a red border can be seen through the nail plate.

Stages of psoriasis

Although there is still debate about what psoriasis is and exactly what can trigger it, the stages of the disease have been studied extensively. There are three of them:

  • Progressive (initial). New growths appear on the surface of the skin in the form of a rash, which tend to grow along the periphery. They spread to healthy skin and form oval or round plaques. The spots are pink or red. They don't have a flaky crust yet - just whitish scales. The edges of the lesions were slightly compacted. As a result of scratching, new rashes appear.
  • Stationary. Psoriasis appears one to four weeks after the first symptoms. Plaques become lighter. New rashes do not appear, the old ones slowly dissolve. The papules heal from the center to the edges, so their shape will be ring-shaped. The entire surface of the healing lesions is covered with flaky white scales.
  • Regressive (fading). The color of psoriatic plaques becomes almost indistinguishable from healthy skin. Itching is reduced to a minimum. A "Voronov collar" is formed around the lesions, which is a ring of dense keratinized skin layers. If the patient uses a high-quality ointment for the treatment of psoriasis, the regression phase lasts about a month. Otherwise, the "fading" process can take up to six months.

The task of a patient diagnosed with psoriasis is to keep the disease in remission.

    If you experience similar symptoms, consult a doctor immediately. It is easier to prevent a disease than to treat its consequences.

    How is psoriasis diagnosed?

    A dermatologist diagnoses psoriasis. The procedure is based on an external examination, an assessment of the condition of the skin and nails, and an examination of the localization of the lesions. In case of obvious symptoms, no further tests are prescribed. If there are difficulties in establishing a diagnosis, a skin sample is taken from the inflamed area (biopsy) and examined in a laboratory.

    If there are complaints of joint pain, an X-ray is taken. Blood tests will also be ordered to make sure there is no other type of arthritis. A potassium hydroxide test should be performed to rule out a fungal infection.

    How to cure psoriasis

    Psoriasis treatment is complex. Includes:

    • general therapy;
    • local therapy;
    • physiotherapy.

    Before determining the way to treat psoriasis, the dermatologist determines the stage of the disease, its clinical form and the extent of the process. When prescribing drugs, the age of the patient and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account. As a rule, the safest drugs for health, characterized by the minimum number of side effects, are selected first. If the transition of the psoriasis to the regression stage is not ensured, the treatment is adjusted.

    Systemic drugs for the treatment of psoriasis

    Medicines taken by mouth help with moderate to severe psoriasis. These include:

    • Vitamin A derivatives (retinoids). Reduce the rate of keratinocyte maturation. It normalizes cell differentiation and maturation.
    • Immunosuppressants. Reduce the activity of T-lymphocytes, which cause increased division of epidermal cells.
    • Medicines for the treatment of malignant tumors. It inhibits the reproduction and growth of atypical skin cells.

    Psoriasis physiotherapy

    Physiotherapy procedures significantly improve the well-being of patients with psoriasis. In some cases, they allow you to stop taking the medication completely. Most commonly used:

    • Selective light therapy. The affected skin is irradiated with UV radiation with a wavelength of 280-320 nm. 15-35 procedures are prescribed.
    • Photochemotherapy (PUVA therapy). The method involves the combined use of a photosensitizer internally and long-wave UV radiation externally. Ultraviolet rays penetrate deep into the skin, and the photosensitizer blocks the process of DNA synthesis of skin cells and reduces the speed of their division. The duration of the course is 20-30 procedures.
    • Laser therapy. Different wavelengths of laser radiation are used. The laser ensures accelerated absorption of plaques and eliminates the formation of scars in their place.
    • Application of monochrome ultraviolet radiation. Each lesion is treated alternately with a UV lamp/laser source. Healthy skin is not affected. The method is optimal when less than 10% of the skin is affected. The duration of the treatment is 15-30 sessions.
    • Electrosleep. The electrical impulses have a mild effect on the brain for 20-60 minutes. As a result, the patient calms down, the functioning of the central nervous system normalizes, and the psoriasis plaques begin to dissolve.
      Ultrasound therapy. Decongestant, anti-itch and pain reliever. Accelerates the absorption of scars. If necessary, it can be combined with phonophoresis. It takes 7-14 sessions to achieve the therapeutic effect.
    • Magnetic therapy (Betatron device). It has a general healing effect on the body. It relieves inflammation, reduces itching and burning, helps to get rid of joint pain.
    • Treatment with bee venom. Bee venom is injected into the body using electrophoresis or an ultrasound machine. It is characterized by its dissolving and anti-inflammatory effect and normalizes metabolic processes.
    • Hyperthermia. Tissues affected by psoriasis are heated to a temperature of 40 degrees with pads containing a thermal mixture. The treatment improves the function of the immune system and reduces the negative impact of the disease on the skin.

    Ointments for the treatment of psoriasis

    According to reviews, the treatment of psoriasis with ointments can achieve excellent results if the drug is selected correctly. At the first symptoms, non-hormonal preparations are prescribed:

    • salicylic ointment (makes the skin soft, relieves inflammation, removes dead skin cells);
    • anthralin (slows down DNA synthesis, reduces the activity of cell enzymes, slows down the process of cell division);
    • sulfur ointment (disinfects, softens, removes white plaque from injuries);
    • naphthalene ointment (soothes itching, relieves pain, normalizes immune reactions).

    If the treatment of psoriasis with non-hormonal ointments does not bring the expected effect, hormonal drugs or strong ointments containing the following glucocorticosteroids are prescribed:

    • Hydrocortisone. Removes tightness and itching. It suppresses the increased activity of leukocytes and prevents their movement into the skin.
    • Flumethasone. It helps with the exudative form of psoriasis. It is characterized by pronounced anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and anti-itching effects.
    • Triamcinolone acetonide. It has an anti-itching and anti-inflammatory effect. Indicated during periods of exacerbation.

    Scalp psoriasis occurs in 50% of patients and causes the most severe discomfort. If you are sick, avoid hair dryers, gels and hair sprays. It is important that the hairpins and the comb do not scratch the skin. Otherwise, epidemics will start to spread.

    Psoriasis of the scalp is treated with the following:

    • UV comb (promotes the formation of profile skin cells from keratinocytes, as a result of which the existing plaques are reabsorbed).
    • Photochemotherapy (UVR combined with Beroxan, Puvalen and Psoralen).
    • Medical shampoos (Tana, Nizoral, Friederm tar). It is advisable to buy several different products and rotate them. This avoids addiction.
    • Salicylic ointment (apply to secretions, cover the head with cellophane and leave for two hours).
    • Hormonal lotions (Belosalik, Elokom, Diprosalik). Contains steroid hormones. It is easy to apply to the scalp and effectively eliminates flaking and itching.
    • Kirkazon decoction (normalizes the division process of skin cells, cleans).

    The effect of any scalp treatment can be observed after a few weeks, so there is no need to interrupt the treatment after several sessions.

    Treatment of psoriasis at home with folk remedies

    To cure psoriasis at home forever, if we are talking about a mild form of the disease, folk remedies help:

    • Medicinal tea made from dandelion root, St. John's wort or nettle leaves.
    • Therapeutic baths with the addition of string, soapwort or yarrow decoction.
    • Wipe the affected areas with cabbage brine, celandine juice and birch tar.
      Garlic infusion based compresses.

    Also, according to the reviews, treating psoriasis with hydrogen peroxide can achieve good results. Psoriasis plaques should be rubbed twice a day with a cotton ball soaked in a three percent solution. The duration of the course depends on the severity of the symptoms and can last up to two months.

    Diet for psoriasis

    Products approved for worsening psoriasis:

    • fruits (apples, apricots, peaches);
    • fruit juices;
    • vegetables (carrots, potatoes, radishes, watermelons, pumpkins);
    • foliage;
    • berries (all except red);
    • lean meats (beef, veal, turkey, rabbit) - no more than 200 grams per day;
    • any nuts;
    • lean fish;
    • fermented milk products, cottage cheese and cheese;
    • whole wheat bread;
    • sea kale.

    People with psoriasis should not eat:

    • smoked foods;
    • red fish;
    • animal fats;
    • egg;
    • pork and duck meat;
    • baked goods.

    The consumption of coffee, carbonated and alcoholic beverages is prohibited. It is advisable to limit sugar intake. In order to cleanse the body, it is recommended to fast twice a week - vegetables, apples or kefir.

    Is psoriasis dangerous?

    Psoriasis is a serious but not fatal disease. It reduces the quality of life because it has an ugly appearance. Plaques on the body prevent patients from working as a team or resting. They often lead to limited movement and difficulty performing simple physical tasks. Premature treatment of psoriasis can lead to damage to the organs of vision and joints.

    A complete cure for psoriasis is impossible. It is a chronic dermatological disease that must always be kept "dormant".

      Risk group

      The risk group includes those who:

      • chronic skin diseases;
      • skin injuries;
      • disorders of the central nervous system and the autonomic system.

      Prevention

      To prevent the disease, doctors recommend:

      • moisturizes the skin;
      • avoid long stay in cold and dry rooms;
      • do not take beta-blockers and lithium (except in extreme cases), because they provoke psoriasis.

      This article is for educational purposes only and does not constitute scientific material or professional medical advice.