Nail psoriasis and skin, psoriasis on the head - causes, stages, treatment

Psoriasis is a noncommunicable chronic disease in most cases affects the skin (rarely – nail plates, the scalp). It seems excessively dry, red patches, slightly protruding above the surface of the skin (papules). Merge papules the form of plates, which are sources of chronic inflammation.

Psoriasis is passed, or not?

The answer to the question, psoriasis is not contagious or not, it should be understood that the disease is not transmitted neither sexually nor in the air or contact or any other way. To catch it is impossible.

Due to the violation of the exfoliation process, dead skin flakes appear on the body dry areas. Dying from them is impossible, but the patients have severe psychological discomfort due to their appearance.

Causes of psoriasis

Still not precisely determined, which occurs when the psoriasis. There are different theories about the development of the disease. Experts who are prone to the belief that the defeat of the skin and nails can cause:

• stress, negative emotional experience;
• endocrine pathology;
• genetic predisposition;
• failure of the immune system, which violated the processes of growth and division of epithelial cells.

Autoimmune the cause of psoriasis is that the immune cells are T-helpers and T-killers, normally responsible for protecting the body from tumor cells, pathogenic viruses and bacteria start to penetrate into the upper layers of the skin. Here they produce substances that activate the inflammatory process. As a result, skin cells begin to intensely divide and multiply. There is a spread.

The development of psoriasis, and preferably to the combined action of several factors, from the following list:

• Very thin and poorly moisturized skin (sebum, is produced by a little).
• Frequent contact with irritating compositions – low-quality cosmetic products, alcohol solutions, detergents.
• Too frequent washing of the body, hands (especially if you use a hard cloth and antibacterial soap/shower gel).
• The abuse of alcohol.
• The development of infectious diseases caused by Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, fungi.
• Taking anti-depressants, lithium carbonate, beta blockers, antimalarial and anticonvulsant drugs.
• Changes of climate zones.
• Mechanical damage to the skin.
• The tendency to allergic reactions.
• Infection with the HIV virus.

The classification of diseases

If you study various pictures of psoriasis in the initial phase, it will not be noticeable differences, there are several types of dermatological disease. Depending on the location of the injury is:

• Psoriasis of the scalp (manifested by itching bleeding skin).
• Nail psoriasis (nail plate separated from bed and gradually becomes painful, and is caused red spots).
• Palmar-plantar psoriasis (disease is prevalent only on the legs and/or hands).
• Skin psoriasis (dry panels appear on different parts of the body).
• Psoriasis Arthropathy (diseased joints).
• Genital psoriasis (a skin disease covers the genitals).

Clinical forms of psoriasis:

1. Ordinary or vulgar. It seems flat rose-red papules of small size, which is slightly raised above the healthy skin. At the top of the papule is covered with light scales, which begin to fall away even with a light touch. If psoriasis treatment is started late, the minor injuries that are grouped in large.
2. Exudative. More common in people with obesity, hypofunction of the thyroid gland, diabetics. Symptoms of psoriasis the form of the following: papules are bright red in colour, on the top of them have become yellow-gray scales. Plaque striking skin folds – armpits, in the area under the Breasts in women. Patients complain of itching, burning sensation.
3. Seborrheic. Psoriasis observed on the head, behind the ear, nasolabial folds, between the shoulder blades, on the chest. The borders of the inserts are not separate. Peeling silver-yellow. If you look at photos of psoriasis on head, any Association with this common fungal diseases, such as dandruff.
4. Palmar-plantar. The disease occurs in people aged 30 to 50 years of age, whose job involves heavy physical work. In this form they can be rashes on the body.
5. Pustular. The body is shaped pustular elements. In medicine the allocation of additional types of pustular forms of psoriasis Tsumbush. It is idiopathic (primary) - appears on the skin, the bubbles that transformirovalsya in pustules. Pustules are opened and dry. Later appear the typical diseases of scaly rash. And medium-sized benign. In this case, the pustules, which appear on the surface of a typical psoriatic panels due to the irritant action of the medicinal product.
6. The second type of pustular forms of psoriasis, Barbera. This only affects the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. The skin rendered purulent pustules. Do not reveal, turn into dry, dark brown. Psoriasis Barbera is characterized by symmetrical lesions.
7. Arthropathy (articular). In the severe form. Found in patients who have skin rashes. Usually occurs after five to six years after the appearance of the first symptoms of the disease, if the treatment of psoriasis were illiterate. Pathology of the joints may be different, from not severe arthralgia, which do not cause changes in the articular apparatus, which ends in a deforming ankylosis (the joint is completely fixed).
8. Psoriatic erythroderma. It is the result of vulgar or exudative psoriasis. Affect almost any skin. It turns out, red color, studded with a large number of dry scales. The body temperature rises, the increase in the lymph nodes (especially the inguinal and femoral). If the patient does not know how to treatment of psoriasis is possible hair loss, brittle nails.

Based on the criterion of the seasonal recurrences of psoriasis are divided into:

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

The symptoms of psoriasis

Of the dominant symptoms of psoriasis depends on the treatment, so at the first appointment, the doctor performs a thorough examination of the patient thoroughly examines the localization of psoriatic lesions.

Often the disease appears in the winter. In the summer months, under the influence of solar radiation, the signs of psoriasis can completely disappear. However, when the "summer" form of the disease, exposure to the sun, on the contrary, should be avoided. In the period of exacerbation the patient complains of very severe itching. The defeat of nail plates observed in 25% of patients.

When the disease of the scalp, the hair, which are not included in the pathological process. The first begins to peel off the skin. Over time, areas of injury, which could be "shifted" to the neck, behind the ears. The inflammatory process, due to the very rapid division of keratinocytes.

Psoriasis in palms and soles stratum corneum is thickened and covered with deep cracks. Photos of psoriasis in the initial phase proves blisters with a clear content. Later they become white and turns into dark scars.

As for nails, the most common two types of defeat:

• The nail becomes covered with holes that look like track marks (type"thimble").
• The nail changes its color and starts to flake, that resembles a fungal disease. Through the nail plate varies psoriatic papules surrounded with a red rim.

Stages of psoriasis

Despite the fact that still some debate about what is psoriasis and what can trigger the occurrence of the stages of disease are studied. Three of them:

1. Progressive (primary). On the surface of the skin appear growths in the form of a rash, which is usually on the outskirts. Apply to healthy skin and the form of oval or circular panels. Spots that are pink or red. A scaly crust on them yet – only the whitish scales. The edges of the pockets are a little condensed. By scratching appear more rashes.
2. In the stationary. Appears within one to four weeks after the first symptoms of psoriasis. Panels become lighter. New eruptions do not appear, the old slowly dissolve. Notes the healing of papules, in the direction from the center to the edges, thus their shape becomes round. All of the surface healing of the lesions covered with white scales.
3. Regression (soul). The colour of psoriatic plates, practically does not differ from the healthy skin. Reduces itching. Around the centres formed a "collar Voronova", which is a ring of thick keratinized layers of the skin. If the patient is using the quality of the ointment of psoriasis, the stage of the regression takes about one month. In the opposite case the process of "attenuation" can take up to six months.

The task of the patient, who was diagnosed with psoriasis all the time, that the disease is in remission.

If you Have similar symptoms, consult a physician immediately. It is easier to prevent disease than to deal with the consequences.

How is the diagnosis of psoriasis

The diagnosis is psoriasis a dermatologist. The procedure is based on the external review, assessment skin and nails, the study of foci. No more tests, in the apparent symptoms are not assigned. If you have problems with the diagnosis, a sample of skin with an inflamed area (biopsy), which is studied in the laboratory.

When complaints of pain in the joints, the x-rays. Also assigned a blood test to check that no other types of arthritis. If you want to exclude a fungal infection the test is performed with the use of potassium hydroxide.

How to treat psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis is complex. This includes:

• a common therapy;
• local therapy;
• physiotherapy.

Before determining how to treat the psoriasis, the dermatologist determines the stage of the disease and the clinical form of the distribution process. In the classification of drugs takes into account the patient's age and presence of comorbidities. Usually first choose the most secure the health of the medicinal product, which is characterized by minimal side effects. If you do not provide for the transition of psoriasis in a phase of regression, treatment adapted.

Systemic medicines for psoriasis

Medicines taken by mouth, help for the moderate and severe stages of psoriasis. These include:

• Derivatives of vitamin A (retinoids). To reduce the level of maturation of keratinocytes. Normalize the differentiation and maturation of cells.
• Immunosuppressants. Reduced activity of T-lymphocytes, causes increased cell division in the epidermis.
• Medicinal products for the treatment of malignant tumors. Inhibits the reproduction and growth of abnormal skin cells.

Physical therapy in psoriasis

Physiotherapy significantly improve the health of patients with psoriasis. In some cases, allow you to completely abandon the drug. The most often used:

1. Selective phototherapy. The affected skin is irradiated with UV-rays with a wavelength of 280-320 nm. Assigned 15 to 35 procedures.
2. Photochemotherapy (PUVA therapy). The method, which includes the division of the photosensitizer within the and long-wave UV radiation outwards. UV-a rays penetrate deep into the skin, and the photosensitizer inhibits the process of synthesis of the DNA of skin cells, reduces their rate of division. Course duration – 20 to 30 proceedings.
3. Laser therapy. Uses laser radiation at different wavelengths. The Laser provides fast resorption of plaque, prevents the formation in its place of the scars.
4. The use of monochromatic ultraviolet radiation. Each of the hearth alternately process the tube/laser source of UV radiation. Healthy skin is not affected. The method is optimal, if the affected less than 10% of the skin. The duration of treatment is from 15 to 30 sessions.
5. Electrosleep. It has a soft effect of electrical pulses to the brain for 20-60 minutes. As a result, the patient settles down, normalizes the Central nervous system, and the psoriatic plaques are starting to dissolve.
6. ULTRASONIC therapy. Is decongestants, anti-itching and painkillers. It promotes the resorption of scars. If necessary, can be combined with phonophoresis. To achieve therapeutic effect it is necessary to perform 7 to 14 sessions.
7. The magnetic therapy. Is a General revitalizing effect on the body. Reduces inflammation, reduces itching and burning, helps relieve pain in the joints.
8. Bee venom therapy. With the use of the device for electrophoresis or ultrasound, which enters the body in the bee venom. This is typical for rescue and anti-inflammatory effect, normalizes metabolic processes.
9. Affordable by means of. Psoriatic tissue thermal pads with thermal compound at a temperature of 40 degrees. The treatment helps to improve the immune system, reduce the negative impact of the disease on the skin.

Diet for psoriasis

Allowed foods in the exacerbation of psoriasis are:

• fruit (apples, apricots, peaches);
• fruit juices;
• vegetables (beet, potato, radish, watermelon, pumpkin);
• greens;
• strawberry (all but red);
• lean meat (beef, veal, Turkey, rabbit) – up to 200 grams per day;
• all the nuts;
• lean fish;
• dairy products, cheese and cheese;
• whole wheat bread;
• the marine algae.

Patients with psoriasis can not eat:

• smoked food products;
• red fish;
• animal fat;
• eggs;
• pork and duck meat;
• muffin.

Forbidden to drink coffee, soda, and alcoholic beverages. It is desirable to limit the consumption of sugar. Cleanse the body twice a week is recommended fasting days – vegetable, Apple, or kefir.