People who suffer from psoriasis is in the world a lot — by the most optimistic estimates more than 3% of the entire population of the earth. Psoriasis is a disease that is manifested by the emergence of the rash in the form of a pink panel with silver scales of color, which are often accompanied by itching. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. On the basis of the disease are not fully understood processes.
Psoriasis — a mysterious enemy
In psoriasis the skin cells begin to share in a 6-10-fold faster than it should. This leads to chronic skin inflammation and flaking.
Scientists are studying psoriasis for several decades, but a clear answer to the question: why can't I get psoriasis? — modern science is still there. This disease is not contagious but can be inherited. Exacerbations can provoke a variety of internal and external factors: stress, skin injury, use of certain medications (antibiotics often), alcohol abuse, infectious diseases (caused by Streptococcus, viruses), etc ..
The manifestations of psoriasis are manifold: the surface of the lesions may be dry or moist, it can affect different parts of the body. In some patients, the knees and elbows, the other, with the palms and soles, the third largest wrinkles, the skin or the mucous membranes or the nail plate. Sometimes psoriasis affects a very large area of the body, and sometimes localized only in limited areas and never spread further.
It is no exaggeration to say that the psoriasis is one of the most mysterious diseases. Scientists have figured out what's going on in a patient with psoriasis and how to mitigate their situation, but it is still unclear what is causing these pathological changes are and how they can be prevented.
An interesting fact Winston Churchill struggled all his life with psoriasis and promised to establish a gold monument to the doctor who will solve the mystery of this disease and find effective treatment. Unfortunately, the award has not found its owner.
Why do I get psoriasis?
The exact reasons science does not know, but in the years of the study the problem was established several hypotheses:
- In the autoimmune theory. The Problem was with the concentration of T-lymphocytes that causes ongoing inflammation of the affected area of the skin. As the body begins to perceive their own skin in the role of aggressor.
- Hereditary theory that explains, psoriasis of the error in the DNA.
- The endocrine theory, according to the psoriasis occurs due to irregularities in the functioning of the system of internal secretion, notably the pituitary and the thyroid.
- The exchange theory. The researchers found that patients with psoriasis have problems with the accumulationis lipidorum and nitrogen metabolism, as well as elevated levels of toxins in the body.
All these theories have a right to exist, but so far none of them has been proven completely. Therefore, the modern treatment of psoriasis is aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, reducing disease recurrence and the Overall health of the body.
By the way The symptoms are similar to signs of psoriasis, which is described in ancient Roman medical treatises. However, in these days, psoriasis is often confused with other skin diseases of an entirely different origin. First psoriasis was recognized as a separate disease only in 1799, and at the end of the 19. century, physicians have proved, that are not infectious in nature.
Who is susceptible to the disease?
Psoriasis knows no gender are the same, often sick, women and men. Psoriasis usually manifests in early adulthood — the peak at 15-25 years. However, if you have never had psoriasis in my youth, this does not mean that the danger was past — sometimes the first manifestation of psoriasis occurs around the age of 50-60 years. The good news is that people who are faced with psoriasis at a later age, the disease is less pronounced.
If one of the parents who suffers from psoriasis, the risk of disease in the child, which is about 25%, and, if so 60%. However, psoriasis affects children of parents who never this problem did not occur.
According to statistics, most often psoriasis affects people with thin, pale, dry skin.
The first symptoms of the disease
Psoriasis begins quietly: in the first phase of the development of the disease, which affects small areas of the skin, usually on the knees of the limbs, scalp and along the hairline. Sometimes the first manifestations of psoriasis occur at the place of the mechanical irritation of the skin, in other words, where the clothing presses and rubs. First, the person feels itching and feeling of tightness on the skin, then there is a small raised Islands of reddened, scaly skin. On these gray spots arise dead skin cells, similar to the wax chips, which are easily separated. Sometimes these plaques become wet on their surface, the formed plate of the scale-crust with yellow color. When you remove the last exposed weeping, bleeding surface. Gradually the plates grow and merge with each other, all affecting large areas of the skin.
Signs of psoriasis different types of
There are several types of psoriasis:
Seborrheic psoriasis. The most commonly occurs on the scalp. Manifested by itching and scaling, apply to the areas behind the ears and the skin along the hairline.
Exudative psoriasis. With this type of psoriasis affects the skin, not only the flakes, but also wet, and on the surface of the papules (nodules of the rash) will appear yellow-brown.
Intertriginoznoy psoriasis. More common in children. With this type of psoriasis plaques bright red with slight peeling (it may be absent entirely). Sometimes plaque wet. Parents often confuse this type of psoriasis intertriginös.
Plantar psoriasis. Occur in the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Manifested by thickening of the skin, dryness, cracks.
Chronic psoriasis is manifested by large panels that are very long, sometimes they are new growths — warts and papillomas.
Rupioidny psoriasis is one form of chronic psoriasis. Panels appear on the cover, and gradually, the panel becomes larger, in the form of a cone.
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by rich rash consisting of multiple small papules.
The nail plates psoriasis (psoriatic onychite) causing deformity of the nails, appearance of yellow-brown spots under them. Common type of psoriasis, which occurs in 25% of patients with this disease.
Psoriasis on mucous membranes affects the mouth and causes the appearance of the papules on the mucous membranes.
The frequency of psoriatic manifestations
Psoriasis is a cyclical. In a later stage panels appears itching or a small rash, which gradually merge into one city. After 1-4 weeks the spread plates of the stops are covered with silvery scales. This so-called stationary phase. It is followed by the regressive phase, when the platelets gradually disappear. But do not be fooled — this does not mean that recovery happens. If psoriasis is not treated, all will repeat at first, but after a while the stage will begin to change each other all the time, and the deterioration will be almost a month.
Treatment of psoriasis is possible and necessary. If time does not take measures psoriasis quickly pass into the chronic stage, and to get rid of this it would be very difficult. For the treatment of psoriasis is today used medical methods, physical therapy, and local funds for external use — ointments and creams for psoriasis, the effectiveness of which is quite high.
However, it should be noted that before you start to use any assets from psoriasis, you should consult with your doctor. As a minimum, because a layman cannot recognize yourself.
What is important to know about eczema treatment?
In the early stages of psoriasis development the leading role belongs to a specific external assets, which slows down the process of cell division, reduction of inflammation, protection of damaged skin infections and soothe the itching. A particularly effective means on the basis of pyrithione zinc, which is also called the active zinc. This substance has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity, decreasing the secretion of histamine, significantly reducing itch and helps to restore the lipid mantle of the skin, restoring its barrier function and reduces sensitivity to aggressive environmental factors. This is a real achievement of modern pharmacology.