What is psoriasis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Psoriasis is a chronic non-infectious skin diseases accompanied by the emergence of reddish-pink rash and peeling of the skin.

The term psoriasis comes from the Greek word psoriasis, which means pruritus or itching. These are the symptoms most clearly characterize this non-infectious dermatological problems. In this dermatosis, the skin cell division occurs almost thirty times faster. Since they do not have time to ripen fully, the intercellular contacts are lost. This leads to the formation of the characteristic scales. Participate in the pathological process and the immune system of the body: protective elements, which are directed against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation in the lesion. We will describe in more detail the question, what is psoriasis and how to treat them.

Types of psoriasis

There are several classifications of psoriasis based on the severity of the condition, the nature of the injury, localization of injury, etc, most Often are the following types of diseases:

1. Plaque (vulgaris) is a big part of all types of psoriasis. It is characterized by the appearance of a traditional panel covered with white-gray scales.
2. Guttate psoriasis is the second most common, and the diagnosis in every tenth patient. Although there are numerous and relatively small eruptions with scales on the entire surface of the body.
3. Pustular variant is characterized by the formation of pustules.
4. In Palmar-plantar psoriasis elements, which are located at different parts of the skin.
5. Exudative variant differs in that the scales are impregnated with yellow liquid, which leaks out from the body. The result is that they look coalescat and change colors.
6. Erythroderma is a severe form of the disease, as is the impact on almost the entire surface of the skin, and it comes to systemic reactions (fever, swollen lymph nodes, breach of the blood).
7. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint cooperation.

Phases of pathologic process there are distinguished the progressive, stationary, and retrogressive psoriasis.

The symptoms of psoriasis

Most often, when the development of psoriasis on the skin's surface becomes stained, covered with gray-white scales, which may be separated by a touch. This problem is associated another name for the disease – psoriasis.

Localization of lesions

As a rule, changes in the skin, which is located on the extensor surfaces (elbows, knees) from the main conclusions. Favorite translation is the limit on the scalp, and places that are constantly exposed to trauma or friction. However, this property cannot be considered as a diagnostic criterion, since atypical forms of lichen scaly affected and other areas of the skin.

The properties of the panels

The size of the lesion, may vary. The primary elements are considered to be of small papules of bright red or maroon color. In time, their size increases significantly, they also tend to merge. In 90% of cases, the signs of psoriasis include the education standard of the panels, which are characterized by the triad:

1. Stearin spot light like is characterized by gray-white scales, that resemble the appearance of shavings from a candle.
2. If you continue to scrape the surface of the panel, then remove all of the scales, that will appear a thin white film called the terminal.
3. Symptom blood dew can detect when you remove a connector protectors. Damage to the papillae of the skin will not lead to excessive bleeding and drip.

There are a few nominal signs of the disease:

1. Symptom Kebnera is that psoriatic lesions appear in areas exposed to injury (abrasions, scratches, etc). This is characteristic for the advanced stages of the disease.
2. Symptom Voronova is characterized by the formation of a pale ring around the newly formed papules, which are not covered with scales. This is some kind of vascular reaction, and means a further progression of the disease.

These symptoms of psoriasis often help to distinguish the disease from other similar dermatoses flow.

Other symptoms

In addition to the skin when psoriasis affects the nails, hair and joints and internal organs. Changes in the nail plate starts with the Foundation and are characterized by subungual hyperkeratosis. In the future, the surface has stripes and has been crafted to pitting (a symptom of a thimble). Psoriatic arthritis begins with the destruction of the small joints, accompanied by pain and inflammation phenomena.

For depriving the characteristic scaly itchy skin. Resulting in the formation of scratches, surface cracks and the tendency to bleeding. In the premises, the trauma can multiply, pathogenic microbes, which leads to secondary infections and the development of dermatitis.

Causes of psoriasis

Non-communicable nature of the disease, which was founded in the 19. century. Since then continuously carried out numerous studies examining the causes of psoriasis. However, as with most of the systemic diseases, to find out one reason still fails. There are several theories, each of which has scientific confirmation to:

• The immune theory of the disease result from different disorders of the immune system. The expected development of the autoimmune response, resulting in thicker skin, accumulates a large number of T-lymphocytes. This leads to chronic inflammation and thickening of the affected area. The theory is confirmed by the fact that biopsies of psoriatic panels it is possible to detect a high concentration of immune cells, as well as the fact that the disease is largely affected by the use of immune drugs.
• The hereditary factor is associated with congenital disorder of genetic material. Scientists have found several DNA regions, mutations that can occur in patients with scaly ringworm. These genes are mainly responsible for the maturation of immune cells (T-lymphocytes). So when they break the likelihood of psoriasis is significantly increased. If the parents suffer from this skin disease, the risk of dermatosis in children is 50% higher.
• Genetic theory is similar to heritage, but in this case the considered genes, the mutations that can occur at any age.
• The endocrine factor is confirmed by the fact that most patients with psoriasis there are any changes in the endocrine organs (pituitary, pancreas and thyroid). In addition, these patients often represent a violation of the synthesis and secretion of melatonin. Also diseases, which may have level of sex hormones.
• Stress and shock, which can lead to the onset of the disease or the aggravation of his symptoms. Due to the issue of blood, hormones, begins the type of biochemical reactions that result in scaly rashes on the skin.
• Exchange theory is based on the fact that scientists have found elevated levels of lipids in patients with psoriasis. In addition, at the time of acute disease alter the metabolism of nitrogen and increased the overall level of toxins in the body.

In fact, all the causes of psoriasis can be categorized into two groups:

• violation of the cell division of the skin;
• changes in the immune system.

All of the external factors (environment, stress, injury) only to aggravate the disease, but cannot act as a single cause.

Quality of life in patients with psoriasis

Along with other chronic diseases, psoriasis can significantly impair the quality of life of patients, who can experience both physical and psychological discomfort. Often have problems with employment and social adjustment. So, sometimes intense itching hinder the normal rest periods, and panels on the arms may limit the performance.

This is particularly difficult to endure a scaly rash on the scalp. This is due to the fact that these plates cause some rejection, so that patients become unsociable, it can also be social anxiety.

Stress due to dissatisfaction with their appearance, constant pain or itching, and immune disorders, which often lead to the development of mental disorders (increased anxiety, depression, social isolation). Only a quarter of patients with psoriasis do not feel psychological discomfort from the remaining patients, the disease is a serious obstacle to normal life.

Among the symptoms of psoriasis that can worsen the quality of life, itching of the skin, in the second place – the pain in psoriatic arthritis.

Methods of treatment of psoriasis

Understanding what is psoriasis, you will have a better idea of the possible methods of treatment. As a chronic disease, then to cure it. However, can greatly alleviate the condition of the patient, reducing clinical manifestations. In the framework of an integrated approach to therapy, scaly rash is the use of drugs and the techniques of physiotherapy. There are also people advice to help deal with the problem.

Drugs and psoriasis

In this disease the most popular products for external use. Their composition can contain more components, which prevents the excessive division of skin cells, and soften and reduce the itching. Drug names are different, but they often contain the following substances:

1. Glucocorticosteroid hormones that reduce inflammation and suppress the reactivity of the immune system. The local use of the hormone are less pronounced systemic effects. Part of Elocom In advantan.
2. Vitamin D is part of a large number of medicines for local use. The maximum efficiency for the treatment of psoriasis is shown in combination with UV irradiation.
3. Tar, which is mainly used for the treatment of lesions located in the region of the scalp.
4. Activated zinc quickly reduces redness and itching. This part is almost harmless to the body.

Among the medicines for the systemic treatment of psoriasis are:

• corticosteroids, as they regulate the metabolism and elimination of inflammation, however they have a distinct syndrome;
• cytostatics inhibit cell division in the epidermis, but along with that weaken the immune system and slows down the regeneration of other tissues;
• immunomodulators contribute to the normalization of immune reactions, but their efficiency is not fully understood;
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs only reduce the severity of itching and inflammation, but do not affect the primary changes.

Vitamins and anti-allergic drugs are used in addition to the main therapy. Since there is no truly effective medications to combat the psoriasis, it is prescribed in conjunction with physiotherapy.

Physical therapy

Among the most frequently used procedures for the treatment of systemic diseases, psoriasis, allocated as follows:

1. Leech therapy where leeches are used. Improves blood circulation and normalizes immune response.
2. Fish-doctor, multiplicans in thermal springs, helps patients clear the skin from lesions. During the ichthyotherapy these fish literally eat the superficial layers of the panels on the skin, immersed in the water.
3. Cryotherapy, in which the patient is placed for a few minutes in a chamber with a temperature of -130⁰C. By the procedure greatly reduces the itching and eliminate the phenomena of inflammation and edema.
4. PUVA therapy combines phototherapy and chemotherapy. After the introduction of the medicinal product, which accumulates in cells with a high ability to regenerate, the patient is irradiated with light. The latter is in a certain wave length and helps to activate the photosensitizer. Thus, it is possible to achieve the selectivity of the effects.

Sometimes in the treatment of psoriasis is the effective use of homeopathic remedies or folk remedies.

Folk remedies for treatment of psoriasis

In folk medicine there are many recipes for funds, both for local use and for use in the interior.

You can cook the ointment and put it on the top of the panels. The most popular are the following recipes:

1. Mix the infusion and in adipi (1:5), we obtain an effective remedy.
2. Grind the flowers of Filipendula viscosa and mix them with vaseline (1:1). Then heated to 90⁰C and cooled. Store the ointment is not a long time, so it is best to cook in small quantities.
3. To connect fats, pine resin and beeswax, heat it on the fire, continually stirring. Then add the vitamin A from the pharmacy.
4. Usually birch tar pitch (25 g), vaseline (10 g), boric acid (5 g), honey (15 g), protein, eggs, fish oil (5 g) very good mix and put in a dark container. Apply this cream should be only once per day.
5. Ointment of elecampane helps in the deterioration of the disease.

Traditional medicines for ingestion are usually intended for the preservation of immunity and reduction of inflammation and itching:

1. Kvass from oats, which is prepared from 700 g of cereal, three litres of water and five large spoonfuls of sugar. All this should infuse for two days.
2. The infusion of bay leaf is taken orally for 100 ml.
3. For the preparation of a tincture of the buds of the Sophora, it is to be taken in the 500 ml of vodka and 50 g of dry raw material, then place in a month in a dark place. Take a teaspoon.
4. A decoction of fennel seeds helps to remove acute symptoms, and also has a slightly sedative and calming effect.

Baths with the addition of copper sulphate is also used for the treatment of psoriasis.