An important role in controlling the symptoms of psoriasis to play a well-chosen external therapy and timely treatment. A key principle in the selection of treatment regimens, especially in the early stages of psoriasis development, is the principle of "do no harm" treatment may not strike at the health of the skin, provoking the emergence of unwanted consequences in the form of skin atrophy or syndrome. After all, the primary goal of therapy is to prolong the rest and health of the skin, without a sudden and painful relapses and exacerbations.
How long have people know about psoriasis?
With psoriasis is known to mankind for many centuries. Following the psoriatic lesions on the skin archaeologists have found mummified bodies of ancient people extant. The description is very similar to psoriasis, skin rashes can be found in the writings of Herodotus and Plato.
The first description of the clinical forms of psoriasis belongs to the ancient scientist Cornelia. The term psoriasis is psoriasis comes from the Greek "psora" (itch, scab). This name is found in the writings of Hippocrates.
However, the scientific studies of psoriasis as an independent disease began only in the beginning of the nineteenth century with the description of its clinical symptoms, the English doctor Robert. In 1798 he took from him the leprosy, fungal infections, eczema, and then, in his book "Skin diseases" in 1808, is identified by the typical and atypical psoriasis, and also pointed to the role of genetic factors in the development of the dermatosis.
So, what is known now about the genetic bases of the disease? What is the impact of external factors: stress, environment, bad habits, food?
The relationship between psoriasis and the nervous system is very complex, more than a vicious circle, and it is in the nature of the bipolar model. On the one hand, the stress and the long-term emotional tension cause of the acute process, and on the other side of the very condition of skin (presence of psoriatic lesions), which cause the patient anxiety leads to the development of chronic stress, which can aggravate the disease, and this closes the vicious circle.
Some drugs used for the treatment of other diseases, and in some cases can aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis. These include antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, bitsillin, chloramphenicol, etc), medication, lithium, vitamin C and vitamins of the group B, beta-blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogenic compounds (birth control drugs), anticonvulsants, immunomodulators. May cause deterioration of the process and vaccines and sera.
Ecology, feeding, bad habits – all this has a negative impact on the course of psoriasis and treatment.
What is the prevalence of psoriasis in the countries?
The prevalence of psoriasis in the world, is estimated at about 1-3% of the population. According to the international organization, in 2010, the planet was 125 million patients with psoriasis. In Europe, it affects up to 5 million people, which is comparable to the frequency of cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The highest rates in Northern European countries (4%), the lowest in Africa and Latin america, in Japan (less than 0.5%).
As they are now are diagnosed with psoriasis? What disease can be confused?
Psoriasis smooth leather is quite typical rash and diagnosed clinically exhibited. There are diagnostic tests: psoriatic triad – the higher the peeling, when poskablivanii, the emergence of blood spots after removal of the scales.
As psoriasis is treated early, and how to treat now? Began treatment more perfect and effective?
To the middle of the last century, the main methods include the use of medications with salicylic acid and Helio-, thalassotherapy. Then there were topical steroids (later — analogues of vitamin D3), and systemic immunosuppressive medications. But a breakthrough in the treatment of psoriasis may be considered that the phenomenon in the beginning of the 21. a century of biological products. And, of course, the Arsenal of topical and systemic medications, phototherapy techniques now make it possible to select effective therapy for an individual patient.
What approaches are used for the treatment of children and some adults?
First, psoriasis, should be divided into limited and total (severe and medium-severe). Treatment must be granted, depending on the data.
The difference in approaches to the treatment of adults and children is due only to the age restrictions for use of the medicinal product (for example, calcipotriol is appointed with 6-years) or a method of phototherapy (e.g. PUVA therapy must be 18 years of age).
What are the most common myths about the disease?
- Psoriasis is contagious. No, psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious skin disease that is not transmitted from person to person and do not migrate from one part of the body to another. The patient, who suffers from psoriasis, you can freely use the public space – baths, saunas, swimming pools, with the use of common objects in everyday life, for the decision for the treatment of diseases in General hospitals.
- The climate impact on the incidence of and the if, to move to the warmer climate of the psoriasis will not. No, the climate on the prevalence of psoriasis is not affected. At the same time is one of the ways of treatment is the specific therapy – the treatment of sun and salt water, but living in regions with a warm maritime climate does not protect patients from recurrence. A simple example is Israel: there are successfully treatment of psoriasis at the Dead sea, but the incidence among the population, which is lower than in the world.
- Psoriasis can be prevented. Factors that cause deterioration, either by themselves or in various combinations are not the cause of the disease. Today, no one knows what was the original impetus for the development of psoriasis, and therefore, to take preventive measures impossible. There is no recipe, what to do, or what not, that is not afflicted with psoriasis, no. To increase the period of remission, when the skin rashes are absent, the avoidance of provoking or worsening of psoriasis factors, taking the proper lifestyle and by supportive therapy.
- Psoriasis can be treated methods, the so-called folk medicine. The attitude to these methods, patients should be very careful. On the one hand, we know that is not from the psoriasis remedies that will cure, however, desire by any price to get rid of the disease and pushes patients on a variety of questionable actions (appeal to healers, witch doctors), and it's wasting the money spent. On the other hand, these "healers" who offer to patients, such as, for example, the external assets of the "equity", in which, as a rule, are hormones, but in this case, and even more so their dosage cannot be controlled.
What is important to know the patient with psoriasis and what you need to know?
The main can be considered a principle: "learn to live with psoriasis". Current therapies allow not only for achieving remission (cleansing), but to some extent to control psoriasis (lasting remission).
Must follow the doctor's recommendations and patient because everything takes time, also the fact that the drug worked. Unfinished of course, with the use of several methods at the same time (in particular from the series "advise") leads to the fact that the patient does not see the correct result, is disappointed and believes that these methods do not help him.