Psoriasis, or lichen is a scaly, chronic infection that appears as a reddish, scaly skin rash with itching and irritation. There are several reasons for psoriasis. In case of injury, the division of skin cells occurs thirty times faster than usual, which causes discomfort and the appearance of scales. It also damages the immune system, which works against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and Causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the skin folds around the joints and scalp. The resulting spots have grayish or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of spots in places subject to mechanical stress - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion often affects the hair, internal organs, nails, and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Immune system dysfunction.T cells are cells in the immune system that usually protect the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, T cells mistakenly attack healthy cells in the skin. This immune response causes the body to malfunction, including a widening of the blood vessels and an increase in the number of white blood cells, which encourage the skin to produce new cells faster than the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the surface of the skin leads to the formation of thick, itchy spots.
- Inheritance.Research has shown that if a parent has lichen scaly, there is a 15 percent chance that the child will develop. If both parents are involved, the chances of development are 75 percent.
- Endocrine disorder.The endocrine system is a network of hormone-secreting glands that help control many important bodily functions. Failure of one of these glands can cause disease.
Minor reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis because it strains the immune system, causing an inflammatory response. However, scaly lichen may occur after a respiratory or skin infection. These types of infections can usually be prevented with proper personal hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands quite often throughout the day. You should avoid sharing cups and cutlery with others. It is important to properly disinfect wounds or cuts and make sure that no infection gets there.
- Skin trauma, burns, scratches can cause infection in some people. You should always take extra precautions when performing activities that could result in injury. Wear sunscreen or wear a hat when it is sunny outside. Care should also be taken to participate in outdoor activities.
- Although stress has a negative effect on someone, it is especially problematic for people with psoriasis. The body usually shows an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
- Being obese or overweight only makes your condition worse. Therefore, it is important to exercise a healthy diet regularly, to monitor your weight. If you have problems with proper nutrition, contact your dietitian for help. It can help you figure out what foods to eat and how much to eat during the day.
Risk Group
Scaly lichen affects about 3% of people worldwide. Research shows that epidemics have increased significantly over the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects both men and women. The disease can start at any age, but most commonly occurs between the ages of 15-35 and 50-60. The average age is 28 years.
The disease usually starts or gets worse due to certain factors that should be avoided if possible.
Causes or aggravation of scaly lichen include:
- Hypothermia can be one of the causes of the development or worsening of the disease.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes the inflammatory process to generalize, shorten the remission period, and increase the risk of complications.
- Smoking not only increases the risk of disease, but can also increase the severity of the disease. Smoking also plays a role in the initial development of scaly lichen.
- You have another autoimmune disorder such as AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections that cause a weakened immune system, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and medications that contain lithium.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee a complete cure of the disease, but therapy can alleviate the condition by minimizing the manifestations of the disease with an integrated approach. Most commonly, preparations containing vitamin D, tar, and activated zinc are prescribed for external use. For oral use, drugs are created with cytostatics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators to regulate cell division in the affected areas, regulate metabolism, and restore the body's immune responses.
People with psoriasis find it difficult to accept their diagnosis, so they experience severe discomfort in communicating with others, social adjustment problems, and difficulties in work and family life. It is important to prevent social withdrawal and depression, which can lead to psychological abnormalities and suicidal thoughts. It is important to support the sick person and, if necessary, refer them to a psychotherapist for consultation.
Psoriasis in children
Scaly lichens are quite common in children, especially under the age of one. The disease usually progresses during the winter season. Girls are more likely to get sick.
Children differ in psoriasis from adults. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is inherited and genetic. However, the disease is unknown despite a long study. In addition to heredity, the disease results from a weak immune system, flu and various skin diseases. This can be due to a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks in the legs and palms. The appearance of subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and sore.
The treatment includes various ointments and sunscreens. In congenital ichthyosis, most of the skin is affected.
Leiner erythroderma causes anemia, sepsis, pneumonia. This form is typical of newborn babies. After a few months, the baby returns to normal wheel cutting.
The disease is less common in children over 8 years of age. It is advisable to carry out the prevention of the disease in time with folk remedies.
Scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis on the head is doubly uncomfortable as it can spoil the beauty of your hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp is covered with dry wounds that peel off, the blisters on the body itch like bites. Hair loss and copious dandruff begin, which is different from normal seborrhea.
In order to get rid of scaly scalp, it is important to know the cause of its appearance and, above all, to act on it. Before starting treatment, the main problem that causes external changes should be examined and identified. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichen, it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicinal ointments and creams, shampoos, body lotions, and herbal baths. Home treatment is better if you take courses and take a break for a month. The simultaneous use of different medicinal ointments is not recommended.
Scalp Prevention and Treatment
Rub hair roots with lavender, chamomile, bergamot, geranium essential oils.
Butter Mask
Mix one teaspoon of butter (melted) with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's wort. Mix the mixture well and apply with a cotton ball on the scalp. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be performed once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take Vaseline or grease 500 grams, mix with two fresh chicken proteins. Add one and a half tablespoons of chopped and sifted celandine herb to the mass, then mix again. Perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating hand and foot diseases
Oil
Lubricate the affected areas with sea buckthorn oil, which should also be taken orally daily - one teaspoon each.
Celandin
Juice 300 grams of fresh celandine. This is best done by passing the herb through a meat grinder and adding wine. Gently wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in the finished product. After 15 minutes, wash off with clean water.
Mustard mixture
The procedure is performed once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dry mustard with warm St. John's wort (5 tbsp. L. ), pour in a teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product to the damaged body with a cotton ball. After a few minutes, wash off with cold running water. Lubricate the areas with moisturizer.
Birch Tar
Dagtem is carefully distributed over elevated, inflamed areas. Wash off after an hour. You must complete at least fifteen procedures to achieve the result.
Healing Ointment
Mix fresh egg whites with 250 grams of fat (you can take petroleum jelly) and a tablespoon of linden honey and finely ground celandine. Therapy lasts from one month to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this period. Preference should be given to cooked meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Scaly lichen requires long-term treatment in combination with other drugs. Once executed, it should be supervised by an experienced professional. During the therapy, dietary foods are prescribed, fatty and spicy foods, and alcoholic beverages are removed from the food.