Plaque lesions on the skin of the hand are the most common manifestations of the scaly lichen. Psoriasis on the hands is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person’s quality of life. It has special symptoms as well as many prerequisites for development.
Causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and bending areas of the upper limbs? it is not always easy to understand immediately. The main causes of hand psoriasis are:
- hereditary predisposition to disease;
- the result of infectious, viral and colds;
- metabolic disorders and hormonal pathologies (diabetes mellitus);
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional concussions;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin injuries (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People who are prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and smoking abuse, long-term use of antidepressants, steroid medications can provoke scaly lichen.
Manifestation symptoms
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first signs can be seen in the extensor part when small flat papules appear, which eventually grow to form coarse, round, pale pink or red plaques. In addition, the rash appears on the palm. The skin dries out, thickens, gets a deep red color, and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. At first, smaller pits form on them, and over time, the nail plate thickens, loosens, and resembles a fungal infection. That’s why people often wonder if scaly lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that does not spread through handshake or other contact. Predisposition to the disease is genetically transmissible, but the disease itself is not.
Another symptom of the scaly lichen is the appearance of plaques with scales between the fingers. The skin in these places resembles calluses, just as rough and rough.
Forms of psoriasis of the hand
The nature and clinical manifestations of the course of the scaly lichen are very varied. The rash can affect not only the hands but also the shoulders, neck, chest, especially if the child is suffering from the disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common type of dermatosis and can occur in a number of basic forms, described below.
Plaque or common
In the affected areas, the skin becomes denser, covered with white bark and cracks that sometimes bleed. Plaques cluster in groups to form large lesions.
Teardrop-shaped
The rash most commonly affects the upper arms and shoulders. Plaques are densely covered with white scales and look like drops. This type of psoriasis spreads quickly throughout the body, affecting the forearms and hips. It gets worse mainly after ingestion of the pathogen of streptococcus (tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular scaly lichen
It is localized on the forearm, with a severe course - multiple blisters with clear fluid, purulent processes, and the exit of the rash outside the upper limbs.
Nails psoriasis
This shape is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines in shades of white or gray. The skin around the plate thickens and the nail itself peels and loosens, leading to further destruction.
All shapes of scaly hands are clearly visible in the photo.
If you do not start treating psoriasis in time, the disease can provoke inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin diseases
Psoriasis is a chronic disease with a specific sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of the disease and the frequency of relapses, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - initial stage - appearance of multiple scaly papules on hands, shoulders, between fingers and elbow extension, accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - new rashes do not occur and old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- stage of regression - symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, skin clears, only minor dark spots remain).
In the state of remission, psoriasis can range from 2 to 4 months to several years. New relapses are more severe each time, leading to a gradual roughening and thickening of the cornea on the hands, elbows, between the fingers, and around the nail plates.
Pharmacy treatment
Scaly lichen, although not a contagious disease, causes a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The main goal of medication is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- eliminates peeling and itching;
- relieves inflammation;
- soothes the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several different classes of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - relieves inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduces papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, ointments remove allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic ointment - relieves the main symptoms, does not cause side effects, has a gentle effect on the skin, but is less effective than glucocorticosteroid (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - helps with severe peeling, itching, joint damage.
Homeopathy is only effective if it is chosen correctly, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient’s body.
In case of poor results of topical medications, the doctor may prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and tablets. The drugs suppress the intense division of skin cells, detoxify the body, thereby eliminating the main symptoms, which helps to improve the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs used to inhibit psoriasis, complex therapy uses resources to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents - cleansing the intestines of toxins and toxins;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
The best way to treat one form or another of psoriasis will be determined by a person skilled in the art. Combine medications for maximum effect and without damaging the body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. Herbal preparations and spas help well in the fight against hand scaly lichens. In addition, folk remedies help increase the effect of medications and the transition of the disease to the remission phase.
Celandine baths
Pour chopped grass (100 g) with 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1 to 1. 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of a procedure is up to 15 minutes.
The duration of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be performed daily.
Herbal collection for water treatment
Mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- sage;
- valerian root;
- dandelion;
- succession.
Boil a collection of 30 g in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Allow the broth to cook for 1, 5-2 hours, strain and place in a large bathtub.
Herbal baths facilitate the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and flaking, and most importantly, stop the further spread of plaques.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g of butter, add 20 g of chopped propolis, bring everything to a boil until a single consistency is obtained. Treat the affected areas with your hands with the finished cooled ointment. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medicine to a cotton pad, apply to the damaged areas, secure with a bandage.
Before using the ointment, the plaques should be treated with hydrogen peroxide and allowed to dry. This enhances the impact of folk remedies.
Birch tar
For 30 to 45 days, the affected areas of the hands should be lubricated with birch tar. It is better to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes and then wash off with warm water. Gradually, the residence time of tar on the plaques increases to 30 minutes.
This drug is most effective in treating skin conditions. Folk remedies remove unpleasant symptoms well and prolong the period of remission for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
The hands suffer from rashes more often than other areas of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat because the hands are in constant contact with provocative factors. In order to achieve long-term remission, it is important to follow preventive measures:
- do not allow the skin to dry out;
- use household chemicals in gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- seek help from your doctor immediately when the first rash occurs;
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
In preventing psoriasis of the hand, attention should be paid to proper nutrition. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to delight with chocolate and flour products. It is better to cook, stew or fry food and heat fruits and vegetables (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) containing red pigment to heat treatment.
Psoriatic rashes on the hands relapse. The disease is not curable, but it only goes into remission temporarily. The duration of resting psoriasis depends on proper treatment and prevention. Pay attention to your lifestyle, follow your diet, avoid stress, and treat the first manifestations of the disease on time.