Skin disease a large group of diseases, which in addition to the direct negative impacts on human health, impact on his mental state. In addition to the dermatological disease is psoriasis is a chronic disease, successful treatment remains a challenge for doctors and a prerequisite for a fulfilling life of patients.
Features localized on head psoriasis
Often the first area of skin lesions in psoriasis, the hair on the head. In some cases the disease is limited to the region, but often, especially if there is no treatment, the new panel will eventually appear on other parts of the body. The reasons due to which psoriasis affects the scalp, taken into account the special structure of the epithelium in this area, as well as the inevitable daily skin damage in the process of combing.
According to statistics psoriasis occurs in 1 out of 100 people, but in different regions this indicator varies. Approximately 80% of patients who have injuries of the scalp, and a quarter of them the disease is limited in this area, the other eventually spreads to the skin of the palm of the hand, the foot, the outer surface of the joints, etc ..
From psoriasis no one is immune, however, accumulated clinical experience allows physicians to allocate the risk. So, most pathology occurs in women, in the initial stage of the disease is usually observed in patients in 15-25 years. The risk of psoriasis is increased in people, parents, brothers or sisters who also suffer from this disease.
Causes
Psoriasis - a mysterious illness, to explain the phenomenon, which is difficult even for modern scientists. Every year there are new and new theories on what becomes the cause of the inflammatory response and the excess synthesis of skin cells on the body of the patients. While the leading hypothesis is genetic: in accordance with it, some people have a congenital predisposition for accelerated reconstruction of keratinocytes, which, in the case of the manifestations of the disease, leads to specific reactions of the immune system. The result is a vicious circle: the more it produces the new cells that form plaque, the more inflamed the skin in this area (the body is treated as something alien), and the more damaged the skin under the influence of immune cells - the active share of keratinocytes.
In some cases, can be the starting point for the development of the disease is pathology of the immune system, which is a consequence of extreme stress or infectious disease. So, it should be noted that among HIV-infected psoriasis occurs three times more frequently than the average population.
It is interesting In the middle Ages, the plaque on the body that is sick, has been named the "rose of the devil". It was believed that these signs are evidence that it is a curse and can be transmitted to healthy people touch. The tragedy is that until the nineteenth century doctors did not distinguish psoriasis, leprosy, scabies and other skin diseases, so that anyone who has suffered chronic skin disease were banished from society and forced to wear the white dress that hides the body and face, and bells warning others about the "danger of infection".
How to psoriasis on the head: the signs of defeat
Psoriasis of the scalp is also called seborrheic psoriasis, although this term also applies to damage to other parts of the skin with a high density of sebaceous glands — ear region, nasolabial folds, chest, and interblade region. The disease first shows the normal flaking, similar to dandruff. The look of the plates accompanied by itching, the skin in this area is covered with silvery scales. It is important that psoriasis, even in patients with severe inflammatory process is not observed hair loss, which is characteristic for this disease.
Psoriatic plates tend to grow and join together to form larger units — say they "slack lake". The skin underneath is easily traumatized and bleeding, so patients have, despite severe itching, resist the desire to scratch the affected area.
In some types of psoriasis plate with a reddish or even purple color, in the other — they look like blisters with clear fluid. For the disease characterized by a chronic progressive course: periods of deterioration followed by periods of remission, when symptoms recede, but the abolition of all manifestations of the disease is usually not possible. So, depending on the individual patient's psoriasis can be a minor cosmetic defects and is not accompanied by unpleasant sensations, and a serious debilitating condition that interferes with his personal life, work, and also limiting the patient's ability for self-care.
The characteristics of the treatment
Prominent British politician Winston Churchill, who himself suffered from psoriasis when he promised to erect a statue of pure gold to the person who will find a cure for this disease. Unfortunately, it is still a reliable way to once and for all deal with this skin lesions were found. But this does not mean that there is no cure, medicine is a variety of tools that will help to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis and improve the quality of life of the patient, extension of the period of the rest of the skin without sudden exacerbations and recurrences.
Treatment of psoriasis on the scalp is especially in this form, the external signs of the disease are the most noticeable to others (which cannot be hidden under a dress), so that patients have a pronounced psychological discomfort and try to find any way to get rid of plaque. In addition, for the seborrheic psoriasis is characterized by itching, so patients often require symptomatic therapy intended for pain relief in the affected area.
External preparations for treatment of psoriasis on the scalp
Medicinal products intended for use directly on the affected area for psoriasis, are specially selected. The patient must be prepared for the fact that it is the first medication prescribed by a doctor will be inefficient — it takes time to find the optimum combination of effective medicines.
Hormones
Of the medicinal product on the basis of steroid hormones can quickly reduce inflammation and itching. Unlike steroids systemic effects (used in the form of tablets or injections in severe forms of psoriasis), these ointments and creams do not have pronounced side effects on the body. However, their regular use can be harmful to the health of the skin in the area of use is often discolours, becomes thin and sensitive to secondary infection, which significantly complicates the treatment. With prolonged use of topical (local) steroids can cause withdrawal syndrome after the withdrawal of acute and discontinuation of the drug, the disease returned with even greater power and with even more symptoms. This is the reason why there are a number of restrictions on the use of topical steroids. Not:
- use frequently and long-term (not more than 5 days);
- apply to sensitive skin areas (face, neck, wrinkles) and on large areas of skin lesions (more than 20% of the surface area).
It is important that the use of ointments, creams, shampoos and on the basis of glucocorticosteroids was made only after consultation with the doctor.
Non-hormonal creams and ointments
To improve the condition of the scalp, psoriasis without resorting to hormonal preparations. The basis for creams, ointments and shampoos for this group of active substances that have anti-inflammatory, vasoconstrictive, soothing and moisturizing effect: zinc pyrithione, tar, salicylic acid, kertiol and others. Their application is useful regardless of the stage of the disease — it reduces the formation of panels, flaking, itching and inflammation.
The efficacy and safety of non-hormonal creams and ointments, which is dependent on the main active ingredients. Thus, drugs based on zinc, may be used without restriction, frequency of use, while the tar means dry skin, so it is better to use 1-2 times a week, combined with moisturizing emulsions.
Cosmetics
Patients, a long time suffering from psoriasis, they often turn to cosmetic means to improve the appearance of the scalp, but not have a healing effect. We talk about all kinds of shampoos and oils, designed to relieve irritation of the skin, softens the skin and make peeling plaques are less pronounced. For the assessment of the actual effectiveness of such tools is not possible, especially when used in conjunction with therapy prescribed by the doctor.
Symptomatic treatment
Some drugs that help for psoriasis on the scalp, and is unable to change the course of the disease, however, significantly facilitate the condition of the patient. Due to the factors that affect the activity of the pathological process, very much, the importance of caring for the health of the patient as a whole, and struggle with the consequences of disease (e.g. infection affecting the skin, or medicines for the liver).
Physical therapy
Uv irradiation reduces the symptoms of psoriasis of the scalp many patients, therefore physical therapy, which is based on the use of artificial light is a very popular method of treatment for this pathology.
With phototherapy the ultraviolet spectrum (UVB) light, which is used at a wavelength that is visible to the human eye. Each meeting lasts a few minutes and complete the course of treatment lasts for 6-8 weeks.
PUVA therapy includes the combination of phototherapy applied to the skin, the photosensitizing substance. Get treatment in the form of tablets or creams, and then comes to the meetings of the irradiation with the ultraviolet light of the spectrum of A. This method is also effective in severe forms of psoriasis, but long-term may increase the risk for the patient and skin cancer.
Naturotherapy
With the use of environmental factors is an important approach to the treatment of psoriasis. Stay in the resorts with special weather conditions (Dead sea coast, the Caucasian mineral waters, etc.) contribute to the extension of the period of remission and relief of symptoms. Many patients report the effect of the use of therapeutic mud and baths with herbal decoctions, the use of bee products (apitherapy) and applications of naphthalene oils and other rare chemical compounds that have proven effectiveness in complex treatment of skin diseases.
However, the final guidance does not exist, the success of such methods depends on the individual characteristics of each patient.
Correction of lifestyle
Change in diet (avoiding foods that cause exacerbation of psoriasis), the rejection of alcohol consumption, regular exercise and psychotherapy aimed at reducing anxiety, help patients with seborrheic psoriasis. Some patients report that the healthy way of life helps not only to reduce manifestations of the basic disease, but also on the overall well-being, by addressing factors that trigger other pathological conditions. It is important that you follow the recommendations of the doctor and positive reviews relating to the promotion of a total refusal of drug treatment in favor of non-traditional methods.
Patients with psoriasis often become depressed from the knowledge that this disease appeared again, will stay with them for life. However, a positive attitude and active position in relation to new approaches to therapy contributes to the return of the high quality of life and reduce unpleasant symptoms. There is no need to put up with psoriasis is the only problem, which has a variety of options. Don't let illness spoil your life.
Why is it important to start the treatment of seborrheic psoriasis in the shortest time?
Without a doubt, completely cure psoriasis is impossible, but you can reduce the frequency and duration of exacerbations if competent and, most importantly, it is time to begin treatment at the first signs. This is useful for choice of medicines, efficiency and safety, which is confirmed by clinical studies.