Features of the development and symptoms of psoriasis affecting the elbows

Psoriasis with localization of the main changes in the elbow area occurs in approximately 5% of patients with this disease. The formation of psoriatic lesions on the elbows is possible at any age, but according to statistics, this form of the disease is mainly characteristic of older people.In most cases, the pathology can be successfully treated with timely consultation with the doctor, but in advanced cases it can be complicated by psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and symptoms

Elbow psoriasis has the same etiological causes of development as other forms of the disease. These are heredity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, reduced functioning of the immune system, mechanical damage to the skin and traumatic situations. The provoking factor for the appearance of psoriatic lesions in the elbow area is considered to be dyshidrosis - chronic dehydration of the skin.

The disease begins with the appearance of one or more reddish spots that protrude slightly above the skin. At first they are red, then they are covered with a white layer and gradually a layer of scales forms on their surface, which gives the plates a silver color.

In addition to these changes, psoriasis of the elbow can be identified by the following symptoms:

• The resulting individual spots merge with each other over time, which leads to the appearance of large lesions;
• The scales are easily removed from the surface, leaving behind a thin skin on which drops of blood may appear;
• The formation of pustules is characterized by the appearance of a clearly defined red rim that separates the healthy skin from the affected tissue;
• The appearance of rashes is accompanied by severe itching in 80% of cases;
• Regression, that is, the disappearance of the plate starts from the center and in its place after the process has decreased, a light spot remains.

In mild cases, the pathology disappears within one and a half to two months. In advanced ones, the spots may not resolve completely - during the remission phase, one or several small plaques remain on the skin.

If left untreated, elbow psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. A complication is indicated by swelling and swelling in the area of the affected joint, a local increase in temperature and pain during movement.

Characteristics of psoriasis of the elbow

Psoriasis on the elbows has certain characteristics of development and course, these include:

1. Age of disease onset. Mostly, the elderly consult the doctor with this form of the disease, in children and teenagers damage to this area is rare;
2. Only in 30% of cases is the symmetry of the lesion determined - plaques are formed on both the right and left elbow. In other cases, the inflammation covers only one area of the elbow;
3. Psoriatic lesions in psoriasis, unlike eczema and dermatitis, are localized only on the outer, extensor side of the joint;
4. The disease is characterized by seasonality - more often irritations occur in the cold months of the year, that is, when the skin is more dehydrated;
5. The rash can be either dry or moist;
6. The lesions spread mainly towards the forearm;
7. Over time, psoriasis of the elbow causes thickening of the skin in the affected area. The skin becomes dense, dry and quickly cracks, which is accompanied by the appearance of blood, pain and itching.

Psoriasis of the elbow should be treated and this should be done under the supervision of a dermatologist.The lack of therapy leads to the fact that it is impossible to completely eliminate all changes in the affected area, and this causes internal discomfort and can cause depression.

Treatment methods for elbow psoriasis

Treatment of elbow psoriasis should be comprehensive. It includes the use of external agents, systemic medications, physiotherapy and traditional methods of therapy.

ointment

In the initial stage of the disease, when only a few small plaques are formed and in the absence of significant swelling and redness, you can use ointments that have a soothing, anti-inflammatory effect and can soften the keratinized outer layer of the spots.

In severe cases, that is, when swelling, itching, hyperemia are pronounced and the spots tend to grow rapidly, therapy begins with the use of glucocorticosteroid ointments.

Any of the above ointments for elbow psoriasis should be prescribed by a doctor. They are used in a short course, respecting the frequency of application and the dose. Non-compliance with the instructions for the use of hormonal drugs greatly increases the likelihood of developing local and systemic side reactions.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are recommended to use ointments with softening ingredients and vitamins even during exacerbations of the disease. Their continuous application nourishes the skin, prevents dehydration, thus extending remission periods.

Drug therapy

Medicines are selected for the patient depending on the symptoms of the disease, their severity and accompanying diseases. Medications are mainly prescribed if the psoriatic changes continue to progress, with frequent relapses.

Standard oral therapy:

1. Antihistamines.The main purpose of prescribing antihistamines is to reduce itching, which accelerates the healing process of plaques and prevents the penetration of microbes into the damaged epidermis;
2. Medicines with a sedative effect– tinctures of valerian, mother apple. Their use helps reduce nervousness, improves sleep quality and prevents the development of depression;
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Medicines from this group relieve inflammation and pain well, promote skin regeneration;
4. Vitamin therapy.The use of vitamins increases the protective properties of the body and improves metabolic processes.

All medications prescribed by your doctor must be taken completely.A decrease in rash lesions does not indicate that the therapy should end, otherwise the disease may again enter a progressive phase.

Physiotherapy

The main treatment of psoriasis of the elbow can be supplemented with physiotherapy. They are prescribed to improve blood circulation and metabolic reactions in the skin; their use helps improve local immunity and accelerates the restoration of normal epidermis. For psoriasis, procedures such as magnetic therapy, phototherapy, PUVA method, laser treatment and skin irradiation with ultraviolet rays show good results.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are prescribed sanatorium treatment, diet therapy and normalization of the nervous system.

Elimination of psoriasis using traditional methods

Treatment of inflamed skin on the elbows at home using folk methods can be carried out after the acute process has subsided. The effectiveness of self-prepared ointments and tinctures for compresses, herbal mixtures for internal use and medicinal baths has been proven. All means of traditional therapy should be used, taking into account the tolerability of the components that make up their basis.

• Bath for the treatment of elbows.Chamomile, sage, celandine herb and string should be mixed in equal proportions. Two or three tablespoons of the mixture are poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10. The mixture is injected for half an hour, after which you can dip your elbows in the medicinal solution. The duration of the procedure is until the infusion has cooled completely;
• Therapeutic baths.The shells of 10 walnuts are boiled with a liter of boiling water, after an hour the infusion is filtered and poured into a water bath. You should lie in the medicinal bath for 20-30 minutes, repeat it every day for at least 5 days;
• Garlic compress.A few small cloves from a head of garlic are chopped and poured into a glass of hot water. You need to infuse the garlic solution for an hour and a half, then you need to dip a bandage folded in several layers into it, squeeze it lightly and apply it to the elbow area. The compress changes as the gauze dries; it is advisable to carry out the procedure within an hour;
• Birch tar.You will need purified birch tar; apply to the tiled area. The first procedure should last no more than 8-10 minutes, each subsequent day its time increases. The course of tar treatment is 14 days. You can wash the tar off your elbows with laundry soap;
• Phytocompress.10 grams of dried grape leaves, 10 grams of burdock root and 10 grams of flax seeds should be ground in a blender. The prepared mass is poured into a glass of hot milk and heated over low heat for 2-3 minutes. After it has cooled in the liquid, wet a gauze pad and apply it to the elbows. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Psoriasis on the elbows causes a lot of discomfort, but this form of the disease is considered one of the easiest. Timely consultation with a doctor, changes in lifestyle and diet, as well as compliance with preventive measures can completely clear the skin in the elbow joint and significantly extend the remission periods of the disease.