In clinical dermatology, 3 stages of psoriasis are distinguished, including: progressive, stationary and regressive.They differ in duration, degree of skin damage and symptoms.Some dermatologists divide the course of pathology into 4 stages, taking into account the initial one.
Initial stage
At an early stage, the patient develops small rashes.Depending on the type of disease, they can be localized:
- in arms, elbows and legs;
- on the head and face;
- in the stomach, thigh and back.
The rash rarely exceeds 2-3 mm in size and is characterized by a pale pink color.3-4 days after the onset, the rash is covered with a gray layer.This process means the death of the skin.
In people who have psoriasis for a long time, the epidemic layer does not have time to renew itself, as the skin is immediately covered with plaques.In young patients, a similar process lasts 3 weeks, during which the development of the disease can be stopped.
Treatment
In dermatology, topical medications are used to treat lichen planus at an early stage of development.Ointments and creams help the patient get rid of unpleasant sensations, and they also have a healing effect.Most often, drugs from the keratolytic group are prescribed.
Traditional methods
Among the traditional therapeutic methods are recommended:
- Natural oils (juniper or lavender).They have a healing and soothing effect, and have a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin.Instructions for use: add a few drops of oil to the cream and apply directly to the rash.
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%).It applies precisely and does not wash off.Before use, you should consult a dermatologist.
Progressive
Characteristics of the stage: damage to large areas of the skin, the formation of plaques (with psoriasis vulgaris) or other pronounced papules.The rash can vary in size and shape.As this stage progresses, the rashes will merge with each other and prominent gray scales will form on the plaques.
One of the main symptoms of this stage is the Kebnera phenomenon (isomorphic auctor), which consists in the formation of papules in the affected areas of the skin layer.This means, if the patient damages the skin, after some time a psoriasis rash will appear in the irritated area.
The last sign of a progressive stage: a capillary layer, which can be seen by removing the scales from the plaques.When the plaque is removed, proper bleeding begins.
Treatment
At this stage, all the main methods of treatment are used - oral and local medications, diet and physiotherapy.Physiotherapy includes procedures such as: ultraviolet radiation, PUVA therapy.
Among the medicines, the following should be noted:
- Vitamin complexes.It is used to strengthen the immune system.Such treatment is necessary so that the body can resist the disease.
- Retinoids.Similar products also refer to vitamins.Retinoids are analogues of retinol (vitamin A), which affect cell membrane structures and prevent skin death.
- Steroids.They are used less often than other drugs, as they have a negative effect on the body.Steroid medications affect metabolic processes and have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects.
Among the traditional treatment methods, the same oils and hydrogen peroxide are used.
You can add a celandine-based solution to them.To prepare it, you will need 3 tablespoons of this plant (dry or fresh) and salted water.Under no circumstances should you use alcohol, as this can dry out the skin.
How to prepare the medicine:
- the ingredients must be mixed together;
- leave it for a few hours.
Stationary phase
The stationary period of disease development lasts indefinitely.All rashes are covered with a thick crust, there is not even a pink lip left.The layer formed in the papules can be gray or gray-white.In the stationary phase, the skin becomes rough and peels off.
Psoriasis symptoms are mild: if in the progressive phase the patient feels unbearable itching and burning, then in the recovery phase such symptoms lose their intensity.Despite this, the rashes still do not stop itching.
You can see what a psoriasis rash looks like during the stationary period in the photo.
Treatment
Some new drugs can be used to treat the stationary form of psoriasis, but, in general, the treatment regimen will not change.Powerful medications should be prescribed exclusively by a dermatologist.
At home, the patient can only try proven means:
- sulfur ointment;
- salicylic solution;
- Vishnevsky ointment.
Medicines on this list have a minimum of contraindications and are quite cheap.
Traditional methods
Some effective recipes for the treatment of dermatosis:
- Mix 30 grams of propolis with 250 ml of heated vegetable oil.The prepared mixture should be applied to dissolve the dead layer of the epidermis and restore the elasticity of the skin.
- Beeswax.This product has an anti-inflammatory and soothing effect.Beeswax should be melted in a water bath and then carefully applied to the crust covering the papules.
- BelovedThe main waste of bees has a positive effect on the human body with psoriasis.It should be consumed in limited quantities - 2 tablespoons per day.
The regression phase
This stage is characterized by Voronov's symptom (pseudo-atrophic Voronov's streak), in which white rings form around the papules.During the regression period, the rashes begin to resolve.Initially, the rash changes shade, first becoming pale pink and then adapting to the color of healthy skin.In the regression phase, the itching goes away completely.
The appearance of new papules during this period is excluded.The last stage is more painless and leads to remission.Lichen squamous can occur in a latent form from several months to tens of years.To prevent the aggravation of the disease, you should regularly visit a dermatologist and monitor your health.
Treatment
How to treat?Therapy at this stage does not require the addition of new drugs.During the regression period, the patient is recommended to focus on internal healing, that is, to actively take vitamin complexes.You should continue to use medications that previously gave a positive result.The use of hormonal drugs should be completely avoided, as they have a negative effect on the body and weaken the immune defense.
A common and effective way of quick recovery: leech therapy (hirudotherapy).This method belongs to alternative medicine, but is known by many specialists.Such therapy should be discussed in advance by a doctor.It lasts from 3 to 10 days, depending on the condition of the patient and the stage of the disease.During the remission period, the duration of treatment with leeches is 2-4 days.
With repeated exacerbations, the patient will learn to independently determine the stage of the disease.It is worth considering that severe forms of psoriasis can appear vaguely.Only comprehensive treatment will help to avoid relapse.Usually, lichen scaly worsens during the winter season when a person's skin comes into contact with clothing and cannot breathe.