Psoriasis is a chronic non-infectious disease, dermatosis, which mainly affects the skin.Currently, the autoimmune nature of this disease is assumed.Typically, psoriasis manifests itself in the formation of red spots, very dry and raised on the surface of the skin - the so-called papules, which join each other to form plaques.These papules are by nature sites of chronic inflammation and excessive proliferation of skin lymphocytes, macrophages and keratinocytes, as well as excessive angiogenesis (formation of small new capillaries).
It occurs with equal frequency among men and women and lasts for years with alternating periods of relapses and remissions.This is one of the most common dermatoses, difficult to treat and often severe.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic widespread skin disease characterized by a monomorphic rash of flat papules that tend to coalesce into large plaques that quickly become covered with loose silvery-white scales.
Psoriasis is characterized by periods of aggravation (relapses) and temporary well-being, when the manifestations of the disease become less severe.This disease is not infectious and the patient is not dangerous for others.Because the appearance of psoriasis is not associated with microorganisms.
The main element of psoriasis is a single pink or red papule, which is covered with a large number of loose silver-white scales.
As a rule, psoriasis does not disrupt the usual rhythm of the patient's life.The only concern is peeling and inflammatory processes on the skin.Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure this disease, but it is quite possible to stop its development or prevent relapses.To do this, it is enough to follow all the doctor's prescriptions and undergo systematic treatment in the hospital.
Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is absolutely not contagious.Not a single case of person-to-person transmission of the disease has been recorded.The causative agents of the disease are not infections and microbes, which are potentially dangerous for others, but leukocytes produced by the patient's body.
It is impossible for a healthy person to get psoriasis from a patient.Psoriasis is not transmitted:
- In case of skin contact, through the use of the same household items as the patient (bed linen, towels, dishes).
- Through saliva, sweat.
- Sexually.
- When you care for the sick.
- Through the blood.
Distribution
Experts distinguish two forms:
The non-pustular form of psoriasis
What is it?This form of the disease differs from others in its stable course.The non-pustular form of psoriasis is characterized by damage to almost the entire surface of the body.This type includes:
- erythrodermic psoriasis
- vulgar, common or tabular.
Common psoriasis occurs quite often;up to 90% of patients with psoriasis are patients with the vulgar form of this disease.
Psoriatic erythroderma is a serious disease that often leads to a fatal outcome - the death of the patient.With the disease, there is a violation of the function of thermoregulation, and the barrier function of the skin decreases.
Pustular
- background pustular Zumbusch or generalized pustular
- palmoplantaris (pustular psoriasis of the extremities, chronic persistent pustulosis palmoplantaris)
- Annularly pustular
- palmoplantar
- psoriatic impetigo herpetiformis
| Psoriasis stage | Percentage of damage |
| Easy | less than 3% of the skin is affected |
| Average | 3-10% of the skin is covered with psoriatic plaques |
| Heavy | there are joint lesions or more than 10% of the skin is involved. |
How psoriasis begins: the first signs
In most cases, the identification of psoriasis is quite simple, because the disease is not similar to other skin pathologies.Allergic rashes have a smaller calibration compared to psoriatic spots, and the medical history shows that patients practically do not suffer from skin swelling, as with allergies.
The initial symptoms and signs of psoriasis differ in the main characteristics that the doctor will rely on when making a diagnosis:
- the appearance of a limited pink spot of varying intensity;
- itching of the skin in the area of psoriatic lesions;
- exfoliation of large amounts of epidermis of various sizes;
- the characteristic color of the white shell;
- the appearance of clustered white or gray crusts that do not extend beyond the borders of the psoriatic patch;
- dry skin.
Psoriasis is characterized by three distinctive features:
- "The stearic stain effect".When scratching the plaque, small and transparent scales are easily removed.
- "Terminal Film Effect".If you remove the scales, the skin in this area will be thin, shiny and red.
- "Blood Dew Effect".After itching, small drops of blood appear on the skin.
Causes
Experts cannot identify the exact and sole culprit of the disease, but repeated studies show that the disease is autoimmune, which means that it depends on the functioning of the immune system.
For an unknown reason, immune cells, designed to protect the body from malignant changes and bacterial and viral damage, penetrate the upper layers of the skin and produce substances that promote the inflammatory process.The result of this activity is proliferation - the accelerated division of skin cells.
According to another theory, psoriasis develops due to a disruption in the keratinocyte life cycle.
Possible causes of psoriasis:
- Inheritance.According to the latest data from scientists, psoriasis is classified as a genotypic dermatosis with a dominant type of transmission.
- Violation of lipid, protein and carbohydrate metabolism.When skin psoriasis is suspected, changes in these blood profiles often occur, which contributes to the development of cardiovascular pathology, endocrine dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.
- The presence of a chronic infectious focus in the body.During the examination of psoriatic plaques, streptococcal flora is often detected.The appearance of genetic abnormalities can be affected by viral and bacterial infections, for example, tonsillitis, influenza.
- Climatic conditions - dry and hot weather can affect the progress of psoriasis, intensify skin manifestations or, on the contrary, weaken them;
- Anxiety or stress - as mentioned above, stress overload directly affects the course of psoriatic disease;
- Skin damage - wounds facilitate infection, and this leads to intoxication of the body due to inflammatory processes, therefore the appearance of psoriasis can provoke minor damage, but provided that there is an accompanying disease;
- Infections - outbreaks of psoriasis can be caused by the presence of purulent, inflammatory pathogenic areas, especially for pathologies in childhood.
One theory suggests the existence of two variants of the disease:
- Psoriasis type I– it is inherited in the presence of an immune factor, more than 60% of all patients under the age of 30 suffer from this form, the prognosis is good, the treatment is carried out throughout life.
- Psoriasis type II- appears more often at the age of over 45, is not associated with malfunctions of the immune system, most often affects the nail plates and joints.
Symptoms of psoriasis
Skin psoriasis can develop at any age.But often the first case of its manifestation occurs in young people and adults from 18 to 40 years old.There are no gender differences.Men and women suffer from this disease with equal frequency.
| Signs of psoriatic papules | |
| forms | rounD |
| ends | CLEAR |
| Color | hot pink or red |
| Scale color | silver white |
The first rashes, as a rule, are formed at the site of wounds, scratches, frostbite, burns and in areas of the body that are constantly exposed to friction.They may itch, but this is not the main symptom.
Depending on the characteristics of the rash, the following forms of psoriasis are divided:
- Spot psoriasis - the size of the elements is smaller than the head of a pin.
- Tear-shaped – the papules are tear-shaped and reach the size of a lentil grain.
- Coin-shaped - the plates grow up to 3-5 mm and have rounded edges.
The shapes of the rash are also distinguished when its elements look like rings, bows and crowns, geographic maps with jagged edges.
The overall clinical picture and symptoms of psoriasis vary significantly depending on the stage of the disease.Dermatologists distinguish 3 stages that develop sequentially:
- Progressive.New skin lesions constantly appear and there is also an active proliferation of existing plaques with severe itching and peeling.
- Stationary.The growth of papules on the body stops a little, no new formations appear, but on the surface of the skin, near the plates, thick folds appear.
- Regression.The spread of the disease and an increase in the skin are not observed.With the disappearance of the signs of psoriasis, areas with significant pigmentation remain on the body.
The alternation of these phases leads to the wave nature of relapses and remissions.A patient may have different stages of the disease in different areas of the skin.
Initial psoriasis is expressed in the appearance of papules, which are small scaly nodules.They have a dark pink color, are dense to the touch and protrude slightly above the surface of the skin.
The first sign of psoriasis may be the appearance of a rash in areas of the body that are most likely to be subject to friction, and the skin in these areas is dry.These are the places:
- palms or elbows;
- below the knees;
- shins;
- lateral parts of the lower back;
- inguinal folds;
- scalp.
The initial stage of psoriasis on the skin is barely visible and does not cause discomfort to the patient.But it is the early treatment that will help to avoid the severe forms of this disease, in which the fingernails and toenails, mucous surfaces and then the human joints are affected.
According to statistics, psoriatic plaques are found more often:
- on the outer surface of the joints;
- on the back and stomach;
- on the front of the thighs and forearms.
This is different from eczema, in which the rash affects the inside of the limbs and the folds between the toes.