Psoriasis is characterized by periods of remission and flare-ups.Skin inflammation occurs in several stages: initial, progressive, stationary, regressive.Such separation will help in proper diagnosis and therapy.
Interesting to know
Psoriasis is a genetic disease.About 10% of the population has characteristic DNA abnormalities and only 2% of them show signs of a disorder in the functioning of the skin.
The appearance of pathology is provoked by the following factors:
- severe emotional stress;
- injuries;
- alcohol abuse, smoking;
- unbalanced diet;
- infectious and other diseases;
- certain drugs;
- endocrine diseases;
- predisposition to allergies;
Due to an incorrect response of the immune system, which reacts to the epidermal tissue as if it were foreign elements, the first signs of the disease appear.Let's look at the stages of psoriasis, its symptoms and treatment regimens.
The initial stage of psoriasis
The first sign isthe appearance of a pimple(papules).The shape is round, the color is reddish or pink.In the lower extremities, due to slow blood flow, manifestations of a bluish color may appear.Papular formations are small, the size of a pinhead.
The early stage is characterized bymany papules, which have clearly defined boundaries.White scales also appear.They separate easily from the surface when touched.Papules can merge into one, forming larger elements.
During remission at an early stage, the rashes become pale.The affected areas of the skin are partially whitened.In children, this stage of psoriasis is often confused with the manifestations of allergies or diathesis.The rash may be accompanied by severe itching.Signs that can help diagnose psoriasis:
- when itching, the surface of the plaque becomes white, it resembles a granular drop of stearin, the scales peel off;
- if you continue to scratch the spot and remove the scales, a shiny red surface will appear;
- When they itch, small drops of blood appear.
Progressive stage of psoriasis
During the progressive stage of psoriasis, the following symptoms appear:
- The papules become red and continue to be covered with white scales.They peel off easily, revealing a smooth layer of browned skin underneath.When damaged, blood appears.
- During irritation, the papular elements grow and coalesce.They are clearly different from healthy skin areas.
- The itching intensifies.But it goes away when the process enters the stationary phase.Painful and obsessive itching interferes with sleep and daily activities.If you simply scratch the cap, new lesions and plaques will appear.The appearance of new plaques at the site of injury is Koebner syndrome.The number of manifestations of itching gradually increases and covers the trunk, limbs and head.
- There are no scales on the edges of the plates;they are hyperemic, which indicates the continuation of the inflammatory process.
The consequences
Psoriasis can have negative effects on the joints (psoriatic arthritis).Then severe pain and joint deformities occur if the process is left untreated.
The stationary phase of psoriasis
The main characteristic of the stationary stage of psoriasis is that new elements stop appearing.Positive changes come through proper treatment.
Clinical manifestations:
- itching disappears;
- no injuries (Koebner's symptom goes away);
- peeling may increase.
All spots stop developing.If during the progressive phase the plaques had a scaly border, then during the stationary phase the entire inflamed surface of the skin will peel off and take on a characteristic psoriatic appearance.
The scales are characteristic of the last stage of inflammation.At the beginning of the development of the pathology, the scales do not keep pace with the progressive growth of plaques and cannot cover them completely.In half of the cases it appearspseudoatrophic corolla.
Corolla pseudoatrophic
It looks like a light rim around the element, which has a structure reminiscent of rough paper, consisting of a layer of corneum and no more than two millimeters in width.
Regressive phase of psoriasis
With the regressive stage of psoriasis, the psoriatic cycle ends.Characteristic features:
- the deterioration process stops, the inflammation goes away;
- the plaques are gradually resolved;
- the peeling stops, the redness elements are flattened;
- rashes become pale pink and gradually whiten;
- papules may still remain on the arms and elbows.
There is no scarring or atrophy of the affected areas.Temporary hyperpigmentation or areas of lack of pigment may occur at the site of the rash.
Remission occurs after complex therapy.The grace period varies from person to person..The disease can last for several months or even years in a latent form.Exacerbations occur more often in winter, with the exception of only some forms of psoriasis.
Treatment of psoriasis in different stages
Therapy for any form of psoriasis consists of general and local treatment, physiotherapeutic methods and dietary adjustments.At an early stage of therapy it is necessary:
- give up bad habits;
- strictly follow a therapeutic diet;
- use ointments containing vitamin A, D3, hormones;
- use systemic and sedative drugs;
- undergo ultraviolet therapy.
If the plaques are located on the head, the doctor prescribes shampoo based on tar, zinc and selenium sulfide.
All products should be used as prescribed by a physician.Long-term use of drugs (especially with tar) can cause skin irritation.Products should be changed every 7 days.
Treatment of psoriasis in an early stage
The effectiveness of therapeutic measures at an early stage depends on the time when the patient came to the doctor and started the treatment.
Early therapy in most cases helps prevent the chronic transition of the disease.
Experts recommend using salicylic acid oil.This is an anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial drug that has a beneficial effect on the affected areas of the skin.Using the keratolytic effect, the oil will clean the plaque of the keratinized parts of the integrity.Apple ointment will help relieve itching.
The following drugs are usually prescribed:
- based on tar;
- based on solid oil;
- petroleum based.
Not so long ago, drops and ointment for psoriasis appeared.The product can soothe the skin, moisturize it, prevent skin dryness and relieve swelling.The drug contains ubiquinone, beta-carotene, beaver fat, propolis, pumpkin oil and other ingredients, with the help of which the number of plaques is reduced, there are fewer of them and the skin is better hydrated.It is recommended to use it in combination with other medications and after consultation with a specialist.
Treatment of psoriasis in a progressive stage
Therapy should be comprehensive and careful.The clinical framework is quite severe;treatment should be entrusted only to specialists.Patients are helped by intravenous and intramuscular administration of special drugs.Sorbents help remove toxins from the body.
Manifestations are relieved with salicylic acid ointment and emollient emulsions.They hydrate and eliminate inflammation.During an exacerbation, you should not use medicines containing tar or other irritating ingredients.
Physiotherapy procedures (PUVA therapy, ultraviolet radiation, paraffin baths) are best performed during the period of reduced inflammation.Corticosteroids and cytostatics are prescribed only when the processes are particularly complex.
Prescribe antihistamines (reduce the development of an allergic reaction), sedatives (calming), anti-inflammatory, keratolytics (smoothing), diuretics (relieve swelling, remove toxins).
Treatment of psoriasis in the stationary phase
The patient needs a slight adjustment of the therapy.Tar shampoos, oil emulsions and calcipotriol are usually prescribed.Systemic therapy is used when the disease affects large areas of the skin.Ultraviolet radiation and PUVA techniques are widely used.
If there is no effect, some cytostatic agents are prescribed.In severe cases, the patient is prescribed an immunosuppressant, a cytotastic.
Treatment of psoriasis in a regressive phase
Therapy in the last stage of psoriasis should be comprehensive and regulated by a specialist.Therapy is gradually being canceled and replaced by preventive measures.Treatment at all stages is carried out carefully;under no circumstances should the rash be damaged.
Of particular importance is the observance of a strict diet and lifestyle correction.Stress can be a powerful provoking factor, significantly worsening the condition at the onset of the disease.
In combination with drug therapy, rashes on the hands can be treated with sea salt baths or by mixing baby cream with twine powder and lubricating the plaques with this mixture.
Additional therapies
A patient with psoriasis has a lack of vitamins, which affect the regulation of metabolic processes and have a cleansing, calming and restorative effect on the blood.
The vitamin complex should contain B vitamins, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, folic acid and others.They are prescribed orally, intramuscularly and also in drops.
Dividing pathology into different stages is a conditional measure that helps specialists correctly identify one or another stage, facilitates diagnosis and treatment.It is impossible to completely get rid of psoriasis, but if all the rules of complex treatment are followed, with systematic preventive measures, the disease can remain hidden for a long time and not prevent a person from living a full life.