According to official data, about 3% of people around the world suffer from psoriasis. But it should be assumed that the real number of patients with this type of dermatosis is much greater. Basically, the first signs of such a disease occur at the age of 10-25, although cases of diagnosis of psoriasis have been recorded in both newborns and the elderly. It is not yet known for sure why it develops, but doctors have information on what the early stage of psoriasis looks like. Therefore, with timely referral to specialists, you can manage to stop the progression of the disease in the early stages.
Early stage symptoms
Initially, small round papules begin to appear on the patient's skin, the size of which, as a rule, does not exceed the diameter of a pinhead. These formations have a smooth, shiny surface and clear contours, but literally after a few days they begin to peel off. The resulting flakes are silvery-white and can be easily removed from the surface of the papule. Over time, the number and size of the elements of the rash increase and the disease progresses to a progressive stage.
Most papules are reddish or pink in color, although in some situations they turn bluish. This is observed with the formation of the primary elements of a rash on the legs. Depending on the type of disorder, the initial stage of psoriasis occurs on the elbows (extensor surfaces), knees, body, limbs or scalp.
If you remove all the flakes from the pimple, underneath them you will find an absolutely smooth shiny surface: the terminal film. But with further scraping, it is quickly damaged and the smallest drops of blood begin to appear.
Therefore, psoriasis is characterized by three specific phenomena:
- stearin stain- greater desquamation during removal of scales;
- psoriatic film- exfoliation of the thinnest layer of skin;
- blood dew- the appearance of point blood drops after scraping.
But it is much easier to see what the initial stage of psoriasis looks like in a photo.
Despite all the advances in medicine, no remedy has been developed today that can completely cure psoriasis. This disease is characterized by an undulating course, so not only those who have encountered such a disease for the first time, but also those who have lived with it for many years go through the initial stage of its development.
I would like to point out that there is no cure for psoriasis. With the help of modern drugs, physiotherapy procedures and other methods of therapy, it is possible to "drive" the disease into a state of stable remission and, perhaps, forget about it for several years. But this does not mean that in an unfavorable combination of circumstances, the patient will not again notice the characteristic rashes that manifest the initial stage of psoriasis on the hands and other parts of the body.
How to tell if psoriasis is progressing?
The passage of psoriasis to the second or progressive stage is evidenced by the growth and fusion of previously single papules, as well as by the addition of hitherto absent itching. In addition, the nature of the peeling also changes. Now it is observed only in the center of the formations and their edges remain free of scales. This indicates the growth of the elements quite clearly.
To confirm the passage of psoriasis to the second stage, you can use some kind of test. Its essence consists of minor damage to the skin of the affected area. If after about a week, a psoriatic element of the same shape as the lesion is formed in the same place, this clearly indicates the progression of the disease. In the specialized literature, such a test is described as a Kebner symptom. In addition, this is also observed with the banal combing of the affected skin.
In some cases, patients have exudative psoriasis. It is characterized by the release of a special fluid. The scales are impregnated with it, as a result of which they turn into dense crusts. If any of these scabs are removed or damaged, the oozing area of skin is exposed.