What is psoriasis: causes, symptoms and treatment

In recent decades, dermatology has begun to deal more and more with cases of psoriatic dermatitis. Statisticians note that most often these cases affect people with light skin. And although experts have not yet set an age limit for the rampant disease, nevertheless, the most active stages of the disease are recorded precisely at the age of 15-45 years. In terms of prevalence, psoriasis can now affect every 25 people on the planet, which in general, according to the WHO (World Health Organization) for 2016, represents approximately 4. 2% of the total world population.

What type of disease is psoriasis and what external signs does it present?

The name of such a sore was given based on its characteristic external sign: red plaques and papules with scales, which are formed as a result of a rash accompanied by a sensation of itching and inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis disease is also called squamous lichen and has its own fairly broad classification of types, symptoms, causes that provoke the onset, progress and exacerbation of the disease. The general picture of pathology today is such that it does not provide doctors with a clear idea of its unambiguous origin and methods of treatment. Therefore, doctors must find ways of partial cure together with the patient.

The definition of psoriasis today is accepted by all specialists as a non-infectious disease that manifests itself mainly for various reasons and which must be treated carefully, with extreme care, under the constant supervision of several specialists, and not just a dermatologist. The word psoriasis itself means "itch" (from the Greek term "psora"), "scabies" (from the English term, which is also written "psora"). The diagnosis of the disease is made comprehensively, not only by skin tests or blood tests.

Additional Information:The specificity of the disease, which has not been fully studied, is such that patients need to prepare for persistent, persistent and long-term recovery, as well as alternating periodic exacerbations with remissions, relief phases, lasting from several weeks to several years.

Classification of types of psoriasis

When experts want to determine exactly psoriasis in a sick patient, what are these rashes on his skin and the unbearable desire to constantly scratch the sores, what type of disease the ailment belongs to, what the patient suffers from, then experts can focus on a special classification of diseases. After all, it is not alone, there are at least four today, which it is worth reviewing briefly to get a general idea.

According to ICD-10

According to the International Classification of Diseases in the tenth revision, such dermatitis is divided into the following types:

1. Ordinary or plate-shaped. Prevalence – 90-95%. Manifestations – grey, white, pink papulo-squamous structures. As they grow, whole "islands" and "lakes" of diseased skin are formed.
2. Generalized pustular disease or "impetigo", "Tsumbusha", exudative. It begins with blisters and blisters containing fluid (exudate). After the outbreak, ulcers and autoinfection are formed.
3. Persistent epidermal disorder or allopus, acrodermal disorder of Setton or Crocker. Fluid or pustular formations in plaques and papules are sterile and do not exhibit widespread self-contamination. Fingernails and fingers are often affected.
4. Palmar and plantar lesions. Small ulcers on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet that are not self-infecting. It makes it very difficult for the patient to have a quality of life when he walks and works with his hands.
5. teardrop shaped. Small purple, pink and gray spots on the body often begin to appear after suffering from severe sore throat, strep throat, pharyngitis and other infectious viral diseases.
6. Arthropathic appearance. Damage to the joints of the fingers, hands, knees, lower legs. Prevalence – 10% of all psoriatic patients.
7. Other, reverse and unspecified. Smooth patches with a low percentage of flaking that appear on delicate areas of the skin.

According to this classification, which reveals the essence of what this or that type means, what a disease is, what psoriasis is, the pathology is assigned a special code: L40. Different numbers can be added to this code to indicate a specific type of disease.

According to clinical parameters

The disease can also be classified according to clinical criteria, which are expressed as follows:

• by location - body parts are designated;
• according to the clinical pictures: the nature, consistency of psoriasis;
• by progressive phases: progressive, stationary, regressive disease;
• according to the manifestations in a particular season;
• by area of skin areas: less than 20% of the epidermis, more than 20% or all of the skin is affected.

According to the American classification

The National Foundation of the United States, when defining psoriasis, what type of disease it is, its type, classifies it in the following order:

• mild skin lesions - less than 2%;
• average severity of spread – 2 to 10%;
• severe stage of skin damage - from 10% and above.

According to the PASI index

Another international approach to the definition of the plague of psoriasis, which is in the arsenal of medical diagnosticians, distributes the types of the disease according to the following principle:

• the presence of the PASI index varies from 0 to 72 values;
• the index shows the severity of dermatitis;
• Only specialists calculate the index.

Doctors can use any of these classifications to determine the type of disease, but practice shows that it is the ICD-10 system that is used most actively. Without an accurate definition of the type, it will be difficult for doctors to understand what type of disease psoriasis is and how to treat it.

General symptoms

All doctors and researchers are convinced that psoriasis is not a contagious phenomenon and cannot be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy one. Characteristic pustular-scaly rashes are called papules if their formation was initially a swelling with liquid, which then burst, causing a wound, drying out the cover and scales. "Papule" from Lat. means "knot". But if the redness was not watery, their swellings above the surface of the skin were compacted, then turned into wounds from constant scratching, suppuration and the formation of scales, then we are talking about plaques.

Note!Psoriasis disease is something that will always present scaly growths over the surface of the affected skin. "Squama" from Lat. means "scales, " so the diagnosis can be written on the line on the exam sheet: "papulosquamous disorder of the epidermis. "

Symptoms of psoriasis

In defining psoriasis we focus on its symptoms, which can be represented by the following unified list of manifestations:

1. Papules are bumps on the surface of the skin that contain infected or sterile fluid inside.
2. Plaques are red spots that grow and fester over time.
3. The plaques may be gray, reddish, yellowish, or purple speckled.
4. The texture of the surface of the diseased skin varies from moist, pustular, to dry with scales.
5. Scaling and scaling are characteristic of all types of the disease.
6. The patient's general condition ranges from irritability, nervousness, drowsiness, fatigue and apathy.

Stages and degrees of development of psoriasis

The stages show not only the characteristics of the disease and its types, but can also tell the doctor how to deal with the disease. Usually divided into 3 phases.

Weak phase

• papules and plaques are rare and solitary;
• there is no unbearable itching;
• There is no serious swelling yet;
• it often occurs after experiencing stress or serious infections.

Intensive phase

• defined as Koebner syndromes;
• lesions appear unexpectedly in different parts of the human body;
• fusion and growth of papules and plaques into entire "paraffin lakes";
• pain and itching are typical during this period.

Exacerbation of the disease

• shape of scales;
• dry skin;
• lesional skin rashes no longer grow;
• the scales fall off;
• the skin hurts;
• the thickness of the skin where the plaques are located increases.

For reference:remission is a separate phase and is considered as a calming of the pathological condition.

Causes that cause the appearance of the disease

Despite the fact that no answers have been found to the questions of what kind of disease is psoriatic dermatitis, what are the reasons for its occurrence, nevertheless, of course, some prerequisites that can provoke the onset of the disease have already been demonstrated.

Such patterns show the following probable reasons:

1. Hereditary predisposition.
2. Weak immune system.
3. He recently suffered severe psychological trauma, exposure to infections, viruses.
4. Side effects of drugs.
5. A sharp change in climatic conditions for life.
6. Allergies in humans.
7. Imbalance of the gastrointestinal tract, endocrine, excretory and purifying systems.
8. Slow metabolism (metabolism) due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor nutrition, sleep and wakefulness.

Important!The wound can also appear after a severe sunburn, the constant friction of synthetic clothing fabrics in areas of the body where the skin folds. Excessive consumption of low-quality foods (with plenty of chemicals, preservatives, food synthetics), alcohol, medications (toxic substances), or tobacco can also influence a flare-up. All this was recorded using the exclusion method: for example, when the patient's bad habits were limited, his condition improved.

Diagnosis of psoriasis – what is it?

If people asking about psoriasis, what it is and which doctors to turn to, have already discovered similar symptoms in themselves or in loved ones, friends, then they should first turn to a dermatologist. Subsequently, an examination will be scheduled, which may involve a series of other highly specialized specialists:

• histologists: in this case they study blood cells;
• immunologists: identify the cause of the body's weakened resistance to viruses;
• endocrinologists - if there is suspicion of disorders in hormonal levels and the functioning of the endocrine system;
• infectious disease specialists – detection of the presence of infections or viruses in the human body;
• nutritionists who will determine the correct nutrition for the patient and other specialists.

Diagnostics is performed using the following mechanisms and techniques:

1. External examination of the affected areas of the skin.
2. A blood test will show whether your joints are affected by the disease.
3. A biopsy reveals the stage and verification (diagnose a specific type of disease).

To determine the specific type of psoriasis, the Internet alone is not helpful. In addition, encyclopedic reference books are usually compiled by all Internet users, both knowledgeable about the specifics of the disease and lay people.

Note!A biopsy is a major diagnostic procedure in which a piece of affected skin is taken for laboratory examination. Its results show the level of T lymphocytosis, which cells are strong and which are weak.

Difficulties in the life of patients with psoriasis

When a patient encounters psoriasis for the first time and does not know what type of disease has come to him, he tends to experience the following conditions that accompany the course of dermatitis:

• depression;
• inferiority complexes;
• difficulties in the social sphere: people, out of ignorance, often believe that the disease is contagious and stop communicating with the sick person;
• cardiovascular disorders - sometimes even heart attacks;
• pressure imbalance – hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus – type 2 is particularly common;
• you must limit yourself in food and drink;
• you have to adapt to an active lifestyle, which is extremely difficult to do when your psychological mood is depressed;
• physical discomfort - difficulty putting on clothes, bathing in the shower, taking a bath, moving arms, legs, sleeping, etc.

Likewise, all this affects those patients who have encountered the disease not for the first time, but are already mentally ready to face it and work hard to reduce its intensity.

For reference:remissions (stages of attenuation of the disease) can last for several years only with a competent approach to therapy and the prescription of courses, methods, methods of treatment.

Methods for the treatment of psoriasis

When the doctors themselves do not fully know all the reasons for the exacerbation of the disease and how all this can be eliminated forever, this also greatly affects the mood of the patient himself. But you just need to convince yourself that if the disease cannot be cured, you can improve the quality of your life for several years. Therefore, psoriasis should be treated only with an integrated approach of all practices, methods and methods available in nature. Doctors also do not disdain folk remedies, as long as the patient discusses one method or another with the doctor in advance.

Traditional methods

As soon as they determine the type of dermatitis - psoriasis is also dermatitis, what kind of disease it is, its type, doctors immediately begin specific procedures that supposedly give a positive effect in the end.

Treatment begins with the following procedures:

1. The affected areas are disinfected to prevent self-infection.
2. Mandatory relief of inflammatory processes with drugs.
3. Plaques need to be removed and special drugs are prescribed for this.
4. The same applies to scales: so that they do not fall off painfully, they are softened with lotions, applications with various emollient ointments, tinctures, mixtures.
5. Injections and tablets are prescribed, for example, an immunosuppressant, which restores the functioning of the immune system and improves psychophysical condition.
6. They use ultraviolet irradiation, purify blood using plasmapheresis and other methods.
7. Sanatorium treatments with mud and salt water. For example, resorts in Israel on the Dead Sea. The method is not cheap, it takes 28 days, but it is 100% effective.
8. Take salt and herbal baths.
9. Special diet, exercise.

In addition to the above methods, operations are also performed on the valve of the small intestine, which is responsible for cleaning the system. Usually, after such operations, patients feel better even 5-6 years earlier.

Important!The basic drug will always be an antimetabolite from the group of structural analogues of folic acid, which is supplied to the body by intramuscular injection.

Traditional medicine for psoriasis

The disease can also be treated with traditional methods, as some plants, seeds and fruits have their own medicinal properties. This is a budget option for those who cannot take advantage of trips to the resort. At home, you can prepare medicinal baths for yourself, prepare various ointments using Kalanchoe, honey and other ingredients. Only the patient should always consult his doctor first. Here you also need to follow a strict diet, sleep, work and exercise.

Additional measures

Any attending physician will always prohibit the patient from being in the sun for more than 6 hours a day for 2 tanning sessions. At the same time, the sun should not be at the zenith and burn strongly, otherwise you can only cause burns and worsen the condition. In addition to sun exposure, psoriasis can also be cured temporarily by adding a special diet. The most common system now is the Pegano diet. In addition, you should eliminate all the usual whims, such as tobacco, alcohol, an abundance of sweets and other hobbies.

Additional Information:It is not recommended to start a sudden diet. Furthermore, you must always remember your intestines, which need to be helped by the presence of fibers and sunflower oils. Therefore, you can eat sunflower seeds and also add various permitted fiber-rich foods to your dishes.

5 preventive measures for people predisposed to psoriasis

So that a person does not have questions about psoriasis: what kind of disease it is and how to treat it, one should also listen to several recommendations from experts on how to protect themselves as much as possible from such a disease. Pay attention to this list of 5 fundamental recommendations, even if you have no predisposition to this type of disease:

1. Protect yourself from various infections, dress warmly, do not catch colds, create the most positive attitude in life.
2. Move actively, maintain a normal diet, sleep and wakefulness.
3. Give up all bad habits or hobbies such as cooking, sweets, which contain a lot of sugar.
4. Wear clothing made primarily from natural fiber fabrics.
5. All painkillers or other medications should be taken in consultation with a doctor and not self-medicated.

For reference:slow metabolism leads not only to psoriasis, but also obesity, liver disease, kidney disease, heart disease and other dysfunctions. Therefore, reducing carbohydrates in the menu, taking more walks in the fresh air and exercising will help anyone to always stay healthy!

There is no complete cure for this disease yet; specialists are identifying the causes as some cases of psoriatic disorders have been recorded. Therapeutic procedures are very long, time-consuming and difficult. The patient will need not only a change in lifestyle, but also self-observation and keeping a diary, where she will record all her conditions. Therefore, any delay in contacting doctors will only aggravate the situation. Patients should not torment themselves in this way, be afraid to show themselves to doctors, it is better to immediately start looking for a solution to the problem than to pile it up like a snowball.