Psoriasis is a common, chronic, non-communicable disease that affects approximately 100 million people worldwide.
What are the symptoms of psoriasis
This is how the disease manifests itself.Skin cells divide 10 times faster than normal, overlapping one another and forming raised red patches covered in silvery-white scales.Such sores can appear anywhere, but most often on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are some other signs that appear along with spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and small cavities in the nails;
- swollen and painful joints.
There may be other symptoms, depending on the type of psoriasis.
What types of psoriasis are there?
There are seven in total
- Ordinary, or vulgar.The most common type: Raised, red, inflamed skin covered in white scales.
- Teardrop shaped.Small pink-red spots usually appear on the head, thighs, forearms and torso.
- Nail psoriasis.They become yellow-brown, soft and may separate from the socket.Indentations or thickenings appear.
- Pustular.A rare form of the disease, it may be accompanied by fever, chills, nausea, muscle weakness and a rapid pulse.Purulent bumps appear on the arms, legs, and fingers, surrounded by red skin.
- Reverse.Smooth, shiny red spots without scales.Most often they appear in the groin, under the armpits, under the breasts and on the buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and swelling in the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it occurs more often in adults than in children.
The exact causes of the disease are unknown.But it is believed to be an autoimmune disease: cells of the immune system, also known as white blood cells, become overactive and mistakenly attack healthy tissue.
Psoriasis can be caused by one or more factors:
- infection;
- stress;
- smoking or drinking alcohol;
- sunburn;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- some medicines and substances: lithium preparations, beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides.
You can't get psoriasis.It is not transmitted through contact with the patient's skin.
How is psoriasis treated?
There is no one way to get rid of psoriasis, but it is possible to relieve its symptoms.The selection of procedures and medications is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.A dermatologist should develop and adapt the treatment plan.
Your doctor may recommend the following.
Skin creams and ointments
They are used to soften plaques, reduce itching and slow the growth of skin cells.These are the external remedies:
- hormonal ointments;
- coal tar shampoos and ointments;
- preparations with retinoids.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in the hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used in parallel with external drugs.
The simplest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, you should first discuss it with your doctor.This method is not suitable for everyone.
Systemic treatment
This is heavy artillery when other methods fail.The doctor prescribes a course of tablets or injections that affect the entire body.
Prescribing drugs or taking them on the advice of friends is a bad idea.
Self-medicating psoriasis can cause the disease to spread to untouched areas of the body and increase the frequency of outbreaks.
The patient does not take into account the side effects of various drugs and harms himself.
Don't do it, go to the doctor!
How to reduce the frequency of psoriasis flare-ups
In addition to the prescribed treatment, proceed as follows:
Do not smoke or drink alcohol.Treatment of bad habits is less effective.
Watch your weight.After losing the extra pounds, many patients find that medications that didn't work before begin to work.
Follow a balanced diet.This will reduce the risk of complications associated with psoriasis: hypertension, diabetes, stroke, atherosclerosis.
Do yoga and meditation.They reduce stress and anxiety that can cause flare-ups.
Apply a thick moisturizer to your skin as needed throughout the day to soften it.Make sure to do this after showering and before going to bed.
Take colloidal oatmeal or salt baths every day for 10 minutes.Just make sure the water isn't too hot.And don't use harsh soap, which dries out the skin too much.