Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when there is a malfunction in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages: onset, progression, stabilization and regression.The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of the patches and rashes, the severity of the itching, and the extent of the skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and during the recovery process?
Why is it necessary to know the stages of psoriasis?
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to correctly select therapeutic methods.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary: vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatments.They also prescribe drugs that stimulate cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
At the initial stage of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
In the acute and progressive course of the disease, various drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is integrated with photochemical therapy, ultrasound and laser.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, continue to take anti-inflammatory hormonal drugs, gradually reducing the dose.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In the remission phase they support the body.Proper nutrition, taking complexes of vitamins and minerals to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier you start treatment, the easier it will be to keep your psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of peeling.Since in the initial stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still trying to understand the causes of psoriasis.But it is known for certain that psoriatic inflammation of the skin is not contagious.It cannot be contracted by a sick person or caused by an infection caused by an injury.This is one's personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune failure, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease is subject to returns and relapses.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itching.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the early stage?How to initially distinguish psoriasis from a diathetic rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial phase
The first appearances of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most often, the rash appears on the creases of the elbows and knees or in places where clothing is pressed tightly to the body (for example, under a waist belt).Rashes may also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails, and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always occurs symmetrically: on the elbows of both arms or on both sides of the lower back or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the initial stage have a modest appearance.They have:
- Pink or red color;
- Clear and non-blurred edge;
- Small size: the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape: small pinpoint pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of flaking skin appear on the pimples.They are gray or silver and appear white against the background of the red pimple.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by rather intense itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales peel off, revealing shiny areas of pink, youthful skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable and if you scratch the itchy papules for a long time, it hurts and bleeds.
The duration of the initial phase of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progression phase
In the progressive phase, individual pimples merge into a single common point, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of the psoriatic plaques there is a non-scaly pink-red border.
The presence of a border is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the circle is one to two millimeters.The skin is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment paper.
The edge represents the area where the spot expands.This is skin that is already inflamed, but has not yet peeled off.After some time it will also become covered in scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large, inflamed red spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, causing a person discomfort, disrupting his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of a progressive stage is the appearance of new skin rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins: stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
In the progression phase, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say the opposite.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology and a depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary phase
The main sign of the stationary phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also subsides and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink edges around the perimeter of the plaques disappear when the spread of inflammation stops.Active exfoliation and healing begins, the regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is evident to the naked eye that peeling intensifies in the stationary phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic patch, leaving no space at the edges.
Psoriasis takes on a characteristic scaly appearance, by which ordinary people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriatic area, in their place will remain healthy skin with a slight light shade.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are a number of other signs by which the development of the disease can be judged.This is the nature of the itching sensation (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressive mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is changeable and the rash is incomprehensible.Moreover, the itching intensifies every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis it becomes intolerable.It disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the itching sensation does not give him a chance to rest.
In the stationary phase the itching decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks, from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the easing phase
The attenuated stage of psoriasis involves the almost total disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin resembles psoriasis.In place of the previous psoriatic spots, it appears lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, the so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin at the site of the psoriatic spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, the differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of relapse
The possibility of recurrence of psoriasis is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the body as a whole.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood and liver.You can reduce the likelihood of repeated skin inflammation by strengthening your immune system and cleansing the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Often after cleansing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is greatly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes help strengthen immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants have been used during the treatment of advanced psoriasis.Their need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, immunity must be restored.