Psoriasis - what is, where it happens, symptoms, treatment and diet
Psoriasis is considered the most common form of chronic dermatosis. Statistics show that about 5 percent of the world's population suffers from this disease. From the article you will learn what psoriasis is, where it happens, what are its symptoms and how to treat it at home.
Psoriasis is a non-infectious and non-contagious chronic disease. At the same time, the disease is dangerous and gives the owner discomfort, which cannot but affect the quality of life.
The first signs of psoriasis
Psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of dry red spots raised above the skin. However, not every patient has visible signs and pronounced lesions of the skin. Spots are commonly called plaques. They are areas of chronic inflammation characterized by excessive neoplasm of skin lymphocytes and macrophages.
The duration of the life cycle of skin cells in psoriasis does not exceed 5 days, after which they die. In normal condition, the cells live for a month. According to doctors, psoriasis is systemic. Vivid evidence of this is the pathology and disorders that appear in patients.
In most cases, plaques appear on areas of the skin that regularly undergo friction and pressure - buttocks, knees and elbows. There are frequent cases when psoriasis affects the head, face, genitals, hands and feet.
Psoriasis is an extremely dangerous disease, accompanied by periodic pain, itching, oozing and cracked skin. This is only the tip of the iceberg; serious complications subsequently appear. Patients may develop a specific form of arthritis, which is considered the most dangerous manifestation of psoriasis. It is impossible to confirm such a diagnosis without clinical examination.
Where does psoriasis happen?
None of the parts of the human body is immune from the appearance of psoriatic plaques. I propose to consider those places in which psoriasis appears most often.
On the head
On the head, psoriasis appears with a general disease of the skin and manifests itself in the form of single red plaques covered with thick scales. Exfoliated scales resemble dandruff, the patient experiences severe itching, and thick crusts can bleed. In some cases, temporary local hair loss is not ruled out.
On the body
You can notice the red spots of psoriasis on the feet, hands, palms, even on the nail plates of the hands and feet. Since psoriasis is a chronic disease, periods of improvement alternate with repeated relapses. The size of the plaques is determined by the severity and stage of the disease.
On the nails
Amazed by psoriasis and nail plates, which exfoliate and change color. It is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and pain syndromes. Pathology is chronic in nature and proceeds undulating. Nail psoriasis gives a person psychological and physical discomfort. The treatment is long and only helps to eliminate the symptoms of dermatitis and return to normal life.
Stages of psoriasis
Modern doctors distinguish 3 stages of psoriasis. Symptoms of the disease and treatment are directly dependent on the stage.
The main stages of psoriasis
- Progressive. Point elements appear on the body, characterized by peripheral growth. They merge with each other, as a result, instead of small rashes, large plaques of various shapes and sizes appear. With progressive psoriasis, rashes sometimes occur at the site of skin injuries, scratches, cuts, bites, burns or injections.
- Stationary. This stage begins a few weeks after the onset of the disease. At this stage, new spots no longer appear. Old skin lesions are covered with a large number of silver-white flakes.
- Regressive. At this point, the plaques dissolve and become pale in color. Around the rash, the skin is discolored. The duration of the regressive stage is several months. Under the influence of treatment, the disease disappears, leaving behind several spots of duty.
Regrettably, it is extremely rare to completely cure psoriasis. During treatment, the disease goes into a latent stage, the duration of which is months, years, and even decades. When the next relapse occurs, it largely depends on the patient's implementation of the recommendations and prescriptions of the doctor.
Symptoms and causes of psoriasis
The results of the latest study are amazing. Scaly lichen is observed in a large number of the planet's population of all age categories. At the same time, the peak falls at the age of fifteen.
Causes
Doctors have not been able to compile a list of the exact causes of psoriasis. I propose to consider the reasons, depending on the nature.
- Viral. Viruses that adversely affect the functioning of the lymph nodes. It is extremely problematic to identify these microorganisms and determine their habitat. It is noteworthy that the blood of a sick person after transfusion does not infect a healthy patient. Therefore, this reason for the appearance of psoriasis is considered to be unproven.
- Immune. Generally accepted reason. The triggering mechanism is the gene process, in which the immune link is disrupted. An infectious disease, tonsillitis or sinusitis, can lead to psoriasis.
- Infectious. Initially, scientists were of the opinion that spirochetes, streptococci and even epidermophytons are to blame. Research results have not confirmed this theory. New hypotheses indicate that the development of psoriasis is caused by infectious diseases, including tonsillitis and flu.
- Genetic. We are talking about inheritance predisposition to the disease. Clinical practice shows that many face the manifestations of scaly lichen, however, it is not always possible to trace the connection with the hereditary predisposition.
Symptoms
- At the initial stage of the disease, rashes appear on the skin. In the list of typical places: head, sacrum, elbows and knees.
- The skin is covered with nodules of red color with white scales. Initially, the cutaneous lesions are no larger than the pinhead, however, they increase over time.
- Later, the spots grow and merge, forming plaques. The appearance of rashes is accompanied by fever, itching, burning, enlarged lymph nodes.
- When the disease goes into the second stage, the appearance of new spots stops. Old formations begin to peel off, itch and cause discomfort.
- Sometimes psoriasis affects the joints. At the same time, they swell and lose their original mobility. Lack of treatment can lead to disability.
We examined the causes of psoriasis and identified the symptoms of this chronic disease. The time has come to talk about treatment methods using folk recipes and purchased medicines.
How to treat psoriasis at home
The technique for treating psoriasis is being improved regularly. Every year, new drugs and techniques appear. However, there is no way to treat dermatitis, which provides an absolute result. In the 21st century, medicine is powerless against psoriasis.
Folk remedies
During the Inquisition, psoriasis was considered a disease of damned people. For this reason, only conspirators and healers who acted in conditions of strict secrecy cured the disease. Today, everything is different, in pharmacies specialized medicines are sold, but folk remedies still remain relevant.
In the treatment of psoriasis at home, decoctions and infusions help. They purify the blood, normalize the functioning of the nervous and digestive systems, increase immunity. This will create conditions under which psoriasis cannot develop normally.
- Burdock infusion. Recipe: steam a tablespoon of burdock with a glass of boiling water and insist for an hour under the lid. Strain, squeeze and add boiling water to fill the glass. I advise you to use the drug 4 times a day before meals. This will get rid of psoriasis and normalize the work of the stomach.
- Root infusion. Mix a spoonful of dandelion root with the same amount of burdock root, pour a small glass of boiling water and boil for exactly 10 minutes on minimum heat. Strain and use hot infusion of 100 milliliters before a meal.
- Barley decoction. Pour two tablespoons of barley malt flour into a thermos, add a liter of boiling water and leave for 4 hours. After filtering, the product is ready for use. By adding honey or sugar, the taste of the medicine will become more pleasant. It is recommended to use barley broth 6 times a day in half a glass.
- Laurel broth. Break 20 grams of medium-sized bay leaves and steam with two glasses of boiling water. Boil the potion for 10 minutes, strain, cool and consume 0.5 cups three times a day. The duration of treatment is 7 days.
- Celandine infusion. Pour a teaspoon of celandine grass with a glass of hot water and set aside for at least half an hour. It is recommended to drink the broth 30 minutes before meals. The celandine is poisonous, so do not change the dosage.
Alternative medicine also offers external treatment-oriented psoriasis products - lotions, lotions and ointments. Such folk remedies eliminate redness, reduce discomfort and swelling.
- Salve ointment. Mix 0.5 cups of fresh baked lard with a similar amount of caustic sediment herb, treat the resulting composition with a meat grinder, add 2 tablespoons of camphor oil and warm. During heating, mix constantly.
- Garlic compress. Using a press, make gruel from a couple of garlic cloves, pour a small glass of boiling water and insist 3-5 hours. Ready to use infusion in the form of a compress several times a day.
- Egg ointment. Combine a glass of butter with a glass of vinegar and one raw egg, mix thoroughly and place in the refrigerator for a week. The resulting ointment is applied to the skin affected by psoriasis 7-8 times a day.
- Fish fat. If you want to get rid of psoriasis, fish oil will come to the rescue. Apply to affected skin three times a day.
- Celandine Lotion. Celandine juice wipe plaques. Lotion helps only with mild psoriasis.
Traditional medicine offers a large number of treatments for psoriasis.
Do not forget, alternative methods do not replace consultation with a doctor and medication.Medical facilities
Even teenagers and young people experience psoriasis. Even if the disease is mild, a person may have serious psychological problems. We are talking about social isolation, low self-esteem and a sense of shame.
We have already learned how to solve the problem with the help of traditional medicine. It's time to consider the medical treatment for psoriasis.
- When dermatitis progresses, doctors prescribe salicylic ointment or hormonal drugs, with anti-inflammatory effects. At first, light medicines, including hydrocortisone, are used. With repeated exacerbation, accompanied by a pronounced inflammatory process, stronger drugs are used: Vipsogal, Belosalik or Sinalar. Using them for two weeks, you can achieve a regression of rashes.
- Recently, non-halogenated glucocorticoids have been used to treat psoriasis. The composition of these drugs lacks fluorine and chlorine, the likelihood of a side reaction is significantly reduced. Drugs like Elocom or Advantan are used in the medical treatment of the disease in children and the elderly.
- Creams and ointments are used in the treatment, which include Ditranol, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. In the list of such medicines is Psorax and Cygnoderm. Doctors prescribe these drugs in increasing dosage according to a long or short-term technique. They have side effects, including itching and local swelling.
- In the fight against psoriasis, a new drug called Psorcutan was also used. The medicine directly affects the factors that cause the disease. The results of the study showed Psorcutan improves skin condition in a month and a half, reducing the number of rashes.
Medical supplies can be bought at pharmacies. Just remember that the material is for guidance only and you must consult a doctor before using any of the listed tools.
Diet for Psoriasis
Nutritionists have developed several dozen diets. I will describe those foods that should be included in the daily diet of patients with psoriasis.
- Vegetables. Bright vegetables contain antioxidants that reduce inflammation.
- Porridge made from cereals. Buckwheat, oatmeal and brown rice contain antioxidants and fiber.
- Lentils, peas, beans, tofu. They contain plant fiber and protein.
- Vegetable fats. We are talking about avocados, seeds, nuts and vegetable oils. Saturated fats protect cells from damage and help cope with rashes.
- Fish. Source of protein and beneficial acids. Fish dishes can be eaten every other day. In this case, preference should be given to salmon, sardines, mackerel and tuna.
- Meat. Ideally, it is recommended to choose low-fat varieties, chicken or turkey.
Alcoholic beverages should be limited, at least initially. In some people, alcohol provokes new exacerbations.
In general, you need to eat nutritious food and daily introduce new foods saturated with vitamins into the diet. It’s not worth eating porridge all day.