Since psoriasis affects around 4% of the population of the world. It can develop at any age, from birth to old age, but is most psoriasis "loves" the young. This is demonstrated in the fact that 70% of patients develop psoriasis before the age of 20 years.
The symptoms of psoriasis : itching, rash, peeling
Who to contact : doctor-dermatologist
Tests and examinations: biopsy of skin
Methods of treatment: cryotherapy, therapy, PUVA, plasmapheresis
Psoriasis is a chronic non-infectious disease that is most often seen in the form of rashes and flaking of the skin.
Since psoriasis affects around 4% of the population of the world. It can develop at any age, from birth to old age, but is most psoriasis "loves" the young. This is demonstrated in the fact that 70% of patients develop psoriasis before the age of 20 years.
If the skin rashes, resembling psoriasis should consult a dermatologist. Psoriatic lesions represent itching scaly plaques of various sizes. While the plaque psoriasis may be on the elbows, knees, scalp or other parts of the body. The doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and, depending on its form, to prescribe the treatment.
Psoriasis is a reaction abnormal of the organism to external stimuli, which for some parts of the body from the upper layer of the skin dies a lot faster than normal. If you typically the cycle of division and maturation of the skin cells takes 3-4 weeks, in psoriasis this process occurs in only 4-5 days.
Currently, psoriasis is considered a hereditary disease: the basis of disease there is not one but a whole series of reasons – the immune changes and metabolic disorders associated with endocrine and neurological disorders. It can be said that psoriasis is not contagious, and therefore, it is not a contagious disease.
The causes of psoriasis are still not completely found. At this point there are several theories.
According to a theory, there are two types of psoriasis:
According to another theory, the cause of psoriasis is the only immunity disorders caused by several factors: it could be stress, or infectious diseases, or cold climate, or poor diet. For example, he noted that alcohol can cause exacerbation of psoriasis, especially the beer, champagne, spirits and liqueurs. The use of products that contain vinegar, pepper, chocolate, also worsens the disease and can cause exacerbation of psoriasis. According to this theory, psoriasis is a systemic disease. This means that in case of serious violations of the immune system, the process can be extended to other organs and tissues, for example, of the joints. As a result, may develop psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by lesions of small joints of the hands and feet.
The symptoms of psoriasis are inflamed, scaly patches of red color, accompanied by severe itching. These patches (plaques) often is found in the skin of the scalp, knees and elbows in the bottom of the back and in places the folds of the skin . About one-fourth of the patients affects the nails.
In function of the seasonality of relapses (worsening of the disease) there are three types of psoriasis: winter, summer, uncertain. The most common winter types of psoriasis.
In the period of exacerbation of the symptoms of psoriasis on the hands, the knees, the head and also in the lower part of the back and in places skin folds appear in the form of plates of a reddish colour. Their sizes vary from a pinhead to large areas of the palm size and much more.
The eruptions are generally accompanied by flaking and painful itching. In the process of peeling of superficial scales are more dense, arranged in depth (therefore, the second the name of psoriasis — psoriasis). Sometimes the affected areas of the skin appear cracked and festering.
For progressive psoriasis is a feature of the so-called phenomenon Kebner: the development of psoriatic plaques at sites of trauma or scratching of the skin.
About one-fourth of the patients affects the nails. This raises a deep point and stained from the nail plate. In addition, the nail may becomes more thick and crumble.
In the summer, under the influence of the light of the sun, in patients with the form of the winter of psoriasis, the symptoms subside, and sometimes disappear. Patients summer type of psoriasis, on the contrary, it is recommended to avoid exposure to the sun because it worsens the disease.
Diagnose psoriasis by a dermatologist. Should be invited with the appearance of the skin lesions similar to psoriasis — plaques of various sizes, red, itchy and flaky. To clarify the diagnosis may require a skin biopsy.
If the doctor detects a psoriasis in the initial phase, it is very possible that will be assigned predominantly preventive rather than curative means.
When significant symptoms of the disease are used the following methods of treatment of psoriasis:
In no case do not try to deal with psoriasis treatment with ultraviolet radiation without medical advice. In psoriasis, small doses of ultraviolet light are medicinal, and increased, on the contrary, can lead to the development of the disease. The same applies to the sun.
Unfortunately, no one knows how to cure psoriasis completely, because the body "retains the memory" of the disease in the form of biochemical, immunological and functional changes. The recurrence of psoriasis can occur at any time, so that patients with this diagnosis, it should always be seen by a dermatologist.
The success of treatment of psoriasis is largely dependent on the compliance with the diet, which must be physiologically balanced content of fats and carbohydrates.
Psoriasis treatment is a long and complex process, the most important of which are the experience of the treatment, the long-term follow-up of patients and the correct choice of methods and means of therapy. You should always remember that the most important thing in the treatment of this disease is unpredictable, "freight nocere" (do no harm). In many ways, the treatment of psoriasis depends on the patient, from its knowledge of this disease, States of mind, humor, optimism.
Make sure that it's really psoriasis (if the rash appeared for the first time). Remember that the circumstances and events were preceded by the appearance of rashes. It can be a stressful situation, any intoxication — drugs, alcohol, food, etc., prolonged hypothermia, infectious diseases and vaccination, skin trauma (including chemical perms, hair coloring), and so on. Subsequently, when possible, eliminate the impact of these factors on your body.
Possible to remove foods that cause allergic reactions, or limit your consumption. Increase the number of meals, but shortening it to a single volume. The meals are eaten boiled, baked, stewed.
The success of treatment of psoriasis depends largely on the exclusion of spicy dishes, spices and spicy vegetables, condiments (mustard, mayonnaise, etc.), smoked food, strong meat, fish and mushroom broths and sauces. Significantly reduce the intake of salt and salty foods.
During intense progression of the process requires days of fasting and a drastic restriction of consumption of alcoholic beverages. Minimize the consumption of sugar-containing products.
Psoriasis treatment is usually complex and takes into account many factors that contribute to the development or exacerbation of the disease, as well as the compliance with certain rules of supply.
When composing a diet, it is important to remember the inclusion in the diet of foods rich in vitamin E (vegetable oils), C (rosehip, pepper, currant), And beta-carotene (liver, butter, paprika), (fish products), (beef, liver, buckwheat) and bioflavonoid (raisins).
In psoriasis, the skin becomes dry and rough, Horny layer of the epidermis is very thick. Violation of cellular processes, leads to the fact that the skin is increasingly difficult to retain moisture, which suffers from dehydration. Therefore, for psoriasis, it is recommended to use emol.emollients that make the skin more flexible.
For the skin affected by the psoriasis, is characterized by accelerated renewal of the epidermis. The norm for a full update of epidermal cells take 3-4 weeks, but in psoriasis it takes only 4-7 days. Due to the dehydration of the skin becomes dry and less elastic. In addition, it becomes prone to inflammation, therefore, plates that appear in different parts of the body, especially the hands, the feet, the torso and the scalp, have a reddish color. Normally plates covered with thin whitish scales. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that occurs usually after 15 years.
