Psoriasis, the disease that arising, leads its owner in shock, because since ancient times he was considered a leprosy.Immediately it is almost invisible, manifests itself in the form of red plaques with a raid, but with the development of the disease, the gradually formed spots merge into one large, and then new lesions appear, in other areas of the skin, ugly the human body and sometimes bringing it to insanity.Psoriasis, like other diseases, has its own stages and the sooner measures are taken to combat the disease, the more opportunity to protect the body from total damage.
What are the numbers talking about?
Among all skin diseases, psoriasis occupies almost a quarter of them.According to statistics, about 3% of people from all over the globe are struck by this pathology, residents of the northern countries are more likely to suffer, as well as with a moderate climatic belt, but the tropical population, on the contrary, is subject to pathology much less.It is impossible to say at what age there is no psoriasis, it can develop in any period of life.According to the monitoring of the established diagnoses, the disease more often affects young, on average at the age of 16 to 20 years, this is the time when significant hormonal changes are able to affect malfunctions in the body.The second surge in the disease is observed in people of mature age from 40 to 60 years.
American scientists have revealed that about 65% of patients have a mild form of a disease, in which skin lesion is no more than three percent and, accordingly, does not affect the quality of the patient’s life.In 25% of patients, this figure is about ten percent and in only 8% of people changes on the body exceed a tenth and can reach the total.Another established fact suggests that more than half of the patients have problems with CarbohyDrate exchange.
Stages of psoriasis
Pathology has a chronic form and, in the influence of certain factors, exacerbations occur.Unfortunately, a complete cure of the disease is extremely rare, but it is quite possible to achieve remission (hidden stage), which does not bring discomfort to the patient.
The initial stage
At this stage, the disease is just beginning to manifest itself, rashes are formed on the skin, usually no more than a pin head, which increase with progression.More often, the first papules appear on the bends of the arms and legs, as well as on the site of previously formed scars.It is characteristic of the first plaques that appeared in the indicated places for a long absence of progress towards their increase, such papules are called patrols, they are arranged in parallel.The papules have a pink shade, a few days after their appearance, they are covered with a gray-in-event, this action indicates the beginning of the death of the epithelium and the coating of a new one.When the skin is not affected, this process takes about three weeks, but in people with psoriasis it lasts no more than 5-6 days, due to which the epithelium does not have time to renew and manifests itself in the form of scaly plaques.
Treatment of the initial stage
The main methods of therapy at this stage of the disease are in local drug treatment.They contribute to the removal of uncomfortable sensations, which are mainly in itching, and also accelerate the healing process by reducing the inflammatory process.Ceratolytic drugs for external use are mainly prescribed, they contribute to the dissolution of the affected epithelium.Also take vitamins of group A and D3 and use hormonal ointments.
Progressive stage
The next step in the development of pathology is the progressive stage.The papule is becoming more and more, they are united among themselves into larger plaques, can be of various shapes and sizes.The surface is more abundantly covered with gray scales, their main localization in the center of the plaque, its periphery remains not flaky, glossy, pink.The main symptom of the progress is considered to be the Kebner phenomenon, the essence of which in the ISOMORPHIC reactions, if the skin was subject to any irritant or injury, for example, a scratch in this place, after about a week, new papules are formed.This period is approximate, since cases of their appearance were diagnosed and after three days, and sometimes after twenty days.The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis is so individual that it is quite difficult to call even its approximate period.Its average interval is from two weeks to several months.The name of the stage speaks for itself, it is characterized by an increase in itching and significant progress in the abundance of new plaques, in fact, it is a peak of exacerbation.Treatment in this period should only be complex and as coordinated as possible, it should be present:
- medications;
- physiotherapeutic actions;
- Strictly compliance with the diet.
Depending on the complexity of the process and on the area of skin lesions, a number of drugs and procedures are prescribed, we give a general list of the necessary therapy, but it is important to understand that in different situations a dermatologist makes a decision in favor of a particular method.
Drugs:
- antihistamines;
- Pirogenic;
- sedative;
- anti -inflammatory drugs;
- diuretics;
- keratolytic ointments;
- immunomodulators;
- corticosteroids;
- cytostatics.
The last two groups of drugs are prescribed only with particularly complex processes.
Physiotherapeutic procedures include:
- Puva-therapy;
- ultraviolet irradiation;
- Paraffin applications.
Effective methods, especially with erythroderma and exudative psoriasis, are considered to be hemosorption and plasmapheresis.It also has a beneficial effect on both the physiological state and the psycho-emotional background of sanatorium-resort treatment, especially with Sulfide and radon sources.
Stationary stage
This period of the disease may continue an indefinite period, it replaces the progressive stage, but after some time, it can return to it or go to the last, in front of remission, regressing stage.This stage is characterized by the cessation of growth and the formation of new plaques, their surface is covered with a layer completely, up to the periphery, without leaving a pink rim along the edge of the papule.Discomfort in the form of itching or pain disappears.As a rule, the treatment complex continues with a slight adjustment from the progressive stage.
Important!Do not self -medicate, how quickly you will turn to a specialist for professional, competent help, the success of treatment may depend.
REGRESSING Stage
The process of exacerbation is completed by the regressing stage, it is characterized by a gradual resorption of plaques.Their color is made of bright pink, and sometimes red, acquires a light pink tint, is gradually compared with the total color of the skin or completely discolored.Peeling passes and after a few months as a result of comprehensive, intensive treatment, remission occurs.The papules completely disappear, with the exception of the especially favorite locations of their localization, where the so -called duty rashes on the elbows and knees are located.The period of remission is also individual, in a hidden form of psoriasis, it can be from several months to decades.More often with exacerbations, patients face in the winter, with the exception of several forms of psoriasis.
This separation at the stage is considered rather conditional and at the first visit to the dermatologist, the doctor can not always determine the stage at which the patient’s disease is located, this requires a certain monitoring of him.But with repeated exacerbation, when the disease has years in the patient, he himself begins to be approximately navigated in the stage of pathology.
Unfortunately, world statistics indicate the increasing prevalence of psoriasis.This phenomenon is explained by changes in ecology not for the better, the rapid rhythm of life and related stressful conditions.But despite the prevalence of pathology and the impossibility of complete cure, with properly arranged priorities and systematic preventive actions, psoriasis, can be in a hidden stage for a long time without preventing a person from living a full life.Be healthy!