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, layering on top of each other and forming raised red patches covered with silvery-white scales.Such sores can appear anywhere, but most often on the head, elbows, knees and lower back.
Here are a few more signs that appear along with the spots:
- itching and burning;
- thickening and tiny pits 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, aka vulgar.The most common type: raised, red and inflamed skin covered with 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 rapid pulse.Purulent bumps appear on the arms, legs and fingers, surrounded by red skin.
- Inverse.Smooth and shiny red spots without scales.Most often they appear in the groin, armpits, under the breasts and buttocks.
- Psoriatic arthritis.In addition to plaques on the skin, it causes pain and swelling of the joints.
Where does psoriasis come from?
Anyone can get psoriasis, but it happens 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 cannot become infected with psoriasis.It is not transmitted by contact with the skin of a patient.
How is psoriasis treated?
There is no way to get rid of psoriasis, but you can relieve its symptoms.Selecting procedures and medications is quite difficult.What works for one person sometimes doesn't work for another.A dermatologist should draw up and adjust the treatment plan.
The doctor may recommend the following.
Creams and ointments for skin
They are used to soften plaques, reduce itching, and slow the growth of skin cells.These are the external remedies:
- hormonal ointments;
- shampoos and ointments with coal tar;
- preparations with retinoids.
Phototherapy
Irradiation of the skin with natural or artificial ultraviolet light is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a dermatologist.Phototherapy is usually used in parallel with external medications.
The easiest form is ordinary sunlight.But even if you decide to sunbathe, you should first discuss this 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 medications to yourself or taking them on the advice of friends is a very bad idea.
Self-medication of 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 this, go to the doctor!
How to Reduce the Frequency of Psoriasis Flares
In addition to the prescribed treatment, do the following:
Don't smoke or drink alcohol.Bad habits treatment is less effective.
Watch your weight.After losing extra pounds, many patients find that medications that didn't work before begin to work.
Eat a balanced diet.This will reduce the risk of complications associated with psoriasis - high blood pressure, 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.Be sure to do this after your shower and before bed.
Take colloidal oatmeal or salt baths every day for 10 minutes.Just make sure the water is not too hot.And do not use harsh soap, which dries out the skin too much.