Psoriasis is a disease whose mechanisms of occurrence are still not fully understood.However, it has been precisely established that a number of failures occur in the immune system, as a result of which skin cells begin to divide at a very high speed, without having time to die physiologically.This is how a psoriatic plaque begins to form - an itchy formation covered with whitish scales (the very cells whose life cycle turned out to be too short).
An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a dermatologist after an examination, but knowledge of the characteristics of the stages of the disease will help to draw the first conclusions about the nature of the skin changes that appear.
Psoriasis or not?
The disease goes through 3 stages:
- Progressive.The onset of the disease can be sudden and may be preceded by severe stress or hormonal imbalance.A small reddish spot about the size of a pinhead appears on the skin.Gradually, the surface of the changed skin rises - this is a papule; silvery scales of keratinized skin are visible on it.Papules unite into plaques, the skin is very itchy, and when scratched, it becomes wet due to injury to the surface layer.
- Stationary.After a certain time, the pathological process stops.No new spots and papules appear; existing plaques are covered with a gray crust with scales that peel off easily.This period is characterized by a decrease in the inflammatory process, the gradual disappearance of itching, but the symptoms do not completely go away.
- Regressive.At this stage, a decrease and subsidence of plaques is noticeable, the skin acquires a shade close to normal.Peeling and itching disappear.After the resorption of pathological elements, pigmented patterns in the form of a ring remain on the skin, which is due to the uneven disappearance of plaques from the central part.After a few weeks, the last traces of spots and papules disappear, only mild foci of depigmentation remind of psoriasis.
The duration of the stages described may vary for each patient.The Regressive stage does not indicate recovery - exacerbation can begin unpredictably and suddenly.
How to recognize psoriasis at an early stage?
Therapeutic measures for psoriasis give the best effect at an early stage, which explains the particular importance of accurate diagnosis.Only a dermatologist can determine whether it is psoriasis or another disease after examination and testing.However, the patient himself may suspect this pathology if he pays sufficient attention to the emerging symptoms.
The following signs are more likely to indicate the development of this disease:
- The first plaques appear on the elbows, knees, hairline, or where the skin experiences the most friction or contact with clothing;
- the rash is accompanied by severe itching, silvery scales easily peel off from the surface of the skin;
- after removing the scales, slightly damp skin with spots of blood is found (symptom of pinpoint bleeding);
- later, tiny indentations often appear on the nails, as if made by the point of a needle.
Psoriasis can be easily confused with various types of lichen, dermatitis and eczema, so at the first changes in the skin it is better to consult a dermatologist so as not to harm yourself by using inappropriate products.The prescribed complex treatment suppresses the uncontrolled proliferation of epidermal cells, reduces itching and flaking, restores the barrier function of the skin and prevents infection.