Psoriasis is a complex systemic disease associated with skin lesions.In a healthy body, cells live for 30-40 days and then renew.As psoriasis progresses, the lifespan of skin cells is 4-5 days.When they die, peeling, patchiness, and dryness occur.Psoriasis is always easier to treat in its early stages, so it's important not to let the disease progress.Treatment of progressive disease is very different.In this article you will learn about treatments only for the initial stages of psoriasis.
disease cause
With psoriasis, the functions of multiple systems are disrupted simultaneously: endocrine, immune, and neurological.Doctors haven't fully understood the cause of the disease, nor have they invented a treatment for psoriasis.
Experts propose the following hypotheses for the development of the disease:
- Viral.The causative agent of psoriasis may be an inherited retrovirus.Many patients have changes in peripheral lymph nodes that may indicate the viral nature of the disease.
- immunity.As immunity weakens and protective mechanisms at the cellular level are disrupted, favorable conditions are created for the progression of psoriasis.One of the causes of the disease also includes an autoimmune attack, a process in which lymphocytes begin attacking the body's own healthy cells.
- Contagious.Many researchers have been searching for the causative factors of psoriasis.Epidermophyton, spirochetes, and streptococci were suspected, but all assumptions remained incorrect.However, scientists have found that infectious diseases: ARVI, influenza, sore throats are triggers for the development of psoriasis.Tonsillitis is present in 90% of cases.
- genetics.Psoriasis is passed from parents to children.60% of patients have relatives with this skin disease.A child's risk of developing the disease increases by 25 percent if either mother or father is diagnosed with the disease, and by 60 percent if both parents have the disease.
- Metabolism.Metabolic disorders (lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) can cause psoriasis.Patients often experience dysfunction of the thyroid gland and other glands of the endocrine system.
Key signs and symptoms
This local disease is not contagious.Damage to skin, nails and hair.A small rash appears on the epidermis, which over time develops into papules - red or bright pink areas that stand out above the skin.Their tops are covered with silvery scales (patches).
The pimples may be a little itchy or not bother you at all, and the peeling is not noticeable.Initially, the size of the affected skin area is 1-2 mm, and over time its size is estimated to be 10 cm or more.
Early stages of psoriasis: Where does the disease affect the body?The main symptoms of the disease in different parts of the body:
- on the head.The scalp is covered with red, scaly patches with large amounts of dandruff-like scales.Hair does not participate in pathological processes.The patient will experience itching.Skin lesions may spread to the neck and behind the ears.
- face.In the initial stages, psoriatic plaques form on the skin around the eyes, eyelids, nasolabial folds, and eyebrow areas.Sometimes, psoriasis affects the mucous membranes of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, and more commonly, the contours of the lips.
- In my arms.Single red papules appear on the palms of the hands and between the fingers.The back of the hand is affected much less frequently.If spots form on your fingertips, sensitivity will be lost over time.Psoriasis can spread to the nails.
- at the elbow.In the initial stage, a single component of psoriasis appears, covered with silvery scales.They then grow into continuous affected areas of skin, and scales and films are easily removed.After this action is completed, the affected area will appear pink and blood droplets will appear.
- On my feet.The skin on the feet and back of the legs is damaged.The symptoms are similar to those of elbow psoriasis: small lesions appear initially, and gradually develop into large areas with bleeding symptoms.
How to treat psoriasis in the early stage and what drugs to use
A permanent cure for psoriasis – how realistic is it?Unfortunately, the answers so far have been disappointing—this autoimmune disease can be corrected, but it’s impossible to get rid of it completely.
Treating psoriasis in its initial stages can achieve good results and eliminate the obvious manifestations of the pathology.Traditional medicine uses ointments, creams, solutions, therapeutic ultraviolet radiation, and systemic medications.There are also grandmother's folk remedies, but the effect is not stable.
hypoallergenic diet
People with different types of psoriasis need to learn the basics of an alkaline diet.Patients need to eat foods that alkalize the internal environment.Their proportion should be 65-75%, and that of acidic foods 25-35%.
General advice:
- One-third of the diet should be raw vegetables and fruits.The menu includes beets, cabbage, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, onions, garlic and celery.
- Another third of the daily menu for psoriasis consists of complex carbohydrates and a limited number of natural sweets.Eat porridge (barley, buckwheat), dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dates).
- The final part of the diet is animal and plant proteins.Eat lean meats, fish, peas, beans, seeds, eggs, nuts.Polyunsaturated fatty acids should also be included in the menu.
- Drink at least 7-10 glasses of clean water every day.Alcohol is prohibited.
- For effective treatment, avoid citrus fruits, fatty dairy products and meats, chocolate, and red foods.Use as little honey as possible.
- It is important to exclude sweet, spicy, smoked and acidic foods from your diet as they have adverse effects on the skin.The amount of salt should be reduced to a minimum.
drug treatment
Initial treatment of psoriasis is successful with medication prescription.There are several groups of them.
Topical preparations: creams and ointments.The drug consists of water, emulsifiers and oils.They are enough to treat the initial stages of psoriasis.
There are two types of ointments: hormonal and non-hormonal.The second group was safer but less effective.
pill.Medications for psoriasis are more commonly used to combat the advanced stages.
Systemic treatment.Its nature (dose, duration of treatment) is determined only by the doctor treating advanced pathological forms.
The complex uses:
- vitamins;
- fatty acid;
- liver protectant;
- immunomodulators;
- anti-allergic agents;
- Medications to remove toxins from the intestines.
physical therapy
What is psoriasis and how is it treated?Treatment complexity is important.In the initial stages of psoriasis, this means proper nutrition, treatment with topical medications and physical therapy procedures.The latter aims to:
- Decreased excitability of the central nervous system;
- Normalization of the patient’s mental state;
- Reduce itching;
- Accelerates the absorption of psoriasis papules.
Electric sleep:
- This is an excellent procedure with sedation.
- As the body recovers completely, the size of the papules decreases and the disease resolves.
- Psoriasis patients undergo 8-10 procedures lasting 20-60 minutes.
- During the first treatment, the patient is immersed in light sleep and then enters deep sleep.
X-ray treatment:
- Treating the affected area of skin with X-rays speeds up the absorption process of psoriasis plaques.
- Treatment includes the use of soft X-rays.
- It is performed every 4-7 days and the total radiation dose is safe (3.5-4Gy).
Ultrasound treatment:
- The skin is treated using ultrasound with a vibration frequency of 800-3000 kHz.
- The procedure eliminates inflammation, itching, and pain, reduces sensitivity to allergens, and kills bacteria.
- The surgical cycle spans from 8 to 14 sessions, each lasting a quarter of an hour.
Among other effective physical treatments for psoriasis, noteworthy are cryotherapy, magnetic field immersion, electrical current therapy and laser therapy.Treatment of psoriasis at home can be accompanied by bathing with sea salt (5 grams of salt per 1 liter of water, temperature - 37-38 ° C, duration 15 minutes, 15-20 times a day).With the onset of illness, it is important to visit a nursing home and participate in a wellness program.
UV irradiation
Treating affected areas of skin with ultraviolet light can effectively treat psoriasis.The wavelength should be 311-313 nm, but experts may recommend a different radiation spectrum.The patient is immersed in a special chamber equipped with ultraviolet light.Before that, he took photosensitizing drugs to improve the effectiveness of the treatment.An effective method of ultraviolet therapy is PUVA therapy.The wavelength is 320-400 nm.In order to achieve a good therapeutic effect, the patient received 25 irradiations, and 80% of the affected area disappeared.
Effective folk remedies for home treatment
Folk remedies can be used in the early stages of psoriasis:
- Treat with egg oil.To get half a cup of this product, you need 20 domestic eggs.After boiling, cook the product for 15 minutes.You need egg yolks.Mash them into a paste, place in an oil-free frying pan and fry over low heat for 45 minutes.Transfer the prepared mass to cheesecloth and squeeze.Apply the oil to the affected area 1-2 times a day until psoriasis symptoms are completely resolved.
- Treat the initial stages with complex psoriasis ointment.Ingredients: 50 grams of birch tar, 20 grams of oil or petroleum jelly, 10 grams of boric acid, 30 grams of honey, 1 egg white, 10 grams of fish oil.Store product in a dark corner.Lubricate pimples 1-2 times a day.
- Treat with celandine juice.Treat the affected skin area with the fresh juice of the root.In the initial phase, this should be done every day throughout the summer for three consecutive seasons.
Children’s Treatment Features
Do not use folk remedies on growing organisms.They don't always work, in which case procrastination is completely unacceptable.If psoriasis occurs in the early stages, parents should take their children to see a dermatologist, who will conduct a comprehensive examination and treatment.If the disease is not too severe, the doctor will prescribe topical skin ointments and creams to the child: keratolytic agents and anti-inflammatory drugs.
Use tar sulfur or salicylic acid ointment to remove the top layer of psoriasis plaques.To do this, apply a bandage to the skin soaked in the active agent and remove it after 3-5 hours.Then the child should be bathed with a rope - this will help to remove the scabs painlessly.The final stage of treatment is the application of a corticosteroid preparation to the skin in doses prescribed by your doctor.Children need to take antihistamines and vitamin complexes.
What psoriasis looks like in its early stages - photos
The first stages of psoriasis are accompanied by damage to certain skin areas of the body.
If you notice a rash like the one in the photo, see a dermatologist immediately.No need to hope in vain that the problem will resolve itself.
This skin condition is complex and requires rapid, comprehensive treatment.The sooner a person sees a specialist, the more favorable the outcome will be.
Successful treatment can lead to rapid remission and restoration of quality of life.