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How does psoriasis start: symptoms, photos, treatment

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases.It can occur in patients of any age.The etiology of the disease is not yet fully understood, so a complete cure of psoriasis is impossible.That is why it is so important to recognize it in the early stages of development.In this article, we'll look at what psoriasis is, how it manifests itself, and how to treat it.

What is psoriasis

Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease that manifests as a monomorphic skin rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in waves, periods of relapses and remissions are possible.

Relapse can be triggered by lack of proper treatment, alcohol consumption, stress, etc.Rashes in both adults and children gradually spread, affecting more and more skin areas.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of scaly, silver-white, convex, reddish, dry spots.This rash is called 'psoriatic plaques'.

Psoriasis is most often observed in the area of the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, i.e. the place of greatest pressure and friction.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms, soles, and external genitalia.Psoriasis plaques on the face are very rare.

Reasons

Many people wonder whether psoriasis is contagious to others or not.The pathology is not contagious, that is, it does not spread to others.Causes of psoriasis include:

  1. Hereditary tendency.
  2. Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction).
  3. Stress, neuropsychic overvoltage.
  4. Parasitic infections (giardiasis, ascariasis, infection caused by pig or cattle tapeworm).
  5. Metabolic pathologies (silicon deficiency is particularly dangerous).
  6. Proneness to allergies.
  7. Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
  8. Weak immune system.
  9. Long-term use of drugs.

In most cases, psoriasis appears between the ages of 15 and 30 for one or more reasons. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of patients with psoriasis have relatives who suffer from this disease.

Psoriasis symptoms in the initial stage

To recognize how psoriasis begins, you need to familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.Be careful:

  • the development of brightly colored skin rashes with clearly visible edges (most often they appear at the site of injury - burns, cuts, frostbite);
  • the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plaque;
  • itching of psoriatic formations (manifests only in half of the cases due to weakened immunity);
  • swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash appears.

At first, the rash is very small, about the size of a pinhead.They are hemispherical and have a smooth, shiny surface.After a few days, the rashes increase in size and are covered with light scales that can be easily separated.When the plaque is scraped off, drops of blood appear on its surface, which indicate actual bleeding.

Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this secretion and form a rough crust.If you remove it, you will be left with wet areas underneath.Such phenomena are dangerous due to the addition of a secondary bacterial infection.

In the early stages of psoriasis, it usually lasts 2-3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow to 5-7 cm, merge and form entire conglomerates that cover large areas of the skin.

What does psoriasis look like in the early stages

Now let's see what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different places.To facilitate detection, we present the corresponding photos.

  1. Legs.The disease begins with a single small rash, which is mainly located on the knees and feet, but can also be observed on any surface of the legs.
    2. The initial stage of psoriasis on the surface of the feet
  2. Elbows.In most cases, the plaque type of psoriasis appears in this place, which is characterized by very strong peeling and small rashes.The skin of the elbow will be rough.
    3. Psoriatic plaques on the elbows of the initial stage of the disease
  3. Hands.In this area, psoriasis suddenly appears in the form of a small rash, which many people mistake for an allergy.They can consult a doctor only after the appearance of dry scales.Rashes are often localized between the fingers on the palm.
    4. A rash of the initial stage of psoriasis on the arm
  4. Head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, around the ears and the back of the head.Rashes in this area are characterized by moist scales and are almost always itchy.
    5. Early-stage psoriasis on the scalp
  5. Face.The rash affects the nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.
    6. Rashes on the eyelids in the early stages of psoriasis
  6. Nails.Psoriasis appearing on the nails is more of a fungal disease.First, longitudinal stripes or dots appear on the edge of the nails, and then they spread to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate itself becomes dull and thickens.
    7. Longitudinal stripes on the nails - manifestations of the initial stage of psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis

Therapy should begin with a visit to a dermatologist. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate.In the initial stages of psoriasis treatment, it should be comprehensive.Today, new treatment methods have been developed that help to completely get rid of scaly rashes, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During the therapy, you should exclude all factors that cause the exacerbation of the pathology, change your diet and follow a special diet.

Drug therapy

Treatment tactics for early-stage psoriasis are gradually changing.If earlier hormonal drugs with a general effect were prescribed, now local agents are widely used.

The following ointments relieve the symptoms of psoriasis well:

  1. Keratolytic and moisturizing.
  2. Vegetable.
  3. Glucocorticoid.
  4. Cytostatic.
  5. Solid oil based.
  6. Petroleum based.

The doctor can also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:

  • paraffin baths;
  • PUVA therapy;
  • UV irradiation;
  • sulphide and radon baths.

Electrosleep and magnetic laser therapy are beneficial.Cryotherapy (cold treatment) and hirudotherapy (leech treatment) are becoming increasingly popular.

When treating psoriasis on the head, you should not comb the skin.The head should be washed daily with medicated shampoos containing zinc, tar and selenium sulphide.

Treatment at home

Before using any prescription, consult your doctor so as not to provoke the development of complications. Treatment with traditional medicine is primarily aimed at strengthening the immune system and alleviating inflammatory processes.That is why you should drink vitamin teas - infusions of rosehips, lemons, viburnum, raspberries, chamomile, etc.It is recommended to add honey to herbal teas.

The most effective home remedies are:

  1. Celandine.It relieves inflammation well and soothes the skin.Plaques should be smeared daily with the juice of this plant.
  2. Hydrogen peroxide.Initially, dilute the peroxide with water in a ratio of 1:3 and use the solution to rub the psoriatic rash for disinfection.Use before applying ointment or lotion.
  3. Linseed oil.It perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice a day.
  4. baking soda.It neutralizes the acidity of the skin, which increases with psoriasis.
  5. Solid oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the disease.Apply to the affected areas before going to bed.

Prevention and recommendations

In order to reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these guidelines:

  • regularly moisturizes the skin with creams;
  • avoid skin damage burns, scratches, bites, etc.in the form of;
  • strengthen your immune system, do sports and walk more in the fresh air;
  • stop bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
  • Take only medicines prescribed by a doctor.

It is especially important to note the special diet for psoriasis. It helps to achieve remission faster and reduces the duration of relapse of the disease.The table below contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.

Products Licensed Limited use It is forbidden
Fish and meat turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish lean beef and lamb pork, sea fish
Cereals and flour products oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes rice semolina, puff pastry, bakery products made from wheat flour, bread
Dairy products low-fat cottage cheese, skimmed milk kefir, fermented baked milk, sour cream cheese
Vegetables carrot, broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, lettuce, green beans corn, pumpkin bell peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant
Fruits and berries kiwi, pineapple, mango, grape, nectarine, cherry plum, blueberry, currant, cranberry, avocado strawberry, citrus, red apple
Nuts almond pine nuts everyone is different
Sweets dried apricots, raisins, dates Honey chocolate, sweets and other confectionery products
Spices dill, parsley, green onion horseradish, garlic, onion pepper, cloves, nutmeg
Oils sunflower, olive, cotton, corn butter spreadable, margarine
Drinks medicinal teas, fruit juices, compotes green tea black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol

Don't forget about the drinking system.You should drink 1.5-2 liters of drinking water per day.

Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes a lot of discomfort.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent approach to treatment, a stable remission can be achieved.For this, you need to contact a dermatologist.In the initial stages of psoriasis, it responds well to drug therapy.You should not self-medicate, as this only worsens the course of the disease.