A large percentage of the world's population suffers from psoriasis. All ages are affected by this disease, for, having appeared once, the disease will never be cured again.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes and symptoms of psoriasis in adults, as well as folk and drug-based treatment methods, find out what experts in the field of psychosomatics think.
Causes
According to statistics, most often the first symptoms of psoriasis can appear at the age of fifteen to twenty-five years in the event that a person has a predisposition to psoriasis. Psoriasis is chronic. This means that no matter what stage the sick person is in, what drugs are used for treatment and for how long, it will not be possible to get rid of the disease completely and forever.
The main cause of psoriasis is still unknown. Scientists believe that if the psoriasis appeared before the age of twelve, the hereditary factor plays the main role in this case. If an elderly person suffers from psoriasis, then psoriasis is associated with the work of the immune system, as well as the negative effects of bacteria and viruses. The main causes of psoriasis in adults are:
- Heredity. According to studies, the majority of people with psoriasis have patients with the same disease in the family, or who have other chronic skin conditions.
- Genetic disorders that appear when special viruses and bacteria enter can lead to changes in the structure of chromosomes. The risk of this process increases with violations of the immune system.
- Secondary infection of the skin, purulent inflammation increases the risk of the onset of the disease.
- Violation of the metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates. If the indicators deviate from the norm according to the biochemical blood test, the risk of developing the disease increases. There are also changes in the functioning of the endocrine and cardiovascular systems.
- Chronic inflammatory process in a patient, such as tonsillitis, sinusitis, otitis media. Patients with psoriasis have a high level of lymphocytes and leukocytes in the blood.
- In climatic conditions unsuitable for the patient's skin, that is, with dry or too humid air, violations of the division of skin cells are observed.
- Stress, depression, anxiety can lead to the development of psoriasis.
- Taking antibiotics and immunomodulators leads to the appearance of symptoms of psoriasis.
- The abuse of alcohol and tobacco increases the risk.
- Other disorders of cell division of the skin.
- Insufficient amount of vitamins and minerals entering the body.
- Poor diet, eating foods with a lot of allergens.
- Overweight.
These factors cause the onset of psoriasis. Diseases of internal organs also contribute to this.
In the event that the patient notices the appearance of rashes, dryness, roughness, then you should consult a doctor for a diagnosis, since the external symptoms of most skin diseases in the early stages of their development are similar.
In order to assume what kind of disease the patient develops before diagnosis, you need to look at the photos of symptoms of psoriasis in adults on the forums or in a special section of the site, after which you should definitely consult a doctor, because theSelf-diagnosis may prove to be incorrect, and poor self-selection of drug remedies may worsen health.
If a person suffers from psoriasis, drugs are prescribed for him to maintain the state of remission, recommendations are given so that a relapse does not occur.
But even in this case, a relapse still occurs after a few years, and various factors such as stress, anxiety, diseases of the endocrine system, contact with chemicals, taking antibiotics, hormonal agents and immunomodulators, bad habits, dysfunction of the system the immune system can accelerate it and other reasons.
The disease is seasonal and can recur each year at certain times of the year. Usually, psoriasis in patients returns during the winter season, when the skin does not get enough sunlight, and as it warms up, the symptoms go away. A change in climatic conditions can contribute to the relapse.
According to psychosomatics, psoriasis in adults is associated with its position in life. The more positive a person is about everything, the easier their psoriasis.
Symptoms
Symptoms in many patients vary in their activity, but the general characteristics of the disease remain.
First of all, the main symptom of psoriasis is a red rash, a photo of which can be seen in the section. At the very beginning of the disease, pink or red papules appear on the skin, which may flake off.
If the patient does not take the appropriate measures at this stage, the affected area may increase, causing the skin to turn red, swell, unbearable itching may appear, due to which the patient scratches the affected areas. An infection can get into the scratches, causing a secondary infection.
After that, sores form in the combed areas, which may begin to bleed with additional combing. The skin hardens, dries out, and white or gray patches form on the skin. Often, psoriasis develops not only on the skin, but even on the nails.
Then the rashes become redder, the affected areas become more noticeable, the plaques are larger. The border between healthy skin and diseased skin is perceptible. Diseased areas may be slightly elevated above healthy areas.
Patients suffer from itching, pain and irritation of the skin. In the event that the patient neglected the recommendations of the doctor and did not start the prescribed treatment, not only will the symptoms not go away, but they will also get worse.
If the patient observes all the advice of a dermatologist, the symptoms will disappear, the itching and irritation will disappear, the redness will gradually disappear. The skin will become hydrated and soft. Here the disease goes into remission.
But after that, a relapse of psoriasis may occur, characterized by the appearance of new areas of damage. Plates reappear, a thermal film may appear under the plates, which tears and bleeds when scratched. Again, a secondary infection can enter the wounds. Cracks appear on the dry skin.
The disease is localized in different parts of the body, but psoriasis usually appears in the scalp, on the elbows and knees, feet and palms.
A pregnant woman can also get psoriasis. She should pay twice as much attention to her health, as illness without proper treatment can lead to miscarriage.
Psoriasis treatment
Treatment of psoriasis begins with the first diagnosis of the disease by the attending physician. Since many skin diseases have similar symptoms, especially early in the development of the disease, special studies will be needed for diagnosis.
The patient should be assigned to donate blood for testing, and a skin biopsy is also taken for a more detailed study of the skin cells. Many experienced dermatologists determine the disease only by external signs, but research provides more detailed information about the condition of the patient's skin.
First of all, a patient with psoriasis is prescribed a special diet that excludes any allergens from the diet, helps to stop the production of histamine, and, as a result, relieve the symptoms of skin diseases.
It is imperative to give up fast food because it lacks vitamins and minerals useful for health and immunity, which patients with psoriasis need. Patients should give preference to products with sufficient amount of vitamins and nutrients.
You can not eat sweet, spicy, fried, smoked, salty and pepper, strong coffee and tea, fruits and vegetables with red pigment.
Folk remedies for adults
Traditional methods remain popular to this day among many patients with psoriasis, although doctors do not recommend resorting to them, since the consequences of such therapy are unknown. It is imperative to consult the attending physician throughout the treatment, as tests must be performed to verify the effectiveness of the treatment process.
Typically, home medicine methods include the following products for relieving symptoms of psoriasis:
- Various herbal remedies that patients collect and dry both on their own and buy all made in pharmacies, which is more recommended. Herbs are brewed and compresses are made, external treatment of the skin is carried out.
- Homemade ointments are also widely used by patients. Patients choose such products as propolis, solidol, sea buckthorn oil for ointments. After mixing, these components should be applied to the affected areas. The mixture will remove inflammation, relieve itching and irritation of the skin.
- Baths are used everywhere for the treatment of skin conditions. They are also prescribed by doctors as part of complex therapy. Ingredients such as sea salt, celandine juice, calamus root and many other medicinal herbs are added to the baths. As a rule, the patient is given about twenty minutes of bathing. During this time, the substance added to the water will remove inflammation, normalize blood circulation and improve the condition of the dermis. Sea salt is also used in the form of a compress, which can be used when the disease is localized to a small area of the skin.
- Tar ointments are also effective in treating the symptoms of psoriasis. Variants of ointments include ointment made from tar, sea buckthorn oil and salicylic alcohol, taken in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is applied to the affected areas and covered with polyethylene. Then wash off the ointment with water.
Folk remedies are usually used as part of complex therapy to increase the effectiveness of drugs. In an independent form, folk recipes rarely help to eliminate the symptoms of psoriasis.
Medications
Researchers around the world have developed a unique treatment regimen for various skin conditions. According to her, therapy should be carried out with the following objectives:
- Suppress the main symptoms of skin diseases. With psoriasis, it is redness and peeling of the skin.
- Inflammation of the skin.
- Unpleasant appearance of the skin, redness, gray patches often lead to the fact that patients have complexes about their skin. The quality of life of patients with psoriasis is generally lower than that of healthy people.
Usually, a whole range of various drugs are prescribed to eliminate psoriasis. Treatment can take a long time, also psoriasis may come back after a while and then it will need to be treated again. It is recommended to follow preventive measures in order to minimize the risk of relapse.
The complex for the treatment of skin psoriasis in adults includes not only drugs, but also recipes of folk medicine, which increase the effectiveness of drugs. A special diet for patients with psoriasis should also be followed, which excludes allergens from the diet.
It is recommended to undergo physical therapy, which also has a preventive effect.
Patients are prescribed drugs from various groups.
Antihistamines block the production of histamine, which eliminates symptoms such as itching, swelling, skin irritation, redness, which is anything associated with an allergic reaction.
Sedatives can reduce irritation, redness, itching, and other symptoms of psoriasis.
Preparations that eliminate inflammation and relieve pain.
Necessarily, the treatment complex includes preparations in the form of ointment for psoriasis on the skin in adults. They can be either non-hormonal, that is, they contain only natural ingredients that do not bring systemic side effects, or hormonal, containing an active ingredient in the composition, which effectively relieves symptoms. psoriasis.
Non-hormonal agents include salicylic, tar, and ichthyol ointments. There are non-hormonal products in the form of creams, solutions.
It is recommended to take absorbents - activated carbon.
In the event of complications, many patients are prescribed immunomodulators, that is, drugs that correct the functioning of the immune system.
It is also recommended to take courses in physiotherapy, for example, ultraviolet radiation, cryotherapy, laser radiation.
Prophylaxis
If a person has been diagnosed with psoriasis, they should immediately begin treatment, observing all recommendations of the doctor. The sooner a person reaches remission, the faster they can return to the previous rhythm of life.
It is also recommended to engage in supportive care or follow preventive measures that will protect against relapse.
Skin contact with external irritants and aggressive substances should be limited. For example, do not come into contact with chemicals and, if necessary, use protective equipment.
You should not stay in direct sunlight for a long time, as too much ultraviolet radiation can cause a relapse.
You should also prevent the patient from getting into stressful situations that contribute to the relapse. In order not to be stressed, you need to drink the herbal preparations prescribed by the neurologist.
In addition, you should not allow a sharp drop in temperature or humidity. Too dry or humid air causes aggravation.
You should also take care of the skin, moisturize it with the help of skin care products.
A visit to the sea is recommended, because there is salt water, which has a positive effect on the skin, especially in psoriasis.
It is recommended to follow proper nutrition and consume vitamin and mineral complexes.