Psoriasis is an incurable genetic disease, but characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Pathology often leads to severe itching, pain and excessive peeling of the skin, which is why it is so important to know how to relieve an exacerbation of psoriasis and alleviate its condition.
Signs of exacerbation of psoriasis
Relapse of psoriasis begins quickly and acutely. New rashes form on the body after a long period of remission. The areas of the body where the skin is driest are particularly affected: the sacral area, the feet, the palms, the scalp. The patient's condition deteriorates sharply and the following signs appear:
- Formation of a terminal film at the site of the removed scales, especially in guttate psoriasis;
- Severe, sometimes unbearable itching;
- Peeling and redness of the skin in the affected areas;
- Feeling of tight skin.
Papules that appear after remission with a red or pale pink tint have light, rough borders. Gradually, the rash turns into plaques that can reach more than 10 cm in diameter. The scales that cover the affected areas of the skin peel off well and blood may appear underneath.
Best time to relapse
The best time to exacerbate psoriasis is the cold season (winter, autumn), when many viruses and bacteria circulate in the air. There are several reasons for this:
- During the sunny season, the rays have a beneficial effect on the skin and the human body as a whole. Lack of vitamin D3 often leads to relapses.
- In winter, there is a decrease in immunity, which triggers an exacerbation of psoriasis.
At the same time, there is a possibility of exacerbation of psoriasis in summer. The reason is that excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation also have a negative effect on the skin, causing inflammation and the appearance of new plaques.
What causes aggravation
To date, the reliable causes of exacerbation of psoriasis are unknown. What can lead to a relapse of the pathology in some patients is absolutely harmless for others. Let's just name a number of factors that most often lead to the return of psoriasis:
- Stress, chronic fatigue, constant emotional stress;
- Any damage to the skin, both mechanical and chemical;
- Failure to follow the recommended diet. A relapse is possible if the body lacks the necessary minerals and vitamins;
- Deterioration of human immunity due to exposure to various factors;
- Abrupt climate change;
- Excessive alcohol consumption and even smoking;
- Hormonal imbalance caused by taking hormonal medications or dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- Pregnancy, menstruation and menopause are conditions in which hormonal levels also change in the body;
- The use of new cosmetic products that can be applied directly to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis and worsen the course of the disease.
All of the above are only the most obvious and common causes of psoriasis exacerbation. In this case, a relapse can occur even after taking various medications, the simplest and most harmless. Considering this, doctors recommend taking only medications necessary for health reasons.
How to quickly relieve aggravation
Since the symptoms begin to increase rapidly and sometimes become unbearable, the most pressing question is how to quickly relieve an exacerbation of psoriasis. The reason is that the disease has severe and painful symptoms: the patient suffers not only from the appearance of spots, but also from severe itching. All this deteriorates the quality of life.
People suffering from psoriasis note that the most effective ways that can make their lives easier during this period are:
- Sequential baths for large lesions or lotions for small spots. Such solutions relieve itching, but strongly tighten the skin. Accordingly, it is best to take them in combination with petroleum jelly or baby cream.
- Sodium salt and thiosulfuric acid in ampoules. The pharmaceutical preparation can be replaced with natural remedies such as prunes, senna herb, dried apricots or raisins.
- Baths with pine needles and valerian, which can be taken every 2 days. The proportions are as follows: for a bath a bottle of valerian and 50 ml. pine needle extract.
- Lotions with emollient cream and the addition of a decoction of flax seeds. The product promotes rapid healing of cracks and is particularly effective against psoriasis of the palms or soles.
- Rub with vinegar (one tablespoon of vinegar per 0. 5 liters of water). Helps to quickly relieve itching.
All listed recipes will only help relieve acute symptoms, while traditional therapy cannot be considered as treatment. If the disease recurs, you should contact a dermatologist who will prescribe treatment depending on the provoking factor.
The best way to relieve severe itching when it relapses
The most effective way to combat severe itching during a relapse of psoriasis is to take medication. A 1-2% ointment containing salicylic acid in combination with local glucocorticosteroids has been shown to be effective. In this case, it is necessary to take care of the affected skin. The patient should take baths and apply moisturizers to the affected areas.
The following medications will help eliminate severe itching:
- antiallergic medications that will help relieve itching when psoriasis symptoms become unbearable.
- ointments based on tar, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, a synthetic analogue of vitamin D - ointments that help relieve inflammation, itching, soften the skin and disinfect it. Apply to rashes 2-3 times a day.
Relieve inflammation and redness of psoriasis
In addition to systemic treatment, during an exacerbation of psoriasis, medications are also prescribed to help relieve external manifestations of the disease. Ointments, creams, gels, purees, which contain sulfur, tar, solid oil or salicylic acid, help relieve inflammation and redness. The following medications have been shown to be effective:
- Naftalan oil-based ointments;
- zinc oxide ointment;
- salicylic acid ointment;
- products containing tar;
- solid oil products.
These products have an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. They dry the skin, accelerate the healing process of plaques and stimulate the exfoliation process.
If the relapse of the disease is extremely acute, the doctor may prescribe ointments containing hormonal steroids to relieve inflammation. It is strictly forbidden to use such means yourself, as they lead to many harmful consequences.
How to relieve headache aggravation
An exacerbation of psoriasis on the scalp leads to perhaps some of the most unpleasant symptoms. Here you cannot do without complex therapy, which includes:
- Taking medications for various purposes: non-steroidal drugs that relieve inflammation, immune system modulators, sedatives and anti-allergic drugs. It is also recommended to take vitamins B, A and D as part of vitamin complexes.
- Medicines with local effect will help cope with itching and inflammation of the scalp. They have a restorative, antibacterial and exfoliating effect. Ointments are applied to the affected areas of the scalp 2-3 times a day.
- Shampoos for psoriasis.
Before using any of the above remedies, you should consult a specialist. Truly effective treatment can only be prescribed if the factors that caused the exacerbation are taken into account.
How to relieve exacerbation of psoriasis during pregnancy
Hormonal changes during pregnancy are a trigger for psoriasis relapse. During an exacerbation, a woman suffers from severe poisoning and allergies. Red patches form on the body, which itch and hurt. Body temperature rises, appetite disappears.
Exacerbation of psoriasis in pregnant women is a dangerous disease that threatens the health and even life of the child. Miscarriage, premature birth, prematurity - all of these are disastrous consequences of such a disease for pregnant women. It is for this reason that at the first symptoms you should immediately go to the hospital and not self-medicate.
Methods for treating exacerbations of psoriasis
Since most often the factors that caused an exacerbation of psoriasis remain unknown, complex treatment is indicated. Using just one remedy can alleviate the patient's condition, but will not relieve him of all symptoms of relapse. Therefore, comprehensive therapy is used, designed to solve several problems:
- Stop plaque growth and restore skin;
- Eliminate provoking factors;
- Eliminate the possibility of the patient finding himself in stressful situations;
- Cleanse the body and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
The choice of methods and treatment regimen directly depends on the stage and form of the disease, the nature and localization of the plaques, as well as the general condition of the patient.
Medications for relapse
It is impossible to do without medications to combat the exacerbation of psoriasis. The treatment regimen is chosen individually and depends on many factors. But, as a rule, treatment comes down to taking the following medications:
- Sedative drugs that have a calming effect on the nervous system. The most commonly prescribed tinctures are valerian and motherwort.
- Antihistamines.
- Tablets that improve the functioning of the digestive tract and cleanse the body: activated charcoal.
Affected areas of the body are treated with topical medications. These include ointments and creams:
- Zinc and salicylic acid have a beneficial effect on damaged areas: these components must be present in the ointment;
- Solid oil based;
- With tar as the main component;
- Sulfuric ointment.
Since the patient's immunity is weakened during an exacerbation, the doctor may prescribe lipoic or folic acid, vitamin complexes or fish oil as additional treatment.
Physiotherapy
After the acute symptoms of the disease are relieved, the patient is prescribed physical therapy. The following methods of influencing the body have proven to be the most effective:
- UF rays- promote rapid healing of damaged skin.
- Hydrotherapy.Baths with real Dead Sea salts help to cleanse the skin well.
- Cryotherapy- a method, the essence of which is the effect of low temperatures on the affected areas. In addition, it stimulates the immune system well.
- Selective phototherapy.During the procedure, the foci of inflammation are impulsively affected.
- Shock wave therapypromotes rapid healing of the skin.
- Climatotherapy.Patients are often recommended to undergo comprehensive treatment at resorts.
How to relieve an exacerbation at home
You can relieve the most painful manifestations of psoriasis at home. The most commonly used recipes are those that have been tested by time and by hundreds of patients:
- Butter and propolisin a ratio of 500 g to 50 g. All ingredients are placed in a saucepan and cooked over low heat, after the mixture has cooled, add 2 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil. This ointment is applied to the skin 5-6 times a day. After just 6 sessions, people suffering from psoriasis note that the manifestations of the disease practically disappear.
- Onion compresses.To prepare, the onion is ground into a pulp, which is placed in gauze and applied to the affected areas. This method helps relieve inflammation and soften the skin.
Traditional methods
It often happens that you urgently need to stop a seizure, but you do not have the necessary medications. In these cases, lotions will be of great help. To prepare, you need:
- Mix calamus, string, licorice, burdock and nettle leaves in equal quantities.
- A large spoonful of this mixture is poured into a glass of water.
- The infusion is heated over low heat for five minutes, after which it is insisted for another hour.
The following remedies have proven themselves well in the fight against exacerbation of psoriasis:
- Ointment based on birch tar.To prepare, you need to mix alcohol, natural sea buckthorn oil and birch tar in equal quantities. The product is applied to the affected areas, covered with polyethylene and left for 1-1. 5 hours.
- Celandine oil.5 tablespoons of chopped herbs should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil (unrefined) and kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. The finished liquid is infused for 5 days and then used only to treat psoriasis.
Relapse Diet
Compliance with nutritional rules is an important and essential point in the treatment of relapses of psoriasis. It is also important to consume enough vitamins. In order to prevent the appearance of new plaques and eliminate unpleasant symptoms, the following are strictly prohibited:
- Foods rich in carbohydrates (fatty milk and other dairy products, fatty meats and fish).
- Spicy, smoked, sour and salty foods.
- Marinades and pickles.
- Semi-finished products.
Dishes should be prepared in the oven, stewing and boiling. It is better to eat vegetables and fruits, various cereals, as well as vegetable broths and soups.
Nutritionists and dermatologists advise limiting your diet as soon as the first symptoms of psoriasis exacerbation appear. During the first three to five days, you can drink sweet tea or pure water in any quantity, and also eat (a little) black bread.
How to prevent exacerbation, preventive measures
If you follow fairly simple rules of prevention, you can significantly extend the duration of remission and prevent exacerbation. They all boil down to:
- Skin care and hygiene rules.A patient suffering from psoriasis should perform water treatments regularly to avoid drying out the skin. Cosmetic and hygiene products can only be used if they have already been tested and have not caused reactions.
- Diet and proper nutrition.Not only harmful foods should be excluded from the diet, but also bad habits such as alcohol and tobacco. Experienced specialists will help you create the right menu.
- Moderate training.Fitness or swimming not only has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, but also helps strengthen the immune system.
- Maintain a sleep schedule.Sleep should last at least 8 hours and it is recommended to avoid excessive stress at work.
- Take granulated lecithin.This medication improves skin condition and normalizes liver function. Doctors also recommend a drug based on birch mushroom extract and cobalt chloride, which improves immunity, restores hematopoiesis and improves the functioning of the digestive system.
Compliance with preventive measures allows you to forget about exacerbations of psoriasis for a long time. In addition, doctors advise avoiding stressful situations and supporting your body in the fight against psoriasis with vitamin complexes.