People who suffer from psoriasis, it is in the world of quite a few — according to the most optimistic estimates — more than 3% of the total population of the planet. Psoriasis — a disease which manifests itself in the emergence of rashes in the form of pink plaques with scales silver in color, often accompanied by itching. However, this is just the tip of the iceberg. On the basis of the disease lie until the end of unexplored processes.
Psoriasis — a mysterious enemy
With psoriasis the skin cells start to divide to 6-10 times faster than they should. This leads to chronic inflammation of the skin sheets and peeling.
Scientists have studied psoriasis for many decades, however, a clear answer to the question: why appear psoriasis? — modern science is still not. This disease is not contagious, but is able to be transmitted by inheritance. Deterioration can trigger a variety of external and internal factors: stress, skin injuries, use of some medicines (most often antibiotics), alcohol abuse, infectious diseases (caused by Streptococcus, viruses, etc.).
Manifestations of psoriasis are varied: the surface of the lesions may be dry or weeping, can be surprised on different parts of the body. In some patients the knees and elbows, the other — the palms and the soles of the feet, the third — the large folds of the skin or mucous membranes, or nail plate. Sometimes psoriasis affects a very large size of the body, sometimes localized only in restricted places and never spread further.
Without exaggeration we can say that the psoriasis — one of the most mysterious diseases. Scientists have found out exactly what's going on in the body of the patient with psoriasis and to relieve his condition, but it remains unclear what is the cause of these pathological changes and how they can be prevented.
Interesting fact Winston Churchill fought all his life with psoriasis and promised to create a golden monument to the doctor who solved the mystery of this disease and find effective treatment. Unfortunately, the awards and found its owner.
Why appear psoriasis?
The exact reasons science doesn't know, but after years of examining the problem arose a few hypotheses:
- The autoimmune theory. All the matter in the increased concentration of T-lymphocytes, which leads to permanent inflammation of the affected area of the skin. The body like they start to perceive their own skin in the role of aggressor.
- The hereditary theory which explains psoriasis defects of the DNA.
- The endocrine theory, according to which psoriasis arises due to disorders in the functioning of the system of internal secretion, especially the pituitary and thyroid glands.
- The exchange theory. The researchers found that patients with psoriasis are observed problems with the accumulationis lipidorum and nitrogenous draw, as well as increased content of toxins in the body.
All these theories have a right to exist, but so far neither one of them is not demonstrated in full. Therefore, the modern treatment of psoriasis is aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, reducing disease relapses, and the overall recovery of the organism.
By the way Symptoms similar to the symptoms of psoriasis, described in detail even in roman medical treatises. But in those days, the psoriasis often confused with other skin diseases of a completely different origin. For the first time, psoriasis has been recognized as a separate disease only in the year 1799, and at the end of the 19th century, doctors have shown its non-transferable nature.
Who is prone to the disease?
Psoriasis does not distinguish the sex of them as well often sick, and women and men. Usually psoriasis manifests itself at a young age — top accounting for 15-25 years. However, if you haven't had psoriasis, in my youth, it does not mean that the danger has passed — sometimes the first manifestations of psoriasis to appear around the age of 50-60 years. The good news is only in the fact that in people with psoriasis at a later age, this disease is less expressed.
If one of the parents suffers from psoriasis, the risk of developing the disease in the child is about 25%, and if both — 60%. However, with psoriasis also suffer from the children of parents who never with this already been met.
According to statistics, the most commonly psoriasis affects people with thin, fair, dry skin.
The first symptoms of the disease
Psoriasis begins quietly: in the first stage of development of the disease affects a small area of the skin, as usual — on the joints of the limbs, the hair of the head and along the line of growth of hair. Sometimes the first manifestations of psoriasis occur in the place of permanent mechanical irritation of the skin, to put it simply, there where clothes crunches and friction. First, the person feels itching and a feeling of pressure on the skin, then appear small islands of towering red, flaky skin. These spots are formed of gray dead skin flakes of skin, like the wax particles, which are easily separated. Sometimes these plaques are wet on their surface to form the salaries of oatmeal-apply a yellowish color. When removing the last exposed weeping, bleeding surface. Gradually food stamps grow and merge with each other, hitting all the large areas of the skin.
Symptoms of psoriasis different types
We distinguish several types of psoriasis:
Seborrheic psoriasis. Most often arises on the scalp. Manifests itself with itching and peeling, covers the area behind the ears and the skin along the line of growth of hair.
Exudative psoriasis. In this type of psoriasis affected skin not only bark, but wet, and on the surface of the papules (nodules rashes) appear yellowish scabs.
Intertriginoznoy psoriasis. It is typical for children. In this type of psoriasis plaques are bright red, with a slight peeling (it may be entirely absent). Sometimes the plaques moist. Parents often confuse this type of psoriasis with intertriginös.
Plantar psoriasis. Arises on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Manifested by thickening of the skin, dryness, cracks.
Old psoriasis is characterized by large boards, which persist for a very long time, sometimes developing growths — warts and papilloma.
Rupioidny psoriasis — one of the forms of the old psoriasis. The plaques appear crusts, and gradually the plaque is still higher, taking the shape of a cone.
Teardrop psoriasis is characterized by abundant rash consisting of many small papules.
Psoriasis the nail plate (psoriatic onychite) causes deformation of the nails, the appearance of a yellowish-brown spots under them. The most common form of psoriasis, which occurs in 25% of patients with this disease.
Psoriasis of the mucous membrane affects the mouth and causes the formation of papules on the mucous membranes.
The frequency of manifestations of psoriatic
During psoriasis cyclical. The advancing stage appear itching food stamps or a small rash, which gradually come together in one spot. Over 1-4 weeks, the process of dissemination of plaques stops are covered with silver scales. This is the so-called stationary phase. It is followed by a regressive phase, when the plaques gradually disappear. However, not worth it to be deceived — it does not mean that it came healing. If scabies is left untreated, repeat all of the first, and after a certain time the phase starts to change each other constantly, and deteriorating become almost monthly.
To treat psoriasis it is possible and necessary. If time does not take measures, psoriasis quickly goes into a chronic phase, and getting rid of it will be very difficult. For the treatment of psoriasis today employing medical methods, physical therapy, as well as local resources for local use — ointments and creams of psoriasis, the effectiveness of which is relatively high.
It should be noted however, that before you start to use any resources from psoriasis, it is necessary to consult with the attending physician. At least, therefore, that a layman can not give a diagnosis on their own.
What is important to know about treatment of psoriasis?
In the early stages of development of psoriasis the lead role belongs to a particular external financial resources, which slow down the process of cell division, reduce inflammation, protect damaged skin from infections and soothes itching. A particularly effective means on the basis of pyrithione zinc, which is also called the active zinc. This substance has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity, reduces the secretion of histamine, which significantly reduces the itching and supports the recovery of the lipid mantle of the skin, restoring its barrier function and reduces sensitivity to the action of aggressive factors of the external environment. It is the success of modern pharmacology.