What is psoriasis: causes, symptoms and treatment

Psoriasis – is a chronic non-communicable skin disease, which is accompanied by the emergence of reddish-pink rash and peeling of the skin.

The term psoriasis comes from the Greek word psoriasis, which means in translation, itching or itching of the skin. These symptoms are most clearly characterize this non-transferable dermatological problem. In this dermatosis cell division, the skin occurs almost thirty times faster. Because they are not able to fully ripen, the intercellular contacts lost. This leads to the formation of characteristic scales. In the pathological process involved and the immune system of the body: protective elements are directed against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation in the hearth of defeat. We will describe in more detail the question about what is psoriasis and how to treat it.

Types of psoriasis

There are a large number of classifications of psoriasis, on the basis of which lies the gravity of the condition, the character of rashes, localization of lesions, etc. Most often issued to the following types of diseases:

1. Uneven (vulgar) form a large part of all types of psoriasis. It is characterized by the emergence of the traditional plaques covered with white-gray scales.
2. Teardrop psoriasis ranks second in prevalence, and is diagnosed in every tenth patient. In it appear numerous and relatively small rashes with scales over the whole surface of the body.
3. Pustular variant is characterized by the formation of blisters.
4. In Palmar-plantar psoriasis, the elements are placed on the respective locations of the skin.
5. Exudative variant differs in that it flakes filling a yellowish fluid that escapes from the body. Thanks to this they look coalescat and changes color.
6. Erythroderma is a severe form of the disease, because when this affected almost the entire surface of the skin and arise a systemic reaction (temperature, increase of lymph nodes, disorders of blood composition).
7. Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by the defeat of the joints.

According to the phase of the faulty process secrete progressive, stable and retrogressive psoriasis.

The symptoms of psoriasis

Most often in the development of psoriasis on the surface of the skin appear spots, covered by gray or white scales that are easily detached when touched. Just with this character related to another name for the disease – psoriasis.

The localization of the rash

As usual, changes to the skin, which is located on the extensor surfaces (elbows, knees) of large joints. Favorite localization is the marginal skin of the head, and space, which are constantly exposed to injury or friction. However, this character cannot be considered a diagnostic criterion, because in atypical forms of snowflake deprives the affected and other areas of the skin.

Characteristics of plaques

The dimensions of the rashes can be different. The primary elements they consider small papules bright red or burgundy color. With time, their size increases considerably, also tend to merge. In 90% of cases the symptoms of psoriasis belongs to a education of standard plaques, which are characterized by a kind of triangle:

1. Stearic stain is characterized by ease of rads gray-white scales, resembling in appearance the chocolate from the candles.
2. If you continue to scrape the surface of the sheet, then after removing all of the scales reflected a thin white film, which received the name of the terminal.
3. Symptom blood dew point can be revealed when removing the end of the film. When damage to the papillae of the skin should occur no bleeding, and chap.

There are several pojmenovávacích symptoms of the disease:

1. Symptom Kebnera lies in the fact that psoriatic rashes appear in places that are prone to trauma (rubbing, scratching, etc.). It is typical for the progressive stage of the disease.
2. Symptom Voronov is characterized by the formation of the pale rim around the newly emerging papules, are not yet covered with scales. Is it some sort of vascular reaction of the organism and means further the progression of the disease.

These symptoms of psoriasis often allow you to distinguish the disease from other dermatosis corresponding to the current.

Other symptoms

Unlike the skin, with psoriasis suffer from the nails, the hair, but also joints and internal organs. Changes on the nail plate starting from the foundation and are characterized by subungual hyperkeratosis. Later the surface of the obtained streaking, and for her to form impressions (flag no bigger than thimbles). Psoriatic arthritis begins with the destruction of the small joints, accompanied by pain sensations, and inflammatory phenomena.

Also, for the flakes shedding is typical itching of the skin. In consequence of which arise from scratching, superficial diverge and incline to bleeding. In places of trauma can multiply pathogenic bacteria that causes secondary infections and the development of dermatitis.

Causes of psoriasis

Non-communicable nature of the disease was established in the 19th century. Since there are always numerous studies, in which are studied the causes of psoriasis. However, as well as for most of the systemic diseases, to determine one single cause cannot yet be. There are several theories, each of which has scientific confirmation:

• The immune theory, according to which illness is the result of a series of dysfunctions on the functioning of the immune system. It is believed the development of autoimmune reactions, in result of which in the thicker skin accumulates a large amount of T-lymphocytes. This leads to chronic inflammation and thickening of the affected area. Confirms the theory is the fact that when a biopsy of the psoriatic food stamps can detect a high concentration of immune cells, and also by the course of the disease largely affects the use of immune drugs.
• The hereditary factor is connected with a congenital pathology of genetic material. Scientists have already installed a few sections of DNA, mutations, which are observed in patients with scaly get rid of. These genes are essentially responsible for the maturation of immune cells (T-lymphocytes). Therefore, in their breakage probability of psoriasis significantly rises. If the parents suffer from this skin disease, then there is a risk of the development of dermatosis in children about 50% higher.
• Genetic theory is similar to the hereditary, but in this case are regarded genes, mutations in which can occur at any age.
• Endocrine factor is confirmed by the fact that in the majority of patients with psoriasis any changes made by the endocrine organs (pituitary, pancreas and thyroid gland). In addition, for this category of patients is often present impaired synthesis and secretion of melatonin. Also on the course of the disease may have levels of sex hormones.
• Stress and strong shock may lead to manifestation of the disease or exacerbate its symptoms. In doing this, a fight to the blood hormones triggers a series of biochemical reactions, which lead to the formation of scaly rashes on the skin.
• Exchange theory is base on the fact that scientists have identified elevated levels of lipids in patients with psoriasis. In addition, when aggravation of the disease is changing the oxide replacement and increases the overall level of toxins in the body.

In fact, all the causes of psoriasis can be combined into two groups:

• violation of the cell division of the skin;
• change the functioning of the immune system.

All the external factors (environment, stress, trauma), the deterioration in the course of the disease, but can act as a single cause.

Quality of life in patients with psoriasis

Along with other chronic diseases, psoriasis can significantly impair quality of life of patients, who may have both physical and psychological discomfort. Often, problems arise with working and social adaptation. So, expressed in terms of itching and sometimes interferes with normal rest and meal vouchers on the hands may limit performance.

Particularly hard to bore a scaly rash on the scalp. It has to do with the fact that these plaques cause some relaxation, the result is that patients are unsociable, can even occur social anxiety.

Stress due to dissatisfaction with their own appearance, constant pain or itching, as well as immune disorders quite often lead to the development of mental deviations (increased anxiety, depression, social isolation). Only a quarter of patients with psoriasis is not experiencing psychological discomfort, in other patients this disease is a serious obstacle to normal life.

Among the symptoms of psoriasis, which worsen the quality of life, on the first place ranks the itching of the skin, on the other position – the joint pain in psoriatic arthritis.

Methods of treatment of psoriasis

I realized that it is psoriasis, it can be better to introduce the possible methods of its treatment. So as it is a chronic disease, it completely cured it cannot be. However, you can significantly alleviate the condition of the patient, reducing clinical manifestations. On the basis of a comprehensive approach to therapy scaly rash lies the use of drugs and physiotherapy methodologies. There are people's tips to help you cope with the problem.

Products and remedies for psoriasis

In this disease, the most popular remedies for external use. In their composition may include several components that prevent excessive cell division of the skin, but also soften and reduce the itching of the skin. The names of the drugs are different, but most often contain the following substances:

1. Glucocorticosteroid hormones that reduce the inflammatory phenomena and the press of the reactivity of the immune system. When applied topically hormones have less, expressed as the systemic impact. Part of Elocom In advantan.
2. Vitamin D is part of a large amount of products for local use. The greatest its effectiveness for the treatment of psoriasis is indicated in combination with ultraviolet radiation.
3. Tar is used especially for the therapy booth, which is located in the area of scalp.
4. The activated zinc quickly removes redness and itching of the skin. This ingredient is practically harmless for the body.

Among the drugs for the systemic treatment of psoriasis secrete:

• corticosteroids, because they regulate the metabolism and eliminate the foci of inflammation, but have a distinctive syndrome of cancellation;
• cytostatics press division of the cells of the epidermis, but along with that weaken the immune system and slow down the regeneration and other tissues;
• immunomodulators contribute to the normalization of the immune response, but the efficiency is up to the end has not been studied;
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs reduce only the severity of the itching and inflammation, but do not affect the primary changes.

Vitamins and anti-allergic drugs are used in addition to the primary therapy. So as there is no truly effective medications for combating psoriasis, it is prescribed along with the physiotherapy procedures.

Physiotherapy

Among the most commonly used procedures for the treatment of systemic diseases, psoriasis, emit listed below:

1. Hirudotherapy, in which, with the use of leeches. It improves blood flow and normalizes immune response.
2. Fish-doctor, multiplicans to the thermal source, helps patients cleanse the skin from rashes. During the ichthyotherapy these fish literally eat the surface layer of the plaques on the skin, is submerged into the water.
3. Cryotherapy, in which the patient is placed for several minutes in the chamber with an air temperature of -130⁰With. After the procedure significantly reduces itching and eliminates the phenomenon of inflammation and swelling.
4. PUVA-therapy combines phototherapy and chemotherapy. After the introduction of the drug, which accumulates in cells with high ability of regeneration, the patient irradiated with light. That has a certain wavelength and contributes to the revitalization of the photosensitizer. In this way we are able to achieve selectivity of action.

Sometimes in the treatment of psoriasis demonstrates the effective use of homeopathic medicines or folk remedies.

Folk remedies the treatment of psoriasis

In folk medicine, there are many recipes of funds, both for local use and for use inside.

You can cook the ointment and apply it on top of the plaques. The most popular are the following recipes:

1. Mix the of celandine and in adipi (1:5), comes out to an effective remedy.
2. Grind the flowers of meadowsweet viscosa and mix with vaseline (1:1). Then heated to 90⁰C and at ease. Stored ointment is not long, so it is better to cook small portions.
3. Combine the lard, pine SAP and beeswax, heat it in the fire, stirring constantly. After that, add the vitamin a from the pharmacy.
4. Plain birch tar (25 g), vaseline (10 g), boric acid (5 g), honey (15 g), protein eggs, fish oil (5 g), mix very well and place in a dark container. Apply this cream should be only once per day.
5. Ointment of elecampane helps with the deepening of the disease.

The means of folk medicine for ingestion usually designed to maintain immunity and reduce inflammation and itching:

1. Beer from oats are prepared from 700 g of grain, three liters of water and five large spoonfuls of sugar. All it should take two days.
2. Tincture of the end-members are taken orally to 100 ml.
3. Prepare a tincture of the buds of the Sophora, it is necessary to take 500 ml of vodka and 50 g of dry raw material, and then put on a month in a dark place. Take a teaspoon.
4. A decoction of dill seeds helps to remove acute symptoms, and also has a smaller sleeping pills and calming effects.

Baths with the addition of copper sulfate is also used to treat psoriasis.