A complex systemic disease accompanied by skin lesions is psoriasis. In a healthy body, cells live for 30 to 40 days and then renew themselves. With the development of psoriasis, the lifespan of skin cells is 4 to 5 days. When they die, peels, patches, drought occur. Treatment of early stage psoriasis is always easier, so it is important not to trigger the disease. Methods of treatment in the progressive phase differ significantly. You will read about the treatment of the only initial stage of psoriasis in the article.
Causes of the disease
In psoriasis the work of several systems is disturbed: endocrine, immune and nervous. Until the end, doctors did not discover the causes of this disease, nor invent a cure for psoriasis.
Experts put forward the following hypotheses for the development of the disease:
- Viral.Retroviruses, which are inherited, may be the causative agent of psoriasis. In many patients, changes have been found in the peripheral lymph nodes, which may indicate the viral nature of the disease.
- Immunity.With weakened immunity and impaired defense mechanisms at the cellular level, favorable conditions are created for the progression of psoriasis. Also among the causes of the disease is autoimmune aggression, a process in which lymphocytes begin to attack the body's own healthy cells.
- Infectious.Many researchers are looking for pathogens of psoriasis. Epidermophytes, spirochetes, streptococci were suspected, but all the assumptions remained incorrect. However, scientists have found that infectious diseases: SARS, influenza, tonsillitis are a pushing mechanism in the development of psoriasis. In 90% of cases, this disease is accompanied by tonsillitis.
- Genetics.Psoriasis is passed to a child from parents. 60% of patients have relatives with this skin disease. If a mother or father is diagnosed with psoriasis, the risk of such a disease in a child increases by 25%, if both parents are sick - by 60%.
- Metabolic.Metabolic disorders (lipids, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals) can cause psoriasis. Patients often have problems with the functioning of the thyroid gland and other glands of the endocrine system.
Main signs and symptoms
This local disease is not contagious. The skin, nails and hair are damaged. Small rashes appear on the epidermis, on which papules form over time - areas of bright red or pink color protruding from the skin. From above they are covered with silver scales (plates).
Papules may itch a little or not at all, peeling is imperceptible. At first, the size of the affected skin areas is 1-2 millimeters, over time their size is estimated to be 10 centimeters or more.
Early-stage psoriasis: which parts of the body can be affected by the disease? The main symptoms of the disease of different localization:
- On the head.The scalp is covered with red scaly patches with lots of dandruff-like scales. In this case, the hair is not involved in the pathological process. Itching is observed in patients. Skin lesions can spread to the neck and ears.
- On the face.At the initial stage, psoriatic plaques form on the skin around the eyes, on the eyelids, in the nasolabial folds and eyebrows. Sometimes psoriasis affects the mucous membrane of the mouth, cheeks, lips, tongue, and more often around the lips.
- Right at your fingertips.Simple red papules appear on the palms and between the fingers. The back of the hand is much less affected. If spots form on the fingertips, they lose sensitivity over time. Psoriasis can spread to the nails.
- On the elbows.At the initial stage, unique elements of psoriasis appear, covered with silvery scales. Then they develop into a continuous affected area of the skin, from which scales and a thin film are easily removed. After this action, the affected area turns a pink-red color, drops of blood appear on it.
- On my feet.The skin of the foot and the back of the leg suffers. Symptoms are similar to those that occur with psoriasis of the elbows: at the initial stage, small lesions appear, spreading over large areas, a symptom of blood dew is observed.
How and how to treat early stage psoriasis
Curing Psoriasis Forever - Is It Realistic? Unfortunately, although the response is disappointing, this autoimmune disease can be cured, but it is impossible to get rid of it completely.
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage gives excellent results and allows you to get rid of the visible manifestations of the pathology. Traditional medicine uses ointments, creams, solutions, therapeutic ultraviolet irradiation, systemic drug therapy. There are also grandmother's remedies, but they do not give a stable result.
Hypoallergenic diet
Patients with different types of psoriasis should learn the basics of an alkaline diet. Patients should eat foods that alkalize the internal environment. Their share should be 65-75%, part of acidic foods - 25-35%.
General guidelines:
- One third of the diet is made up of unprocessed vegetables and fruits. Include beets, cabbage, carrots, herbs, cucumbers, onions, garlic, celery in the menu.
- Another third of the daily menu for psoriasis consists of complex carbohydrates and natural sweets in limited quantities. Eat porridge (barley, buckwheat), dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, dates).
- The last part of the diet consists of animal and vegetable proteins. Eat lean meat, fish, peas, beans, seeds, eggs, nuts. Polyunsaturated fatty acids should also be on the menu.
- Drink at least 7-10 glasses of clean water a day. Alcohol is prohibited.
- For effective treatment, abandon citrus fruits, fatty dairy products and meat, chocolate, red products. Use honey at a minimum.
- It is important to exclude sweets, spicy, smoked and acidic foods from the diet, as they have an adverse effect on the skin. The amount of salt should be kept to a minimum.
Drug treatment
Treatment of psoriasis at the initial stage is successfully carried out with the prescription of drugs. There are several groups.
Topical preparations: creams and ointments. The drugs are composed of water, an emulsifier and oil. They are sufficient to treat the initial stage of psoriasis.
Ointments are hormonal and non-hormonal. The second group is safer, but not as effective.
Pills. Treatment of psoriasis with drugs is more often used to combat the progressive stage.
Systemic therapy. Its nature (dosage, duration of treatment) is determined only by a doctor for the treatment of advanced forms of pathology.
The complex uses:
- vitamins
- ;
- fatty acids; hepatoprotectors
- ; immunomodulators
- ;
- anti-allergenic agents;
- preparations for removing toxins from the intestines.
Physiotherapy
What is psoriasis and how is it treated? The complexity of the therapy is significant. At the initial stage of psoriasis, it is about proper nutrition, the use of local drugs and treatment with physiotherapy procedures. These are aimed at:
- decreased CNS excitability;
- normalization of the psychological state of the patient;
- reduction of itching;
- accelerated absorption of psoriatic papules.
Electrosleep:
- An excellent treatment with a calming effect.
- Due to the complete recovery of the body, the size of the papules decreases and the disease goes into remission.
- A patient with psoriasis should undergo 8-10 procedures lasting 20-60 minutes.
- In the first few sessions, patients fall into a shallow sleep, then fall asleep soundly.
Radiotherapy:
- Affected areas of the skin are treated with X-rays, which speed up the process of resorption of psoriasis plaques.
- The method of treatment involves the use of soft x-rays.
- One session is performed every 4-7 days, the total dose of radiation is safe (3, 5-4 Gy).
Ultrasound treatment:
- The skin is treated with ultrasound with vibrations of 800-3000 kHz.
- The treatment eliminates inflammation, itching and pain, reduces sensitivity to allergens and kills bacteria.
- The cycle of procedures consists of 8 to 14 sessions, each lasting a quarter of an hour.
Other effective physiological methods for psoriasis should be noted cryotherapy, immersion in a magnetic field, current therapy, laser. The treatment of psoriasis at home can be accompanied by taking sea salt baths (for 1 liter of water 5 g of salt, temperature - 37-38 ° C, duration 15 minutes, 15-20 daily sessions). With the onset of the disease, it is important to go to a sanatorium and participate in health programs.
Ultraviolet irradiation
Psoriasis is effectively treated by treating affected skin areas with ultraviolet light. The wavelength should be 311-313 nm, but a specialist may recommend a different radiation spectrum. The patient is immersed in a special chamber equipped with ultraviolet lamps. Before that, he takes photosensitizing drugs which increase the effectiveness of the treatment. One effective method of UV therapy is PUVA therapy. The wavelength is 320 to 400 nm. To obtain a good result of treatment, the patient undergoes 25 irradiations, which makes 80% of the affected areas disappear.
Effective folk remedies for home treatment
At the initial stage of psoriasis, you can use folk recipes:
- Oil treatment of chicken egg. To get half a glass of the product, you need 20 homemade eggs. Boil the product for 15 minutes after boiling. You need yolks. Crush them in a porridge and fry them in a pan without oil on low heat for 45 minutes. Transfer the prepared mass into cheesecloth and squeeze. Oil the affected areas 1 to 2 times a day until the symptoms of psoriasis are completely eliminated.
- Treatment of the initial stage with complex ointment for psoriasis. Ingredients: 50 grams of birch tar, 20 grams of fat or petroleum jelly, 10 grams of boric acid, 30 grams of honey, 1 chicken egg white, 10 grams of fish oil. Store in a dark corner. Lubricate the papules 1-2 times a day.
- Treatment with celandine juice. Treat the affected skin areas with fresh juice from the roots. This should be done at the initial stage every day throughout the summer for three consecutive seasons.
Particularities of treatment in children
Do not use folk remedies on a growing body. They are not always effective and the delays in this case are totally unacceptable. When the initial stage of psoriasis occurs, parents should show the child to a dermatologist who will prescribe a full examination and treatment. If the disease has not spread strongly, children are prescribed topical ointments and creams for the skin: keratolytics and anti-inflammatory drugs.
The top layer of psoriasis patches is removed using tar-sulfuric or salicylic ointment. To do this, make a bandage on the skin soaked in the active agent, which is removed after 3-5 hours. Then the child should take a successive bath - this will help to remove the scabs without pain. The last stage of treatment - drugs containing glucocorticoids are applied to the skin in a dose prescribed by a doctor. Children are prescribed antihistamines and vitamin complexes.
What does the initial stage of psoriasis look like - photo
The first stage of psoriasis is accompanied by damage to certain areas of the skin of the body.
If you notice rashes like in the photo, hurry to the dermatologist. There is no need to hope that the problem will be solved by itself.
This skin disease is complex and requires prompt and comprehensive treatment. The earlier a person goes to a specialist, the more favorable the result will be.
Successful therapy leads to rapid remission and restoration of quality of life.