Psoriasis, or scaly lichen, is a chronic infection that manifests as a reddish, scaly rash with itching and irritation. There can be several causes of psoriasis. When damaged, skin cell division occurs thirty times faster than normal, causing discomfort and the appearance of scales. It also damages the immune system, which acts against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the skin folds of the joints and scalp. The spots that appear have grayish or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of spots in places subject to mechanical stress - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion often affects the hair, internal organs, nails and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Dysfunction of the immune system.T cells are cells of the immune system that normally defend the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, by mistake, T cells attack healthy skin cells. This immune response causes the body to malfunction, including the widening of blood vessels and the increase in white blood cells, which stimulate the skin to produce new cells faster as the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the surface of the skin leads to the development of thick, itchy plaques.
- Heredity.Research has shown that if a parent has scaly lichen, there is a 15 percent chance that a child will develop it. If both parents are affected, the chance of development is 75%.
- Endocrine system failure.The endocrine system is a network of hormone-secreting glands that help control many important bodily functions. Failure of any of these glands can cause disease.
Minor reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis by straining the immune system, causing an inflammatory response. However, flare-ups of scaly lichen can occur after a respiratory or skin infection. These types of infections can usually be prevented with good personal hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands often enough throughout the day. You should also avoid sharing cups and cutlery with other people. It is important to properly disinfect wounds or cuts and make sure that no infection gets there.
- Skin trauma, burns, scratches can cause infection in some people. You should always take extra care when performing actions that may result in injury. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when it's sunny outside. Care should also be taken when participating in outdoor activities.
- Although stress does have a negative effect on someone, it is particularly problematic for people with psoriasis. The body tends to have an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
- If you are obese or overweight, it will only make your condition worse. Therefore, it is important to watch your weight by practicing a healthy diet regularly. If you are having nutrition issues, you should consult a dietitian for help. This can help you determine what foods and how much to eat throughout the day.
Risk group
Scaly lichen affects about 3% of people worldwide. Research shows a significant increase in outbreaks over the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects both men and women. The disease can start at any age, but most often occurs between 15 and 35 years and between 50 and 60 years. The average age is 28.
The disease usually starts or gets worse due to certain factors which should be avoided as much as possible.
Reasons that cause or worsen scaly lichen include:
- Hypothermia can be one of the reasons for the development of the disease or its exacerbation.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes the generalization of the inflammatory process, shortens the period of remission and increases the risk of complications.
- Smoking not only increases the risk of illness, but can also increase the severity of illness. Smoking also plays a role in the initial development of scaly lichen.
- Have another autoimmune disease, such as AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections which cause a weakened immune system such as tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Certain medicines such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers, and medicines containing lithium.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee a complete cure of the disease, but it is possible to alleviate the disease with the help of therapy which, with an integrated approach, will minimize the manifestations of the disease. disease. Most often, preparations containing vitamin D, tar and activated zinc are prescribed for external use. For oral administration, drugs are created with cytostatics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators designed to regulate cell division in affected areas, control metabolism, and restore immune responses in the body.
It is difficult for people with psoriasis to come to terms with their diagnosis, which is why a person experiences severe discomfort when communicating with others, problems with social adjustment, difficulties at work and infamily life. It is important to avoid social withdrawal and depression, which can lead to the appearance of psychological deviations and suicidal thoughts. It is important to support the sick person and, if necessary, refer them to a psychotherapist for consultation.
Psoriasis in children
Scaly lichen in children is quite common, especially under a year old. The disease usually progresses during the winter season. Girls are more likely to get sick.
Psoriasis in children is different from that in adults. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is hereditary and genetic. However, the disease, despite a long study, remains unknown. In addition to heredity, the disease arises from a weakened immune system, influenza, and various skin diseases. The reason can be a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks in the legs and palms. The appearance of subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and painful.
The treatment includes various ointments and sunbathing. With congenital ichthyosis, most of the skin is affected.
With Leiner's erythroderma anemia, sepsis, pneumonia appear. This shape is typical for newborns. After a few months the baby returned to normal.
In children over 8 years of age, the disease is less common. It is advisable to timely prevent the disease with folk remedies.
Scalp psoriasis
Psoriasis on the head is doubly unpleasant, as it can spoil the beauty of the hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp becomes covered with dry flaking sores, the blisters on the body itch like stings. Hair loss and abundant dandruff begins, which is different from usual seborrhea.
In order to get rid of scaly scalp, it is important to know the cause of its occurrence and act first. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination and identify the main problem that causes external changes. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichen, it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicinal ointments and creams, shampoos, lotions, take herbal baths. Home treatment is better to take classes and take a month's break. The simultaneous use of various medicinal ointments is not recommended.
Prevention and treatment of the scalp
Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, bergamot and geranium to scrub the hair roots.
Butter mask
One teaspoon of butter (melted) should be mixed with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's Wort. Stir the mixture well and apply to the scalp with a cotton ball. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse off. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be carried out once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take petroleum jelly or fat 500 grams, mix it with two fresh chicken proteins. Add a tablespoon and a half of chopped and sifted celandine grass to the mass and mix again. Perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating diseases of the hands and feet
Oil
Lubricate the affected areas with sea buckthorn oil, which should also be taken orally every day - one teaspoon at a time.
Celandine
Juice 300 grams of fresh celandine. This is best done after passing the herb through a meat grinder and adding wine. With a cotton swab dipped in the prepared product, gently wipe the affected areas. Wash off after 15 minutes with clean water.
Mustard mix
The procedure is performed once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dry mustard with warm St. John's Wort broth (5 tbsp. L. ), pour in a teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product to the damaged body with a cotton swab. After a few minutes, rinse it off with cold running water. Lubricate the areas with moisturizer.
Birch tar
Dagtem is carefully distributed over the raised and inflamed areas. After an hour, rinse it off. To get the result, you need to perform at least fifteen procedures.
Healing ointment
Mix fresh egg white with 250 grams of fat (you can take light petroleum jelly) and a tablespoon of finely ground lime blossom honey and celandine. Therapy lasts from one to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this period. Preference should be given to boiled meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Squamous lichen requires long-term treatment in combination with other drugs. Performed, it must then be supervised by an experienced specialist. During the treatment, dietetic foods will be prescribed, fatty and spicy foods, alcoholic beverages will be removed from the food.