Medication alone is not enough to cure psoriasis on various parts of the body. The best results will be given only with an integrated approach. Therefore, you need to know all the possible ways to treat dermatological diseases.
Principles of psoriasis treatment
Before starting to fight psoriasis, you need to consider that it is incurable. Therapy aims to combat symptoms, restore the body's protective function and the ability to establish a stable clinical remission.
The principle of treatment consists of several areas:
- drug therapy;
- physiotherapy (used in conjunction with other forms of treatment);
- unconventional alternative treatments;
- traditional medicine.
When treating psoriasis, it is very important to take into account the individual characteristics of each organism. What works for one patient may not always work for another. Every patient diagnosed with psoriasis needs serious treatment and special attention.
Medication therapy for psoriasis
External facilities
Topical preparations are used to relieve inflammation, itching, swelling and other symptoms of psoriasis. These include:
- ointment;
- cream;
- lotion;
- spray;
- gel.
Such funds should be used for mild and moderate forms of the disease. In severe forms, in most cases, such drugs are used in conjunction with other powerful drugs. In this case, the doctor must determine the severity of the disease, taking into account individual intolerance to a particular drug. External medications can be used in patients of any age.
In medical practice, ointments and creams are widely used, which are divided into hormones and without hormones. It is better to use non-hormonal drugs, as they do not have side effects. However, in some cases, such drugs do not cure the disease. Then hormone medication should be used, which performs the following actions:
- is used intentionally, acting only on wounds;
- ointment delays the development and spread of wounds;
- penetrates the deep layers of the epidermis;
- relieves itching, flaking;
- relieves the symptoms of allergic reactions.
For treatment, glucocorticosteroid group drugs are also used, which have the following properties:
- removes the inflammatory process;
- relieves itching and flaking;
- slows down the process of cell division.
Steroids can have strong and moderate effects. In severe forms of psoriasis, drugs with strong action are prescribed, in the mild stage - a milder remedy. Topical corticosteroid treatment includes:
- Hydrocortisone acetate. Ointment is applied to the surface of the skin with a thin layer. The course of treatment is 6 to 14 days. If this is not enough, the course is extended to three weeks.
- Fluocinolone acetone. It is used for all stages of psoriasis. If the severity of the disease is mild and moderate, it is used as the main remedy, in case of severe form - as an assistant.
- Prednisolone Ointment. The course of treatment is 2 weeks. This is applied to even layers only on inflamed areas, which are not recommended for wrapping.
Despite the effectiveness of treatment with hormone medications, unfortunately, their use can cause side effects. They have a strong effect not only on the epidermis, which then loses color and becomes thinner, but when used, there is a risk of recurrence of the disease. During hormone treatment, drug addiction develops, as a result of which other means cannot help. Due to the duration of steroid use, muscle weakness, decreased blood pressure and weight gain, and lack of appetite appear. Steroid drugs are sold in pharmacies without a prescription and are not recommended for long-term use.
The pharmaceutical industry has a variety of hormone-free psoriasis treatments that are great at fighting symptoms without harming the body.
All non-hormonal drugs are divided into several groups:
Ointment does not matter (it does not contain active ingredients).
Salicylic acid. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, softens the skin, accelerates the exfoliation process of the stratum corneum. The ointment contains salicylic acid, which quickly removes the affected area. Ointments should be used by appointment, as allergies may occur.
Zinc Ointment. Antiseptics have a drying and protective effect, can relieve inflammation. The composition includes zinc oxide. It is undesirable to use the ointment for more than 30 days, as the effects of addiction can develop.
Zinc pyrithione. This drug is based on zinc pyrithione, which can counteract the inflammatory process, has antimicrobial and antifungal effects.
- Salap tar. Its preparation includes pine and birch tar. These include anthrasulfonic, anthramine and Colloidin ointments, which can relieve inflammation, restore damaged skin and have a disinfectant effect. Ointment containing tar should be started with a small dose. If an allergic reaction does not occur, the dose may be increased.
- Ointment containing oil. This ointment is considered the most effective among non-hormonal agents.
- Ointment containing vitamins. Retinol palmitat. Ointment with vitamin A. It has a healing effect, restores and normalizes metabolic processes in tissues. Calcipotriol with vitamin D, has a inhibitory effect on stratified epithelial cells (keratinocytes). Can not be combined with salicylic acid ointment.
- Products that contain oil. Naphthalene ointment. The composition of the ointment contains Naphthalene oil - a substance with a very unpleasant odor, but has a unique effect. Promotes rapid skin recovery, has antimicrobial, antipruritic and absorbent effects.
Oral medication
One of the ways to relieve the symptoms of this disease is to use tablets in the form of tablets. These tablets can provide the body with the necessary components. Treatment with pills is much more effective than topical medications. Tablet preparations can only be prescribed by a doctor, taking into account the age and physiological characteristics of the patient. Psoriasis tablets are divided into two groups:
- hormonal - the most effective method, its use allows you to achieve positive results in a short time, but it can cause many side effects;
- non-hormonal - performs the function of complementing the action of essential drugs.
The onset of psoriasis is promoted by internal causes responsible for violations of metabolic processes in the body.
Therefore, you need to use a stronger drug:
- Methotrexate. Tablets that can significantly slow down the process of cell division. Used for pustular and erythropodermic psoriasis. It is widely used to treat psoriatic arthritis. However, it has many side effects.
- Meglumine sodium succinate. New generation drugs with a broad spectrum of action. Used for severe psoriasis and only available by prescription.
Alternative Treatment
Drug-free methods and approaches are used as alternatives. Recommended:
- visit thermal springs;
- follow Garra Rufa fish exfoliation course (ichthyotherapy);
- undergo mud healing sessions;
- freshwater hydrotherapy;
- plasmapheresis;
- massage course.
However, this method is only effective when combined with traditional treatments.
Physiotherapy for psoriasis
Physiotherapy is an important part of the treatment of psoriasis. In the early stages of the disease, physiotherapy cannot be used. This method begins to be used when the symptoms of the disease subside, and is performed in the hospital.
Methods of physical exposure include:
- UV irradiation;
- puva therapy;
- ultrasound applications;
- laser treatment;
- laser chemotherapy;
- magnetotherapy (use of static magnetic fields);
- exposure to the flu (cryotherapy);
- electrosleep;
- X-ray therapy.
Diet therapy for psoriasis
Diet plays an important role in the treatment of psoriasis. Therefore, it is necessary to know what foods should be the patient's food. Proper nutrition restores intestinal function, helps relieve painful symptoms, strengthens the immune system and protects the body from new relapses.
List of products that have a negative effect on skin and hair condition:
- Smoked and salty foods. The components contained in the product affect the function of the digestive tract, can negatively affect the condition of the epidermis.
- Citrus fruits. Most of the essential oils are found in the skin of the fruit (zest) of the fruit, so the juice made by industrial methods has a negative impact on the patient's condition.
- Peanuts. They are strong allergens.
- Fatty foods.
- Alcoholic beverages. They interfere with the work of the liver, which can not cope with the purification of the blood from toxic substances, which adversely affects the condition of the dermis.
- Chocolate and products that contain cocoa are strong allergens.
- Products with high dye content.
Diet for psoriasis must include:
- vegetables and fruits;
- grain;
- dairy products;
- fish;
- chicken;
- green.
Psoriasis requires drinking plenty of fluids. You need to drink up to two liters a day.
Traditional medicine recipes for psoriasis
Effective psoriasis treatment is possible with traditional medical methods. This can be a homemade product for internal use:
- decoctions and infusions of drugs;
- tablets and powders;
- means many components.
Infusion of flax seeds. Helps cleanse the body of toxic substances, slows the progression of disease. Pour 20 g of seeds into a thermos, pour boiling water (250 ml). Before going to bed, drink activated charcoal (2 tablets). In the morning on an empty stomach, drink tincture, eat seeds.
Boil the bay leaf. Effective on the early signs of psoriasis. Pour boiling water over the chopped bay leaf. Leave to cool and strain.
Chaga birch mushrooms. The active ingredients contained in chaga restore the condition of the epidermis. Pour the mushrooms (100 g) with hot water (1 l) overnight. In the morning, grind the mushrooms with a blender into a mixture resembling gruel in density. Bring the broth to 40 degrees, pour the chopped mushrooms. Insist for three days.
For external use use:
- homemade ointment;
- shampoo;
- collection of medical ingredients.
For more effective treatment, herbal ointment should be applied to the affected part of the body.
Propolis Ointment. Grind 20 g of propolis and add 350 g of butter. Heat in a water bath. Strain. Apply to the plaque localization site. Store in the refrigerator.
Birch bud ointment. Grind birch buds (100 g). Mix with tar (180 g) and ash (50 g). Stir well. Rub into the affected area, wrap with adhesive.
Therapeutic baths at home are also useful for psoriasis. Mix the rope and celandine (100 g each) and pour three liters of water. Dissolve sea salt. Leave for an hour. Pour into warm bath water.
For the healing procedure, you can use blue clay, combining it with sea salt. After such a bath, the skin becomes very soft.
Effective medicine for treatment
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbow should be done in a complex, which includes the following:
- take vitamins;
- diet;
- external treatment;
- physiotherapy;
- phototherapy.
Local medicines (ointments, creams) are used to treat diseases of the knee. Possible appointment of sedatives and antihistamines for complex treatment. With heavy bleeding, anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
Treatment of psoriasis on the palms of the hands and feet is quite problematic. This is mainly due to the constant irritation of these parts due to ironing clothes and frequent washing. If treatment with an external agent does not give a positive result, then ultraviolet radiation is prescribed.
Treatment of psoriasis during remission
Once the remission period begins, all recommendations must be followed to take care of this condition and prevent the disease from recurring. To prevent psoriasis from feeling old, you need to take into account that:
- You should not interrupt the course of treatment, but continue to take the prescribed medication.
- Do not use new drugs other than prescribed.
- It is necessary to get rid of the symptoms of infectious diseases in a timely manner.
- During remission, try not to injure the skin.
- Avoid nerve disorders.
- Do not sunbathe too much.
- Avoid exposure to chemicals.
- Try using only natural ingredients.
- Observe skin care.
During this period, all recommended methods and techniques should be used to prevent further development of the disease.