The first symptoms and signs of psoriasis

Specific signs of psoriasis species play a decisive role in diagnosis and treatment.

The most common type of chronic dermatosis, according to statistics, is psoriasis. This is a complex and multifaceted disease of polyetiological origin. For various reasons, a large number of different types have been identified that have their own characteristic signs of psoriasis. The need to distinguish between types with symptoms arises due to unclear skin reactions to drugs and other methods of exposure.

Until recently, the disease was considered harmless to health and life, until cases of death were recorded due to incorrect identification of the cause, type, and treatment. In addition, a person can be simultaneously affected by several forms of the disease, the symptoms of which must be taken into account when prescribing treatment.

This disease affects people regardless of gender and age category. The first symptoms of psoriasis can appear in babies and adults for no apparent reason. Depending on the type, not only the onset, but also the progression of the disease is different; it can be fast or slow, with a gradual increase in symptoms.

Timely notice of the early symptoms and signs of psoriasis is the key to the effectiveness of the treatment, this will allow:

• Do not let the disease take over large areas of the skin;
• Quickly eliminate the external symptoms of the disease and prevent damage to the internal organs;
• Take timely measures to prevent relapse and prolong the period of remission of the disease.

The terms "symptom" and "sign, " although similar in meaning, have significant differences. Symptoms are subjective feelings of a person that can be confirmed or refuted by examination data.

Signs are examination data and objective examination with which the doctor makes a diagnosis.
For example, pain is merely a symptom, while a skin rash is a symptom.

This is important to remember, because by feeling only the symptoms it is impossible to make a correct diagnosis, and only a specialist can determine the signs of psoriasis, its specific type and form.

General signs

Regardless of whether the disease appears suddenly and begins to develop rapidly or the initial manifestations are gradual, doctors consider the beginning of the formation of papules in various areas of the skin - small scaly nodules of dark pink color, dense to the touch and protruding. above the surface.

The first thing that patients may notice is the formation of rashes in places that are more prone to friction than others, and the skin on them is the driest, these are:

• On the hands, areas on the palms or elbows;
• Below the knee;
• In the inguinal fold;
• On the lower back side;
• On dry bones;
• On the scalp under the hair.

The location of the lesion directly depends on the form of the disease. Psoriasis vulgaris prefers to appear on the elbows, and the teardrop type begins to spread from the lower back, the skin area under the chest and shoulder blades.
The first rash on the skin is usually barely visible, does not form clusters, and does not cause any discomfort. But if you do not consult a specialist at this stage and ignore the onset of the disease, damage to the nails on the hands and feet will gradually begin, then the disease will spread to the mucous membrane, and then spread to the joints.

The appearance of the first signs of psoriasis may differ depending on gender or age. In infants, the psoriatic rash most often begins in the inguinal folds, and resembles the signs of miliaria. In adults, the onset can be of two types:

1. Round rash of varying sizes, deep pink or red, with many whitish scales visible. Gradually, although each patient has his own way, the rash area thickens and noticeably rises above the surface of the skin. The rash forms psoriatic plaques, similar to droplets from paraffin wax.
2. Small, dense papules form small clusters on the elbows, palms, and sometimes along the knee and ankle joints. These signs are so insignificant that a person does not pay attention to them, confusing them with ordinary irritation. It is important to listen to yourself to see if the characteristic symptoms of psoriasis have appeared, such as itching and pain when touched. If you miss the early symptoms of psoriasis, then a single papule quickly turns into a plaque, which is very difficult to get rid of.

You can distinguish psoriasis from other skin diseases using a triad of characteristic symptoms, these are:

1. "Effect of stearic impurities". When scraping the surface of the plaque, transparent and small scales are easily peeled off.
2. "Terminal film effect". If you remove the peeling scales, in their place there will be a thin, shiny surface of light colored skin.
3. "Blood Dew Effect". At the scraping site, microscopic drops of blood appear after a short period.

Classification of specific forms of psoriasis is very important in determining the disease. An unclear system has not been developed; experts distinguish the main groups according to symptoms and signs.

Classification

The main division of this disease is into two large groups according to the nature of the skin rash, these are:

1. Non-pustular form, which is characterized by distribution over the entire surface of the skin, including types such as:
   • Simple (abusive) or common psoriasis, characterized by a stable chronic course with the development of plaques. The vulgar type of this disease is the most common, it occurs in 85% of cases.
   • Psoriatic erythroderma. The dangerous type, always occurring in severe form, affects the ability of thermoregulation and skin barrier. Often, erythrodermic psoriasis ends with pyoderma or sepsis.
2. Pustular form, which is characterized by the formation of not papules, but pustules - inflamed skin blisters filled with serological fluid. This form of the disease in its course can be generalized (distributed to the entire surface of the skin) or localized, especially in the areas of the palms and soles.
   • Tsumbusha type of generalized psoriasis;
   • Type of erythema ring;
   • Barber's palmoplantar type (chronic pustulosis on the feet);
   • Annular type of pustular psoriasis;
   • Persistent acrodermatitis (psoriasis of the soles and palms);
   • Psoriatic herpetiform impetigo.

This classification system has not yet included types of diseases such as:

• Seborrheic;
• Exudative;
• The form depends on the drug;
• Inverse psoriasis on the surface of skin folds and folds.

Symptoms of different types of psoriasis

The general symptoms of psoriasis fully characterize only the abusive form of the disease, which is the most common of all known forms of the disease. A characteristic feature of plaque psoriasis is the place where the first rash appears, these are:

• Bending of the arms and legs;
• The border between the forehead and the scalp;
• Back of hand.

type of teardrop

A characteristic feature of this type of disease is the formation of a single papule, shaped like a droplet. The first signs of guttate psoriasis appear on the thighs and then spread to the entire surface of the skin. In most cases, guttate psoriasis develops against the background of infectious diseases caused by streptococci.

Atypical appearance

This form is characterized by the formation of the first manifestation in a place that is not typical for psoriasis, these are:

• skin folds,
• Lateral surface of the body
• Armpit.

Pustular (exudative) appearance.

The onset of the disease is characterized by the appearance on the surface of the palms, soles or feet of small blisters (papules) filled with non-infectious serous fluid. The skin around the papule is constantly inflamed, and the blister itself is very unstable and is an open door for infection.

In most cases, exudative psoriasis develops in patients suffering from endocrine diseases, metabolic disorders and obesity.

Fold surface psoriasis

A distinctive feature of this form is the appearance of manifestations on the skin. The rash appears in the form of large red spots that are not covered with scales and do not protrude above the surface. This species covers areas with strong sweat glands, such as:

• Bend the joints in the arms and below the knees;
• Armpits and inguinal folds;
• External genitalia;
• The skin area under the breast in women.

Often this form is complicated by the addition of fungal or streptococcal infections.

Psoriatic arthritis

One of the most dangerous forms of the disease, which is characterized by a long latent course. Patients see the first symptoms of psoriasis when the damage to the joints has become total. Signs of this type of psoriasis are expressed in pain and swelling of the joints, and subsequent deformation.

Seborrheic appearance

The localization of this type of rash is initially focused on the face, the first signs appear in the area of the nasolabial triangle, behind the ears, along the edge of hair growth. Further distribution occurs along the shoulder blades in the back and along the chest. The rash is covered with yellowish scales, and the border with healthy skin becomes blurred.

Onychodystrophy, nail psoriasis

This type is almost impossible to treat. The pathology exclusively affects the nail plate, which changes its color to dark yellow or gray. The nail structure becomes thinner, and the cuticle area becomes inflamed for no apparent reason.

Conclusion

It is important to always remember that psoriasis is not only a skin disease, but also a very serious disorder of the body's internal systems. Under no circumstances should you self-medicate or turn to a healer. The selection of an effective treatment regimen can only be done by an experienced specialist after careful examination.