Psoriasis itself is not a dangerous disease, but it brings a lot of physical and psychological discomfort. Meanwhile, it is almost impossible to get rid of it completely. Therefore, the only effective measure is prevention and quick relief of symptoms.
However, if a worsening of psoriasis suddenly appears, what should be done in such a case and what medicine should be used? The answer to this question is chosen individually for each patient, however, there are general rules of behavior.
Causes of exacerbations and factors influencing the manifestation of relapse
According to statistics, recurrence of this disease occurs less often in the summer. Usually, the manifestation of the main symptoms is observed in autumn and winter, during periods of increasing cold weather. This is due to the following factors:
- Sunlight in spring and summer has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, preventing the active development of psoriasis. Here is the factor of treating the skin with ultraviolet light and saturating the body with vitamin D. In winter, the light decreases.
- The activation of viral and bacterial infections during winter negatively affects the state of the immune system, and therefore directly affects the skin.
At the same time, only dose exposure to ultraviolet radiation by the skin can have a positive effect on it. Excessive light can make psoriasis worse.
In addition, the following prerequisites and factors for the development of exacerbations were identified:
- Sharp and sudden stress, the development of depression;
- Excessive physical activity;
- Prolonged and uncontrolled use of drugs;
- Climate change;
- Infection with bacterial and viral infections of any nature;
- Damage to the skin (mechanical, as well as insect bites);
- Diet non-compliance;
- Reluctance to take special medicines;
- Violation of metabolic processes;
- Body poisoning (alcohol, infectious, poisoning with toxic substances).
Therefore, as can be seen from the list, the exacerbation of psoriasis does not occur without a clear reason and prerequisites are required for it.
Signs of exacerbation
Symptoms of psoriasis are almost always present in patients to one degree or another. However, the severe severity of psoriasis usually has its own characteristic signs:
- A rapid increase in the number and amount of red spots all over the body (localization may depend on the type of psoriasis);
- The appearance of a terminal film on the surface of the affected skin;
- Unbearable itching and burning (in extreme cases - pain syndrome);
- Feeling of dryness and tightness, discomfort;
- Intensification of rashes and an increase in their area due to mechanical damage to the skin in the affected area;
- Peeling, the formation of characteristic stearin stains.
At the same time, patients suffering from psoriasis may be irritable, and sudden mood changes are possible. On the other hand, increased pressure significantly worsens the condition and appearance of the skin. With severe lesions, accumulation of exudate and pus is possible.
Severity during pregnancy
With the right treatment, psoriasis in women can be relatively mild. However, during pregnancy, hormone levels and vitamin D levels change dramatically, which can cause dermatosis to enter a regressive stage. In this case, the symptoms of aggravation are mixed in their manifestation, reminiscent of a hangover. In this case, the following phenomenon occurs:
- A painful and very itchy rash on the back, head, face in the groin area;
- Nausea, often accompanied by vomiting without relief;
- Loss or decrease in appetite;
- Anxiety;
- Sleep disturbances;
- Increased body temperature.
Increased cortisol levels can also be a trigger for regression. Moreover, hormones can be released before the exacerbation of psoriasis occurs and after, while maintaining all the unpleasant symptoms of the disease. Therefore, treatment should also be aimed at lowering cortisol levels in pregnant women.
How long can a regression level last?
With psoriasis, the nature of the course of the disease largely depends on the patient himself and how accurately he follows the instructions and recommendations of the attending physician. On average, psoriasis exacerbations occur from five to ten times a year. In this case, the minimum duration of the regression period is at least two weeks.
An increase in the symptoms of dermatosis can also occur for reasons beyond the patient's control. However, the number of exacerbations can be significantly reduced if you follow all the recommendations of your doctor.
How to stop the development of the disease during exacerbation?
First of all, when the symptoms of psoriasis of any kind increase, it is important to determine what caused the regression. However, it is not always possible to perform these actions on your own, so it is recommended to seek expert help. In the future, it is necessary to restore the correct regimen before the patient.
Drug treatment
Taking the necessary drugs, as well as the use of drugs for external use, is an important part of the treatment of psoriasis exacerbation. For this, the following groups of drugs are used:
- Sedatives;
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- Hormonal drugs (in advanced cases);
- Multivitamin complex containing vitamins B and D;
- Immunomodulators;
- Antihistamines.
To relieve the visible symptoms and improve the condition of the skin, creams, ointments and lotions, as well as additional cosmetics, are used. Such products dry out the affected area, help accelerate skin regeneration, and reduce peeling.
Physiotherapy
Methods to eliminate the severity of psoriasis are used in almost all cases. It allows you to increase the effect of drugs and accelerate the tissue healing process, delaying the occurrence of the next regressive period.
Some of the most effective physical therapy methods include:
- Ultrasonic exposure;
- Magnetotherapy;
- PUVA;
- Phototherapy;
- Electrophoresis.
The method is selected if there are no contraindications in each individual case. In this case, only one influence method, or a whole combination, can be chosen. Physiotherapy methods are usually combined with compulsory medicine and are not used as an alternative to other methods.
The right diet
Often, regression in the course of dermatosis occurs as a result of eating unhealthy dishes and products. However, even just using the "correct" product does not always guarantee a reduction in risk, and in such cases, the patient again turns to the doctor with the question of what to do during the exacerbation of psoriasis if the cause cannot be identified. As a rule, such patients simply forget that foods with high levels of allergens must also be excluded from the daily menu.
Therefore, the menu cannot contain:
- Egg;
- Citrus fruits and honey;
- Whole milk (especially high-fat milk);
- Red fruits and vegetables (especially without prior heat treatment);
- Fatty and spicy additives and sauces;
- mushrooms;
- Fast food and semi-finished products;
- Fried, fatty, salty, smoked, marinated.
Overeating and late eating are not allowed. Sweets and high-carbohydrate dishes (based on simple carbohydrates) are completely excluded from the diet. Non-carbohydrate sweeteners are allowed. Along with this, it is also necessary to stop smoking and drinking alcohol in any quantity.
Get rid of the problem by fasting
Fasting as a method of treating the disease has not been fully studied at this time, however, in eliminating the symptoms of psoriasis, it shows the best results both in the hospital and at home. To prevent and eliminate regression in dermatosis, the six-to-one scheme is effective, that is, fasting once a week. In this case, there is no need to give up food completely; fasting days are enough.
In this case, the following methods are possible:
- Take only clean water during the day;
- Use of only one product (fruits or vegetables, dairy products).
Thus, the load on the digestive system will be removed, the body will be able to recover and regenerate, and hormone levels will be restored. Fasting days also help strengthen the immune system.
An effective product for external use
Doctors easily answer the question of how to quickly relieve the excesses of psoriasis, because a solution to this problem has been found. In this case, it is better to use non-steroidal ointments against the inflammatory process. The course of treatment in this case will range from three days to a week, but it is recommended to consult a doctor before use.
Among the most effective anti-inflammatory drugs are:
- Salicylic ointment. The product perfectly eliminates the inflammatory process, kills pathogenic bacteria, softens the skin, prevents dehydration, and accelerates the regeneration process. The ointment is suitable for daily use even with extensive wounds.
- Tar-based ointments and creams. Tar itself has anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties, helping to eliminate and prevent secondary infections. Ointment based on it also improves the overall condition of the skin and accelerates its healing.
- Zinc and salicylic-zinc ointment. They have a drying and healing effect, prevent the occurrence of new rashes and destroy pathogenic microbes. The paste should be used with caution in patients prone to allergic reactions.
A set of drugs should be prescribed only by the attending physician. As a rule, they are compiled for the entire course and can be used from time to time during exacerbations.
Relieves the symptoms of psoriasis from the scalp
A set of measures to reduce the symptoms of scalp psoriasis is slightly different from the method to eliminate the regression of open areas of the body. However, in this case, it is recommended to use special care cosmetics, in particular shampoo:
- This medicine prevents the development of secondary fungal infections, eliminates peeling and itching of the skin, and controls sebum secretion.
- This medicine allows you to quickly get rid of itching and peeling, reduce pain and irritation, and heal the skin.
- This shampoo is based on thermal water, as well as lactic and salicylic acid. It effectively removes excess fat, prevents its accumulation, eliminates peeling and kills pathogenic bacteria.
- This product is based on extracts of medicinal herbs and birch tar. The shampoo accelerates the tissue regeneration process and controls the formation of new skin cells. It is one of the safest on the list.
- The shampoo contains coal tar, which is known for its antibacterial properties. This product removes pink spots from the scalp and prevents their recurrence.
Each shampoo has its own contraindications and limitations. As a rule, any of the products presented in the list can be used one to three times a week. It is recommended to wash your hair every day only with a care shampoo.
Conclusion
When a patient is diagnosed with psoriasis, treatment for exacerbation is selected individually.However, for any type of this dermatosis, therapy includes drugs for external and internal use, as well as a special diet. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of aggravation by following all the recommendations of the attending physician.
Frequently asked questions
What are the effective methods to relieve the symptoms of psoriasis during exacerbation?
During psoriasis flare-ups, topical medications such as corticosteroid creams or ointments and antipsoriatic medications such as methotrexate or cyclosporine are effective methods of symptom relief. It's also important to take good care of your skin, including regular moisturizing and avoiding irritants.
How long can psoriasis last and how often can it recur?
The duration and frequency of psoriasis exacerbations may vary depending on the individual characteristics of the patient. Severity can last from several weeks to several months. The frequency of exacerbations may vary for each patient - for some it may occur several times a year, while for others it occurs less often.
What factors can trigger the severity of psoriasis?
Psoriasis flare-ups can be caused by various factors, such as stress, infection, skin trauma, weather changes, certain medications, or certain foods. It's important to pay attention to your individual triggers and try to avoid them to minimize the risk of flare-ups.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Consult a dermatologist for professional advice and appropriate treatment. Only a specialist will be able to determine the severity and choose effective drugs and procedures.
Tip #2
Follow a diet that excludes foods that cause psoriasis, such as spicy and fatty foods, alcohol, citrus fruits and chocolate. Choose foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, such as fish, nuts, olive oil, fruits and vegetables.