Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.Occurs when there is damage in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - appearance, development, stabilization and regression.The stages of psoriasis vary in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching, and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of the development of the disease, and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of the development and during the recovery process?
Why do you need to know the stage of psoriasis?
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to choose the right therapeutic method.The complex of drugs and external agents prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is required - vitamin complex, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV treatment.They also prescribe drugs that stimulate the cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, and liver.
Psycho-emotional conditions must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the early stages of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system, and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and in remission
In the course of an acute progressive disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatment is supplemented with photochemical, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatment for damaged skin is also prescribed.
In a stable condition, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormone drugs, gradually reducing their dose.To restore damaged skin, an ointment with a regenerating effect is prescribed.
In the stage of remission - they support the body.Correct nutrition, take a complex of vitamins and minerals to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its level, and prevents repeated peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash, it is necessary to know the early signs so as not to miss the appearance of the skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still figuring out the cause of psoriasis.But it is definitely known that psoriatic inflammation of the skin is not contagious.It cannot be caught from a sick person, or caused by infection through injury.This is a personal failure of a person in a human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immune failure, which can be caused by various factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infections.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.This disease is prone to return and relapse.And the therapy itself is a symptom.It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itchiness.
What stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish psoriasis at the beginning from a diathesis rash?And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: early stages
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like acne.Most often, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is tightly pressed to the body (for example, under the belt at the waist).The rash may also appear along the edges of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail bed.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always shows itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
Acne itself (in medical terms - papule) in the early stages has a simple appearance.They have:
- Pink or red color;
- The edges are clear and not blurred;
- Small size - acne at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat form - small pimples that are right at the beginning of the disease have almost no convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, scaly flakes of skin appear on the acne.They are gray or silver in color, and appear white with a background of red pimples.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales come off, revealing a shiny area of pink, young skin underneath.It is very thin, vulnerable, and if you scratch an itchy papule for a long time, it becomes injured and bleeds.
The duration of the initial stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stages of development
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into one common spot, forming a so-called psoriatic plaque.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with peeling.Along the edges of psoriatic plaques there is a pinkish-red rim that does not peel.
The presence of a rim is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment.
The rim represents the area where the spot expands.This is skin that is already inflamed, but not peeling anymore.After some time it will also be covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of the skin and forming a new, wider rim.
With the active development of the disease, neighboring spots merge with each other.At some point, a large red, inflamed spot may form on a person's body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, cause discomfort to a person, interfere with his work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy a large area, and form new rashes on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive stage is the appearance of a new rash.As soon as acne and new spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turn towards recovery.
In the advanced stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and weakness.Depression is common.Possible temperature.
Note:Some medical theories still say otherwise.Depression is not a result of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of a depressed neurology and psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching also weakens and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored, and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of stabilization of the process.
The pink rim around the perimeter of the plaque disappears when the spread of inflammation stops.Exfoliation and active healing begins, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It can be seen with the naked eye that the exfoliation is intensifying in the stationary stage.The scale completely covers the entire surface of the psoriatic spot, leaving no room for a rim.
Psoriasis has a characteristic scaly appearance, by which ordinary people usually recognize it.Extensive peeling in the stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells are gone from the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with some light color will remain in its place.
Other signs of progress or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are several other signs that can evaluate the development of the disease.This is the nature of itching sensation (strong or acceptable), general condition, depressed mood.And also the presence of temperature.
In the early stages, itching can change, and the rash is incomprehensible.Further, the itching is increasing every day.In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes intolerable.Disturbing sleep, tranquility and disrupting work.The person becomes irritable because the itchy sensation does not give him a chance to relax.
In the stationary stage, itching decreases.Every day someone feels better.The general mood changes, negative feelings and depression weaken.The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the minimization stage
The attenuated stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation, and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only different skin pigmentation is reminiscent of psoriasis.In the place of the former psoriatic spots, they appear lighter.The surface of healthy skin has a darker color.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin at the site of psoriasis spots does not become lighter, but darker.In any case, the difference in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: the possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis relapse is determined by a person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood, and overall body condition.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, in the blood, and liver.You can reduce the chance of recurring skin inflammation if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels, and intestines.
Often after clearing, seasonal relapses of psoriasis become rare.A person is still susceptible to this disease, but the probability of its occurrence is significantly reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking a vitamin-mineral complex helps improve immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment in advanced stages of psoriasis.Their need is due to the work of inflammatory mediators.After suppression of autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.