Psoriasis: photos, symptoms and the initial stage of psoriasis
What it is? Psoriasis is one of the most common recurrent dermatoses with a chronic course, a systemic disease that affects not only the skin but also involves internal organs and also affects the musculoskeletal system.
Externally manifested by the appearance on the skin of scales of silvery color that become inflamed and flaky. According to statistics, this disease affects 2% of the total population of the Earth.
This psychosomatic pathology stands in one group next to hypertension, diabetes and bronchial asthma.
Why does psoriasis occur, and what is it? For psoriasis there are no age restrictions, it can occur at any age and last for many years. Since the disease significantly affects the quality of life, reduces the level of efficiency and social initiative, the problem of finding out the reasons for its occurrence is given enough time and effort.
Numerous studies have made it possible to formulate the concept of psoriasis development:
Psoriasis is manifested by rashes on the scalp, on the extensor surface of the knees and elbows in most cases, but the initial symptoms of psoriasis may appear on other parts of the body( soles of the feet, palmar parts of the hands, on the genitals).
Psoriatic foci( plaques) are inflamed, red, appearing above the normal skin zone. They are thickened, have a rough surface, covered with scales of gray color, and resemble frozen paraffin( see photo).
Scales are formed as a result of death of the epidermis and this is a natural process, but with this pathology it occurs at an accelerated rate.
The silver layer is easily removed, and underneath it is easily traumatized and bleeding red skin with many small vessels. Most often, psoriatic plaques occur in areas prone to rubbing. They merge with neighboring foci and form plates.
Sometimes not only the skin is involved, and then psoriasis develops into a psoriatic disease that affects the joints and internal organs.
Detailed photos of the disease on different parts of the body, including psoriasis in the initial stage.
Specific diagnosis does not exist. The diagnosis is established during examination, based on the characteristic changes in the appearance of the skin. In order to exclude other skin diseases, a biopsy and a histological examination are performed.
The symptom of psoriasis is Auslitz's symptom, or the phenomenon of bloody dew, when full scraping of scales from the papula appears point bleeding. This is due to increased fragility and permeability of capillaries, as well as with the pathological acceleration of the formation of new blood vessels.
In severe disease, blood changes take place, which confirms the development of an autoimmune rheumatic process.
Treatment of psoriasis is carried out taking into account anamnesis, contraindications to a certain type of medication, form and stage of the disease.
To date, a large number of drugs are being produced, but none of them guarantees the cessation of relapses. You can only stop the exacerbation of the disease, but not cure it. The scheme, which would have been established worldwide for local therapy of pathology, is currently not available.
Drugs for external use are selected depending on the location of the foci and the stage of the disease. Only local treatment can be limited to a mild course of psoriasis in the initial stage, if there are individual rashes. In this case, appoint creams with retinol and vitamin D3, 1% salicylic ointment.
Massively used physiotherapy methods, in particular well-proven phototherapy, after which the remission lasts up to five years.
It should be remembered that psoriasis is a chronic and progressive disease, therefore, in order to improve the quality of life and prevent disability, timely and adequate treatment is simply vital.
Externally manifested by the appearance on the skin of scales of silvery color that become inflamed and flaky. According to statistics, this disease affects 2% of the total population of the Earth.
This psychosomatic pathology stands in one group next to hypertension, diabetes and bronchial asthma.
Causes of psoriasis
Why does psoriasis occur, and what is it? For psoriasis there are no age restrictions, it can occur at any age and last for many years. Since the disease significantly affects the quality of life, reduces the level of efficiency and social initiative, the problem of finding out the reasons for its occurrence is given enough time and effort.
Numerous studies have made it possible to formulate the concept of psoriasis development:
- 1) Infectious and immunological. The main mechanism of development of pathology is a violation of immunity. When studying scales, antigenic complexes were found, which should not be present in skin cells. Serum antibodies to these complexes were detected.
Individual migrated infections can trigger the appearance of psoriasis. Very often the first symptoms appear in the autumn-winter period, when there is a very high risk of getting a cold.
- 2) Genetic theory is considered the main one in determining the causes of the disease. This is confirmed by the fact that blood relatives, not suffering from psoriasis, show disturbances in metabolic processes. Hereditary predisposition can make itself felt under the influence of unfavorable factors( stress, infection, hormonal failure).But the disease can not be called strictly inherited, since parents with the presence of psoriasis can have a child without pathology.
- 3) Endocrine concept. The appearance and aggravation of psoriasis is affected by the functional state of the gonads. Hormonal nature is explained by the fact that during pregnancy or breast-feeding in women, psoriasis may be lost.
- 4) Exchange concept. In psoriasis, there is a slowdown in the basal metabolism and an increase in total lipids with cholesterol. Some scientists believe that changes in lipid metabolism serve as a trigger mechanism for keratinizing the skin in certain areas of the body. In psoriatic plaques, the study shows an excessive amount of free cholesterol.
Symptoms of psoriasis
Psoriasis is manifested by rashes on the scalp, on the extensor surface of the knees and elbows in most cases, but the initial symptoms of psoriasis may appear on other parts of the body( soles of the feet, palmar parts of the hands, on the genitals).
Psoriatic foci( plaques) are inflamed, red, appearing above the normal skin zone. They are thickened, have a rough surface, covered with scales of gray color, and resemble frozen paraffin( see photo).
Scales are formed as a result of death of the epidermis and this is a natural process, but with this pathology it occurs at an accelerated rate.
The silver layer is easily removed, and underneath it is easily traumatized and bleeding red skin with many small vessels. Most often, psoriatic plaques occur in areas prone to rubbing. They merge with neighboring foci and form plates.
The disease occurs with remissions and relapses and, in the absence of treatment at the initial stage, progresses, which is manifested by an increase in the area of the lesion. Over time, plaques can spread and occupy almost the entire skin.
Sometimes not only the skin is involved, and then psoriasis develops into a psoriatic disease that affects the joints and internal organs.
How does psoriasis look on the photo: the initial stage of
Detailed photos of the disease on different parts of the body, including psoriasis in the initial stage.
The initial stage of psoriasis on the photo:
Diagnostics
Specific diagnosis does not exist. The diagnosis is established during examination, based on the characteristic changes in the appearance of the skin. In order to exclude other skin diseases, a biopsy and a histological examination are performed.
The symptom of psoriasis is Auslitz's symptom, or the phenomenon of bloody dew, when full scraping of scales from the papula appears point bleeding. This is due to increased fragility and permeability of capillaries, as well as with the pathological acceleration of the formation of new blood vessels.
In severe disease, blood changes take place, which confirms the development of an autoimmune rheumatic process.
Treatment options for psoriasis
Treatment of psoriasis is carried out taking into account anamnesis, contraindications to a certain type of medication, form and stage of the disease.
To date, a large number of drugs are being produced, but none of them guarantees the cessation of relapses. You can only stop the exacerbation of the disease, but not cure it. The scheme, which would have been established worldwide for local therapy of pathology, is currently not available.
Drugs for external use are selected depending on the location of the foci and the stage of the disease. Only local treatment can be limited to a mild course of psoriasis in the initial stage, if there are individual rashes. In this case, appoint creams with retinol and vitamin D3, 1% salicylic ointment.
Doctors offer combined treatment to reduce the frequency of relapses and complications. The complex is prescribed vitamins, calcium preparations, antidepressants, immunomodulators, sedatives, antihistamines and enzyme preparations, as well as hepatoprotectors.
Massively used physiotherapy methods, in particular well-proven phototherapy, after which the remission lasts up to five years.
It should be remembered that psoriasis is a chronic and progressive disease, therefore, in order to improve the quality of life and prevent disability, timely and adequate treatment is simply vital.