Features of the development and symptoms of psoriasis affecting the elbows

Psoriasis with localization of the main changes in the elbow area occurs in approximately 5% of patients with this disease. The formation of psoriatic lesions on the elbows is possible at any age, but according to statistics, this form of the disease is mostly characteristic of older people.In most cases, the pathology can be successfully treated with timely consultation with a doctor, but in advanced cases it can be complicated by psoriatic arthritis.

Causes and symptoms

Psoriasis of the elbow has the same etiological causes of development as other forms of the disease. These are heredity, metabolic disorders, endocrine disorders, reduced functioning of the immune system, mechanical damage to the skin and traumatic situations. The provoking factor for the appearance of psoriatic lesions in the elbow area is considered to be dyshidrosis - chronic dehydration of the skin.

The disease begins with the appearance of one or more reddish spots that slightly protrude above the skin. At first they are red, then they are covered with a whitish film and gradually a layer of scales forms on their surface, which gives the plaques a silvery color.

In addition to these changes, psoriasis of the elbow can be recognized by the following symptoms:

• The resulting individual spots merge with each other over time, which leads to the appearance of large lesions;
• The scales are easily removed from the surface, leaving behind a thin skin on which drops of blood may appear;
• The formation of pustules is characterized by the appearance of a clearly defined red border that separates the healthy skin from the affected tissue;
• The appearance of the rash is accompanied by severe itching in 80% of cases;
• Regression, i. e. the disappearance of the plaque, starts from the center, and after the process calms down, a bright spot remains in its place.

In mild cases, the pathology disappears within one and a half to two months. In advanced cases, the spots may not completely recede - during the remission phase, one or several small plaques remain on the skin.

If left untreated, elbow psoriasis can cause psoriatic arthritis, an inflammation of the joints. A complication is indicated by swelling and swelling in the area of the affected joint, local increase in temperature and pain during movement.

Characteristics of elbow psoriasis

Psoriasis on the elbows has certain characteristics of development and flow, namely:

1. Age of disease onset. Elderly people mostly consult doctors with this form of the disease, damage to this area is rare in children and adolescents;
2. Only in 30% of cases is the symmetry of the lesion determined - plaques are formed on both the right and left elbow. In other cases, the inflammation covers only one area of the elbow;
3. Psoriatic lesions in psoriasis, unlike eczema and dermatitis, are localized only on the outer, extensor side of the joint;
4. The disease is characterized by seasonality - the most frequent exacerbations occur in the cold months of the year, that is, when the skin is more dehydrated;
5. The rash can be dry or wet;
6. Lesions mainly spread towards the forearm;
7. Over time, psoriasis of the elbow causes thickening of the skin in the affected area. The skin becomes thick, dry and cracks quickly, which is accompanied by the appearance of blood, pain and itching.

Elbow psoriasis must be treated under the supervision of a dermatologist.The lack of therapy leads to the fact that it is impossible to completely remove all changes in the affected area, and this causes internal discomfort and can cause depression.

Elbow psoriasis treatment methods

Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows should be comprehensive. It includes the use of external means, systemic drugs, physiotherapy and traditional methods of therapy.

Fats

In the initial stage of the disease, when only a few small plaques are formed and in the absence of pronounced swelling and redness, you can use ointments that have a softening, anti-inflammatory effect and can soften the keratinized outer layer of the stain.

In severe cases, i. e. when swelling, itching, hyperemia are pronounced, and the spots tend to increase rapidly, therapy begins with the application of ointments with glucocorticosteroids.

Any of the mentioned ointments for elbow psoriasis should be prescribed by a doctor. They are used in a short course, respecting the frequency of application and dosage. Non-compliance with the instructions for the use of hormonal drugs greatly increases the likelihood of developing local and systemic side effects.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are recommended to use ointments with emollient components and vitamins even during exacerbation of the disease. Their constant application nourishes the skin, prevents dehydration and thus prolongs periods of remission.

Drug therapy

Medicines are selected for the patient depending on the symptoms of the disease, their severity and accompanying diseases. Medicines are prescribed mainly if psoriatic changes continue to progress, with frequent relapses.

Standard oral therapy:

1. Antihistamines.The main purpose of prescribing antihistamines is to reduce itching, which accelerates the healing process of plaques and prevents the penetration of microbes into the damaged epidermis;
2. Medicines with a sedative effect– tinctures of valerian, motherwort. Their use helps reduce nervousness, improves sleep quality and prevents the development of depression;
3. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Medicines from this group relieve inflammation and pain well, promote skin regeneration;
4. Vitamin therapy.The use of vitamins increases the protective properties of the body and improves metabolic processes.

You must take all the medicines prescribed by your doctor in full.Reduction of rash lesions does not indicate that the therapy should be ended, otherwise the disease may re-enter the progressive stage.

Physiotherapy

The main treatment of elbow psoriasis can be supplemented with physiotherapy. They are prescribed to improve blood circulation and metabolic reactions in the skin, their use helps to improve local immunity and accelerates the restoration of normal epidermis. In psoriasis, procedures such as magnetotherapy, phototherapy, PUVA method, laser treatment and irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet rays show good results.

Patients with psoriasis of the elbow are prescribed sanatorium treatment, diet therapy and normalization of the nervous system.

Removal of psoriasis by traditional methods

Treatment of inflamed skin on the elbows at home with folk methods can be carried out after the acute process subsides. The effectiveness of self-prepared ointments and tinctures for poultices, herbal mixtures for internal use, medicinal baths has been proven. All means of traditional therapy should be used, taking into account the tolerability of the components that make up their basis.

• Baths for the treatment of elbows.Chamomile, sage, celandine grass and string should be mixed in equal proportions. Two or three tablespoons of the mixture are poured with boiling water in a ratio of 1: 10. The mixture is infused for half an hour, after which you can immerse your elbows in the medicinal solution. The duration of the procedure is until the infusion is completely cooled;
• Therapeutic bath.The shells of 10 walnuts are boiled with a liter of boiling water, after an hour the infusion is filtered and poured into a water bath. It is necessary to lie in a medicinal bath for 20-30 minutes, repeat it daily for at least 5 days;
• Garlic compress.A few small cloves of garlic are ground and poured into a glass of hot water. You must infuse the garlic solution for an hour and a half, then dip a bandage folded in several layers into it, squeeze it slightly and apply it to the elbow area. The compression changes as the gauze dries, it is advisable to carry out the procedure within an hour;
• Birch tar.You will need purified birch tar; apply it to the plaque area. The first procedure should not last more than 8-10 minutes, each day it increases. The course of tar treatment is 14 days. You can wash the tar from your elbows with laundry soap;
• Phytocompress.10 grams of dry grape leaves, 10 grams of burdock roots and 10 grams of flax seeds should be ground in a blender. The prepared mixture is poured into a glass of hot milk and heated over low heat for 2-3 minutes. After it cools in the liquid, moisten the gauze and apply it to the elbows. Keep the compress for half an hour.

Psoriasis on the elbows causes a lot of discomfort, but this form of the disease is considered one of the mildest. Timely consultation with a doctor, changes in lifestyle and diet, and adherence to preventive measures can completely clean the skin in the elbow joint and significantly extend periods of disease remission.