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How psoriasis begins: symptoms, photos, treatment

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin pathologies.It can occur in patients of any age.The etiology of the disease has not yet been fully determined, so it is impossible to completely cure psoriasis.That is why it is so important to recognize it at the initial stage of development.In this article, we will look at what psoriasis is, how it manifests itself and how to treat it.

What is psoriasis

Psoriasis is a polyetiological skin disease that manifests as a monomorphic rash. The pathology is chronic.Psoriasis occurs in waves, with possible periods of relapse and remission.

Relapse can be caused by lack of adequate treatment, alcohol abuse, stress, etc.The rash in both adults and children spreads gradually, affecting more and more parts of the skin.Psoriasis is characterized by the formation of raised, reddish, dry patches with a scaly, silvery-white surface.This rash is called "psoriatic plaques".

Psoriasis is most often observed in the area of the elbows and knees, on the buttocks, i.e. in the places of greatest pressure and friction.In some cases, the rash appears on the scalp, palms, soles and external genitalia.Psoriatic plaques on the face are very rare.

Causes

Many people wonder whether or not psoriasis is contagious to others.The pathology is not contagious, that is, it is not transmitted to others.Among the causes of psoriasis are:

  1. Hereditary predisposition.
  2. Endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction).
  3. Stress, neuropsychic overstrain.
  4. Parasitic infestations (giardiasis, ascariasis, pork or beef tapeworm infection).
  5. Metabolic pathologies (silicon deficiency is particularly dangerous).
  6. Predisposition to allergies.
  7. Infectious diseases of a viral nature.
  8. Weak immune system.
  9. Long-term use of drugs.

In most cases, psoriasis is felt between the ages of 15 and 30 due to one or more causes. According to medical statistics, more than 60% of patients with psoriasis have relatives suffering from this disease.

Symptoms of psoriasis in the initial stage

To recognize how psoriasis begins, you should familiarize yourself with the main signs of the disease.You should be careful:

  • formation of bright-colored rashes on the skin with clearly visible edges (most often appear at the site of injury - burns, cuts, frostbite);
  • the appearance of peeling in the central part of the plaque;
  • itching of psoriatic formations (manifests only in half of cases due to weakened immunity);
  • swelling and inflammation in the area where the rash appears.

At first, the rashes are very small, about the size of a pinhead.They have a hemispherical shape and a smooth shiny surface.After a few days, the rash increases and is covered with light scales that are easily detached.When the plaque is scraped off, drops of blood appear on its surface, indicating precise bleeding.

Sometimes psoriasis can be complicated by exudative phenomena (serous fluid).The scales absorb this exudate and turn into a rough crust.If you remove it, the wet areas remain underneath.Such occurrences are dangerous due to the addition of secondary bacterial infection.

As a rule, psoriasis in the early stage lasts 2-3 weeks. If left untreated, the plaques grow up to 5-7 cm, merge and form entire conglomerates, covering large areas of the skin.

What does psoriasis look like in the initial stage

Now let's see what psoriasis looks like at the beginning of its development in different locations.For easier perception, we present the corresponding photos.

  1. Legs.The disease begins with a single small rash that is mainly found on the knees and feet, but can also be observed on any surface of the legs.
    2. The initial stage of psoriasis on the surface of the legs
  2. Elbows.In most cases, the plaque type of psoriasis appears in this place, which is characterized by a small rash with very strong peeling.The skin on the elbows becomes rough.
    3. Psoriatic plaques of the initial stage of the disease on the elbows
  3. Hands.In this area, psoriasis appears suddenly in the form of a small rash, which many people mistake for an allergy.Only after the appearance of dry scales do people consult a doctor.Often the rash is localized between the fingers on the palms.
    4. Rash in the initial stage of psoriasis on the hand
  4. The head.Psoriasis often affects the scalp, ear area and back of the head.The rash in this area is characterized by moist scales and is almost always itchy.
    5. Early stage psoriasis on the scalp
  5. Face.The rash affects nasolabial folds, eyelids, eyebrows and eyes.This form of psoriasis is considered atypical.
    6. Rash on the eyelid in the early stage of psoriasis
  6. Nails.Psoriasis on the nails is more like a fungal disease.First, longitudinal stripes or dots appear on the edges of the nails, and then they spread to the roots.At the same time, the nail plate itself becomes dull and thickened.
    7. Longitudinal stripes on the nails - manifestations of the initial stage of psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis

Therapy should be started with a visit to a dermatologist. In no case should you self-medicate.Treatment of psoriasis in the initial stage should be comprehensive.Today, new treatment methods have been developed that help to completely get rid of the scaly rash, although they do not completely cure the disease itself.During the therapy, it is necessary to exclude all factors that cause worsening of the pathology, change the diet and adhere to a special diet.

Drug therapy

Treatment tactics for early-stage psoriasis are gradually changing.If earlier hormonal drugs of general action were prescribed, now local agents are widely used.

The following ointments provide good relief from the manifestations of psoriasis:

  1. Keratolytic and moisturizing.
  2. Vegetables.
  3. Glucocorticoid.
  4. Cytostatic.
  5. Based on solid oil.
  6. Oil-based.

The doctor can also prescribe sedatives, antihistamines for severe itching, immunomodulators and vitamin-mineral complexes.Treatment should also include physical therapy.The following methods are widely used:

  • paraffin baths;
  • PUVA therapy;
  • UV radiation;
  • sulfide and radon baths.

Electrosleep and magnetic laser therapy have a beneficial effect.Cryotherapy (treatment with cold) and hirudotherapy (treatment with leeches) are becoming increasingly popular.

When treating psoriasis on the head, the skin should not be combed.The head should be washed daily with medicinal shampoos containing zinc, tar and selenium sulphide.

Treatment at home

Before using any prescription, you should consult your doctor in order not to cause the development of complications. Treatment with traditional medicine is primarily aimed at strengthening the immune system and alleviating the inflammatory process.That is why it is necessary to drink vitamin teas - decoctions of rose hips, lemon, viburnum, raspberry, chamomile, etc.Adding honey to herbal teas is recommended.

The most effective home remedies include:

  1. Celandine.It relieves inflammation well and soothes the skin.Plaques must be smeared daily with the juice of this plant.
  2. Hydrogen peroxide.To begin with, dilute the peroxide with water in a ratio of 1:3 and apply the solution to the psoriatic rash for disinfection.Use before applying ointments or lotions.
  3. Linseed oil.It perfectly relieves inflammation and heals the skin.Apply to the affected area twice a day.
  4. Baking soda.It neutralizes the acidity of the skin, which increases in psoriasis.
  5. Solid oil.It helps very well at the beginning of the disease.It is necessary to smear the affected areas before going to bed.

Prevention and recommendations

To reduce the risk of psoriasis, prevention is necessary. Follow these guidelines:

  • moisturize your skin regularly with creams;
  • avoid skin damage in the form of burns, scratches, bites, etc.;
  • strengthen your immune system, do sports and walk more in the fresh air;
  • give up bad habits (smoking, drinking alcohol);
  • Take only those medicines prescribed by your doctor.

It is important to mention a special diet for psoriasis. It helps to achieve remission faster and reduces the duration of disease recurrence.The table below contains a list of permitted, prohibited and restricted products.

Products Allowed Limited use Forbidden
Fish and meat turkey, chicken, rabbit, lean river fish lean beef and lamb pork, sea fish
Cereals and flour products oatmeal, buckwheat, millet, pearl barley, corn, wheat flakes rice semolina, puff pastry, wheat flour pastries, bread
Dairy products low-fat cottage cheese, skimmed milk kefir, fermented milk, sour cream cheese
Vegetables carrot, broccoli, cucumber, asparagus, lettuce, green beans corn, pumpkin pepper, tomato, potato, eggplant
Fruits and berries kiwi, pineapple, mango, grape, nectarine, cherry plum, blueberry, currant, cranberry, avocado strawberry, citrus, red apple
Nuts almonds pine nuts everyone else
Sweets dried apricots, raisins, dates med chocolate, sweets and other confectionery products
Spices dill, parsley, green onion horseradish, garlic, onion pepper, cloves, nutmeg
Oils sunflower, olive, cotton, corn butter spread, margarine
A drink herbal teas, juices, compotes green tea black tea, coffee, carbonated drinks, alcohol

Do not forget about the drinking regime.It is necessary to drink 1.5-2 liters of drinking water per day.

Psoriasis is a rather unpleasant skin disease that causes a lot of discomfort.It cannot be completely eliminated, but with a competent approach to treatment, a stable remission can be achieved.To do this, you need to contact a dermatologist.Psoriasis in the initial stage responds well to drug therapy.You should not self-medicate, as this will only worsen the course of the disease.