Skin diseases are accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and psychological discomfort. One of the most common diseases that require immediate skin treatment is psoriasis on the elbows, and the choice of funds is not limited to the use of local preparations. If you do not take timely therapy, then a small inflammation quickly develops from a cosmetic problem to a medical one.
What is elbow psoriasis?
The disease, characterized by the appearance of multiple spots on the bend of the limbs, is characterized by unpredictability and cyclicality. Elbow psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that begins with the appearance of papules and grows into plaques (large diffuse lesions) with white, silver, and reddish scales. Slightly raised areas of damage form due to the accumulation of dry dead cells. If the inflammation is not treated, the disease progresses with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
symptoms
When crusts form on the elbows, you can immediately see the damaged areas of the skin. Signs of the disease are immediately clearly visible and complete healing of psoriasis in the area of the bend of the arm is rarely possible. The chances of a successful recovery are given to those patients who consulted a doctor on time. A cause for concern should be violations of the skin condition on the elbows, which resemble the following symptoms of psoriasis:
- Red plaques, or scaly patches that initially appear like papules with a white film, and as the disease worsens and develops, they grow, join together, and become covered with white scales.
- Itching of the skin, which damages the skin even more. Like other mechanical damage to the skin, such as scratches, cuts, such inflammation is combed on the elbows, injures the skin and leads to the appearance of new spots.
- Severe redness, inflamed areas of skin begin to bleed.
Plaques on the elbows
Psoriasis can appear in the groin, trunk, limbs, or head, but wherever the disease is located, plaques are its sure sign. Wounds on the elbows in the form of red spots with white scales are more common due to the openness of this area of \u200b\u200bthe skin, as it is easily damaged. The changed area of \u200b\u200bthe epidermis becomes inflamed, red scaly spots gradually increase and can cover the entire elbow. With a neglected form, plaques can bleed, and when trying to scrape, the phenomenon of "stearin spots" appears, like after a drop of hardened wax.
causes
Scientific studies, which continue to be conducted, have not yet been able to determine with complete certainty the source of the onset of the disease, and among the medical versions of the causes of psoriasis in the elbow area there are the following:
- Genetic predisposition is an important statistical factor. If one of the parents has chronic skin inflammation, there is a high probability that the child will also get psoriasis.
- The penetration of certain substances through the injured areas of the skin. The affected areas of the epidermis begin to thicken, the body begins to fight the symptoms of the disease and sheds cells, which externally manifests itself as a fungus on the elbows.
- Violation of the work of T-lymphocytes, which are faced with the task of creating a barrier from pathogens.
- Silicon deficiency in the body.
- endocrine diseases.
- Serious limb injuries.
- Severe mechanical damage, non-healing wounds.
- Emotional, mental stress.
- long-term medication.
- weak immunity.
stages
A chronic inflammatory process on the elbows, which under the influence of a number of reasons either increases or decreases and progresses without proper treatment. The course of therapy should be prescribed by a dermatologist, but in order to determine the effectiveness of the method, the choice of drugs and procedures, the doctor must assess the course of the disease. Further tactics depend on the clinical picture, while it is customary to distinguish the following stages of skin lesions on the elbows with psoriasis:
- initial. The surface of the skin on the outside of the elbows is covered with a rash. Reddish spots of a round shape with a white film grow, become covered with scales, and after 2-3 weeks plaques are formed. With timely treatment, the signs of psoriasis may disappear for a while and then reappear, or the lesion may appear on another part of the body.
- Progressive. This stage of the disease can be characterized by the presence of psoriatic elements with many scales. The appearance of such signs indicates the beginning of an exacerbation of psoriasis, and it is easy to recognize this by the presence of a hyperemic rim (redness) on the edge of the scaly plaque.
- Stationary. It is characterized by a decrease in the inflammatory process, which indicates the effectiveness of the treatment used. The appearance of new plaques on the elbows stops, there is no red border around the elements of psoriasis, their diameter decreases, while the scales completely cover the inflamed area.
- Regressive. It indicates a partial recovery, while the peeling is almost imperceptible or disappears, patches of pigmented skin appear instead of the plaques. Another package of measures aims to prevent exacerbations of psoriasis.
to shape
The undulating course of the disease, when a spontaneous period alternates with an improvement, is not the only component of the insidiousness of psoriasis. The severity of the course of the inflammatory process depends on the type of rash, another important factor is the shape. When localizing rashes on the elbows, a simple (vulgar) type of disease, characterized by redness, peeling, itching, is often found. The neglected form of the disease threatens with complications and the appearance of pustular, erythrodermic, seborrheic psoriasis - with them the area of \u200b\u200bthe lesion will expand.
How to treat psoriasis on elbows
There are effective methods of therapy, but completely cleaning the skin on the elbows will not work, since psoriasis belongs to the group of incurable diseases. The whole system of complex treatment will be aimed at the maximum elimination of external signs. The duration of remission depends on many factors, and in order to eliminate the manifestation of psoriasis, it is recommended to build a treatment regimen using the following basic methods:
- local therapy (ointment, cream, lotion);
- physiotherapeutic procedures;
- phototherapy;
- special diet;
- Taking vitamin and mineral complexes.
The cure for psoriasis on the elbows
Drugs are actively used in the treatment of a multifactorial disease, but their effectiveness is noticeable only in combination with other means. For the treatment of psoriasis, it is customary to use external drugs, and if they are ineffective, the following drugs can be prescribed:
- cytostatics;
- antihistamines;
- enterosorbents.
ointment
A quick way to get rid of the uncomfortable symptoms of psoriasis is with a topical treatment. Ointments with vitamin D, zinc and tar are designed to help remove dead cells, moisturize the skin on the elbows, and hormonal agents help with more severe forms of the disease. Corticosteroids are relatively safe when used as directed by a doctor who has examined psoriatic plaques on the elbows, assessed the condition of the upper layers and the extent of the lesion. Only a dermatologist can introduce hormonal ointments into the treatment regimen, self-medication is strictly forbidden!
alternative treatment
Compresses, lotions, decoctions, baths can rightly be considered no less useful methods of treating psoriasis. If the plaques on the elbows are covered with a white film, itching and redness can be conveniently removed at home by soaking the affected areas in a cool herbal solution for 7-10 minutes. The composition should be selected individually, brewed with boiling water, but hot baths should be avoided. Herbs useful for treating psoriasis include:
- celandine;
- chicory root;
- valerian root.
prevention
There is no reason to assume that psoriasis will go away on its own, but self-medication is also not worthwhile because of the risk of aggravating the course of a chronic disease. Removing the inflammatory process is the first step to recovery, because for long-term remission you need to follow some recommendations from doctors. In order to avoid exacerbation of psoriasis, it is necessary to adhere to the following preventive measures:
- adhere to proper nutrition;
- exclude the use of alcoholic beverages, alcohol, sweets, spicy food;
- get enough sleep, sleeping at least 8 hours a day;
- avoid mechanical damage to the skin, injuries;
- monitor the internal condition of the body;
- develop stress management skills;
- support the functioning of the immune system and avoid infectious diseases;
- Minimize contact with household chemicals.
Photo of psoriasis on the elbow
