Psoriasis is a non-contagious autoimmune disease characterized by severe redness, inflammation and scaling of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has a wavy character - it proceeds with remissions and relapses. It is particularly uncomfortable on the face, as this part of the body cannot be covered with clothing. Psoriasis on the face brings not only itching and discomfort related to skin irritation, but also moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Is there psoriasis on the face?
Psoriatic skin defects most commonly affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits, and groin. Can there be psoriasis on the face? Maybe, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. It is the face that is often affected by the second form, which is considered more serious due to particularly dense large papules, as well as scales covered with a yellowish layer of sebum.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Doctors cannot yet come to a unified opinion about the causes of skin pathology, but suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune diseases;
- metabolic disorders.
Autoimmune diseases occur due to insufficient work of the immune system, when it begins to aggressively perceive its own body. The predisposition to such disorders is inherited, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disorders are provoked by nerve stress, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disorders. The cause of defective metabolism can also be unpleasant climatic conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis can't appear on the face for one reason only. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify factors that increase the likelihood of the manifestation of the pathology:
- chronic inflammation;
- exchange error;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin injuries (the main cause that provokes psoriasis on the nose and other prominences);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- frostbite and overheating;
- intoxication, including alcoholism;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta-blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: varieties
There are two types of psoriasis on the skin of the face:
- It occurs at a young age - up to 40 years. The peak incidence is between the ages of 16 and 24 years. Early pathology is often generalized, severe, difficult to treat, and often recurs.
- It affects people over the age of 40. The peak frequency is between the ages of 55 and 60. This type is less stubborn, the symptoms are not as severe as in the previous version, it is easier, it is more treatable.
There are also two main types of facial psoriasis: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in most patients and rarely affects the face. For such a place, the seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic, which often leads to recurrence, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the maximum severity of symptoms. The papules are particularly dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and are yellowish in color, which is why they are very noticeable.
The disease can be localized in the following places on the face:
- on the cheeks;
- On the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis is diagnosed on the lips. In a neglected version, skin defects can extend to the ears.
Clinical Stages
The pathology is not instantaneous, it proceeds in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start treatment at the first stage, but for this you need to know how psoriasis begins.
The stage of the pathology can be determined by the symptoms:
- Initially, facial psoriasis is manifested by papules resembling acne spots. They itch, increase in size, form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Later, the affected skin turns red, the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis or seborrheic). This phase is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, sore, scaly and covered with yellow dense crusts.
- Then the affected areas begin to bleed profusely and itch. Drops of blood come out after scraping a dense scale. Wound surfaces do not heal. Peeling goes all over the face, itching becomes unbearable.
- After that, the stationary stage begins, during which the growth of the papules stops and the detachment decreases. The plaques on the face take on a bluish tint.
- The final stage is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease recedes, peeling and itching completely disappear, papules and plaques dissolve.
Since psoriasis is chronic, it will definitely come back after remission. The duration of remission is individual and depends largely on the right treatment and facial care. If the pathology is left untreated, instead of remission, various complications may occur.
consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. The neglected form of psoriasis often progresses to arthritis, and if it spreads to the eyelids and ears, it can cause blindness and deafness. Comorbidities also worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's disease, heart failure. That is why it is so important to be treated on time.
How to cure psoriasis on face
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, since it is chronic, but many years of remission can be achieved. To do this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be complete - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with systemically and locally acting special preparations;
- Physical therapy;
- maintaining an adequate diet;
- folk medicine.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a series of standard tests to determine the features of the pathology. Therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations for psoriasis.
preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids quickly and powerfully fight the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They stop pathological cell division, as a result of which the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Antiallergic drugs help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A drug with succinic acid in the composition can accelerate skin recovery and improve its condition. For general strengthening of the body, injections of group B vitamins are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a complex of vitamins in tablet form.
When medications are ineffective, the most potent immunosuppressive drug for psoriatic rashes is used instead. It is used as a last resort due to the high likelihood of side effects.
With mild forms of the disease, as well as with childhood psoriasis, they try to treat with topical drugs - ointments, creams, gels.
How to smear psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. Usually occupied:
- ointment with salicylic acid 0. 5%;
- Ointment based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of the active substance);
- naftalan cream 5%;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- fat-based non-hormonal cream of plant origin.
Creams and gels and similar preparations for topical use are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs enhance the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and medicinal herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis.
In addition to the listed drugs, it is imperative to take sedatives (valerian, motherwort), since stress aggravates the symptoms. After the transition of the pathology to a calm stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiation therapy for itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- Magnetic therapy to improve metabolic processes.
Therapy with folk remedies
How to treat psoriasis of the skin, traditional medicine recommends. Masks will help to quickly remove psoriasis from the face at home:
- from the infusion of dry chamomile - brew the flowers, strain, dip the gauze in the solution and apply to the face, hold for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and rub juice on the affected areas of the face;
- from turmeric - the spice is diluted with water to a mushy state and applied to plaques. You need to keep 8-12 hours.
Face masks can be done every other day or every day before bed for 2-4 weeks. Then it is desirable to take a short break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.
Another effective remedy for psoriasis on the face are concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). It is advisable to add oils to the care cream or the washing water. They soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, facilitate peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
The pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which must be added to masks, washing water and scrubs. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but will help to significantly speed up the healing process. It is recommended to combine such treatment with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
diet and lifestyle
All patients (including children) must follow a diet that removes all potential allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colorful vegetables, seafood. If you have psoriasis on your forehead or cheeks, you should definitely avoid foods that contain sugar and starch.
The problem can also be solved by giving up bad habits - alcohol addiction and smoking. The right way of life must be constantly maintained even after the disease has passed into remission.
facial care
Problem skin on the face should be cared for carefully, regularly and correctly. For care, it is better to use a daily face moisturizer with vitamin D in the composition. It improves the quality of the skin, softening it and saturating it with nutrients for recovery. And you also need:
- avoid actively rubbing the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe your face with paper napkins after washing);
- In relapses, do not use decorative cosmetics on the face, especially in the hot season.
- do not peel or injure the skin with peeling;
- Replace razors with electric razors (tip for men);
- Regularly protect the skin of the face from the sun's ultraviolet rays with special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe on open areas of the body with psoriasis? No, the affected skin must be protected from the sun's rays, especially in the acute stage, as UV rays can cause complications.
Despite the specificity of psoriasis on the face, the prognosis for achieving a long remission with a comprehensive, competent approach to treatment is favorable if all the doctor's recommendations are followed.