The causes of skin lesions with psoriatic plaques are not fully understood. The overwhelming majority of doctors consider genetic predisposition to be a fundamental factor in the development of pathology. Psoriasis is a systemic, non-infectious, chronic, relapsing disease that primarily affects the skin, nails, and joints.
The main signs and causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis disease is characterized by an increased proliferation of epidermal cells. Normally, cell division, maturation, and death occur within 3-4 weeks. With psoriasis, this process lasts no more than 5 days.
Externally, this is manifested by the formation on the skin of dense red or pink areas, covered with small white scales of dead cells. If they are carefully scraped off, a thin glossy film (end) is exposed with a clearly visible capillary network. After a slight rubbing, drops of blood will appear on it.
This feature is called the "psoriatic triad" and is the main difference between psoriasis and other skin diseases. To confirm the diagnosis, a histological examination of skin particles from the affected areas is performed.
The main factors provoking the appearance of psoriasis are considered:
- Exogenous (external causes). These include various injuries to the skin of a physical or chemical nature.
- Endogenous (internal causes). They can consist of diseases of the immune system, the endocrine system and HIV infection. Smoking, alcohol, unhealthy diet also provoke psoriatic skin lesions.
- psychogenic. In most cases, the first manifestations of psoriasis appear after nervous shock or prolonged emotional overstrain.
Rashes are often a consequence of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Many doctors attribute this to a weakened immune system. People with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis are advised to avoid factors that provoke them.
forms of psoriasis disease
This or that form of the disease depends on the type of rash and the place of its localization. During pregnancy, due to changes in the hormonal background, psoriatic manifestations can disappear or, on the contrary, manifest themselves with greater force.
psoriasis vulgaris
The most common form of pathology. The first signs are papular rashes. They can be single, in different places, or clustered throughout the body. As the disease progresses, psoriatic plaques increase and gradually merge with each other.
Depending on the form of the rashes, ordinary psoriasis is divided into:
- spotted (papules in the form of a point the size of a match head);
- teardrop-shaped (elongated spots the size of a pinhead);
- coin-shaped (round plates the size of a pea).
Rashes can be in the form of an arc, circle, spiral or garland. Sometimes they resemble the outlines of continents on a geographic map. When the disease is localized on the scalp, it is called seborrheic psoriasis. Sometimes the throat, nose, forehead and chest are affected. Diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity of pathology with seborrhea.
Distinctive features are the clarity of the boundaries of the affected areas, the presence of the "psoriasis triad", the silver color of the scales. Often there is itching, hair does not fall out.
Palmoplantar psoriasis is named after the accumulation of plaques on the feet and hands. It is characterized by the formation of buffed areas of skin that resemble corns. Nail psoriasis changes its color, shape and structure. They loosen up, become covered with small indentations and take the form of a thimble.
Isolation of exudate from papules causes a burning sensation. The scales stick together, forming a crust that adheres firmly to the skin. In this case one speaks of the exudative form of psoriasis.
In severe cases, the entire body surface is affected. The skin feels hot, acquires a red tint, swells, there is severe itching, burning and a feeling of tightness. This form of the disease is called psoriatic erythroderma.
Pustular psoriasis
It's pretty rare. It develops against the background of vulgar or appears on absolutely healthy skin. In this case, inflamed areas appear first, on which vesicles form over the course of the day, which quickly turn into pustules. Their contents are sterile and when drained they dry out and form crusts.
There are several types of the disease. All of them are characterized by chills, fever, fever, sometimes diarrhea, vomiting. The condition worsens when the pustules merge and occupy large areas of the skin. If pustular psoriasis occurs against the background of psoriasis vulgaris, fusion is not observed.
Arthropathic psoriasis
It affects the joints, mostly small ones (phalanges of the fingers and toes). Sometimes the pathological process affects the spine. This form of psoriasis often leads to disabilities.
The first signs of the disease are pain, aggravated by movement, and swelling in the joints. Evening fever, disturbance of the gastrointestinal tract, loss of appetite are characteristic of an exacerbation of the disease.
Over time, joint deformities and loss of mobility occur. Pathology can develop independently or in parallel with skin manifestations of psoriasis vulgaris.
All forms of pathology can develop gradually, over years, or quickly, over several days and even hours. The treatment regimen depends on the form and severity of the disease and should be put together by a specialist in dermatology.
External means are most often prescribed in the form of ointments and gels, as well as physical therapy. In some cases, drug therapy is required. Self-medication can lead to an aggravation of the condition.