Psoriasis is covered with a disease, due to which the skin is red, flaky and scaly skin rashes appear, covered with silvery-white scales.
Usually these rashes appear on the elbows, knees, scalp, and back, but can also be observed, in all other areas. For most people, small rashes. In some cases, you can do itch or hurt.
In Russia, Psoriasis, about 1% of the population suffers, often, psoriasis occurs when the indigenous people of the North. Men and women are affected equally often. The first symptoms of Psoriasis occur more frequently in the age of up to 30 years, however, the later onset of the Psoriasis — not a rarity. The severity of psoriasis varies with each person. Someone psoriasis only a little annoying, while other people psoriasis prevent to lead a normal life.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease, which are usually periods of Remission without symptoms or with only mild symptoms, according to which periods of exacerbation when the symptoms are becoming more pronounced.
Psoriasis occurs when the speed of the process of reproduction of the organism in skin cells. Skin cells are produced and generally every 3-4 months and change, but in the case of psoriasis this process is shortened to 3-7 days. In the result of the build-up of skin cells and this leads to the formation of the characteristic changes in the body.
The cause of Psoriasis is not fully understood, it is believed that the increased cell proliferation of the skin associated with disorders of the immune system. The immune system is the natural defense of the body against infections and diseases, but in people with Psoriasis mistakenly attack the healthy cells of the skin.
Psoriasis can be inherited, and it is believed, therefore, that in this disease there is also a genetic factor. However, it is still unclear what is the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis.
In many people symptoms of Psoriasis or worsen the so-called Trigger will occur after a certain event. Possible triggers for psoriasis, skin damage, infections of the throat and intake of certain medications. This disease is not contagious and cannot be transmitted from one Person to another.
In the case of suspected psoriasis you should consult a doctor. Often the doctor may make a diagnosis based on the appearance of your skin In General, for the diagnosis and treatment of Psoriasis patients in the skin doctor to refer a specialist for skin diseases.
Cure although Psoriasis is impossible, there are a number of treatments that alleviate your symptoms and improve the appearance of the skin. In most cases, in the first place, the local treatment is assigned, for example, analogues of Vitamin D or corticosteroids, and local measures. In the most severe cases when other treatments help, systemic therapy can be used. Systemic treatment, the ingestion or injection of drugs that have a therapeutic effect on the entire organism.
For some people, Psoriasis is just a minor Problem, but sometimes it can have a significant impact on your life. For example, some patients with Psoriasis have low self-esteem due to the fact how the disease affects your appearance. Often when Psoriasis painful sensitivity, pain and swelling of the joints and of the connective tissue appears. This is called psoriatic Arthritis.
Symptoms of psoriasis
In most cases, psoriasis is cyclical: every couple of weeks or months, the disease escalated, and then the symptoms become less visible or disappear, and it enters Remission.
There are different types of Psoriasis. Many are sick, only a Form of Psoriasis, although it is possible that the disease in two different ways at the same time. A type can type in a different or worse. In the case of suspected psoriasis you should consult a doctor.
Common types of psoriasis
Psoriasis vulgaris. It is the most common Form of psoriasis, a proportion of about 90% of all cases. Symptoms dry, red skin-formation, the so-called Plaques, covered with silvery-white scales covered. They appear in the rule, you have skin on the elbows, the knees, the head and the back, but can occur and in all other places. The Plaques and (or) pain itching. In severe cases the skin can crack at the joints and bleeding.
Psoriasis of the scalp (seborrheic Psoriasis) can occur on the scalp or on adjacent areas of the skin, as well as on the back and the chest. Reddish skin causing rashes, covered with dense silvery-white scales covered. For some people, this type of psoriasis is caused severe itching, while other causes no inconvenience. In the most severe cases hair loss can cause, usually for a limited time.
Psoriasis of the nails. About half of the patients with Psoriasis, the disease spreads to the nails. In the case of psoriasis in the nails occur in small holes or recesses can, they lose their color and shape. Often nails can be dissolved from the nail bed, in which they are located. In severe cases, nails may crumble.
In Psoriasis in the Form of drops appear to be small (less than 1 cm) the tile in the Form of drops on the chest, arms, legs, and the hair on the head. There is a high likelihood that the guttate Psoriasis is completely in a couple of weeks, but in some people it turns into Psoriasis vulgaris. This type of Psoriasis sometimes occurs after a streptococcal infection of the throat, and more frequently in children and adolescents.
Psoriasis wrinkle - effect on the skin folds, such as under the armpits, in the groin, between the buttocks or under the mammary glands. Great smooth skin rashes to appear in some or in all of these areas. The symptoms are made worse by friction and sweating, so particular inconvenience in hot weather can provide.
Pustular Psoriasis
More than a rare type of psoriasis in which the skin appear blisters (vesicles with purulent content). Different types of pustules Psoriasis hit different parts of the body.
Generalized pulstole Psoriasis (psoriasis background Tsumbush). Pustules arise on a large surface of the skin and develop very quickly. Pus consists of white blood cells and its appearance is not always directly related with the infection. Pustules can cyclically every couple of days or weeks to appear again. At the beginning of this cycles background Tsumbush can lead to fever, chills, weight loss and chronic fatigue psoriasis.
Palmar-plantar psoriasis. Pustules appear on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Gradually turn into pustules are roundish brown spots with scales, which are then separated from the skin. Pustules appear again every few days or weeks.
Pustular acrodermatitis (acrobustulosis). Pustules appear on the fingers of your hands and feet. Then pustules burst, after you have red areas, which can make the liquid or covered with scales remain bright. Can lead to pain deformations of the nails.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis (erythrodermic Psoriasis)
Erythrodermic Psoriasis is a rare Form of psoriasis, which is almost the entire surface of the skin. This causes severe itching or burning. Because of the erythrodermic Psoriasis your body to lose proteins and fluid. This can lead to other complications such as infection, dehydration, heart failure, hypothermia and exhaustion.
The causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis occurs when the skin cells divide and renew themselves faster than usual. The cause of Psoriasis is not fully understood. The body produces new cells in the deepest layer of the skin. These cells are gradually moved upwards. Surround speakers, they die. This process is normally gradual and imperceptible for us. The cells of the skin are renewed every 3-4 weeks.
In people with Psoriasis this process only 3-7 days. As a result of the not yet fully grown cells can quickly collect on the surface of the skin, reducing the appearance of red, scaly and itchy keratinized lesions, covered with silvery-white scales covered. It is believed that in patients with psoriasis, the skin cells change faster because of the violation of the immune system.
The immune system is a protection of the body, which helps him to fight the infection. One of the most important types of cells used by the immune system, called T-lymphocytes.
T-lymphocytes typically move through the body to find the infection and fight with them. In people with Psoriasis, they mistakenly healthy skin grab cells. It is the immune system to produce more T-lymphocytes, and reproduce new skin cells faster than normal.
Up to the end is not clear what exactly causes a disorder of the immune system, but it may be that play a role in certain genes and environmental factors.
Psoriasis is inherited. One of the three patients with Psoriasis has a close relative with this disease. However, it is still unclear what is the role of genetics in the pathogenesis of Psoriasis. The results of the study show, for the development of Psoriasis, many genes may fulfill. Probably the people susceptible to this disease, you can make different combinations. But not the Psoriasis itself, but only the predisposition, that is, the presence of these genes mean that you will necessarily develop this disease is inherited.
Triggers of psoriasis
In many people symptoms of Psoriasis or worsen the so-called Trigger will occur after a certain event. If you know what your triggers, it can help you to avoid exacerbation of symptoms. Examples of commonly used Trigger:
- Damage, for example, cut, scratch, insect bite or sunburn (the so-called phenomenon of Kebner) skin;
- Alcohol abuse;
- Smoking;
- Stress;
- hormonal changes, especially in women (e.g., during puberty and Menopause);
- some medicines, for example, Lithium, some antimalarial medicines, anti-inflammatory drugs, including Ibuprofen, Ace inhibitors (for the treatment ), and beta-blockers (used to treat heart failure);
- Strep throat — in some people, especially in children and young people following a streptococcal throat infection is a Form of psoriasis called guttate Psoriasis is not developed, although, in most cases after streptococcal throat infection Psoriasis occurs;
- other diseases of the immune system, how HIV causes the emergence or worsening of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is not contagious and can not therefore be transferred from one Person to another.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
In General, for the diagnosis of psoriasis enough external inspection of the skin.
In rare cases, the removal of a biopsy (small sample of skin), which are then sent to the laboratory to examine under the microscope. It allow to determine the specific type of psoriasis exclude other skin disorders such as seborrheic Dermatitis, flat red lichen, simple chronic zoster, and pink zoster.
In General, diagnosis and treatment of Psoriasis a specialist in skin diseases dermatologist under control of the doctor -—. If the doctor suspects you have psoriatic Arthritis, which sometimes occurs as a complication of Psoriasis, you to a rheumatologist. A rheumatologist is a doctor who specializes in Arthritis.
Take blood for Tests, other diseases, such as rheumatoid Arthritis, as well as x-rays of the joints affected.
Psoriasis Treatment
To completely cure psoriasis is not possible, but through the treatment, the severity and frequency of exacerbations. Usually Psoriasis treatment is proceeding under the supervision of dermatologists, in the case of a participation in any of the joints of the consulting assigned to rheumatologists. If the symptoms of psoriasis is significantly pronounced and poorly respond to treatment, your doctor may direct you to the hospitalization in the hospital, in the Department of dermatology.
One or the other method of treatment depends on the type and severity of the Psoriasis and the area of the skin, due to the disease. If the symptoms of the Psoriasis to grow more pronounced and shall not, limit the doctor, probably, the appointment of external resources, for example in the Form of a cream. In the acute stage, a more serious treatment with the help of drugs inside is usually.
There is a wide range of agents for the treatment of psoriasis, but can be difficult to determine which medium is most effective. Talk with your doctor, if you don't believe that the treatment helps, or does it cause any side effects, inconvenience.
Treatments are divided into 3 categories:
- local treatment to the skin, creams and ointments applied;
- Phototherapy — your skin with a certain type of UV rays;
- systemic — taking or injection of drugs that have a therapeutic effect on the entire organism.
Often different treatment methods combine. Since patients with Psoriasis requires long-term treatment is useful, a written Plan of medical manipulations, which make them daily. The doctor monitors your condition regularly and, if necessary, correct the treatment plan.