Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. Occurs when the immune system fails. The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - onset, progression, stabilization and regression. Different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, painful itching, and widespread skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the recovery process?
Why you need to know the stages of psoriasis
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct choice of therapeutic methods. The complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the manifestation of the disease, general therapy is required - vitamin complexes, nutrition, external aseptic treatment of the rash, e. g. B. a number of UV processes. Also prescribed drugs that stimulate cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, liver.
Be sure to carry out the correction of the psychoemotional state - by a neurologist or psychologist.
In the initial stages of the disease, they do not use effective drugs that destroy the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments. These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are only prescribed when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute stage and in remission
In the case of an acute progressive course of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are commonly used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching. External treatments are complemented by photochemistry, ultrasound and laser therapy. Means for antiseptic treatment of damaged skin are also prescribed.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take anti-inflammatory hormones and gradually reduce their dose. To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In remission - support the body. Eating proper nutrition, vitamin complexes and minerals to restore immunity.
Actuality of the treatment
The earlier treatment is started, the easier it is to get psoriasis under control.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extent and prevents subsequent relapses of the peeling. Since psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash at an early stage, it is necessary to know the first signs in order not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still investigating the causes of psoriasis. But it is definitely known that psoriatic skin infections are not contagious. It cannot be absorbed by a sick person or an infection in the event of an injury. This is our own personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immune failure, which can be caused by various factors. Excessive stress, poisoning (including effective drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infections.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat. The disease is prone to relapses, relapses. And the therapy itself is symptomatic. It consists in preventing new spots from appearing and relieving existing itchy skin.
Which stage of psoriasis is called initial? How to distinguish early psoriasis from diathesis rash? And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: initial stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like pimples. Most often, the rash appears on the bends of the elbows and knees or in places where clothing is pressed tightly against the body (for example, under the belt at the waist). Rashes can also appear along the edge of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail plates. Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands or on both sides of the lower back or on two knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) at the initial stage have a modest appearance. You have:
- pink or red;
- Sharp, blurred edge;
- Small size - the pimple at the base does not exceed two millimeters.
- Flat shape - small point-like pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no bulge, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flakes of skin appear on pimples. They are gray or silvery, against the background of a red pimple they appear white.
The appearance of dandruff is accompanied by quite severe itching. Failure to resist and scratch will remove the scales, exposing the shiny areas of pink young skin underneath. It is very thin, vulnerable, with prolonged scratching of the itchy papules - it is injured, bleeding.
The initial stage of psoriasis lasts up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: stage of progression
In the progressive stage, individual pimples merge into a common area and form what are known as psoriasis plaques. They are raised above the surface of the skin and almost completely covered with peeling. At the edges of the psoriatic plaques there is a non-peeling pink border.
The presence of a margin is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease. The rim is one to two millimeters wide. The skin on it is inflamed and has a structure similar to parchment paper.
The border represents the expansion area of the spot. This is the skin that is already inflamed but not peeling off. After a while, it will be covered with scales too. The patch will widen to cover new areas of skin and create a new, wider edge.
With active development of the disease, adjacent spots merge with each other. At some point, a large, inflamed red spot can form on the human body.
Psoriatic plaques are very itchy, give a person unpleasant sensations and interfere with their work, rest and sleep. They grow, take up a large area, and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive phase is the appearance of new rashes. As soon as there are no more new pimples and spots, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary. This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point towards recovery.
At the stage of progression, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and weakness. Depression is common. Temperature possible.
Note:Some medical theories say the opposite. Depression is not a result of psoriasis. And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology, depressed psyche.
The progressive stage of psoriasis can last for several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes. At the same time the itching also decreases, it becomes more bearable. The rash loses its light color, discolor, becomes invisible. This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink bands around the perimeter of the plaques will disappear when the inflammation stops spreading. Active peeling and healing begin, regeneration of new healthy skin.
With the naked eye it is noticeable that the peeling increases in the stationary stage. The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriasis patch, leaving no room for the rims.
Psoriasis takes on the characteristic scaly appearance that is widely recognized by the public. Extensive peeling in the stationary stage is not dangerous.
When all of the dead cells detach from the surface of the psoriasis patch, healthy skin with a slight shade of light will remain in place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of a rash, spots, and scales, there are a number of other signs that can be used to assess the development of the disease. This is the nature of itching (severe or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood. And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible. In addition, the itching increases every day. In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable. Disturbs sleep, rests, disrupts work. The person becomes irritable because the sensations of itching are not giving them an opportunity to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching subsides. Every day - a person feels better. The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressive moods weaken. The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the weakening stage
The fading stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, psoriasis is only reminiscent of different skin pigmentations. Instead of the earlier psoriasis patches, it looks lighter. The surface of healthy skin is darker in color.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation occurs. The skin at the site of the psoriasis patch does not get lighter, but darker. In either case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: the possibility of relapse
The possibility of psoriasis recurrence is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood, and the condition of the entire body. It is also determined by the amount of toxins in his body, blood, liver. You can reduce the chances of recurring skin inflammation by strengthening the immune system and clearing the body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels, and intestines.
Seasonal relapses of psoriasis are often rare after cleansing. A person remains susceptible to disease, but the likelihood of their occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin and mineral complexes help to strengthen immunity. This is especially important if immunosuppressive drugs have been used during treatment in the progressive stage of psoriasis. Their need was due to the work of inflammation mediators. After suppressing the autoimmune defense, the immune system must be restored.