Psoriasis or lichen scales are chronic infections that manifest themselves in a reddish, scaly rash accompanied by itching and irritation. There can be several causes of psoriasis. If damaged, skin cells divide 30 times faster than normal, causing discomfort and the appearance of dandruff. This also damages the immune system, which works against its own cells and causes chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and Causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the folds of the skin in the joints and scalp. The spots that appear have gray or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of stains in places exposed to mechanical stress - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion often affects hair, internal organs, nails, and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Dysfunction of the immune system.T cells are cells of the immune system that normally defend the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, T cells accidentally attack healthy cells in the skin. This immune response causes the body to malfunction, including widening blood vessels and increasing white blood cells, which stimulates the skin to make new cells faster than the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the surface of the skin leads to the development of thick, itchy patches.
- inheritance.Research has shown that a parent with scaly lichen has a 15 percent chance that a child will develop them. If both parents are affected, the chance of development is 75 percent.
- Failure of the endocrine system.The endocrine system is a network of hormone-secreting glands that help control many important body functions. Failure of one of these glands can lead to disease.
Smaller reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis as it puts a strain on the immune system and provokes an inflammatory reaction. However, scaling can occur after a respiratory tract or skin infection. These types of infections can usually be prevented with proper personal hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands often enough throughout the day. You should also avoid sharing cups and cutlery with other people. It is important to properly disinfect any wounds or cuts and make sure that no infection gets there.
- Skin trauma, burns, and scratches can cause infections in some people. You should always take extra precautions when doing any action that could result in personal injury. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when it's sunny outside. Caution should also be exercised when participating in outdoor activities.
- While stress can negatively affect someone, it is especially problematic for people with psoriasis. The body is prone to an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the stress in your life.
- If you are obese or overweight, it will only make your condition worse. Hence, it is important that you keep track of your weight by following a healthy diet on a regular basis. If you are having trouble eating well, you should seek help from a nutritionist. It can help you figure out what foods and how much to eat throughout the day.
Risk group
Scaly lichens affect around 3% of people worldwide. Research shows a significant increase in outbreaks over the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects men and women equally. The disease can start at any age, but most commonly occurs between the ages of 15 and 35 and between 50 and 60 years. The average age is 28 years.
The disease usually starts or worsens due to certain factors that should be avoided if possible.
Reasons that cause or worsen scaly lichen are:
- Hypothermia can be one of the reasons for the development of the disease or its exacerbation.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes the generalization of the inflammatory process, shortens the duration of remission and increases the risk of complications.
- Tobacco smoking not only increases the risk of illness, it can also increase the severity of the illness. Smoking also plays a role in the initial development of lichen scale.
- Another autoimmune disease like AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections that cause a weakened immune system, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Certain drugs such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta blockers, and drugs that contain lithium.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee a complete cure for the disease, but the condition can be relieved with the help of therapy that, using an integrated approach, reduces the manifestations of the disease to a minimum. Most often, preparations containing vitamin D, tar and activated zinc are prescribed for external use. For oral administration, drugs are made with cytostatics, corticosteroids, and immunomodulators to regulate cell division in the affected areas, control metabolism, and restore immune responses in the body.
People with psoriasis find it difficult to accept their diagnosis, as a result of which a person suffers from severe discomfort in communicating with others, problems with social adjustment, difficulties in work and family life. It is important to prevent social withdrawal and depression, which can lead to psychological deviations and thoughts of suicide. It is important to support the sick person and, if necessary, refer them to a psychotherapist for advice.
Psoriasis in children
Scaly lichen in children is quite common, especially at one year of age. The disease usually progresses during the winter season. Girls are more likely to get sick.
Psoriasis in children is different from that in adults. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is inherited and genetic. However, the disease remains unknown despite a long study. In addition to inheritance, the disease is caused by a weak immune system, the flu and various skin diseases. The reason can be a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks in the legs and palms. Subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and hurt.
The treatment includes various ointments and sun baths. With congenital ichthyosis, most of the skin is affected.
In Leiner's erythroderma, anemia, sepsis and pneumonia occur. This shape is typical for newborns. After a few months, the baby will be back to normal.
The disease is less common in children over 8 years of age. It is advisable to prevent the disease in time using folk remedies.
Psoriasis on the scalp
Psoriasis on the scalp is doubly uncomfortable as it can affect the beauty of hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp becomes covered with dry sores that peel off, the blisters on the body itch like bites. Hair loss and severe dandruff begin, which is different from the usual seborrhea.
To get rid of flaky scalp, it is important to know the cause of its appearance and to respond to it first. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to conduct an examination and identify the main problem that is causing external changes. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichen, it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicinal ointments and creams, shampoos, lotions and bathe with herbs. Home treatment is better to take courses and take a month off. Simultaneous use of different medicinal ointments is not recommended.
Prevention and treatment of the scalp
Use lavender, chamomile, bergamot and geranium essential oils to rub the roots of your hair.
Butter mask
A teaspoon of butter (melted) should be mixed with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's wort. Stir the mixture well and apply it to the scalp with a cotton ball. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse off. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be performed once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take petroleum jelly or grease 500 grams and mix it with two fresh chicken proteins. Add a tablespoon and a half of chopped and sifted celandine herbs to the mass and mix again. Perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating diseases of the hands and feet
oil
Lubricate the affected areas with sea buckthorn oil, which should also be taken orally every day - a teaspoon at a time.
Greater celandine
Juice 300 grams of fresh celandine. This is best done after passing the herb through a meat grinder and adding wine. Gently wipe the affected areas with a cotton swab dipped in the prepared product. Wash off with clean water after 15 minutes.
Mustard mix
The process is carried out once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dry mustard with warm St. John's wort broth (5 tbsp L. ). Pour in a teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product to the damaged body with a cotton swab. After a few minutes, wash off with cold running water. Lubricate areas with moisturizer.
Birch tar
Dagtem is carefully spread over raised, inflamed areas. Wash off after an hour. To get the result, you need to go through at least fifteen procedures.
Healing ointment
Mix fresh egg white with 250 grams of fat (you can use light petroleum jelly) and a tablespoon of linden honey and finely ground celandine. The therapy lasts one to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this time. Boiled meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits should be preferred. Scaly lichen requires long-term treatment in combination with other drugs. It must then be monitored by an experienced specialist. During the therapy process, dietary foods are prescribed, fatty and spicy foods, alcoholic drinks are removed from foods.