Plaque lesions on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestations of scaly lichen. Psoriasis on the hands is a chronic condition that significantly affects a person's quality of life. It has special symptoms as well as many conditions for development.
The causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms of the hands and in the flexion areas of the upper limbs? it is not always easy to understand at once. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary tendency to diseases;
- the result of infectious, viral and colds;
- Metabolic disorders and hormonal diseases (diabetes mellitus);
- Stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional upheavals;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- Skin injuries (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People who are prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriasis-psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, prolonged use of antidepressants and steroid drugs can all cause scaly lichen.
Manifestation symptoms
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first signs are seen on the extensor portion when small flat papules appear, which eventually increase in size to form rough, round plaques of pale pink or red in color. In addition, the rash appears on the palms of the hands. The skin becomes dry, thickened, turns a deep red color, and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. Small pits are initially formed on them, and over time the nail plate thickens, loosens and resembles a fungal infection. Hence, people often wonder if scaly lichen is contagious. Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted through handshakes or other contact. A tendency towards illness can be inherited genetically, but the illness itself cannot.
Another symptom of scaly lichen is the appearance of scaly plaques between your fingers. The skin in these places resembles calluses, which are equally rough and rough.
Forms of hand psoriasis
The nature of the course and clinical manifestations of scaly lichen are very different. The rash can affect not only the hands but shoulders, neck and chest as well, especially if the child has the disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common form of dermatosis and can come in several basic forms, which are described below.
Badge or ordinary
The skin on the affected areas becomes thicker, covered with white crusts and cracks that sometimes bleed. The plaques fuse into groups and form large lesions.
Teardrop shape
The rash most commonly affects the upper arms and shoulders. The plaques are thickly covered with white scales and look like drops. This type of psoriasis quickly spreads throughout the body and affects the forearms and hips. It mainly worsens after ingesting streptococci (the causative agent of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular squamous epithelium
It is localized on the forearms, has a severe course - several blisters with a clear liquid, purulent processes, as well as the emergence of the rash outside the upper extremities.
Psoriasis of the nails
This form is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines with a white or gray shade. The skin around the plate thickens, and the nail itself peels off and loosens, leading to its further destruction.
What every form of scaly hands looks like can be clearly seen in the photo.
If you don't start treatment for hand psoriasis in a timely manner, the disease can cause inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, stomach, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a specific developmental process. Depending on the intensity of the manifestations of the disease and the frequency of relapses, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - the initial stage - the appearance of several scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and in the extension of the elbows, which are accompanied by edema, inflammation and itching;
- stationary stage - new rashes do not appear, and old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- the stage of regression - the symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, the skin is cleaned, only small dark spots remain).
In a state of remission, psoriasis can last 2-4 months to several years. New relapses are more severe each time, resulting in gradual coarsening and thickening of the stratum corneum on the hands, elbows, between the fingers, and around the nail plates.
Pharmacy treatment
Scaly lichen is not a contagious disease, but it can cause a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The main goal of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- Eliminate dandruff and itching;
- Relieve inflammation;
- soothe the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several different groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal - relieve inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduce papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, ointments remove allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic ointment - relieve the main symptoms, do not cause side effects, have a gentle effect on the skin, but are less effective than glucocorticosteroids (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - used for severe peeling, itching, help during the period of joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only if it is properly selected, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
With a weak result from local drugs, the doctor can prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and tablets. The drugs suppress the intensive division of skin cells, detoxify the body, thereby eliminating the main symptoms, which helps improve the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs to inhibit psoriasis, the complex therapy uses means to support the entire body:
- Vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- Sorbents - cleansing the intestines from toxins and poisons;
- Antihistamines;
- Immunomodulators.
The specialist will determine the better this or that form of psoriasis is to be treated. He will combine drugs for maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Home remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. Herbal preparations and therapeutic baths help in the fight against flaky lichen on the hands. In addition, folk remedies help to strengthen the effect of drugs and the transition of the disease to the stage of remission.
Celandine baths
Pour 3 liters of boiling water over chopped grass (100 g) and let it steep for 1–1, 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of a procedure is no more than 15 minutes.
The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be carried out daily.
Herbal collection for water manipulation
It is necessary to mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- Johannis herbs;
- Way;
- Valerian root;
- Celandine;
- Succession.
Boil 30 g of the collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Let the broth steep for 1. 5-2 hours, strain and transfer to a large bathing container.
Herbal baths alleviate the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and dandruff and, most importantly, stop the further spread of plaques.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g butter, add 20 g chopped propolis, bring to the boil until the consistency is uniform. Treat the affected areas on the hands with the finished, cooled ointment. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medicine on a cotton pad, apply to injured areas, fix with a bandage.
Before using the ointment, you need to treat the plaques with hydrogen peroxide and wait for them to dry. This will enhance the effects of the folk remedy.
Birch tar
For 30-45 days, you need to smear the affected areas of the hands with birch tar. It is better to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should be left on the skin for at least 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water. Gradually, the tar's residence time on the plates is increased to 30 minutes.
This medicine is most effective in treating skin diseases. A folk remedy is good at eliminating unpleasant symptoms and extending the period of remission for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
The hands suffer from rashes more often than other areas of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat due to the constant contact of the hands with provoking factors. To achieve long-term remission, it is important to adhere to preventive measures:
- do not let the skin dry out;
- Use household chemicals with gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- Avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- see a doctor immediately if the first rashes appear;
- Do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
Proper diet should be observed in the prevention of hand psoriasis. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty, spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to get carried away with chocolate and flour products. It is better to cook, steam or bake food, and heat fruits and vegetables with red pigment (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) for heat treatment.
Psoriasis rashes on the hands are prone to relapse. The disease cannot be cured, it only goes into remission temporarily. The duration of rest of psoriasis depends on proper treatment and prevention. Pay attention to your lifestyle, stick to your diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in a timely manner.