Skin diseases are unpleasant in themselves. And if even long-term systematic treatment does not guarantee a positive result, the situation becomes a real problem.
Psoriasis (squamous lichen) is a disease with a "rich" millenary history. Despite the confirmed and difficult-to-treat nature of the disease, everyone seems to be ready to help with a cure.
Sensational drug ads are full of every step, getting rid of the disease is promised by miraculous devices and "innovative technologies", healers and Internet forums. Doctors-dermatologists also do not sleep and do everything possible, study and test new drugs, but do not promise miracles as a result of the treatment.
what is psoriasis
Psoriasis is known as dermatoses. In this non-infectious chronic disease, skin cell division occurs 28 times faster than normal. The cells do not have time to fully mature, their intercellular communication is disrupted, which leads to the thickening of the upper layers of the skin and the formation of pronounced scaling and plaques.
During the course of the disease, the cells of the immune system attack the skin's own cells, so the process is accompanied by chronic autoimmune inflammation. The large foci formed are capable of forming their own blood vessels, penetrated by capillaries, within themselves.
The causes of psoriasis. Can they be infected?
For the first time, the process and course of psoriasis was described in the early 19th century by the English physician Robert Willen. The disease was finally differentiated from leprosy, proving its non-infectious nature and, therefore, the impossibility of contracting it from another person. From that moment on, an active search began, which has not stopped until now. But, alas, without much result. . .
There are many versions of the onset of the disease, the main one concerning its hereditary character, but it has not yet been definitively confirmed. It is known that psoriasis can occur at any age and, in recent years, it has become noticeably "younger" and is registered even in newborns.
psoriasis symptoms
There are several types of psoriasis. The main one - plaque (or common) psoriasis - is detected in 80% of patients. It is characterized by the appearance of small scaly patches that grow and merge into large patches - psoriatic plaques. Its surface is covered with silvery-white scales, which easily detach from the skin when brushing.
The plates can be located anywhere on the body - on the legs, back, shoulders, scalp and face, but they initially appear in places subject to one or another friction: on the elbows, at the waist line (from the pressure of the belt and clothes) in airtight underwear locations. With exacerbation, plaques grow, gradually spreading in different directions. As a rule, the process is systemic and takes place once or twice a year.
Periods of deterioration are associated with
- general weakening of the immune system,
- stress,
- dietary disorders and
- other reasons (cosmetics, drink or unusual food).
If left untreated, common psoriasis can develop unpleasant consequences such as nail psoriasis, tear and exudative psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis, etc.
How to cure psoriasis
The first attempts to treat psoriasis were made in ancient Greece, where they discovered the beneficial effects of sunlight on skin conditions. In addition, ancient doctors used a mixture of oils and fatty acids, the remains of which were found near cemeteries. In the Middle Ages, psoriasis was considered the "seal of the devil" and a kind of leprosy: people were isolated from society in a leper colony, which led to a sad outcome.
Currently, the following concept is formed: the patient needs mandatory observation by a dermatologist and systematic treatment, including B vitamins, calcium gluconate, nicotinic acid, antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Medicines are used to clean the liver, which plays an important role in the condition of the skin.
Consultations are strictly individual, taking into account concomitant illnesses. A significant role is attributed to the external treatment of psoriasis, the aim of which is to drown out the superficial process. Salicylic ointment is used in combination with hormonal agents, a new drug was recently successfully tested - an ointment, a vitamin D analogue. The latter is produced in the skin under the influence of sunlight, but its lack is one of the causes of processes pathological conditions in psoriasis.
The ointment does not fundamentally solve the problem, but it visibly improves the condition of the skin, relieves scaling and facilitates the course of the disease without the side effects that hormonal ointments are so rich in. Patients are advised to use daily moisturizing body creams, diet and vitamins, as well as annual spa treatments. Timely and regular therapy makes it possible to reach a period of remission, that is, to stifle the disease's manifestation for a long time.
The original method of treating psoriasis is the use of Garra rufa fish, which feed on the skin of psoriatic plaques without touching healthy areas. For the first time, fish began to be used in the thermal resort of Kangal (Turkey), but later appeared in various clinics and beauty salons.
An Alternative View of Psoriasis Treatment
Many people with psoriasis are exposed to stress and negative attitudes towards the world around them, which exacerbates the course of the disease. It is much easier for those who managed to develop a positive attitude towards the disease and learn to live with it, avoiding an exacerbation over time with proper treatment. In this they are supported by a series of researchers who urge them to consider the disease nothing more than a gift from nature.
It has been noticed that psoriasis patients look ten years younger than their peers and their body deals with internal wounds and illnesses much faster than ordinary people. Increased cell proliferation, culprit in the pathological process, plays a positive role in the healing steps.
The skin is protected from radiation and ultraviolet radiation by high levels of antioxidants, so people can spend hours in the sun without fear of overdose. They are also protected from cancer, as defective and pathological cells quickly die and are replaced by healthy cells.
According to the biophysicist, author of the most optimistic theory, psoriasis is a long-term experiment in nature. In his opinion, patients with psoriasis are carriers of humanity's golden gene pool, which prepares nature for the future survival of people in extreme conditions. After all, the health status of those whose cells are born and die at extreme levels is resistant to many negative factors.
In any case, psoriasis is not a cause for depression and limitation of a person's social activity. It is quite possible to "agree" with him, just pay a little more attention to your health and the condition of your skin. Furthermore, participation in a world-scale experiment requires this.