Psoriasis is a genetic disease that has no cure, but is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. Pathology often leads to severe itching, pain and excessive peeling of the skin, which is why it is so important to know how to alleviate an exacerbation of psoriasis and alleviate your condition.
Signs of psoriasis exacerbation
Relapse of psoriasis begins quickly and acutely. New rashes form on the body after a long period of remission. Particularly affected are the areas of the body where the skin is driest: sacral region, feet, palms, scalp. The patient's condition worsens sharply and the following signs appear:
- Formation of a terminal film at the site of the removed scales, especially in guttate psoriasis;
- Intense itching, sometimes unbearable;
- Peeling and redness of the skin in affected areas;
- Feeling of tight skin.
Papules that appear after remission with a red or pale pink hue have clear, rough edges. Gradually, the rash turns into plaques, which can reach more than 10 cm in diameter. The scales covering the affected areas of the skin peel off well and blood may appear under them.
Best time to relapse
The best time for exacerbation of psoriasis is the cold season (winter, autumn), when many viruses and bacteria circulate in the air. There are several reasons for this:
- During the sunny season, the rays have a beneficial effect on the skin and the human body as a whole. Lack of vitamin D3 often leads to relapse.
- In winter, there is a decrease in immunity, which is a trigger for the exacerbation of psoriasis.
At the same time, there is a possibility of exacerbation of psoriasis in the summer. The reason is that excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation also have a negative effect on the skin, causing inflammation and the appearance of new plaques.
What causes an aggravation
To date, the reliable causes of psoriasis exacerbation are unknown. What can lead to a relapse of the pathology in some patients is absolutely safe for others. Let's name just a few factors that generally lead to the return of psoriasis:
- Stress, chronic fatigue, constant emotional stress;
- Any damage to the skin, both mechanical and chemical;
- Failure to comply with the recommended diet. Relapse is possible if the body lacks the necessary minerals and vitamins;
- Deterioration of human immunity due to exposure to various factors;
- Abrupt climate changes;
- Excessive alcohol consumption and even smoking;
- Hormonal imbalance caused by taking hormonal medications or malfunctioning of the thyroid gland;
- Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause are conditions in which hormone levels also change in the body;
- The use of new cosmetics that can be applied directly to areas of the skin affected by psoriasis and worsen the course of the disease.
All of the above are just the most obvious and common causes of psoriasis exacerbation. In this case, a relapse may occur even after taking several medications, the simplest and most harmless. Therefore, doctors recommend taking only those medications that are necessary for health reasons.
How to quickly alleviate an aggravation
As symptoms begin to escalate rapidly and sometimes become unbearable, the question of how to quickly alleviate a psoriasis flare-up is the most pressing question. The reason is that the disease presents severe and painful symptoms; the patient suffers not only from the appearance of spots, but also from intense itching. All of this worsens the quality of life.
People suffering from psoriasis note that the most effective means that can make life easier during this period are:
- Sequential baths for significant lesions or lotions for small blemishes. These solutions relieve itching but severely tighten the skin. Therefore, it is best to take them in combination with petroleum jelly or baby cream.
- Sodium salt and thiosulfuric acid in ampoules. The pharmaceutical preparation can be replaced with natural remedies such as prunes, senna grass, dried apricots or raisins.
- Baths with pine needles and valerian, which can be taken every 2 days. The proportions are as follows: for one bath a bottle of valerian and 50 ml. pine needle extract.
- Lotions with emollient cream and the addition of linseed decoction. The product promotes rapid healing of fissures and is most effective for psoriasis on the palms or soles.
- Rub with vinegar (one tablespoon of vinegar for every 0. 5 liter of water). Helps to quickly relieve itching.
All listed recipes will only help alleviate acute symptoms, while traditional therapy cannot be considered a treatment. If the disease reappears, you should see a dermatologist, who will prescribe treatment depending on the triggering factor.
The best way to relieve severe itching if it relapses
The most effective way to combat intense itching during psoriasis relapse is with medication. 1-2% salicylic acid ointment in combination with local glucocorticosteroid medications has proven to be effective. In this case, it is necessary to ensure proper care of the affected skin. The patient should shower and apply moisturizers to the affected areas.
The following medications will help eliminate severe itching:
- anti-allergy medications that help relieve itching when psoriasis symptoms become unbearable.
- ointments based on tar, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, synthetic analogue of vitamin D - ointments that help relieve inflammation, itching, soften the skin and disinfect it. Apply to skin rashes 2 to 3 times a day.
Relief from inflammation and redness in psoriasis
In addition to systemic therapy, during an exacerbation of psoriasis, medications are also prescribed that help alleviate the external manifestations of the disease. Ointments, creams, gels, purees, which include sulfur, tar, solid oil or salicylic acid, help relieve inflammation and redness. The following medications have proven to be effective:
- naphthalan oil-based ointments;
- zinc oxide ointment;
- salicylic acid-based ointment;
- products containing tar;
- products with solid oil.
These products have an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. They dry out the skin, accelerate the plaque healing process and stimulate the exfoliation process.
If the relapse of the disease is extremely acute, the doctor may prescribe hormonal steroid ointments to relieve inflammation. It is strictly forbidden to use these means on your own, as they have many negative consequences.
How to relieve an aggravation in the head
An exacerbation of scalp psoriasis brings perhaps some of the most unpleasant symptoms. Here you cannot do without complex therapy, which includes:
- Taking medications for various purposes: non-steroidal medications that relieve inflammation, immune system modulators, sedatives and antiallergics. It is also recommended to take vitamins B, A and D as part of vitamin complexes.
- Medicines with a local effect help to cope with itching and inflammation on the scalp. They have a restorative, antibacterial and exfoliating effect. Ointments are applied to the affected areas of the scalp 2 to 3 times a day.
- Shampoos for psoriasis.
Before using any of the above remedies, you should consult a specialist. Truly effective therapy can only be prescribed if the factors that provoked the exacerbation are taken into account.
How to relieve psoriasis exacerbation during pregnancy
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy are a trigger for psoriasis relapse. During an exacerbation, a woman suffers from severe poisoning and allergies. Red plaques form on the body, which itch and hurt. Body temperature rises, appetite disappears.
Exacerbation of psoriasis in pregnant women is a dangerous condition that threatens the health and even the life of the child. Miscarriage, premature birth, prematurity - all these are disastrous consequences of such a disease in pregnant women. This is why at the first symptoms you should go to the hospital immediately and not self-medicate.
Treatment methods for psoriasis exacerbations
Since most often the factors that provoked the exacerbation of psoriasis remain unknown, complex treatment is indicated. Using just one medicine can alleviate the patient's condition, but it will not relieve him of all the symptoms of relapse. Therefore, comprehensive therapy is used, which is aimed at solving several problems:
- Prevent the growth of plaques and restore the skin;
- Eliminate provoking factors;
- Eliminate the possibility of the patient being in stressful situations;
- Cleanse the body and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
The choice of methods and treatment regimen directly depends on the stage and form of the disease, the nature and location of plaques and the general condition of the patient.
Medications for relapse
It is impossible to do without medications in the fight against exacerbation of psoriasis. The treatment regimen is selected individually and depends on many factors. But, as a rule, treatment comes down to taking the following medications:
- Sedative medications that have a calming effect on the nervous system. The most commonly prescribed tinctures are valerian and motherwort.
- Antihistamines.
- Tablets that improve the functioning of the digestive tract and cleanse the body: activated charcoal.
Affected areas of the body are treated with topical medications. These include ointments and creams:
- Zinc and salicylic acid have a beneficial effect on damaged areas, such components must be present in the ointment;
- Solid oil based;
- With tar as the main component;
- Sulfuric ointment.
Since the patient's immunity is weakened during an exacerbation, the doctor may prescribe lipoic or folic acid, vitamin complexes or fish oil as additional treatment.
Physiotherapy
After the acute symptoms of the disease have been relieved, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy. The following methods of influencing the body have proven to be the most effective:
- UF Rays- promote rapid healing of damaged skin.
- Hydrotherapy.Baths with real Dead Sea salts help to cleanse the skin well.
- Cryotherapy- a method, the essence of which is the effect of low temperatures on the affected areas. Furthermore, it stimulates the immune system well.
- Selective phototherapy.During the procedure, the foci of inflammation are impulsively affected.
- Shock wave therapypromotes rapid skin healing.
- Climatotherapy.Patients are often recommended to undergo full treatment at seaside resorts.
How to relieve an exacerbation at home
You can alleviate the most painful manifestations of psoriasis at home. The most used recipes are those that have been tested by time and by hundreds of patients:
- Butter and propolisin a proportion of 500 g to 50 G. All ingredients are placed in a pan and cooked over low heat, after the mixture has cooled, add 2 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil. This ointment is applied to the skin 5-6 times a day. After just 6 sessions, people suffering from psoriasis notice that the manifestations of the disease practically disappear.
- Onion compresses.To prepare it, the onion is crushed until it forms a pulp, which is placed in gauze and applied to the affected areas. This method helps to relieve inflammation and soften the skin.
Traditional methods
It often happens that you urgently need to stop an attack, but you do not have the necessary medicines at hand. In these cases, lotions help a lot. To prepare you need:
- Mix calamus leaves, string, licorice, burdock and nettle in equal quantities.
- A large spoonful of this mixture is placed in a glass of water.
- The infusion is heated over low heat for five minutes, after which it is infused for another hour.
The following remedies have proven themselves well in the fight against exacerbation of psoriasis:
- Ointment made from birch tar.To prepare, you need to mix alcohol, natural sea buckthorn oil and birch tar in equal quantities. The product is applied to the affected areas, covered with polyethylene and left for 1 to 1. 5 hours.
- Celandine oil.5 tablespoons of chopped herbs should be poured into a glass of vegetable oil (unrefined) and kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. The finished liquid is infused for 5 days and only then used to treat psoriasis.
Relapse diet
Compliance with nutritional rules is an important and integral point in the treatment of psoriasis relapses. It is also important to consume enough vitamins. To prevent the appearance of new plaques and eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is strictly prohibited:
- Foods rich in carbohydrates (fat milk and other dairy products, fatty meats and fish).
- Spicy, smoked, sour and salty foods.
- Marinades and pickles.
- Semi-finished products.
Dishes must be prepared by roasting, stewing and boiling. It is best to eat vegetables and fruits, various cereals and vegetable broths and soups.
Nutritionists and dermatologists advise that when the first symptoms of exacerbation of psoriasis appear, limit yourself to your diet. In the first three to five days, you can drink sweetened tea or plain water in any quantity, and also eat black bread (a little).
How to prevent exacerbation, preventive measures
If you follow fairly simple prevention rules, you can significantly extend the duration of remission and prevent exacerbation. They all boil down to:
- Skin care and hygiene rules.A patient suffering from psoriasis should regularly carry out water treatments to prevent dry skin. Only cosmetics and hygiene products that have already been tested and have not caused reactions can be used.
- Diet and proper nutrition.Not only harmful foods should be excluded from the diet, but also bad habits such as alcohol and smoking. Experienced specialists will help you create the right menu.
- Moderate training.Physical exercise or swimming not only has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, but also helps to strengthen the immune system.
- Maintain a sleep schedule.Sleep should be at least 8 hours, and it is recommended to avoid excessive stress at work.
- Take lecithin in granules.This medicine improves skin condition and normalizes liver function. Doctors also recommend a medicine based on birch mushroom extract and cobalt chloride, which improves immunity, restores hematopoiesis and improves the functioning of the digestive system.
Compliance with preventive measures allows you to forget about exacerbations of psoriasis for a long time. Also, doctors advise avoiding stressful situations and supporting the body in the fight against psoriasis with vitamin complexes.