People who suffer from psoriasis in the world are many — the most optimistic estimates more than 3% of the total population of the planet. Psoriasis is a disease which is manifested by the appearance of the rash in the form of pink plaques with silvery scales of color, which is often accompanied by itching. However, this is only the tip of the iceberg. The basis of the disease are not fully understood processes.
Psoriasis — a mysterious enemy
In psoriasis skin cells begin to divide into 6-10 times faster than it should. This leads to chronic inflammation of the skin and peeling.
Scientists have studied psoriasis for many decades, however, a clear answer to the question: why do I get psoriasis? — modern science is still there. This disease is not contagious, but it can be inherited. Exacerbations can provoke a variety of internal and external factors: stress, skin trauma, use of certain medications (often antibiotics), alcohol abuse, infectious diseases (caused by Streptococcus, viruses), etc.
The manifestations of psoriasis are manifold: the surface of the lesion may be dry or moist, can be affected by different parts of the body. In some patients, the knees and elbows, in others the palms and soles, in the third — large folds of the skin or mucous membranes or the nail plate. Sometimes psoriasis affects a very large area of the body, sometimes localized only in limited areas and never spread further.
It is no exaggeration to say that psoriasis is one of the most mysterious diseases. Scientists have found out what is happening in the patient with psoriasis and how to alleviate his condition, but it remains unclear what is causing these pathological changes and how they can be prevented.
Interesting fact Winston Churchill struggled all his life with psoriasis and promised to establish a gold monument to the doctor who will solve the mystery of this disease and find effective treatment. Unfortunately, the award has not found its owner.
Why do I get psoriasis?
The exact reasons science does not know, but over the years of study the problem was formed several hypotheses:
- The autoimmune theory. The problem was with the concentration of T-lymphocytes, which leads to a constant inflammation of the affected area of the skin. As if the body begins to perceive their own skin in the role of aggressor.
- Hereditary theory which explains psoriasis is a defect in the DNA.
- Endocrine theory, according to which psoriasis occurs because of irregularities in the operation of the system of internal secretion, particularly the pituitary and thyroid.
- The exchange theory. Researchers found that patients with psoriasis have problems with accumulationis lipidorum and nitrogenous metabolism, as well as elevated levels of toxins in the body.
All these theories have a right to exist, but so far none of them proved fully. Therefore, the modern treatment of psoriasis is aimed at reducing the severity of symptoms, reducing disease recurrence and General health of the body.
By the way The symptoms are similar to signs of psoriasis, described in ancient Roman medical treatises. However, in those days, the psoriasis is often confused with other skin diseases of an entirely different origin. First psoriasis was recognized as a separate disease only in 1799, and at the end of the 19th century, physicians proved its non-infectious nature.
Who is susceptible to the disease?
Psoriasis knows no gender — they are equally often sick, and women and men. Psoriasis usually manifests at a young age — peak at 15-25 years. However, if you have never had psoriasis in my youth, this does not mean that the danger has passed — sometimes the first manifestation of psoriasis appears around the age of 50-60 years. The good news is just that people who are faced with psoriasis at a later age, the disease is less pronounced.
If one of the parents suffers from psoriasis, the risk of illness in a child is approximately 25%, and if both 60%. However, psoriasis affects children of parents who never this trouble is not encountered.
According to statistics, most often psoriasis affects people with thin, light, dry skin.
The first symptoms of the disease
Psoriasis begins quietly: in the first stage of the development of the disease affects small areas of skin, usually on the bends of the limbs, scalp and along the hairline. Sometimes the first manifestations of psoriasis occur at the place of permanent mechanical irritation of the skin, in other words, where clothing presses and rubs. First, the person feels itching and feeling of tightness of the skin, then there are small raised Islands reddened, flaky skin. On these gray spots arise dead skin cells, similar to the wax chips, which are easily separated. Sometimes these plaques become wet on their surface are formed of plate scales-crusts of yellowish color. When you remove the last exposed weeping, bleeding surface. Gradually plaques grow and merge with each other, all affecting large areas of skin.
Signs of psoriasis different types
There are several types of psoriasis:
Seborrheic psoriasis. Most often occurs on the scalp. Manifested by itching and scaling, apply to the area behind the ears and skin along the hairline.
Exudative psoriasis. With this type of psoriasis affected skin not only exfoliate, but also to get wet, and on the surface of the papules (nodules from the rash) appear yellowish brown.
Intertriginoznoy psoriasis. More common in children. With this type of plaque psoriasis are bright red, with slight peeling (it may be absent altogether). Sometimes plaque wet. Parents often confuse this type of psoriasis intertriginös.
Plantar psoriasis. Occurs in soles and palms. Manifested by thickening of the skin, dryness, cracks.
Chronic psoriasis is manifested by large plaques that are not very long, sometimes they have new growths — warts and papillomas.
Rupioidny psoriasis is one form of chronic psoriasis. Plaques appear on the cover, and gradually, the plaque becomes higher, taking the form of a cone.
Guttate psoriasis is characterized by abundant rash which consists of many small papules.
The nail plates psoriasis (psoriatic onychite) causes deformation of the nails, appearance of yellow-brown spots under them. Common type of psoriasis, which occurs in 25% of patients with this disease.
Psoriasis of the mucous membranes affects the mouth and causes the appearance of the papules on the mucous membranes.
The frequency of psoriatic manifestations
Psoriasis cyclically. In advanced stage plaques appear itching or a small rash, which gradually merge into a single spot. After 1-4 weeks the spread of plaques stops, they are covered with silvery scales. This so-called stationary phase. It is followed by the regressive phase, when the platelets gradually disappear. However do not be fooled — this does not mean that recovery occurs. If you do not treat the psoriasis, all will repeat at first, but after a while the stage will begin to change each other all the time, and aggravation will be almost monthly.
Curing psoriasis is possible and necessary. If time does not take measures psoriasis quickly pass into the chronic stage, and to get rid of it will be very difficult. For the treatment of psoriasis today used medical methods, physical therapy, and local funds for external use — ointments and creams of psoriasis, the effectiveness of which is quite high.
However, it should be noted that before you start to use any means from psoriasis, you should consult with your doctor. As a minimum, because a layman cannot diagnose yourself.
What is important to know about eczema treatment?
In the early stages of psoriasis development the leading role belongs to special external tool, which slow down the process of cell division, reduce inflammation, protecting damaged skin against infections and soothe the itching. Particularly effective means on the basis of pyrithione zinc, which is also called active zinc. This substance has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal activity, reduces the secretion of histamine, significantly reducing itch and helps to restore the lipid mantle of the skin, restoring its barrier function and reduces sensitivity to aggressive environmental factors. That's the real achievement of modern pharmacology.