An important role in controlling the symptoms of psoriasis play a well-chosen external therapy and just started treatment. A key principle in choosing treatment regimens, especially in the early stages of psoriasis development, is the principle of "do no harm" treatment should not strike at the health of the skin, provoking the emergence of unwanted consequences in the form of skin atrophy or syndrome. After all, the primary goal of therapy is to prolong the periods of peace and health of the skin without sudden and painful relapses and exacerbations.
How long have people know about psoriasis?
With psoriasis familiar to mankind for many centuries. The traces of psoriatic skin lesions archaeologists have found the mummified bodies of ancient people extant. The description is very similar to psoriasis a skin rash can be found in the writings of Herodotus and Plato.
The first description of the clinical manifestations of psoriasis belongs to ancient scientist Cornelia. The term psoriasis is psoriasis comes from the Greek "psora" (itch, scab). This name is found in the writings of Hippocrates.
However, the scientific study of psoriasis as an independent disease began only in the early nineteenth century with a description of its clinical symptoms English physician Robert. In 1798 he took from him the leprosy, mycosis, eczema, and then, in his book "Skin diseases" in 1808, identified typical and atypical psoriasis, and also drew attention to the role of genetic factors in the development of the dermatosis.
So what is known now about the genetic bases of the disease? What is the impact on it of external factors: stress, environment, bad habits, food?
The relationship between psoriasis and the nervous system is quite complex, more like a vicious circle and is in the nature of a bipolar model. On the one hand, stress and prolonged emotional tension lead to the exacerbation of the process, and on the other the very condition of skin (presence of psoriatic lesions) is causing the patient anxiety leads to the development of chronic stress, which in turn aggravates the disease and this closes the vicious circle.
Some medications used in the treatment of other diseases in some cases can worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. These include antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, bitsillin, chloramphenicol, etc.), drugs lithium, vitamin C and vitamins of group B, beta-blockers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogenic compounds (birth control drugs), anticonvulsants, immunomodulators. Can provoke the aggravation of the process and vaccines and sera.
Ecology, feeding, bad habits – all this has a negative impact on the course of psoriasis and treatment.
What is the prevalence of psoriasis in the countries?
The prevalence of psoriasis in the world is estimated about 1-3% of the population. According to the international organization, in 2010, the planet was was 125 million patients with psoriasis. In Europe, it affects up to 5 million people, which is comparable to the frequency of coronary heart disease and diabetes.
The highest rates in Northern European countries (to 4%), the lowest in African and Latin American countries, in Japan (less than 0.5%).
As they are now are diagnosed with psoriasis? What diseases can be confused?
Psoriasis smooth leather is rather typical rash and diagnosed clinically exhibited. There are diagnostic tests: psoriatic triad – increased peeling when poskablivanii, the appearance of blood spots after removal of the scales.
As psoriasis treated early, and how to treat now? Was the treatment more perfect and effective?
Until the middle of last century, the main methods included the use of drugs with salicylic acid and Helio-, thalassotherapy. Then there were topical steroids (later — analogues of vitamin D3) and systemic immunosuppressive drugs. But a breakthrough in the treatment of psoriasis can be considered the emergence in the early 21st century biological products. And, of course, the Arsenal of topical and systemic medications, phototherapy techniques now make it possible to select effective therapy for each patient.
What approaches are used to treat children and adults?
First of all, the psoriasis should be divided into limited and common (severe and medium-severe). The treatment should be assigned, given the data.
The difference in approaches to the treatment of adults and children, not only due to the age restrictions for the use of drugs (for example, calcipotriol is appointed with 6-years of age) or methods of phototherapy (e.g. PUVA therapy must be 18 years of age).
What are the most common myths about the disease?
- Psoriasis contagious. No, psoriasis is a chronic non-contagious skin disease that is not transmitted from person to person and do not migrate from one body part to another. A patient suffering from psoriasis can freely use the public space – baths, saunas, pools, using common objects in the home, treatment for the diseases in General hospitals.
- Climate affects the disease and if you move to a warmer climate psoriasis will not. No, the climate on the prevalence of psoriasis is not affected. At the same time one of the treatment methods is a special therapy – the treatment of sun and salt water, but living in regions with a warm Maritime climate not protects patients from relapse. A simple example is Israel: there are successfully treat the psoriasis at the Dead sea, but the incidence among the population is not lower than in the world.
- Psoriasis can be prevented. The factors that cause fever, either by themselves or in various combinations are not the cause of the disease. Today, nobody knows what is the original impetus for the development of psoriasis, and therefore to take preventive measures impossible. No recipes, what to do, or, conversely, what not to do, not to get sick with psoriasis, no. To increase the period of remission, when skin rashes are not available, it is possible, avoiding actions provoke or aggravate psoriasis factors leading a proper lifestyle and using supportive therapy.
- Psoriasis can be treated by methods of the so-called folk medicine. The attitude to these methods, patients must be very careful. On the one hand, we know that there is from the psoriasis remedies which cure, but the desire at any cost to get rid of the disease and pushes patients on various questionable actions (appeal to doctors, healers) and it's a waste of money. On the other hand, these "doctors" offering patients quality, for example, external means "proprietary", in which, as a rule, there are hormones, but in this case, and even more so their dosage cannot be controlled.
What is important to know the patient with psoriasis and what you need to know?
The main can be considered a principle: "learn to live with psoriasis". Current therapies allow not only to achieve remission (cleansing), but to some extent to control psoriasis (lasting remission).
Must follow the doctor's recommendations and have patience, because everything takes time, including the fact that the drug worked. Unfinished course, the use of several methods simultaneously (in particular, from the series "advised") lead to the fact that the patient is not seeing the proper result, is disappointed and believes that these methods do not help him.