Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease. It occurs when the immune system malfunctions. The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - the onset, progression, stabilization and regression. The different stages of psoriasis differ in the appearance of spots and rashes, painful itching and extensive inflammation of the skin.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of development and in the recovery process?
Why you need to know the stages of psoriasis
The division of psoriasis into stages is used by doctors for the correct choice of therapeutic methods. A complex of drugs and external agents that are prescribed to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease manifestation, general therapy is required - vitamin complexes, diet, external aseptic treatment of the rash, for example, a course of UV procedures. He also prescribed drugs that encourage cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, liver.
Be sure to correct the psycho-emotional state - by a neuropathologist or psychologist.
In the initial stage of the disease, they do not use potent drugs that extinguish the immune system, they do not prescribe hormonal ointments. These drugs have a long list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in acute stage and in remission
In the case of an acute and progressive course of the disease, several drugs of various actions are prescribed. Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching. External treatments are complemented by photochemistry, ultrasound and laser therapy. In addition, agents are prescribed for the antiseptic treatment of damaged skin.
In a stabilized state, they continue to take hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs, gradually reducing the dose. To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerating effect are prescribed.
In remission - support the body. Correct nutrition, take vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Treatment opportunity
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it will be to control psoriasis.
Timely therapy limits the spread of skin inflammation, reduces its extension and prevents subsequent relapses of flaking. Since psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash at an early stage, it is necessary to know its early signs so as not to miss the onset of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still investigating the causes of psoriasis. But it is definitely known that inflammation of psoriatic skin is not contagious. It cannot be caught from a sick person or from an infection in the event of injury. This is our personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is an immune failure, which can be caused by several factors. Severe stress, poisoning (including potent drugs, industrial waste, alcohol), previous infection.
Psoriasis is difficult to treat. The disease is subject to recurrence, relapse. And the therapy itself is symptomatic. It consists of preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving the existing itchy skin.
What stage of psoriasis is called initial? How to distinguish initial psoriasis from rash from diathesis? And how will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: early stage
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like pimples. Most of the time, the rash appears on the curves of the elbows and knees, or in places where the clothes are tightly pressed to the body (for example, under the belt at the waist). Rashes can also appear along the edge of the hair and under the hair, around the nails and on the nail plates. Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both hands, on both sides of the lower back or on two knees.
The spines themselves (in medical terminology - papules) at an early stage have a modest appearance. They have:
- Pink or red;
- Sharp and blurred border;
- Small size - the spine at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flattened shape - small dotted pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no bulge, so they look like stains.
As the disease progresses, flaking skin flakes appear on the pimples. They are gray or silver, against the background of a red spine they look white.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by a very intense itch. If you can't resist and itch, the scales are removed, exposing the shiny areas of young pink skin underneath. It is very thin, vulnerable, with prolonged scratching scratchy papules - it is hurt, it bleeds.
The initial stage of psoriasis lasts up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: progression stage
In the progressive stage, the individual spines merge into a common point, forming the so-called psoriatic plaques. They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered with flaking. At the edges of the psoriatic plaques, there is a reddish-pink border that does not peel.
The presence of an edge is a sign of a progressive stage of the disease. The rim is one to two millimeters wide. The skin is inflamed and resembles parchment paper in the structure.
The border represents the expansion area of the point. This is the skin that is already inflamed, but not yet peeled. After a while, it will also be covered with scales. And the patch will expand to cover new areas of the skin and form a new, wider border.
With the active development of the disease, adjacent points merge. At some point, a large inflamed red spot can form on the human body.
Psoriatic plaques itch a lot, causing unpleasant sensations in the person, interrupting their work, rest and sleep. They grow, occupy a large area and form a new rash on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive stage is the appearance of new eruptions. As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next stage of psoriasis begins - stationary. This is not yet a complete victory, but it is already a turning point for recovery.
In the progression stage, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, weakness. Depression is common. Possible temperature.
Note:some medical theories say otherwise. Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis. And psoriasis is a consequence of neurology, of the depressed psyche.
The duration of the progressive stage of psoriasis can be long, several months.
Psoriasis: stationary stage
The main sign of the stationary stage is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes. At the same time, the itch also weakens and becomes more bearable. The rash loses its bright color, becomes discolored, becomes invisible. This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
The pink bands around the perimeter of the plaques disappear as the inflammation stops spreading. Active exfoliation and healing begin, regeneration of new healthy skin.
It is noticeable to the naked eye that the flaking increases in the stationary phase. The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriatic stain, leaving no room for the edges.
Psoriasis takes on the scaly appearance characteristic commonly recognized by the general public. Extensive peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all dead cells leave the surface of the psoriatic spot, healthy skin with a light shade will remain in place.
Other signs of progression or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of the rash, blemishes and flaking, there are several other signs that can be used to assess the development of the disease. This is the nature of the itchy feelings (strong or tolerable), general condition, depressed mood. And also the presence of temperature.
In the initial stage, the itching is variable and the rash is incomprehensible. In addition, the itching intensifies every day. In the acute stage of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable. It disturbs sleep, rest, interferes with work. The person is irritated because the itchy sensations do not give him the opportunity to rest.
In the stationary stage, the itching decreases. Every day - a person feels better. The general state of the psyche changes, negativity and depressed mood weaken. The duration of the stationary stage is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in attenuation stage
The fading stage of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of plaques, spots, redness, inflammation, itching.
At this stage of the disease, psoriasis is just reminiscent of different skin pigments. At the site of the old psoriatic spots, it seems clearer. The surface of healthy skin has a darker shade.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation is formed. The skin at the site of the psoriasis spots is not lighter, but darker. In any case, differences in skin pigmentation will be visible for another one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: the possibility of relapse
The possibility of recurrence of psoriasis is determined by the person's lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the state of the body as a whole. It is also determined by the amount of toxins in your body, blood, liver. You can reduce the likelihood of repeated skin inflammation if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse your body of toxins from your liver, blood vessels and intestines.
Seasonal relapses of psoriasis are often rare after cleansing. A person remains susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleaning the body of toxins and taking vitamins and mineral complexes help to boost immunity. This is especially important if immunosuppressants were used during treatment, in the progressive stage of psoriasis. His need was due to the work of inflammatory mediators. After suppressing autoimmune defense, it is necessary to restore the immune system.