Psoriasis or scaly lichen is a chronic infection that manifests itself as a red, scaly rash, accompanied by itching and irritation. Psoriasis can have several causes. When damaged, the division of skin cells occurs thirty times faster than normal, which causes discomfort and the appearance of scales. It also damages the immune system, which acts against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the skin folds in the joints and scalp. The spots that appear have grayish or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of spots in places subject to mechanical stresses - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion usually affects hair, internal organs, nails and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Immune system dysfunction.T cells are cells of the immune system that normally defend the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This immune response causes the body to malfunction, including dilation of blood vessels and an increase in white blood cells, which stimulate the skin to produce new cells more quickly than the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the skin's surface leads to the development of thick, itchy patches.
- Heredity.Research has shown that if a parent has scaly lichen, there is a 15% chance that a child will develop it. If both parents are affected, the chance of development is 75 percent.
- Endocrine system failure.The endocrine system is a network of hormone-secreting glands that help control many important bodily functions. Failure of one of these glands can cause illness.
Minor reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis because it overloads the immune system, causing an inflammatory response. However, outbreaks of scaly lichen can occur after a respiratory or skin infection. These types of infections can usually be prevented with proper personal hygiene. Be sure to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. You should also avoid sharing cups and cutlery with others. It is important to properly disinfect wounds or cuts and make sure there is no infection.
- Trauma to the skin, burns and scratches can cause infections in some people. You should always take extra precautions when performing actions that can cause injury. Wear sunscreen or a hat when it's sunny outside. Care must also be taken when participating in outdoor activities.
- Although stress has a negative effect on someone, it is especially problematic for people with psoriasis. The body tends to have an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
- If you are obese or overweight, it will only make your condition worse. Therefore, it is important to monitor your weight by regularly eating a healthy diet. If you are having trouble eating well, consult a nutritionist for help. It can help you find out what foods and how much you should be consuming throughout the day.
Risk group
Scaly lichen affects about 3% of people worldwide. The survey shows a significant increase in outbreaks in the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects men and women equally. The disease can start at any age, but it occurs most often between the ages of 15 to 35 and 50 to 60 years. The average age is 28 years.
The disease usually starts or worsens due to certain factors that should be avoided whenever possible.
The reasons that cause or exacerbate scaly lichen include:
- Hypothermia can be one of the reasons for the development of the disease or its exacerbation.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes the inflammatory process to generalize, shortens the remission period and increases the risk of complications.
- Smoking not only increases the risk of disease, it can also increase the severity of the disease. Smoking also plays a role in the early development of scaly lichen.
- Having another autoimmune disease, such as AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections that cause weakening of the immune system, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Certain medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta-blockers and medicines that contain lithium.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee the complete cure of the disease, but it is possible to relieve the situation with the help of therapy, which, with an integrated approach, will reduce the manifestations of the disease to a minimum. Most of the time, preparations containing vitamin D, tar and activated zinc are prescribed for external use. For oral administration, the drugs are created with cytostatics, corticosteroids and immunomodulators designed to regulate cell division in the affected areas, control metabolism and restore immune responses in the body.
It is difficult for people with psoriasis to accept their diagnosis, which is why a person feels great discomfort when communicating with other people, problems of social adaptation, difficulties in work and family life. It is important to avoid social isolation and depression, which can lead to psychological deviations and suicidal thoughts. It is important to support the patient and, if necessary, refer him to a psychotherapist for consultation.
Psoriasis in children
Scaly lichen in children is quite common, in particular under one year. The disease usually progresses during the winter. Girls are more likely to get sick.
Child psoriasis is different from adult psoriasis. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is hereditary and genetic. However, the disease, despite a long study, remains unknown. In addition to inheritance, the disease arises from a weak immune system, flu and various skin diseases. The reason can be a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks in the legs and palms of the hands. Subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and painful.
The treatment includes various ointments and sunbathing. In congenital ichthyosis, most of the skin is affected.
With Leiner's erythroderma, anemia, sepsis, pneumonia appear. This shape is typical for newborn babies. After a few months, the baby returned to normal.
In children older than 8 years, the disease is less common. It is advisable to carry out timely disease prevention with folk remedies.
Psoriasis of the scalp
Scalp psoriasis is doubly unpleasant, as it can spoil the beauty of hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp is covered with dry, scaling wounds, the blisters on the body itch like pricks. Hair loss and abundant dandruff begin, which differs from the usual seborrhea.
To get rid of the scaly scalp, it is important to know the cause of its appearance and act first. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to do an examination and identify the main problem that causes external changes. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichen, it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicinal ointments and creams, shampoos, lotions, bathe with herbs. Treatment at home is best done taking courses and taking a break for a month. The simultaneous use of several medicinal ointments is not recommended.
Prevention and treatment of the scalp
Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, bergamot and geranium to rub into the hair roots.
Butter mask
One teaspoon of butter (melted) should be mixed with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's wort. Stir the mixture well and apply to the scalp with a cotton pad. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be performed once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take 500 grams of petroleum jelly or grease, mix it with two fresh chicken proteins. Add one and a half tablespoons of chopped and sifted celandine to the dough and mix again. Perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating hand and foot disease
Oil
Lubricate the affected areas with hawthorn oil, which should also be taken orally every day - one teaspoon at a time.
Celandine
Juice of 300 grams of fresh celandine. The best way to do this is to run the herb through a meat grinder and add wine. With a cotton swab dipped in the prepared product, gently clean the affected areas. Wash after 15 minutes with clean water.
Mustard mix
The procedure is performed once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dry mustard with hot St. John's wort broth (5 tablespoons. L. ), Pour into a teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product to the damaged body with a cotton swab. After a few minutes, wash with cold running water. Lubricate the areas with moisturizer.
Birch tar
Dagtem is carefully greased with inflamed convex areas. After an hour, wash. To achieve the result, you need to perform at least fifteen procedures.
Healing ointment
Mix fresh egg white with 250 grams of grease (you can take light petroleum jelly) and a tablespoon of linden honey and finely ground celandine. Therapy lasts from one to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this period. Preference should be given to cooked meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Scaly lichen requires long-term treatment, in combination with other medications. Once done, it must then be supervised by an experienced specialist. In the therapy process, dietary foods will be prescribed, fatty and spicy foods, alcoholic beverages will be removed from the foods.