Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.Occurs when there is a problem in the immune system.The development of the disease is divided into clear stages - emergence, progression, stability and regression.The different stages of psoriasis vary in the appearance of spots and rashes, severity of itching, and degree of skin inflammation.
Why is it necessary to distinguish between the stages of development of the disease and the features of the course of psoriasis at the beginning of its development and during recovery?
Why do you need to know the stages of psoriasis?
Dividing psoriasis into stages is used by doctors to choose the correct treatment.The complexity of drugs and external agents prescribed for the treatment of inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the beginning of the disease, general therapy is necessary - vitamin complexes, diet, external sterile treatment of rashes, for example, a course of ultraviolet therapy.They also prescribe stimulants to clean the intestines, blood vessels and liver.
The psycho-emotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
At the initial stages of the disease, do not use strong drugs that suppress the immune system and do not prescribe hormonal ointments.These drugs have a large list of side effects, so they are prescribed only when it is impossible to do without them.
Psoriasis: treatment in the acute phase and in remission
During the acute progression of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and glucocorticosteroids are often used to reduce inflammation and relieve itching.External treatment is supplemented by photocoagulation, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antiseptic treatments for damaged skin are also prescribed.
At steady state, they continued taking anti-inflammatory hormone drugs, gradually reducing the dosage.To restore damaged skin, ointments with a regenerative effect are prescribed.
During the period of remission - they support the body.Proper nutrition, taking vitamin and mineral complexes to restore immunity.
Timeliness of treatment
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Prompt treatment will limit the spread of dermatitis, reduce its severity and prevent subsequent recurrence of peeling.Since in the early stages psoriasis is often confused with an allergic rash, it is necessary to know its initial signs so as not to miss the appearance of a skin disease.
Note:Doctors are still figuring out what causes psoriasis.But it is certainly known that psoriatic dermatitis is not contagious.It cannot be transmitted from a sick person or by infection through a wound.This is one's own personal failure in the human body.
The cause of psoriasis is immunodeficiency, which can be caused by many different factors.Severe stress, poisoning (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), previous infections.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease easily relapses and recurs.And the therapy itself is symptomatic.It consists in preventing the appearance of new spots and reducing existing skin itching.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the early stage?How to initially distinguish psoriasis from visceral rash?And how will the disease develop in the near future?
Psoriasis: early stages
The first appearance of psoriasis on the skin looks like pimples.Usually, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing is pressed tightly against the body (for example, below the belt at the waist).The rash can also appear along the edges and under the hair, around the nails, and on the nail beds.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms.
Psoriasis almost always manifests itself symmetrically - on the elbows of both arms, or on both sides of the lower back, or on both knees.
The pimples themselves (in medical terminology - papules) in the early stages have a modest appearance.They have:
- Pink or red;
- Edges are clear, not blurred;
- Small size - acne at the base does not exceed two millimeters;
- Flat shape - small pinhead pimples at the beginning of the disease have almost no protrusions, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, scaly skin appears on the pimples.They are gray or silver in color and appear white on a red base.
The appearance of scabs is accompanied by quite intense itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales will fall off, revealing pink shiny skin underneath.It is very thin and easily damaged. If you scratch it for a long time, it will be damaged and bleed.
The duration of the first stage of psoriasis is up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: advanced stage
In the advanced stages, individual pimples merge into a common spot, forming what is called a psoriatic plaque.They rise to the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered by peeling.Along the edge of the psoriasis plaque there is a pink red border that does not peel off.
The presence of rims is a sign of advanced stages of the disease.The width of the rim is one to two millimeters.The skin on it is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment.
The rim represents the area where the point expands.This is an area of skin that is inflamed but has not yet peeled off.After a while it will also be covered with scales.And the spot will expand, capturing new areas of skin and forming a new, wider border.
With active development of the disease, neighboring points merge with each other.At some point, a large red spot can form on the human body.
Psoriasis patches are very itchy, causing discomfort for the patient, disrupting work, rest and sleep.They grow, occupy large areas and form new rashes on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the advanced stage is the appearance of new rashes.As soon as new pimples and spots stop appearing, the next phase of psoriasis begins - the stabilization phase.This was not a complete victory but it was a turning point towards recovery.
In its advanced stages, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and weakness.Depression is common.Temperature possible.
Note:Some medical theories still say the opposite.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.And psoriasis is a consequence of neurosis and psychological depression.
The duration of the advanced stage of psoriasis can last several months.
Psoriasis: stable phase
The main sign of the stabilization phase is the cessation of the appearance of new spots and rashes.At the same time, the itching is also weaker and more comfortable.The rash loses its brightness, changes color and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs of process stability.
The pink rim around the perimeter of the plaque disappears when the widespread inflammation stops.The active exfoliation and healing process begins, regenerating healthy new skin.
It can be seen with the naked eye that the peeling condition intensifies in the stationary phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriasis spot, leaving no room for borders.
Psoriasis has characteristic scaly symptoms that normal people often recognize.Extensive skin peeling in the stationary phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriasis spot, healthy skin with a light tone will remain in their place.
Other signs of progression or stability
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling, there are several other signs by which you can evaluate the development of the disease.Đây là bản chất của cảm giác ngứa (mạnh hoặc có thể chịu đựng được), tình trạng chung, tâm trạng trầm cảm.And there is also the presence of temperature.
In the early stages, itching changes and rashes appear of unknown cause.Furthermore, the itching is increasing.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.Disturbs sleep, peace and interferes with work.The patient becomes irritable because the itching sensation does not give him or her a chance to rest.
During the stationary phase, the itching gradually decreases.Every day a person feels better.The general state of mind changes, negative mood and depression weaken.The duration of the stationary phase is several weeks - from 2 to 5.
Psoriasis in the waning stage
The palliative phase of psoriasis is the almost complete disappearance of patches, spots, redness, inflammation and itching.
At this stage of the disease, only the different skin pigmentation is reminiscent of psoriasis.Instead of the previous psoriasis spots, it looks lighter.The surface of healthy skin is darker.
In some cases, so-called hyperpigmentation is formed.The skin in the area where the psoriasis is located does not become lighter but darker.In all cases, the difference in skin pigmentation will appear in one to two months.
Psoriasis after recovery: possibility of recurrence
The likelihood of psoriasis recurrence is determined by lifestyle, diet, allergic mood and the condition of the whole body.It is also determined by the amount of toxins in the body, in the blood and in the liver.You can reduce your chances of recurring dermatitis if you strengthen your immune system and cleanse your body of toxins in the liver, blood vessels, and intestines.
Usually after clearing, seasonal recurrences of psoriasis become rare.A person is still susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of its occurrence is noticeably reduced.
Cleansing the body of toxins and taking vitamin-mineral complexes helps strengthen immunity.This is especially important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment in advanced stages of psoriasis.Their need is due to the action of inflammatory mediators.After suppressing autoimmune defenses, it is necessary to restore immunity.