Elbow psoriasis is an inflammatory process with a characteristic rash. Among the predisposing factors for the onset of the disease, heredity, various diseases, bad habits, stress situations, etc. are different.
Pathology is accompanied by itching, redness, swelling, soreness of the affected area. To make a diagnosis, tests for urine, blood, stool, biopsy, bakposev microflora are prescribed. Treatment includes the use of medications, topical therapy, physical therapy, and nutritional adjustments.
Before starting the treatment of elbow psoriasis, it is necessary to exclude other conditions: eczema, fungal infections.
Specific medications are prescribed only after a thorough examination, therefore, an initial consultation with a dermatologist is necessary.
stage
Psoriasis occurs in several stages that periodically replace each other.
initial
The outer surface of the elbow is covered with small papules. On the surface, they resemble a random arrangement of acne. After 14-21 days, the formation becomes a large patch covered with scales. Dryness of the skin increases and the surface becomes rough.
progress
This stage is characterized by the formation of multiple large plaques. The patient complains of peeling and redness of the affected area. The boundaries of the rash are indicated by well-defined margins. At this stage, the transition of the disease to an exacerbation phase is noted.
fixed
With a properly selected scheme of therapeutic measures, the clinical picture becomes less pronounced, and the disease goes into a state of rest. The number of psoriatic rashes decreases and there are no new papules.
retrogressive
This stage is accompanied by a reduction in the severity of symptoms and a significant reduction in the number of plaques. The skin where the rash appeared before had marked hyperpigmentation, but at the same time there were no characteristic scales at the lesion site and no exfoliation of the epidermis.
symptom
The onset of the development of the pathological process is manifested by the appearance of small oval or round red dots. As the disease progresses, the number of formations increases, and they spread to healthy areas around the skin.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and there is no complete cure. However, modern methods can help get rid of disease progression quickly and achieve long-term remission.
Use antihistamines; for rashes on joints, use topical ointments and creams containing corticosteroids, salicylic acid.
An important treatment is prescribed diet and vitamin complexes; positive effects of some homeopathic preparations have been noted.
Early signs are characterized by a small rash. If it is time to seek professional help at this stage, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of the disease becoming chronic.
The main feature of psoriasis is the formation of pale silvery scales. Under mechanical action, their integrity is destroyed, and the result is a smooth surface with bloody cracks.
There are also cases of psoriatic plaques that do not have scales.
The patient began to complain of severe itching, swelling of the lesion, and burning. If you palpate the damaged area, you will notice an increase in temperature and pain in these places.
Depending on the working of the protective functions of the body, when the disease affects the entire surface of the skin of the upper extremities, the pathological process is accompanied by the formation of single or multiple plaques. If appropriate measures are not taken in a timely manner, the possibility of pathological transformation into a neglected form increases several times.
The severity of clinical manifestations also depends on the stage of the disease process. During remission, the symptoms presented subside and the patient feels better. Relapsing disease is characterized by the appearance of multiple psoriatic plaques and a deterioration in a person's general health due to painful symptoms.
reason
Despite the high prevalence of the disease, the exact factors that trigger it cannot be fully studied and determined. However, experts have identified several purported causes that may contribute to the development of psoriatic lesions on the elbow.
One of the most common factors is genetic susceptibility. According to statistics, in 50% of cases, the pathology is diagnosed in people whose relatives are also susceptible to the disease.
The prerequisites for the development of psoriasis are the lack of resistance of the body to infectious diseases, malnutrition, uncontrolled intake of drugs, which negatively affects the immune system, thereby causing its weakening.
Reasons also include:
- endocrine disorders;
- Digestive system diseases;
- epidermal damage;
- Frequent stress, neurosis, depression.
Vitamin deficiencies and micronutrient deficiencies in the body can lead to the manifestations of psoriasis.
diagnosis
Since the development of elbow psoriasis is accompanied by obvious clinical symptoms, pathological detection is not difficult. First, a dermatologist performs an external examination of the damaged area of the epidermis and collects the patient's medical history.
To confirm the initial diagnosis, the patient is sent for laboratory tests.
A blood test can allow you to determine a possible predisposition to an allergic reaction to some of the medications available to treat psoriasis. Furthermore, the analysis aids in the diagnosis of anemia, which will be accompanied by characteristic deviations in the levels of white blood cells and red blood cells.
A urinalysis can determine the level of water-salt balance, which is how much salt and water are entering and excreted from the body.
Studies of feces are necessary to identify the worms in them.
When the main methods of making a final diagnosis aren't enough, doctors prescribe additional tests:
- Biopsy of epidermal samples taken from lesions;
- bakposev on the microflora;
- Test with potassium oxide.
If a complex course of the pathological process is suspected, X-rays are performed to assess the involvement of joint disease.
If women develop psoriasis during childbearing, they are referred for prolactin testing.
Also, you may need to consult an orthopedist, rheumatologist, venereologist, or breast doctor.
treatment method
There is no cure for psoriasis, but it can prevent flare-ups and prolong remission. Treatment in this case should be complex. It includes the use of such treatments:
- usemedicalthe medicine in it;
- usagefundslocal action;
- vitamin therapy;
- nursing hometreat;
- applicationHomeopathydrug.
Also, following a special diet is important. It includes foods in the diet that contain substances that help relieve and limit the use of foods that are harmful to psoriasis.
medicines for psoriasis
In the treatment of diseases, it is important to use oral medicines in the form of capsules, tablets, tablets.
Antihistamines can be used to relieve itching.
It is important to remember that, given the severity of the disease, age criteria, and the individual characteristics of the patient's body, only experienced specialists should prescribe such drugs.
ointment for elbow and calf rashes
Elbow psoriasis is widely used topically.
Experts say that the treatment of psoriasis should be comprehensive, so using creams only once is not enough, as they only remove the symptoms of the disease from our skin.
vitamins
In psoriasis, vitamin therapy is considered an important approach to complex treatment. If the superficial skin of the flexors is damaged, group B, E, D, A vitamins and ascorbic acid are recommended.
To do this, you need to eat right: increase your intake of foods that contain these substances. In addition, vitamins can be purchased from pharmaceutical establishments. Vitamin solutions can be used to lubricate problem skin.
Some ointments contain necessary substances, so experts often prescribe such drugs for topical use.
Vitamin and mineral complexes can be prescribed.
Psoriasis drugs of severe severity are also prescribed for intramuscular injection.
They are made every day or every other day.
Homeopathy
Combination agents are considered to be the most effective.
The dose of these drugs is determined by a qualified specialist, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient's body and the severity of the pathology.
diet
In pathological conditions, adherence to dietary nutrition is important. Therefore, the following products should be added to the diet for the treatment of psoriasis:
- lean fish;
- dairy products;
- vegetable oil;
- fruits and vegetables;
- cereals;
- greenery.
These ingredients enrich the body with useful substances and reduce acidity. In the case of illness, it will be useful to establish a drinking regimen. Water consumption should be at least 1. 5 liters per day.
The following products are prohibited for use in pathology:
- bacon;
- Spicy seasonings and spices;
- Pickle;
- Dessert;
- fat;
- alcoholic beverages;
- sausage;
- coffee;
- Tangerine;
- chocolate;
- candy.
It is necessary to limit the intake of fried, fatty and salty foods.
In addition, psoriasis recommends divided meals: servings should be small, and the number of meals should be increased to six per day.
Spa Treatment
For psoriasis, it is advisable to visit resorts located in areas where hot and dry climatic conditions prevail.
Also ideal is an annual stay in a nursing home with a radon or sulfide bath. In these places, patients can undergo physical therapy procedures to help remove signs of the disease and prolong remission. These include the application of paraffin or ozokerite, UV radiation, phototherapy, cryotherapy.
These procedures are performed 21-29 days a day.
The treatment of elbow psoriasis takes a comprehensive approach. Medication includes funding for both internal and external use. It is also important to take vitamins and diet during treatment. It is recommended to stay in a nursing home and use homeopathic medicines.
result
Due to the long-term lack of treatment measures, the pathological process of the elbow is complicated by the appearance of various diseases.
Psoriatic erythroderma may begin. In most cases, it occurs in the context of sudden cessation or complete lack of treatment, frequent stressful situations, contagious diseases in severe forms, alcoholism.
Pustular systemic psoriasis is a more serious health threat. This pathological process is characterized by numerous associations of papules, resulting in the formation of large foci with pustular areas at the location of skin exfoliation.
Another complication is psoriatic arthritis. This is a pathological process that affects the joints, with swelling, severe pain, and limited mobility.
prevention
Since the epidermis in this area is very dry, regular care of the elbow area is required. For this, you need to use special creams with moisturizing properties.
You should also stop smoking and drinking too much alcohol. Strengthening the immune system plays an equally important role. To this end, experts recommend taking vitamin and mineral complexes, exercising more, and spending more time walking in the fresh air.
It is important to protect the skin from mechanical damage and not subject the body to constant stress and psychological barriers.
At the first symptoms of an infectious disease developing, medical attention should not be delayed to provide prompt medical care.