Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease.It occurs when the immune system malfunctions.Disease development is divided into well-defined stages—emergence, progression, stabilization, and regression.The different stages of psoriasis vary in the appearance of spots and rashes, the severity of itching, and the degree of skin inflammation.
Why do we need to distinguish the development stages of the disease, and what are the characteristics of the course of psoriasis in the early stages of development and during recovery?
Why do you need to know about the stages of psoriasis?
Doctors choose the right treatment based on the stage of psoriasis.The complexity of medications and topical medications used to treat inflammation depends on the stage of development of the disease.
At the onset of the disease, general treatment is required - vitamin complexes, diet, external sterile treatment of the rash, for example, a course of ultraviolet therapy.They also prescribe medications that stimulate cleansing of the intestines, blood vessels, and liver.
The psychoemotional state must be corrected by a neurologist or psychologist.
In 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 many side effects, so they are only prescribed when their use is unavailable.
Psoriasis: Treatment of Acute and Remission Phases
During the acute progression of the disease, several drugs with different effects are prescribed.Immunosuppressants and corticosteroids are often used to relieve inflammation and reduce itching.External treatments are supplemented by photochemistry, ultrasound and laser therapy.Antimicrobial treatment for damaged skin is also prescribed.
In steady state, they continued taking anti-inflammatory hormone medications and gradually tapered the dose.To restore damaged skin, you need to use ointments with a regenerative effect.
During the remission phase - they support the body.Correct nutrition, taking a complex of vitamins and minerals to restore immunity.
timeliness of treatment
The sooner treatment is started, the easier it is to control psoriasis.
Prompt treatment can limit the spread of skin inflammation, reduce its extent, and prevent subsequent recurrence of peeling.Since psoriasis is often mistaken for an allergic rash in its early stages, it's important to know its first symptoms so you don't miss the onset of the skin condition.
Notice:Doctors are still figuring out the cause of psoriasis.But it is known that psoriatic inflammation of the skin is not contagious.It is not transmitted by sick people or caused by infection from an injury.This is one's own, personal failure of the human body.
Psoriasis is caused by immune failure and can be caused by a variety of factors.Severe stress, intoxication (including strong drugs, industrial emissions, alcohol), past infection.
Treating psoriasis is difficult.The disease can easily relapse.The treatment itself is symptomatic.It includes preventing the appearance of new spots and relieving existing skin itching.
Which stage of psoriasis is called the initial stage?How to distinguish early stage psoriasis from constitutional rash?How will the disease develop in the future?
Psoriasis: the initial stages
The first signs of psoriasis on the skin look like pimples.Most commonly, the rash appears in the bends of the elbows and knees, or in places where clothing presses tightly against the body (such as under a belt at the waist).The rash may also appear on the edges of the hair, under the hair, around the nails and on the nail bed.Sometimes psoriasis occurs on the feet and palms of the hands.
Psoriasis almost always appears symmetrically on the elbows of both arms, on either side of the waist, or on both knees.
The appearance of the papule itself (medical term - papule) is unremarkable in its initial stages.They have:
- pink or red;
- The edges are clear and not blurry;
- Small size - no more than two millimeters at the base;
- Flat – Small pinpoint papules in the early stages of the disease have little convexity, so they look like spots.
As the disease progresses, flaky skin fragments may appear on the papules.They are gray or silver in color and appear white against a background of red pimples.
The appearance of scales is accompanied by quite severe itching.If you can't resist scratching, the scales will fall off, revealing shiny pink, youthful skin underneath.It's thin and fragile, and if you scratch an itchy pimple for too long, it can hurt and bleed.
The initial stages of psoriasis last up to four weeks.
Psoriasis: Progressive Stages
In the progressive stage, individual papules coalesce into a common point, forming what are called psoriatic plaques.They are raised above the surface of the skin and are almost completely covered by peeling skin.There is a non-flaky pink rim along the edges of psoriatic plaques.
The presence of a margin is a sign of the progressive stage of the disease.The width of the edges is one to two millimeters.Its skin is inflamed and its structure resembles parchment.
The edge represents the area where the light spot expands.This is skin that has been inflamed but has not yet peeled off.After a while, it will also be covered in scales.And the spots will enlarge, occupying new areas of the skin and forming new, wider edges.
As the disease actively progresses, adjacent spots merge into each other.At some point, a large, inflamed, red spot may develop on a person's body.
The psoriatic plaques are extremely itchy, causing discomfort and disrupting his work, rest and sleep.They can grow, occupy a large area, and form new rashes on clean, healthy skin.
The main sign of the progressive phase is the development of a new rash.Once new papules and spots stop appearing, the next phase of psoriasis begins - the telogen phase.This is not yet a complete victory, but it is a turning point toward recovery.
In its progressive stages, psoriasis is almost always accompanied by weakness, fatigue, and weakness.Depression is very common.possible temperature.
notes:Some medical theories still hold the opposite view.Depression is not a consequence of psoriasis.Psoriasis is a neurological and psychological consequence of depression.
The duration of the progressive stages of psoriasis can be long, up to several months.
Psoriasis: Quiescent Phase
The main sign of the telogen phase is that new spots and rashes stop appearing.At the same time, the itching decreases and becomes more tolerable.The rash loses its bright color, changes color and becomes invisible.This is also one of the signs that the process is stabilizing.
When the spread of inflammation stops, the pink rim around the plaque disappears.Aggressive exfoliation and healing begins, and new healthy skin is regenerated.
Visibly to the naked eye, the peeling intensifies during the resting phase.The scales completely cover the entire surface of the psoriasis spots, leaving no room for edges.
Psoriasis has a characteristic scaly appearance by which ordinary people can usually identify it.Extensive dissection during the resting phase is not dangerous.
When all the dead cells disappear from the surface of the psoriasis spots, healthy skin with a slight tint will remain in place.
Other signs of progress or stabilization
In addition to the appearance of rashes, spots and peeling skin, there are many other signs that can determine the development of the disease.This is the nature of the itching sensation (intense or tolerable), the general condition, the depressed mood.There is also temperature.
In the early stages, the itching is variable and the rash is difficult to understand.Additionally, the itching gets worse every day.In the acute phase of psoriasis, it becomes unbearable.Disrupts sleep, peace and interferes with work.The person becomes irritable because the itching sensation does not give him a chance to rest.
During the resting phase, the itching subsides.Every day, a person feels better.The overall mental state changes, negative emotions and depression decrease.The quiescent phase lasts for several weeks - from 2 to 5 weeks.
Psoriasis in a weakening stage
Remission from psoriasis is when the plaques, spots, redness, inflammation, and itching disappear almost entirely.
At this stage of the disease, only the different pigmentation of the skin is reminiscent of psoriasis.It replaces previous psoriasis spots and looks lighter.Healthy skin has a darker surface color.
In some cases, what is called hyperpigmentation develops.The skin in areas with psoriasis spots does not become lighter but becomes darker.Regardless, the difference in skin pigmentation will show up over the next one to two months.
After recovery from psoriasis: possibility of recurrence
The likelihood of a recurrence of psoriasis depends on a person's lifestyle, diet, allergies, and overall physical condition.It also depends on the level of toxins in his body, blood, and liver.If you strengthen your immune system and remove toxins from your liver, blood vessels, and intestines, you can reduce the likelihood of recurring skin inflammation.
Usually after cleansing, seasonal recurrences of psoriasis become rare.A person is still susceptible to the disease, but the likelihood of it happening is significantly less.
Removing toxins from the body and taking a vitamin-mineral complex can help strengthen immunity.This is particularly important if immunosuppressants are used during treatment of advanced psoriasis.Their need is due to the action of inflammatory mediators.After autoimmune defenses have been suppressed, immunity needs to be restored.