Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has an undulating course.The disease affects the human skin and, more rarely, the joints.The severity of the pathology occurs due to the influence of certain negative factors and is characterized by worsening symptoms.Then the disease subsides, a period of remission begins, which can also be replaced by exacerbations.
Features of the course of the disease
This disease manifests itself differently in different patients.Moreover, symptoms can vary from one patient to the next, from small local lesions to widespread lesions affecting large areas of skin.
Usually, this disease develops with age.Over time, the period of remission becomes shorter and shorter, and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in its early stages and how it can be treated to prevent further progression of the disease.
Cause of disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If parents have dermatosis, there is a high probability of developing psoriasis in children when exposed to certain factors.
The factors that determine the beginning of the development of pathology are:
- allergic reactions;
- severe infectious diseases;
- decrease in the body's immune defenses;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- nervous system fatigue.
Also, the impetus for the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatosis can be the long-term use of certain drugs used to treat chronic diseases.
Type and stage of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis - type 1 and type 2 disease.The first type of pathology is diagnosed in children and adolescents.This form of the disease is genetically determined, while the child's parents may be healthy, and in the older generation there are cases of psoriasis.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost never affects the joints.
The second type of disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people over 45 years old.The characteristic feature of this form of the disease is damage to the joints.
The disease progresses slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of psoriasis development:
- early (early stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- retreat.
Favorite places for this disease are the elbows, head, and body.In rare cases, severe cases of the disease affect the flexors of the upper and lower extremities.
Early stages of the disease
Psoriasis in the early stages has symptoms and signs of an allergic skin reaction.The disease begins suddenly, a small reddish rash appears on the skin.In childhood, the symptoms and signs of psoriasis are often confused with diathesis or the manifestation of a food allergic reaction, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In small children, the manifestations of stage 1 psoriasis may be located in areas subject to friction when wearing clothes, while in adults, the first signs of the disease are noted on the hands or body.
Over time, papules (as pimples are called in psoriasis) gather together, forming flaky plaques.Islands of the disease can become covered with gray scales, which painlessly separate from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people are interested in whether psoriasis itches in the early stages and how to recognize the symptoms of stage 1 skin psoriasis. The following signs will help determine the appearance of new psoriasis:
- when the rash is scraped, the plaque becomes white, the scales come off easily;
- if you continue to scrape, reddish smooth spots ("heat film") form at the plaque site;
- If you continue to scrape the resulting stain, it will be covered with small drops of blood due to accurate bleeding.
The above techniques are used when examining patients and help identify psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, exudate can be released at the site of the plaque formed.The wound becomes covered with a crust, where it becomes wet due to the release of fluid.The course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of infection and the onset of a widespread inflammatory process.
Arthropathic form of the disease
If the disease affects the hands, palms and the area between the fingers, the arthropathic form of psoriasis is diagnosed.This form is considered the worst, because over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracks.There is a high probability of joint damage, which leads to the development of arthritis.This is fraught with loss of ability to work and disability for the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate, causing it to separate from the finger.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, patients experience serious discomfort at work and at home, as any movement of the hands leads to increased pain.
Drug treatment
To the question of whether psoriasis can be cured at an early stage, doctors, unfortunately, cannot give a positive answer.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute phase of the disease and return the patient to a normal life.
If early psoriasis is diagnosed, treatment should only be chosen by a dermatologist after all examinations.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected results and only worsen the course of the disease.
Whether psoriasis can be cured in its early stages largely depends on the extent of the damage and the location of the resulting plaque.
Early forms of psoriasis are treated using the following methods:
- ointment for local treatment of the skin;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- dietary adjustments;
- immunomodulators.
Ointment to treat the affected skin is chosen by the doctor depending on the level of damage.Usually, preparations based on tar or grease are used.For extensive skin lesions, treatment can be done with ointments containing corticosteroids.Such drugs have several side effects, so they are prescribed only in cases of severe disease.The course of treatment should not be long and after the acute symptoms are relieved, the ointment should be replaced with a gentler preparation.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at an early stage, only a doctor can tell you how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy - paraffin baths or ultraviolet irradiation.
For psoriasis in the early stages, home treatment should be agreed with the doctor.Having understood how psoriasis manifests itself in the early stages, it is necessary not to delay a visit to a specialist, because the disease develops quickly.
Exacerbations may begin suddenly;in this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, medicinal baths are used with the addition of honey, medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula), as well as natural oils.The purpose of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling, but it must be used together with medications recommended by the doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages and whether psoriasis can be cured in the early stages of children can only be given by the attending physician, based on the characteristics of the disease in the patient.