Psoriasis is a chronic disease and has an undulating course.This disease affects human skin and less often joints.Aggravation of the pathology occurs as a result of the influence of certain negative factors and is characterized by the worsening of symptoms.Then the disease subsides, a period of remission begins, which can be replaced by an exacerbation.
Features of the course of the disease
The disease manifests itself differently in different patients.In addition, symptoms can vary from one patient to another, from small localized lesions to extensive lesions affecting large areas of the skin.
As a rule, the disease progresses with age.Over time, periods of remission become shorter and the affected area increases significantly.
It is important to know what psoriasis looks like in the early stages and how to treat it to prevent the disease from progressing further.
Causes of the disease
According to most experts, this disease is a genetically determined pathology.If the parents suffer from dermatoses, the child is more likely to develop psoriasis when exposed to certain factors.
Factors that determine the beginning of the development of pathology:
- allergic reactions;
- serious infectious diseases;
- reduction of the body's immune defenses;
- diseases of the endocrine system;
- exhaustion of the nervous system.
Also, long-term use of certain drugs used in the treatment of chronic diseases can trigger the development of the disease in a person prone to dermatosis.
Types and stages of the disease
There are two types of psoriasis - type 1 and type 2 disease.Pathology of the first type is diagnosed in children and adolescents.The disease of this form is determined genetically, the child's parents may be healthy, and there are cases of psoriasis in older generations.
As a rule, this disease can be transmitted through 3-4 generations.The first type of disease affects the skin and almost does not affect the joints.
The second type of the disease occurs mainly in middle-aged people over 45 years old.A characteristic feature of this form of the disease is damage to the joints.
The disease develops slowly.There are 4 stages or stages of psoriasis development:
- early (initial stage of psoriasis);
- progressive;
- stationary;
- regression.
Favorite places for the disease are elbows, head and trunk.In rare cases, severe cases of the disease affect the flexor parts of the upper and lower limbs.
The initial stage of the disease
Psoriasis has the signs and symptoms of an allergic skin reaction in its early stages.The disease begins suddenly, small reddish rashes appear on the skin.Symptoms and signs of psoriasis in childhood are often confused with diathesis or the manifestation of a food allergic reaction, which makes timely treatment difficult.
In young children, the manifestation of stage 1 psoriasis can be located in areas exposed to friction when wearing clothes, while in adults, the first signs of the disease are noted on the hands or body.
Over time, the papules (so-called pimples in psoriasis) coalesce and form scaly plaques.The islands of the disease may be covered with gray scales that detach painlessly from the rash.All this is accompanied by swelling and irritation of the epidermis.
Many people wonder if psoriasis is itchy in the early stages and how to recognize the symptoms of stage 1 skin psoriasis.The following symptoms will help determine what early psoriasis looks like:
- when the rash is scraped off, the plaque becomes white, the scales come off easily;
- if you continue to scratch, a reddish smooth spot ("thermal film") forms at the site of the plaque;
- If you continue to rub the resulting spot, it will be covered with small drops of blood due to accurate bleeding.
The above methods are used when examining the patient and help to identify psoriasis at an early stage.
The initial form of psoriasis can last up to a month.In some cases, exudate can be left at the places of formed plaques.Wounds are covered with a crust, under which it is moistened due to the release of fluid.This course of the disease can be complicated by the addition of infection and the start of a wide 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 most severe, because over time the skin becomes inflamed and cracks.There is a high probability of joint damage leading to the development of arthritis.It is fraught with loss of working capacity and disability of the patient.
This form of the disease is dangerous because it affects the nail plate, causing it to separate from the fingers.The arthropathic form of the disease is very difficult to treat and is often characterized by exacerbations.Due to inflammation and swelling of the skin of the hands, the patient experiences serious discomfort at work and at home, because any movement of the hands causes increased pain.
Drug treatment
Unfortunately, doctors cannot give a positive answer to the question of whether psoriasis can be treated at the initial stage.However, timely treatment will eliminate the acute stage of the disease and return the patient to a normal life.
If primary psoriasis is diagnosed, the treatment should be selected by a dermatologist only after all examinations.Self-treatment without consulting a specialist may not bring the expected result and may only worsen the course of the disease.
Whether it is possible to treat psoriasis in the early stages depends mainly on the degree of damage and the location of the plaques.
The primary form of psoriasis is treated using the following means:
- ointments for local treatment of the skin;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapeutic methods;
- dietary adjustments;
- immunomodulators.
Ointments for the treatment of the affected skin are selected by the doctor depending on the degree of damage.Typically, preparations based on tar or oil are used.For extensive skin lesions, treatment can be done with ointments containing corticosteroids.Such drugs have a number of side effects, so they are prescribed only in cases of severe disease.The course of treatment should not be long, and such ointments should be replaced by milder preparations after the acute symptoms have disappeared.
If psoriasis is diagnosed at a very early stage, only a doctor can tell how to treat the disease.In some cases, a good effect is observed when using physiotherapy - paraffin baths or ultraviolet radiation.
At the initial stage, home treatment for psoriasis should be agreed with the doctor.Understanding how psoriasis manifests itself in the initial stage, you should not postpone a visit to a specialist, because the disease progresses rapidly.
An exacerbation may begin suddenly;In this case, folk remedies will help alleviate the patient's condition.For this purpose, therapeutic baths are used with the addition of honey, medicinal plants (chamomile, calendula), as well as natural oils.The goal of this treatment is to reduce itching and swelling, but it should be used in conjunction with medications recommended by a doctor.
The answer to the question of whether psoriasis in children can be treated at the initial stage and whether psoriasis in children can be treated at the initial stage can only be given by the attending physician, based on the characteristics of the disease in the patient.