The cause of skin lesions with psoriatic plaques has not been fully established. The vast majority of doctors consider genetic predisposition to be a fundamental factor in the development of pathology. Psoriasis is a systemic, non-infectious, chronic, relapsing disease that primarily affects the skin, nails, and joints.
The main signs and causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis is characterized by increased proliferation of epidermal cells. Normally, cell division, maturation, and death take place within 3-4 weeks. With psoriasis, this process takes no more than 5 days.
Superficially, this is manifested by the formation on the skin of the skin dense areas of red or pink color, covered with small scales of white dead cells. If they are carefully scraped, a shiny thin film (terminal) with a clearly visible capillary network is exposed. After slight friction, drops of blood appeared on it.
This feature is known as the "psoriatic triad" and is the key difference between psoriasis and other skin diseases. To confirm the diagnosis, a histological examination of the skin granules from the affected areas is performed.
The main factors that provoke the appearance of psoriasis are considered:
- Exogenous (external cause). These include various wounds of the skin of a physical or chemical nature.
- Endogenous (internal causes). These may include the presence of diseases of the immune system, endocrine system, HIV infection. Smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet also cause psoriatic skin lesions.
- Mental. In most cases, the first manifestations of psoriasis appear after a nervous concussion or prolonged emotional stress.
Skin rashes are often the result of infectious and inflammatory diseases. Many doctors attribute this to a weakened immune system. People with a genetic predisposition to psoriasis should avoid the factors that cause it.
Types of Psoriasis
This or that form of the disease depends on the type of rash and the location of their localization. During pregnancy, due to changes in the hormonal background, the manifestations of psoriasis can disappear or, conversely, manifest with greater force.
common psoriasis
The most common form of pathology. The first sign is a papule rash. They can be singly, grouped on different parts or throughout the body. With the progression of the disease, the psoriatic plaques increase and gradually fuse together.
Depending on the form of the rash, common psoriasis is divided into:
- dots (papules in the form of dots the size of a matchstick);
- teardrop shape (elongated spot with fingertip);
- coin-shaped (rounded patches about the size of a pea).
The rash can be in the form of arcs, circles, spirals, garlands. They sometimes resemble the contours of the continents on a geographical map. If the disease is localized on the scalp, then they talk about seborrheic psoriasis. Sometimes the neck, nose, forehead, and chest are affected. Diagnosis is difficult due to the similarity of the pathology to seborrhea.
Distinctive features are the clarity of the boundaries of the affected areas, the presence of the "psoriatic triad", the silver color of the scales. Often there is itching, the hair does not fall out.
The collection of patches on the feet and hands gives the palmistry its name. It is characterized by the formation of areas of glossy, corn-grain-like skin. Nail psoriasis changes their color, shape, and structure. They are loose, covered with small depressions and take the form of a dike.
Isolate secretions from papules that cause a burning sensation. The scales stick together and form a crust that adheres tightly to the skin. In this case, they talk about the exudative form of psoriasis.
In severe cases, the entire surface of the body is affected. The skin becomes hot to the touch, red, swollen, intensely itchy, burning, and feels tight. This form of the disease is classified as erythrodermic psoriasis.
pustular psoriasis
It happens quite rarely. It develops on a vulgar background or appears on perfectly healthy skin. In this case, the first areas of inflammation appear, on which blisters form during the day, which quickly turn into pustules. Their contents are sterile and when drained will dry and form crusts.
There are several types of diseases. All of them are characterized by chills, fever, fever, sometimes diarrhea, vomiting. The condition gets worse when the pustules merge and take up a large area of the skin. If pustular psoriasis occurs against the background of ordinary psoriasis, no fusion is observed.
joint psoriasis
It affects joints, usually small joints (phalanges of the fingers and toes). Sometimes the pathological process affects the spine. This form of psoriasis often leads to disability.
The first signs of the disease are pain, which gets worse with movement, and swelling in the joints. Evening fever, gastrointestinal disturbances, and anorexia are characteristic of the exacerbation of the disease.
Over time, joints become deformed and lose mobility. Pathology can develop independently or in parallel with the skin manifestations of psoriasis.
All forms of pathology can develop gradually, over many years, or rapidly over several days and even hours. The treatment regimen depends on the type and severity of the disease and must be compiled by a dermatologist.
Most often, external agents are prescribed in the form of ointments and gels and physiotherapy. In some cases, drug treatment is required. Self-medication can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.