Psoriasis is a non-infectious autoimmune disease that occurs with severe redness, inflammation and peeling of the skin. The disease is difficult to treat and has an undulatory character: it proceeds with remissions and relapses. It is especially unpleasant when it hits the face, as this part of the body cannot be covered with clothing. Psoriasis on the face brings not only itching and discomfort associated with skin irritation, but also moral depression due to the attitude of others who do not understand that this disease is not contagious.
Is there psoriasis on the face?
In most cases, psoriatic skin defects affect the scalp, elbows and knees, neck, armpits, and groin cavities. Can there be psoriasis on the face? Perhaps, but this form is considered atypical and rare.
Psoriasis can be vulgar (common) and seborrheic. It is the face that is often affected by the second form, which is considered more severe due to the large, particularly dense papules, as well as the scales covered with a layer of sebum with a yellowish tinge.
Factors contributing to the development of the disease
Doctors cannot yet come to a common opinion on the causes of skin pathology, but they suggest that psoriasis is caused by:
- autoimmune diseases;
- metabolic disruptions.
Autoimmune disorders occur due to the inadequate work of the immune system, when it begins to perceive one's body aggressively. The predisposition to such disorders is hereditary, autosomal dominant or recessive.
Metabolic disruptions are caused by nervous tension, malnutrition, chronic infections, pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, hormonal disturbances. In addition, the cause of improper metabolism can be uncomfortable climatic conditions and bad habits.
Psoriasis cannot occur on the face for one reason only. It usually leads to many unfavorable factors. In a separate group, doctors identify the factors that increase the likelihood of the manifestation of pathology:
- chronic inflammation;
- exchange bankruptcies;
- weakening of the immune system;
- hidden infections;
- regular skin lesions (the main cause of psoriasis on the nose and other protruding spots);
- severe or prolonged stress;
- freezing and overheating;
- poisoning, including alcoholism;
- uncontrolled intake of antibiotics, beta-blockers and antiviral drugs.
What does psoriasis look like on the face: varieties
Psoriasis on the skin of the face is of two types:
- Occurs at a young age - up to 40 years. The peak in incidence occurs at the age of 16-24. Early disease often becomes generalized, severe, difficult to treat and often recurs.
- It affects people over the age of 40. The peak in incidence occurs at the age of 55-60 years. This type is less persistent, the symptoms are not as strong as in the previous version, it is easier, it is better treatable.
There are also two main types of facial psoriasis: vulgar and seborrheic. Vulgaris is diagnosed in most patients and rarely affects the face. For such a place, the seborrheic type of psoriasis is more characteristic, which often gives relapses, is more difficult to treat and is characterized by the greatest severity of symptoms. The papules are particularly dense and large, the scales are covered with a layer of sebum and have a yellowish tinge, which is why they are very noticeable.
The disease can be localized in the following places on the face:
- on the cheeks;
- On the nose;
- on the eyelids;
- under the eyes;
- on the eyebrows;
- around the mouth.
Sometimes the disease affects the forehead, less often psoriasis on the lips is diagnosed. In a neglected version, skin defects can extend to the ears.
Clinical stages
Pathology is not instantaneous, it proceeds in stages, the stages are called stages. It is advisable to start treatment at the first stage, but for this you need to know how psoriasis begins.
The stage of the pathology can be determined by the symptoms:
- At first, facial psoriasis manifests itself with papules that resemble acne marks. Itching, increase in size, form dry plaques. The skin underneath is white.
- Subsequently, the affected skin turns red, the disease becomes active (sebopsoriasis or seborrheic). This phase is called progressive. The skin is very itchy, sore, flaky, covered with dense yellow crusts.
- Then the affected areas start to bleed and itch severely. Droplets of blood come out after scraping a dense scale. Wound surfaces do not heal. Peeling goes to the whole face, itching becomes unbearable.
- Subsequently, the stationary phase begins, during which the growth of papules stops and peeling decreases. Plaques on the face acquire a bluish tinge.
- The last phase is regressive. All symptoms gradually disappear. The disease goes into remission, peeling and itching disappear completely, papules and plaques resolve.
Since psoriasis is chronic, there will certainly be a relapse after remission. The duration of remission is individual and largely depends on the correct treatment, as well as facial skin care. If the pathology is not treated, various complications can be obtained instead of remission.
Consequences and complications
Complications of skin pathology can be local (the disease spreads to other parts of the body) and systemic. The neglected form of psoriasis often results in arthritis and, if it passes to the eyelids and ears, it can cause blindness and deafness. In addition, comorbidities worsen in patients: diabetes, hypertension, obesity, Crohn's syndrome, heart failure. This is why it is so important to be treated on time.
How to cure psoriasis on the face
It is impossible to completely cure the disease, as it is chronic, but it is possible to achieve many years of remission. For this, the treatment of psoriasis on the face should be comprehensive - complex, consisting of the following procedures:
- vitamin therapy;
- hormonal and non-hormonal therapy with special systemic and locally acting preparations;
- Physiotherapy;
- maintaining a proper diet;
- folk medicines.
Before treatment, it is recommended to consult a dermatologist and pass a standard series of tests to determine the characteristics of the pathology. Therapy is selected individually and begins with special preparations against psoriasis.
Preparations
The first outbreak, especially with a complex course, is treated with systemic drugs. Retinoids quickly and powerfully fight the manifestations of psoriasis on the face. They disrupt pathological cell division, as a result of which the disease stops progressing and goes into remission.
Antiallergic drugs will help reduce itching, redness, inflammation and swelling (symptomatic treatment). A drug with succinic acid in the composition can accelerate the recovery of the skin and improve its condition. For general strengthening of the body, injections of vitamins of group B are prescribed. Instead of injections, children can be given a vitamin complex in tablets.
If the drugs are ineffective, the more potent immunosuppressive drug against psoriatic rashes is used instead. It is used as a last resort due to the high likelihood of side effects.
In mild forms of the disease, as well as in psoriasis in childhood, they try to treat with topical drugs: ointments, creams, gels.
How to smear psoriasis on the face, the doctor will tell you. Usually assigned:
- ointment with salicylic acid 0. 5%;
- ointment based on tar and sulfur, not less than 10% (concentration of the active ingredient);
- 5% naftalan cream;
- glucocorticoid drug;
- non-hormonal cream of vegetable origin based on fat.
Creams and gels, as well as similar preparations for topical application, are applied to skin defects 2-4 times a day until the symptoms disappear completely. Hormonal and non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs improve the effectiveness of drug therapy:
- non-hormonal - shark oil, vitamin F, creams based on natural oils and medicinal herbs, ointment with calcipotriol;
- hormonal ointments for psoriasis.
In addition to the listed drugs, it is imperative to take sedatives (valerian, motherwort), as stress aggravates the symptoms. After the passage of the pathology to a calm stage, physiotherapy is prescribed:
- UV to accelerate skin regeneration;
- radiotherapy for itching and inflammation;
- ultrasound to reduce redness and swelling;
- magnetotherapy to improve metabolic processes.
Folk remedy therapy
How to treat psoriasis of the skin, recommends traditional medicine. Masks will help quickly remove psoriasis from the face at home:
- from dry chamomile infusion - prepare the flowers, strain, dip the gauze into the solution and apply to the face, keep for 20 minutes;
- from aloe - cut the leaf and rub the affected areas of the face with juice;
- from turmeric - the spice is diluted with water in a pasty state and applied to the plates. You need to keep 8-12 hours.
Face masks can be done every other day or every day before bed for 2-4 weeks. Then it is desirable to take a short break, after which the course of treatment can be repeated.
Another powerful remedy for psoriasis on the face are concentrated essential oils (coconut, sea buckthorn, juniper). It is recommended to add oils to the care cream or water for washing. They soften, nourish and moisturize the skin, facilitate the peeling of seborrheic psoriasis.
The pathology is well neutralized by sea salt, which must be added to masks, washing water and gowns. Alternative methods of treatment will not replace the official ones, but they will help to significantly speed up the healing process. It is recommended to combine such treatment with the use of pharmaceutical preparations.
Diet and lifestyle
All patients (even children) must follow a diet that eliminates all potential allergens: citrus fruits, coffee, chocolate, colored vegetables, seafood. If the psoriasis is on the forehead or cheeks, then you should definitely give up sugar and starchy foods.
In addition, the problem can be addressed by giving up bad habits: addiction to alcohol and smoking. The correct lifestyle must be maintained constantly, even after the disease has passed into remission.
Facial skin care
Facial problem skin care should be thorough, regular and correct. For care, it is best to use a daily moisturizer for the face with vitamin D in the composition. It will improve the quality of the skin, soften it and saturate it with nourishment for recovery. And you also need:
- avoid active rubbing of the skin with a cloth towel (it is better to wipe your face after washing with paper towels);
- during relapses, do not use decorative cosmetics for the face, especially in hot weather;
- do not peel or injure the skin with peeling;
- replace razors with electric ones (advice for men);
- regularly protect the skin of the face from the sun's ultraviolet rays with the help of special creams and hats.
Is it possible to sunbathe with psoriasis in open areas of the body? No, the affected skin must be protected from the sun's rays, especially in the acute phase, as ultraviolet rays can cause complications.
Despite the specific nature of psoriasis on the face, with a comprehensive and competent approach to treatment, if all the recommendations of the doctor are followed, the prognosis for achieving a long remission will be favorable.