Psoriasis is a genetic disease that has no cure, but is characterized by periods of remission and exacerbation. The pathology often leads to severe itching, pain and excessive peeling of the skin, which is why it is so important to know how to relieve an exacerbation of psoriasis and alleviate your condition.
Signs of exacerbation of psoriasis
Psoriasis recurrence begins quickly and acutely. New rashes form on the body after a long period of remission. Particularly affected are those areas of the body where the skin is drier: the sacral area, the feet, the palms of the hands, the scalp. The patient's condition worsens sharply and the following signs appear:
- Formation of a terminal film at the site of the removed scales, especially in guttate psoriasis;
- Severe itching, sometimes unbearable;
- Peeling and redness of the skin at the affected sites;
- Sensation of tight skin.
Papules that appear after remission with a red or pale pink tint have clear, rough edges. Gradually, the rash develops into plaques, which can reach more than 10 cm in diameter, the scales covering the affected areas of the skin peel off well, and blood may appear under them.
The best time for a relapse
The best time for exacerbation of psoriasis is the cold season (winter, autumn), when many viruses and bacteria are circulating in the air. There are several reasons for this:
- During the sunny season, the rays have a beneficial effect on the skin and the human body as a whole. Lack of vitamin D3 often leads to relapse.
- In winter, immunity decreases and this is a trigger for the exacerbation of psoriasis.
At the same time, in the summer there is a possibility of exacerbation of psoriasis. The reason is that excessive amounts of ultraviolet radiation also have a negative effect on the skin, causing inflammation and the appearance of new plaques.
What causes an aggravation
To date, the reliable causes of psoriasis exacerbation are unknown. What can lead to relapse of the pathology in some patients is absolutely safe for others. We mention just a series of factors that very often lead to the recurrence of psoriasis:
- Stress, chronic fatigue, constant emotional stress;
- Any damage to the skin, whether mechanical or chemical;
- Failure to follow the recommended diet. Relapse is possible if the body lacks the necessary minerals and vitamins;
- Deterioration of human immunity due to exposure to various factors;
- Sudden climate change;
- Excessive alcohol consumption and even smoking;
- Hormonal imbalance caused by taking hormonal drugs or malfunctioning of the thyroid gland;
- Pregnancy, menstruation, menopause are conditions in which the hormonal levels in the body also change;
- The use of new cosmetics that can be applied directly to the skin areas affected by psoriasis and aggravate the course of the disease.
The above are only the most obvious and common causes of exacerbation of psoriasis. In this case, a relapse can occur even after taking various drugs, the simplest and most harmless. In view of this, doctors recommend taking only medications necessary for health reasons.
How to quickly relieve an aggravation
As symptoms begin to increase rapidly and sometimes become unbearable, the most pressing question is how to quickly relieve a psoriasis flare-up. The reason is that the disease has severe and painful symptoms; the patient suffers not only from the appearance of spots, but also from severe itching. All this worsens the quality of life.
People suffering from psoriasis note that the most effective means that can make life easier during this period are:
- Sequential baths for major lesions or lotions for small, small blemishes. Such solutions relieve itching, but tighten the skin strongly. Accordingly, it is best to take them in combination with petroleum jelly or baby cream.
- Sodium salt and thiosulfuric acid in vials. The pharmaceutical preparation can be replaced with natural remedies such as prunes, senna herb, dried apricots or raisins.
- Baths with pine needles and valerian, which can be taken every 2 days. The proportions are as follows: for a bath one bottle of valerian and 50 ml. pine needle extract.
- Lotions with emollient cream and the addition of a decoction of flax seeds. The product promotes rapid healing of cracks and is most effective for psoriasis on the palms of the hands or soles of the feet.
- Rubbing with vinegar (one tablespoon of vinegar per 0. 5 liters of water). Helps relieve itching quickly.
All listed recipes will only help relieve acute symptoms, while traditional therapy cannot be considered a treatment. If the disease recurs, you should contact a dermatologist, who will prescribe treatment depending on the provoking factor.
The best way to relieve severe itching in case of recurrence
The most effective way to combat severe itching during psoriasis recurrence is with medications. 1-2% ointment with salicylic acid in combination with local glucocorticosteroid drugs has proven effective. In this case, it is necessary to ensure adequate care of the affected skin. The patient should bathe and apply moisturizing creams to the affected areas.
The following drugs will help eliminate severe itching:
- anti-allergy medications that will help relieve itching when psoriasis symptoms become unbearable.
- ointments based on tar, salicylic acid, zinc oxide, a synthetic analogue of vitamin D - ointments that help relieve inflammation, itching, soften the skin and disinfect it. Apply to skin rashes 2-3 times a day.
Relieve inflammation and redness in psoriasis
In addition to systemic therapy, during exacerbation of psoriasis, drugs are also prescribed that help alleviate the external manifestations of the disease. Ointments, creams, gels, pastes, which include sulfur, tar, solid oil or salicylic acid, help relieve inflammation and redness. The following drugs have proven effective:
- ointments created on the basis of nafthalan oil;
- zinc oxide ointment;
- ointment based on salicylic acid;
- products containing tar;
- products with solid oil.
Such products have an antibacterial and antiseptic effect. They dry the skin, accelerate the healing process of plaques and stimulate the exfoliation process.
If the recurrence of the disease is extremely acute, the doctor may prescribe ointments with hormonal steroids to relieve inflammation. It is strictly forbidden to use such means on your own, as they have many negative consequences.
How to relieve a headache
Exacerbation of psoriasis on the scalp involves perhaps some of the most unpleasant symptoms. Here you cannot do without complex therapy, which includes:
- Taking drugs for various purposes: non-steroidal drugs that relieve inflammation, immune system modulators, sedatives and anti-allergic drugs. It is also recommended to take vitamins B, A and D as part of vitamin complexes.
- Drugs that have a local effect will help cope with itching and inflammation of the scalp. They have a repairing, antibacterial, exfoliating effect. Ointments are applied to the affected areas of the scalp 2-3 times a day.
- Shampoo for psoriasis.
Before using any of the above remedies, you should consult a specialist. Truly effective therapy can be prescribed only if the factors that provoked the exacerbation are taken into account.
How to relieve exacerbation of psoriasis during pregnancy
Changes in hormone levels during pregnancy are a trigger for psoriasis relapse. During an exacerbation, a woman suffers from severe intoxication and allergies. Red plaques form on her body that itch and hurt. Body temperature rises, appetite disappears.
Exacerbation of psoriasis in pregnant women is a dangerous condition that threatens the health and even life of the baby. Miscarriage, premature birth, prematurity - all these are disastrous consequences of such a disease in pregnant women. It is for this reason that at the first symptoms you should go to hospital immediately and not self-medicate.
Treatment methods for exacerbations of psoriasis
Since very often the factors that provoked an exacerbation of psoriasis remain unknown, complex treatment is indicated. The use of only one remedy can alleviate the patient's condition, but will not free him from all the symptoms of relapse. Therefore, a comprehensive therapy is used, designed to solve several problems:
- Stop the growth of plaques and restore the skin;
- Eliminate provoking factors;
- Eliminate the possibility that the patient finds himself in stressful situations;
- Purify the body and improve the functioning of the digestive tract.
The choice of methods and treatment regimen directly depends on the stage and form of the disease, the nature and location of the plaques and the general condition of the patient.
Medications for relapses
It is impossible to do without drugs in the fight against exacerbation of psoriasis. The treatment regimen is selected individually and depends on many factors. But, as a rule, treatment is reduced to taking the following drugs:
- Sedative drugs that have a calming effect on the nervous system. The most commonly prescribed tinctures are valerian and motherwort.
- Antihistamines.
- Tablets that improve the functioning of the digestive tract and cleanse the body: activated carbon.
The affected areas of the body are treated with topical medications. These include ointments and creams:
- Zinc and salicylic acid have a beneficial effect on damaged areas, such components should be present in the ointment;
- Solid oil based;
- With tar as main component;
- Sulfuric ointment.
Since during a flare-up the patient's immunity is weakened, the doctor may prescribe lipoic or folic acid, vitamin complexes or fish oil as additional treatment.
Physiotherapy
After the acute symptoms of the disease are alleviated, the patient is prescribed physical therapy. The following methods of influencing the body have proven to be the most effective:
- UF rays- promote rapid healing of damaged skin.
- Hydrotherapy.Baths with real Dead Sea salts help cleanse the skin well.
- Cryotherapy- a method whose essence is the effect of low temperatures on the affected areas. Furthermore, it stimulates the immune system well.
- Selective phototherapy.During the procedure, foci of inflammation are hit impulsively.
- Shock wave therapypromotes rapid healing of the skin.
- Climatotherapy.Patients are often advised to undergo a full course of treatment at seaside resorts.
How to relieve a flare-up at home
You can relieve the most painful manifestations of psoriasis at home. The most commonly used recipes are those tested by time and hundreds of patients:
- Butter and propolisin a ratio of 500 g to 50 g All ingredients are placed in a saucepan and cooked over low heat, after the mixture has cooled add 2 tablespoons of sea buckthorn oil. This ointment is applied to the skin 5-6 times a day. After just 6 sessions, people suffering from psoriasis notice that the manifestations of the disease practically disappear.
- Onion compresses.To prepare, the onion is reduced to a pulp, which is placed in gauze and applied to the affected areas. This method helps relieve inflammation and soften the skin.
Traditional methods
It often happens that you urgently need to stop an attack, but you do not have the necessary drugs at hand. In such cases, lotions will help a lot. To prepare you need:
- Mix equal parts calamus leaves, string, licorice, burdock and nettle.
- A large spoonful of this mixture is poured into a glass of water.
- The infusion is heated over low heat for five minutes, after which it is left to infuse for another hour.
The following remedies have proven themselves effective in combating exacerbation of psoriasis:
- Birch tar ointment.To prepare it you need to mix alcohol, natural sea buckthorn oil and birch tar in equal quantities. The product is applied to the affected areas, covered with polyethylene and left for 1-1. 5 hours.
- Celandine oil.5 tablespoons of chopped herbs should be poured with a glass of vegetable oil (unrefined) and kept on low heat for 5-10 minutes. The finished liquid is infused for 5 days and only then used to treat psoriasis.
Relapse diet
Compliance with nutritional rules is an important and integral point in the treatment of psoriasis relapses. It is also important to consume enough vitamins. In order to prevent the appearance of new plaques and eliminate unpleasant symptoms, it is strictly prohibited:
- Foods rich in carbohydrates (fat milk and other dairy products, fatty meats and fish).
- Spicy, smoked, acidic and salty foods.
- Marinades and pickles.
- Semi-finished products.
Dishes must be prepared by cooking, stewing, boiling. It is better to eat fruits and vegetables, various cereals, vegetable broths and soups.
Nutritionists and dermatologists recommend limiting your diet when the first symptoms of exacerbation of psoriasis appear. For the first three to five days you can drink sweetened tea or pure water in any quantity and also eat brown bread (a little).
How to prevent exacerbation, preventive measures
If you follow fairly simple prevention rules, you can significantly extend the duration of remission and prevent exacerbation. They all boil down to:
- Rules for skin care and hygiene.A patient suffering from psoriasis should have regular water treatments to avoid drying out the skin. Cosmetics and hygiene products can only be used if they have already been tested and have not caused reactions.
- Diet and correct nutrition.Not only harmful foods should be excluded from the diet, but also bad habits such as alcohol and smoking. Experienced specialists will help you create the right menu.
- Moderate training.Fitness or swimming not only has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, but also helps to strengthen the immune system.
- Maintain a sleep schedule.Sleep should last at least 8 hours and it is advisable to avoid excessive stress at work.
- Intake of lecithin granules.This drug improves skin condition and normalizes liver function. Doctors also recommend a drug based on birch mushroom extract and cobalt chloride, which improves immunity, restores hematopoiesis and improves the functioning of the digestive system.
Compliance with preventive measures allows you to forget about exacerbations of psoriasis for a long time. Also, doctors recommend avoiding stressful situations and supporting the body in the fight against psoriasis with vitamin complexes.