Psoriasis or squamous lichen is a chronic infection that manifests itself as a reddish, scaly rash, accompanied by itching and irritation. There can be several causes of psoriasis. If damaged, skin cell division occurs thirty times faster than normal, which causes discomfort and the appearance of scales. This also damages the immune system, which acts against its own cells, causing chronic inflammation.
Symptoms and Causes
A common symptom of the disease is changes in the skin folds of the joints and scalp. The spots that appear have grayish or white scales that can be easily removed. The progressive stage is characterized by the appearance of spots in places subject to mechanical stress - friction and the like. In addition to the skin, the lesion often affects the hair, internal organs, nails and joints.
The most common reasons are:
- Dysfunction of the immune system.T cells are cells of the immune system that normally defend the body against viruses and bacteria. In people with psoriasis, T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. This immune response causes the body to malfunction, including widening blood vessels and increasing white blood cells, which stimulate the skin to produce new cells faster than the skin regenerates. The accumulation of new cells on the surface of the skin leads to the development of thick, itchy patches.
- Inheritance.Research has shown that if a parent has scaly lichen, there is a 15% chance that a child will develop it. If both parents are affected, the chance of development is 75%.
- Failure of the endocrine system.The endocrine system is a network of hormone-secreting glands that help control many important bodily functions. Failure of one of these glands can cause a disorder.
Minor reasons:
- Any infection can cause psoriasis because it strains the immune system, causing an inflammatory response. However, flare-ups of squamous lichen can occur as a result of a respiratory or skin infection. These types of infections can generally be prevented with proper personal hygiene. Make sure you wash your hands often enough throughout the day. You should also avoid sharing cups and cutlery with other people. It is important to properly disinfect wounds or cuts and make sure there are no infections.
- Skin trauma, burns and scratches can cause infections in some people. Extra precautions should always be taken when performing actions that could cause injury. Use sunscreen or wear a hat when it's sunny outside. Care should also be taken when participating in outdoor activities.
- Although stress has a negative effect on someone, it is particularly problematic for people with psoriasis. The body tends to have an inflammatory response to stress. You should try to reduce the amount of stress in your life.
- If you are obese or overweight, this will only make your condition worse. Therefore, it is important to keep track of your weight by following a healthy diet on a regular basis. If you are having trouble eating right, you should consult a dietician for help. It can help you figure out which foods and how much you should eat throughout the day.
Risk group
Scaly lichen affects about 3% of people worldwide. Research shows a significant increase in outbreaks over the past 30 years.
Psoriasis affects men and women equally. The disease can start at any age, but most often occurs between the ages of 15 and 35 and between the ages of 50 and 60. The average age is 28.
The disease usually begins or worsens due to some factors which should be avoided whenever possible.
Reasons that cause or exacerbate squamous lichen include:
- Hypothermia can be one of the reasons for the development of the disease or its exacerbation.
- Alcohol consumption is also a provocative factor that causes the inflammatory process to generalize, shortens the period of remission and increases the risk of complications.
- Tobacco smoking not only increases the risk of disease, it can also increase the severity of the disease. Smoking also plays a role in the early development of the scaly lichen.
- Having another autoimmune disease, such as AIDS or rheumatoid arthritis.
- Infections that cause a weakened immune system, such as sore throat, tonsillitis, pharyngitis.
- Excessive stress, tension and anxiety.
- Some medicines such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), beta blockers and lithium-containing medicines.
Unfortunately, modern medicine cannot guarantee a complete cure for the disease, but it is possible to alleviate the condition with the help of therapy, which, with an integrated approach, will minimize the manifestations of the disease. Most often, preparations containing vitamin D, tar and activated zinc for external use are prescribed. For oral administration, drugs with cytostatics, corticosteroids and immunomodulators are created that are designed to regulate cell division in affected areas, control metabolism and restore immune responses in the body.
It is difficult for people with psoriasis to accept their diagnosis, which is why a person experiences severe discomfort when communicating with others, social adjustment problems, difficulties at work and in family life. It is important to prevent social withdrawal and depression, which can lead to psychological deviations and suicidal thoughts. It is important to support the patient and, if necessary, refer him to a psychotherapist for consultation.
Psoriasis in children
Squamous lichen in babies is quite common, particularly at the age of one year. The disease usually progresses during the winter season. Girls are more likely to get sick.
Children's psoriasis is different from that of an adult. In children, the number of proteins in the blood increases and the amount of heparin decreases. The disease is hereditary and genetic. However, the disease, despite a lengthy study, remains unknown. In addition to heredity, the disease results from a weak immune system, the flu and various skin diseases. The reason could be a stressful situation.
The main symptoms of the disease are cracks in the legs and palms of the hands. Subungual hyperkeratosis is possible. The lymph nodes become inflamed and hurt.
The treatment includes various ointments and sun baths. With congenital ichthyosis, most of the skin is affected.
With Leiner's erythroderma, anemia, sepsis, pneumonia appear. This form is typical of newborns. After a couple of months, the baby is back to normal.
In children older than 8 years, the disease is less common. Timely prevention of the disease with folk remedies is recommended.
Psoriasis of the scalp
Scalp psoriasis is doubly unpleasant as it can spoil the beauty of hair and any hairstyle. This type of disease is characterized by increased dryness of the head and significant keratinization of the skin. The scalp becomes covered with dry, flaking sores, the blisters on the body itchy like bites. Hair loss and profuse dandruff begins, which differs from the usual seborrhea.
To get rid of flaky scalp, it is important to know the cause of its appearance and take action first. Before starting treatment, it is necessary to undergo an examination and identify the main problem causing external changes. For the treatment and prevention of scaly lichen, it is necessary to adjust the diet, change taste preferences, use medicinal ointments and creams, shampoos, lotions, take baths with herbs. Treatment at home is better to take courses and take a break for a month. The simultaneous use of various medicinal ointments is not recommended.
Prevention and treatment of the scalp
Use essential oils of lavender, chamomile, bergamot and geranium to rub into the hair roots.
Butter mask
A teaspoon of butter (melted) should be mixed with half a teaspoon of mustard and five tablespoons of St. John's wort. Mix the mixture well and apply to the scalp with a cotton pad. Apply the mask for a few minutes and rinse. Then apply a nourishing cream. The procedure should be done once a week.
Solid oil mask
Take petroleum jelly or grease 500 grams, mix them with two fresh chicken proteins. Add one and a half tablespoons of chopped and sifted celandine herb to the mass and mix again. Perform the procedure for four months.
Traditional methods of treating diseases of the hands and feet
Oil
Lubricate the affected areas with sea buckthorn oil, which should also be taken orally every day, one teaspoon at a time.
Celandine
Juice of 300 grams of fresh celandine. It is best to do this after passing the herb through a meat grinder and adding wine. With a cotton swab dipped in the prepared product, gently wipe the affected areas. Rinse after 15 minutes with clean water.
Mustard mixture
The procedure is performed once a week. Mix half a teaspoon of dry mustard with warm broth of St. John's wort (5 tbsp. L. ), Pour a teaspoon of melted butter. Apply the resulting product to the damaged body with a cotton swab. After a few minutes, rinse with cold running water. Lubricate the areas with moisturizer.
Birch tar
Dagtem is carefully smeared with convex and inflamed areas. After an hour, rinse. To achieve the result, it is necessary to perform at least fifteen procedures.
Healing ointment
Mix fresh egg white with 250 grams of fat (you can take light petroleum jelly) and a spoonful of finely ground linden and celandine honey. The therapy lasts from one to four months.
Summary
Eggs are excluded from the diet during this period. Preference should be given to boiled meat, dairy products, vegetables and fruits. Squamous lichen requires long-term treatment, in combination with other medications. Carried out, it must then be supervised by an experienced specialist. In the course of therapy, dietary foods, fatty and spicy foods will be prescribed, alcoholic beverages will be removed from food.