Plaque lesions on the skin of the hands are the most common manifestations of scaly lichen. Hand psoriasis is a chronic disease that significantly impairs a person's quality of life. It has special symptoms and many prerequisites for development.
The causes of psoriasis on the hands
What causes a rash in the form of rough plaques on the palms and flexion areas of the upper limbs? it's not always easy to understand right away. The main causes of psoriasis on the hands are:
- hereditary tendency to the disease;
- the result of infections, virals and colds;
- metabolic disorders and hormonal pathologies (diabetes mellitus);
- stressful situations, nervous breakdowns, emotional upsets;
- frequent contact with aggressive chemicals (household chemicals, cosmetics);
- skin lesions (abrasions, wounds, abrasions, scratches).
People prone to allergic reactions are at risk of developing psoriatic psoriasis. In addition, malnutrition, alcohol and tobacco abuse, prolonged use of antidepressants, steroids can provoke squamous lichen.
Symptoms of manifestation
In adults, psoriasis begins in the elbows and hands. The first signs are evident on the extensor part, when small flat papules appear, which eventually increase in size, forming rough and round plaques of pale pink or red color. Also, the rash appears on the palms. The skin becomes dry, thickened, acquires a deep red color and sometimes cracks.
The development of psoriasis on the fingers can reach the nails. At first, small pits form on them, and over time, the nail plate thickens, sheds and resembles a fungal infection. Therefore, people often wonder if scaly lichen is contagious? Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not spread through handshaking or other contact. A propensity for disease can be transmitted genetically, but not the disease itself.
Another symptom of scaly lichen is the appearance of scaly plaques between the toes. The skin in these places resembles corns, the same rough and rough.
Forms of psoriasis of the hand
The nature of the course and the clinical manifestations of squamous lichen are very diverse. The rash can affect not only the hands, but also the shoulders, neck, chest, especially if the child suffers from the disease. Hand psoriasis is the most common type of dermatosis and can manifest itself in several basic forms, described below.
Plaque or joint
The skin in the affected areas becomes denser, covered with white crusts and cracks, which sometimes bleed. The plaques join in groups, forming large lesions.
Teardrop shape
The rash most commonly affects the upper arms and shoulders. The plates are densely covered with white scales and look like drops. This type of psoriasis quickly spreads throughout the body, affecting the forearms and hips. It is aggravated mainly after the ingestion of streptococcus (the causative agent of tonsillitis, tonsillitis, ARVI).
Exudative or pustular scaly lichen
It is localized on the forearms, has a severe course: multiple blisters with a clear liquid, purulent processes, as well as the exit of the rash on the outside of the upper limbs.
Nail psoriasis
This form is characterized by the appearance of longitudinal or transverse lines of a white or gray shade. The skin around the plaque thickens, and the nail itself exfoliates and loosens, which leads to its further destruction.
The appearance of each form of scaly hands is clearly visible in the photo.
If hand psoriasis treatment is not started on time, the disease can lead to inflammation of the joints (psoriatic arthritis). The rash can spread to other areas of the body (head, legs, back, abdomen, chest).
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a specific sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of the manifestations of the disease and the frequency of relapses, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - the initial stage - the appearance of several scaly papules on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and in the extension of the elbows, which are accompanied by edema, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - new rashes do not occur, and the old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- the stage of regression - the symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, the skin is cleaned, only small dark spots remain).
In a state of remission, psoriasis can range from 2-4 months to several years. The new relapses are more severe each time, which leads to a gradual enlargement and thickening of the stratum corneum on the hands, elbows, between the fingers and around the nail plates.
Treatment in the pharmacy
Scaly lichen, although not a contagious disease, brings a lot of discomfort and inconvenience. The main goal of drug treatment is to improve the general condition of the patient:
- eliminate peeling and itching;
- relieve inflammation;
- soothe the skin.
Therapy should be comprehensive and include several groups of drugs for external and internal use.
- Hormonal: Relieves inflammation, irritation, swelling, itching and pain, reduces papules with fluid in exudative psoriasis. In addition, ointments remove allergic manifestations.
- Non-hormonal - zinc ointment, salicylic ointment - relieves the main symptoms, does not cause side effects, acts gently on the skin, but is less effective than glucocorticoid (hormonal) drugs.
- Homeopathic - used for severe peeling, itching, help during the period of joint damage.
Homeopathy is effective only when selected correctly, taking into account all the nuances of the course of the disease and the characteristics of the patient's body.
In case of a weak result from local drugs, the doctor can prescribe systemic therapy in the form of injections and pills. Drugs suppress the intensive division of skin cells, detoxify the body, thereby eliminating the main symptoms, which helps to improve the quality of life.
In addition to the main drugs aimed at inhibiting psoriasis, complex therapy uses funds to support the whole body:
- vitamins;
- liver support drugs - hepatoprotectors;
- sorbents: cleansing the intestine of toxins and poisons;
- antihistamines;
- immunomodulators.
The best to treat this or that form of psoriasis, the specialist will determine. Combine drugs for maximum effect and not harm your body as a whole.
Folk remedies
Patients are often interested in how to cure psoriasis at home. In the fight against scaly hand lichen, herbal preparations and healing baths help well. In addition, folk remedies help to improve the action of drugs and the transition of the disease to the stage of remission.
Celandine baths
Pour the chopped grass (100 g) with 3 liters of boiling water and leave for 1-1, 5 hours. Pour the filtered liquid into a hot bath (37-40 degrees). The duration of one procedure does not exceed 15 minutes.
The course of treatment is 10-12 sessions, which can be done daily.
Collection of herbs for water manipulation
It is necessary to mix in equal proportions (50 g each):
- St. John's wort;
- wise;
- valerian root;
- celandine;
- succession.
Boil 30 g of the collection in 250 ml of water for 5 minutes. Let the broth brew for 1. 5-2 hours, strain and add to a large bath container.
Herbal baths facilitate the course of the disease, soothe the skin, reduce inflammation and peeling and, most importantly, stop the further spread of plaques.
Propolis ointment
Melt 300 g of butter, add 20 g of chopped propolis, boil everything until it forms a single consistency. With the finished cooled ointment, treat the affected areas on the hands. The product is also suitable for compresses. Apply a small amount of medicine to a cotton swab, apply to the injured areas, fix with a bandage.
Before using the ointment, it is necessary to treat the plaques with hydrogen peroxide and wait for them to dry. This will enhance the effect of the folk remedy.
birch tar
For 30-45 days, it is necessary to lubricate the affected areas of the hands with birch tar. It is best to do this an hour before bedtime. The substance should remain on the skin for at least 10 minutes, after which it is washed off with warm water. Gradually, the residence time of the tar on the plates is increased to 30 minutes.
This medicine is most effective in treating skin disorders. A folk remedy well removes unpleasant symptoms and prolongs the period of remission for a long time.
Prevention of psoriasis on the hands
Hands more often than other areas of the skin suffer from rashes. The disease is difficult to treat due to the constant contact of the hands with provoking factors. To achieve long-term remission, it is important to adhere to preventive measures:
- do not let the skin dry out;
- use household chemicals with gloves;
- use specially selected hand creams;
- avoid contact with aggressive substances;
- promptly seek medical help when the first rashes occur;
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
In the prevention of psoriasis of the hands, attention should be paid to proper nutrition. Fried, smoked, salty, fatty and spicy foods should be excluded from the diet. It is not recommended to get carried away with chocolate and flour products. It is best to cook, steam or bake and reheat fruits and vegetables with red pigment (cherries, strawberries, tomatoes) to heat treatment.
Psoriatic rashes on the hands tend to recur. The disease is not curable, but goes into remission only temporarily. The duration of psoriasis calm depends on the correct treatment and prevention. Watch your lifestyle, stick to your diet, avoid stress and treat the first manifestations of the disease in time.