How to quickly cure psoriasis on the legs?

Leg psoriasis is a skin disease in which itchy papules, spots or pustules appear on certain parts of the limbs. Over time, they grow and merge into plates. This disease is incurable and chronic. Well-designed complex therapy helps to quickly relieve the symptoms of psoriasis on the legs. Therefore, wishing to achieve a stable remission (to completely or partially rid the skin of the elements of the rash), one should not prescribe treatment for oneself.

Causes of pathology

Scientists have not yet figured out why psoriasis appears on the feet and other parts of the body. Many researchers associate psoriatic rash with a genetic malfunction of the cells of the epidermis and the consequent excessive activity of the immune system. This pathological condition occurs as follows:

  • Due to skin dysfunction, keratinocytes (they make up 90% of the cells of the epidermis) do not have time to mature, but at the same time they multiply rapidly, which leads to a change in the structure of individual areas of the skin.
  • In response to this failure, the body's immunity sends T lymphocytes (killer cells) and macrophages (eater cells) to destroy immature and pathologically altered keratinocytes.
  • As a result of the accumulation of a large number of immune cells and keratinocytes in the upper layers of the epidermis, the skin grows and begins to peel off. No drug can help completely normalize the renewal functions of the skin.

The progression of leg psoriasis is facilitated by a bacterial infection that can penetrate the skin through small scratches, as well as a disturbed hormonal background, allergic contact dermatitis and a number of other external factors.

What psoriasis on the legs looks like, depending on the type of disease

Psoriatic lesions in the feet and knees of the legs may look different from person to person. This factor is explained by the cyclic course of the disease. In addition, one or more forms of psoriasis may develop on the skin of the legs, including palmar-plantar, common (vulgar), teardrop-shaped, punctate, nail, and joint-shaped psoriasis.

Psoriasis of the legs and feet

Elements of psoriatic rashes can be localized on different parts of the skin of the legs:

  • on the knees;
  • on the shins;
  • on the heels;
  • in the thighs.

Psoriasis of the lower leg, foot, knee joint and inner thigh begins with the appearance of single red papules and severe itching (typical of the toe and vulgar form of the disease) or with small pink patches and purple (with teardrop-shaped psoriasis).

papules on the skin of the legs with psoriasis

In the first case, the elements of the rash protrude slightly above the surface of the skin, differ in density and have an apex with a silvery scale, which flakes off when scraped with a fingernail. Over time, the papules increase, and those close to each other merge into a single plaque. As a result, they either completely cover the skin of the knees or cover solid areas of skin from the knees to the feet. Peeling appears on the surface of the plaques.

drip psoriasis on the legs

In the initial stage, the teardrop-shaped elements of the psoriatic rash affect the entire skin of the legs with the same type of small rash. Then, as a result of the progression of the disease, the individual spots merge into groups and cover large areas of skin on the legs. Such psoriatic lesions rarely occur on the heels.

palm plantar psoriasis on foot

Palmar-plantar psoriasis often develops on the sole of the foot. Elements of the rash are formed on the inflamed skin of the feet in the form of small spots and pustules with clear boundaries and yellow sterile contents. If the pustules on the legs open, the liquid from them leaks out, dries up and forms a yellowish crust, the ulcers underneath also dry out.

Pustules that don't burst become covered with dry scales. Gradually, they increase and combine in groups, the scaly layer begins to tightly tighten the skin, which causes discomfort when walking. The skin around the plaques becomes thick and dry, cracked. Through such cracks, an infection usually penetrates the deep layers of the dermis, after which weeping and decay of the skin begins.

Psoriatic arthritis

In most cases, plaque psoriasis of the legs causes psoriatic damage to the joints. This arthritis is divided into 5 types:

  • Symmetrical: simultaneous inflammation of the paired joints of the knees, hip region, ankles or feet.
  • Asymmetrical - pathological changes simultaneously affect large and small joints, for example, the joints of a knee and the joints of the toes.
  • Inflammation of the distal joints: The small joints in the toes closest to the nails swell.
  • Spondylosis - Arthritis affects the lumbosacral spine, causing pain in the hips and lower limbs.
  • Deforming arthritis is a rare inflammatory disease in which the small joints of the fingers are completely destroyed.

The skin over the swollen joints swells, turns purple-blue, and becomes warm.

Damage to the nail plates

Damage to psoriatic nails occurs against the background of:

  • psoriatic arthritis in 80-90% of cases;
  • vulgar or pustular psoriasis in 50-60% of cases.

In 5-10% of clinical cases, toenail psoriasis is primary, i. e. it manifests on its own, not preceded by psoriatic lesions of the joints or skin of the legs.

Initially, common psoriasis on the soles of the feet or psoriatic inflammation of the distal joints of the fingers cause pathological changes in the skin of the periungual region. Then the pathology spreads to the nail bed or affects the nail plate lying on it. There is a deformation of the nail - the formation of dents, transverse lines - and a discoloration of the plaque.

Similar signs of psoriasis in women are rarely seen in youth, most often the disease occurs in young men. In old age, psoriatic nail damage affects both women and men equally.

Stages of progression

If left untreated, psoriasis of the lower limbs goes through 3 stages of development:

  • initial;
  • progressive;
  • stationary.

Subsequently, the pathological changes are suspended, the remission phase begins. Without preventive treatment, the disease recurs over time.

The manifestation of the initial stage of the disease on the legs is characterized by the formation of a small rash, in the form of spots, papules or pustules. In the beginning, it can occur on the folds of both knees of the legs at the same time. The elements of the rash are red or pink, so their upper parts are covered with white flakes. The initial stage of psoriasis lasts about 3 weeks. During this time, the papules or pustules increase in size and combine into groups.

The initial stage of psoriasis can be stopped if you seek help from a specialist promptly. But most often, people ignore the symptoms of the manifestation of the disease, which is why psoriasis continues to develop. In a progressive phase, the number of psoriatic plaques on the skin of the legs increases, those close to each other merge into "paraffin lakes" of various shapes and sizes. Toe psoriasis leads to inflammation and peeling of the periungual tissue and damage to the nails.

For the progressive period, Kebner's phenomenon is characteristic, when a psoriatic rash is formed on the healed skin, for example, after a cut or scratch.

In the steady state, psoriasis of the feet and other areas of the skin of the legs still manifests itself as severe itching and peeling. However, new elements of the rash no longer appear, and the plaques stop growing in size. There is no inflammatory border around them; in its place appear dry scales. If the treatment is stopped at this stage, the exacerbation of the disease will resume. Otherwise, the psoriatic plaques stop peeling off, some completely disappear, some just light up - the phase of remission begins.

How to treat leg psoriasis

The treatment regimen for leg psoriasis is compiled separately for each patient, taking into account the location of the rash, the form of the disease, the stage of progression and a number of other factors. It is dangerous to independently invent a treatment for this disease because complications can arise in the form of extensive skin lesions, inflammation of the joints, up to their destruction and the addition of a bacterial infection (staphylococcus, streptococcus).

Drug

First, psoriasis foci are affected by non-hormonal ointments:

  • tar, naphthalan - ointments relieve inflammation, are antiseptics, but should be used only as directed by a doctor, as they have serious contraindications.
  • sulfur-salicylic ointment, salicylic acid - refer to keratolytic agents (destroying the stratum corneum). They have an exfoliating effect and help the plaques dissolve.
  • ointments that contain fat, soften the skin of the legs, have a regenerating effect.
  • ointments that contain the active form of vitamin D3 slow down the cell division process, thus reducing inflammation and peeling of the skin on the legs.

If non-hormonal drugs do not help stop psoriasis of the legs, corticosteroid ointments are prescribed, which are divided into:

  • Weakly active - funds act on the surface of the skin, suitable for the initial stage of psoriasis. Some ointments from this group are approved for use by children, pregnant and lactating women.
  • Moderately active - prescribed for the treatment of psoriasis on rough areas of the skin of the legs, especially on the knees and feet.
  • Strongly active - prescribed if moderate ointments cannot stop the increase in psoriatic plaques on the skin of the legs.

If no psoriasis ointment helps, then at the stage of progression of the disease, pills are prescribed simultaneously with external drugs for:

  • suppression of the activity of immune cells;
  • prevent the proliferation of epidermal cells;
  • they also take retinoids - derivatives of vitamin A, which are necessary to restore epidermal cells.

How to get rid of foot psoriasis with home methods

Folk remedies for psoriasis are medicines for external and internal use, but in the treatment they should be used with the same care as drugs.

Questions how to cure psoriasis at home forever are still unanswered. Some homemade recipes help to remove the symptoms of the disease for a long time, but not completely eliminate them.

Ointment for exacerbation

Ingrediants:

  • unrefined sunflower oil - 1 liter;
  • celandine grass - 50 g;
  • roots of elecampane - 50 g;
  • acetylsalicylic acid - 50 tabs.

How to prepare: grind tablets and herbs with a coffee grinder, pour the resulting powder into vegetable oil, mix thoroughly. Leave to infuse for 30 days in a warm and dark place. During this time, the mixture should be heated every 3 days in a steam bath, stirring, but not brought to a boil.

How to use: strain the medicine, mix the resulting liquid with petroleum jelly (3: 1), apply 3 times a day on psoriatic plaques.

Ointment that relieves symptoms in 10 days

Ingrediants:

  • birch tar - 150 g;
  • pharmacy alcohol - 150 mg;
  • camphor oil - 75 mg;
  • chicken yolk - 3 pcs

How to cook: beat the egg yolks in an enamel container, gradually adding the camphor, then the tar and alcohol. Store the ointment in a dark place.

How to use: Apply with a gauze on the inflamed skin of the legs. After three days, it is necessary to wash the feet with warm water with a tar soap foam, wipe off the moisture and reapply the ointment for 3 days. If the disease is not started, the procedure is repeated again, after which the skin is cleaned.

During the period of treatment with homemade ointments, it is very important to maintain the immunity of the body. To this end, 1 teaspoon can be taken orally per day. sea buckthorn oil.

Diet

Proper nutrition is one of the conditions for effective treatment of psoriasis not only on the legs, but also on other parts of the body. Medical scientists concluded that the allergic factor contributes to the progression of all forms of psoriasis, so allergenic foods should first of all be excluded from the menu:

  • chicken eggs;
  • seafood;
  • natural honey;
  • chocolate, cocoa;
  • grape;
  • Lamb;
  • Pig;
  • chicken meat;
  • alcohol.

During this period, it is very important to give up sweet, spicy, too salty and smoked foods - they slow down the metabolism in the body. The menu should include dairy products, river fish, cereals, baked apples, vegetable oils, peas, carrots.

fasting with psoriasis in the legs

Complete hunger for psoriasis, when a person drinks only one water, is contraindicated.

During an exacerbation of psoriasis in the legs, doctors recommend organizing a fasting day once a week, for example, eating only apples, kefir or boiled river fish.

Physiotherapy

The answer to the question of how to treat leg psoriasis with physiotherapy is quite broad. For this purpose, doctors prescribe:

  • Ultrasound therapy: The ultrasonic waves emanating from the device cause the skin tissues to compress and stretch, which are performed to restore their cells. Thus, it is possible to relieve inflammation, itching and swelling from the skin of the legs.
  • Electrosleep - prescribed for psoriasis of the skin of the legs, if a person cannot cope with the stress caused by the pathology.
  • Phototherapy - under the influence of ultraviolet rays, the immunity of the skin is strengthened, the growth rate and cell division decrease.

To improve metabolic processes in the skin of the legs with psoriasis, acupressure helps. It is recommended to carry it out only during the period of remission of the disease, otherwise there is a high probability of infection in the inflamed skin.

Hygiene rules

In order not to cause the appearance of new psoriatic plaques on the skin of the legs, during the period of remission it is recommended to use only warm water and baby soap with a moisturizing effect to wash the skin. As the disease progresses, the feet need to be washed with warm water and tar soap, which not only cleans the skin, but also relieves inflammation. After washing, dry your skin and toenails thoroughly with a soft towel.

Additional recommendations

Leg psoriasis treatment will be long-term if a person:

  • He is engaged in an active sport: legs sweat, there is a large load on the feet. After training it is very important to wash your feet with warm water, dry them thoroughly, wear clean socks and loose shoes that allow the skin to breathe.
  • He tans regularly and for a long time in the sun: excessive exposure to the sun causes burns and compromises the metabolic processes of the skin. At the stage of progression of psoriasis on the skin of the legs, it is better to refuse abundant exposure to the sun, and in the period of remission, sunscreen should be used.

Prevention and prognosis measures

Today psoriasis is considered incurable. Therefore, once a sustained reduction in symptoms is achieved, efforts must be made to maintain this condition in the manner recommended by the doctor. There is no place for self-medication here.