The initial stage of psoriasis

Psoriasis is a well-known skin disease that cannot be cured. For many decades, scientists have been trying to explain the causes and determine an effective remedy for the treatment of this disease, but, unfortunately, so far without success. Even if the patient consulted a doctor in a timely manner and the initial stage of psoriasis was detected, it cannot be guaranteed that the disease will not progress further.

And yet, how to recognize the disease in advance and take basic measures to prevent further spread of psoriasis? Is it possible?

Symptoms psoriasis

The first signs of psoriasis are the appearance of flat inflammatory elements on the skin. These are clear, light pinkish, convex seals, covered on top with loose, dried, light scales that easily fall off. Such seals do not have a specific pattern of location and can affect any area of the skin. The most “favorite” localization of psoriatic nodules is the area of joints, the scalp, the area of folds (for example, gluteal and inguinal folds). Sometimes psoriasis of the nails is also diagnosed.

At the beginning of the disease, the number of rashes is limited, they are usually single. Over time, the elements merge and form foci of various sizes, which are called zones with peripheral growth.

Acute onset of psoriasis may be a consequence of minor injuries to the skin (scratches, punctures, etc.). Over time, the rash may spread beyond the initial affected area, sometimes covering large areas of skin.

• The initial stage of psoriasis on the hands is manifested by itching and the formation of scales mainly in the area of the joints or on the palm. In severe situations, not only the skin is affected, but also the joint bags themselves, which can be determined by the pain in the joints and limited mobility.

Other symptoms of psoriasis on the hands:

• the appearance of pink nodules with a light flaky crust on the elbows or fingers;
• the appearance of blisters on the palmar surfaces of the hands;
• swelling and hyperemia of the skin in the finger area;
• changes in the structure and deterioration of the condition of the nail plates.

Most often, hand psoriasis is found on the outer or inner side of the hand, on the joints of the fingers, on the nails, or on the outer side of the elbow.

• The initial stage of scalp psoriasis appears on the scalp and is characterized by the following types of rashes:
  • compactions under the hair, with a clear border in the forehead area;
  • small nodules that do not interfere with hair growth.

The main difference between psoriatic scales and seborrhea is that they can be felt and palpated.

The most common localization of psoriasis on the head is the occipital side, the parting area and the back of the ears. The disease occurs against the background of itching and irritation of the skin.

• The initial stage of psoriasis on the elbows or knees manifests itself in almost the same way:
  • small pinkish raised spots appear on the outer areas of the joints;
  • over time they merge and increase in size;
  • grayish exfoliated scales form on top of the spots;
  • sometimes an irritating itch occurs;
  • When the rash is damaged, a bleeding surface is exposed.

Forms

The clinical picture of the initial stage of psoriasis may differ somewhat, as there are different types of this disease:

• classic plaque form of psoriasis (which is described above);
• exudative, or rupioid form of psoriasis (along with compactions and scales, there is a pronounced inflammatory process);
• arthropathic form of psoriasis (development of arthritis against the background of psoriasis);
• pustular form of psoriasis (palmoplantar psoriasis);
• limited pustular form of psoriasis (limited clusters of rashes in the area of the elbows, palms and feet);
• erythroderma (perhaps the most severe form of the disease, with clear symptoms of a pronounced inflammatory reaction).

In childhood, fold psoriasis is usually detected, which is localized in various folds of the skin: between the buttocks, in the groin, on the neck, in the armpit area, in the popliteal area, etc.

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Complications and consequences

The main complication of the initial stage of psoriasis is further progression of the disease and the transition of the pathology to more severe forms. This includes erythroderma, generalized psoriatic lesions, and arthritis. Any worsening of psoriasis may lead to the patient becoming disabled in the future.

Psoriasis often contributes to the development of concomitant diseases. For example, patients have a significantly increased risk of developing heart failure, stroke, hypertension, metabolic disorders, and endocrine disorders.

Neuropsychiatric disorders are also common among patients, particularly depressive psychoses. Many patients experience significant discomfort, especially when communicating with others. This can seriously affect the functioning of the nervous system in the future.

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Diagnostics psoriasis

As a rule, psoriasis is diagnosed primarily by the characteristic clinical picture. Doctors use the generally accepted trio of signs for this purpose:

• when trying to scratch off the scales from the affected surface, you can observe an increase in the number of scales (the so-called “stearin spot” sign);
• with further scraping of the skin, the glossy surface of the underlying tissues is exposed (a sign of the “terminal plate”);
• After removing the scales, small capillaries are exposed, which cause slight bleeding (a sign of “blood dew”).
• The doctor will definitely check all the listed signs before making a diagnosis. You should not clean the scales yourself, as this can worsen the development of the pathology.

The doctor may also prescribe the following tests:

• general blood test (may indicate leukocytosis, increased ESR, and sometimes anemia);
• blood biochemistry (an increase in uric acid levels and absence of rheumatoid factor are detected).

Instrumental diagnostics at the initial stage of psoriasis is uninformative. Sometimes a skin biopsy is performed, which allows detecting acanthosis, parakeratosis, and inflammatory signs in the external tissues.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of the initial stage is carried out with parapsoriasis, papular syphilis, lichen planus, lenticular keratosis, mycosis fungoides, discoid lupus erythematosus and other dermatoses.

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Treatment psoriasis

Is it possible to cure psoriasis at an early stage? Unfortunately, it is impossible to cure psoriasis completely, even if you consulted a doctor in a timely manner. But, undoubtedly, treatment at the early stages of development will be much easier and more effective. After all, the main goal of psoriasis therapy is to establish control over the disease and alleviate its symptoms.

For therapeutic purposes, at the initial stage, external agents are used. Such agents should be aimed at eliminating itching, pain and signs of inflammation. Most often, the doctor prescribes medications with keratolytic ability, that is, dissolving the upper damaged layer of tissue. In addition, hormonal drugs for external use, homeopathy, vitamins and other drugs can be prescribed.

Names of drugs	Method of administration and dosage		Side effects	Special instructions
Calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium preparations
Sodium thiosulfate	Take a 10% solution in water orally at a rate of 2-3 g per dose.		None.	Can be used for treatment and prevention.
Calcium gluconate	Take 2-3 g before meals up to 3 times a day.		None.	Do not use if you are prone to thrombosis.
Potassium magnesium aspartate	Administer intravenously as a drip once a day, 500 ml, for 7 days.		Hyperkalemia and hypermagnesemia.	The drug is instilled slowly, approximately 20-25 drops/min, to avoid side effects.
Antihistamines
Tavegil	Take orally 0.001 g twice a day.		Headache, dyspepsia.	Not prescribed during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Pipolfen	The daily dose of the drug is up to 500 mg, which should be taken 3-4 times.		Irritability, sleep disturbances, dry mouth.	Not prescribed during pregnancy and to children under 6 years of age.
Vitamin products
Cyanocobalamin (B¹²)	It is administered intramuscularly at 200 mcg per day. The duration of therapy is 2 weeks.		Allergies, agitation, headaches.	Not prescribed during pregnancy and lactation, in case of a tendency to thrombosis and in case of oncological diseases.
Tocopherol acetate (E)
Nicotinic acid	Take orally 0.015-0.025 g after meals for 2 weeks.		Hyperemia of the face and upper body.	Long-term treatment should be avoided, especially in cases of high blood pressure and atherosclerosis.
External means
Lorinden A	Apply to affected areas 2 times a day for 10-14 days.		Dry skin, hyperpigmentation.	Not suitable for long-term use.
Salicylic acid	Apply to skin 2 times a day.		Dry skin.	None.
Prednisolone ointment	Apply up to 3 times a day for 2 weeks.		Itching, burning sensation.	Not suitable for long-term use or for application to large areas of skin.
Homeopathic medicines
Psorinocheel	Apply 10 drops under the tongue.		None.	Allowed for use during pregnancy.
Psoriaten	Apply to the affected area three times a day for a month.		Hyperemia, itching of the skin.	Do not use to treat children under 1 year of age.
Aesculus	Prescribed for internal use, 10 drops three times a day, before meals. Duration of therapy is 30-45 days.		Dyspepsia, drowsiness.	Not used in pediatrics and for immunosuppression.
Sulfur-heel	Apply to skin daily before bed for 10 days.	At first, it may cause a worsening of the condition, which is considered a normal variant.		Do not use on wet wound surfaces.
Other drugs
Timalin	It is administered as intramuscular injections of 5-20 mg over the course of one week. The course of therapy can be repeated no earlier than after 1 month.		None.	None.
Micanol	Apply to skin up to 2 times a day.		Allergic reactions, hyperpigmentation of healthy skin.	Do not apply to healthy skin areas. Use protective gloves when applying.
Tretinoin	Lubricate the skin twice a day.		Allergic manifestations.	Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Levamisole	Take 150 mg orally every day.	Headache, sleep disorders, dyspepsia, taste disturbances.		The effect develops slowly, sometimes after 3 months of regular use.

Physiotherapy plays a major role in relieving the symptoms of psoriasis, which involves the use of the following methods:

• infrared laser therapy method, ultraviolet irradiation (medium waves);
• transcerebral method of UHF electrotherapy;
• chromotherapy, magnetic therapy;
• hydrotherapy, tar and alkaline baths;
• cytostatic treatment (PUVA treatment);
• electrosleep, franklinization;
• paraffin therapy, ozokerite, radon, hydrogen sulfide.

Surgical treatment is appropriate only in extreme cases, when conventional drug therapy does not have the expected effect. As a rule, the initial stages of psoriasis do not require surgical intervention.

Folk treatment of the initial stage of psoriasis

Traditional medicine offers a lot of means with which you can stop psoriasis at an early stage. The effect is especially noticeable if you use traditional and traditional treatment in combination with each other.

• Juice is squeezed from fresh celandine grass and used as a compress. This treatment helps to relieve pain and prevent infection of the affected areas.
• Alcohol tincture of succession has an immunostimulating and anti-inflammatory effect. The drug can be purchased at a pharmacy. Take 20 drops of tincture three times a day.
• Prepare a mixture of equal parts of white clay and sea salt. Apply as a mask for 30 minutes, every other day.
• Dry chaga mushroom is poured with water for 4 hours, then crushed and poured again with the same water (in a ratio of 1:5). Infuse for two days, squeeze out the mushroom, and take the drink 200 ml three times a day half an hour before meals.

Herbal treatment can be supplemented with the following recipes:

• Dried rose hips are set on fire, and the resulting ash mixed with petroleum jelly (1:1) is used to lubricate damaged areas of the skin.
• Prepare a herbal mixture of elder flowers, elecampane rhizome, corn silk, lingonberry leaves, horsetail shoots (20 g each), celandine (10 g), calamus rhizome, St. John's wort and celandine (30 g each). Pour 250 ml of boiling water over one tablespoon of the mixture and continue to cook over low heat for 10 minutes, then leave to infuse for another half hour. Filter and take 100 ml twice a day between meals.
• Two tablespoons of blackberry leaves are poured with 0.5 liters of boiling water and infused in a thermos for at least 4 hours. Filter and take 100 ml 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals. Duration of treatment is one and a half months.
• Mix the dried celandine herb, crushed into powder, with lard in a ratio of 1:4. Apply as an ointment under dressings.
• Prepare a mixture of 10 g motherwort, 10 g hop cones, 30 g licorice rhizome, 10 g nettle leaves, 20 g string, 20 g burdock rhizome. Infuse 1 tbsp of the mixture in 500 ml boiling water, preferably in a thermos, for 10 hours. Filter the infusion and take it warm throughout the day. The course of treatment is long - about a year or more.

If you use similar traditional medicine recipes, then at the initial stage of psoriasis, improvement can occur within 2-3 weeks after the start of treatment.

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Prevention

If the initial stage of psoriasis has already manifested itself, then it will no longer be possible to get rid of the disease forever. However, it is possible to stop the disease and prevent its further development.

• Try to get rid of bad habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol. This will help to avoid complications.
• Make sure your skin is always moisturized. Choose an effective moisturizer for yourself.
• Try not to stay in the sun for a long time. Remember: a measured stay in the sun is useful for psoriasis, but prolonged exposure can only harm.
• Take care of your nervous system, protect yourself from stress and worries.
• Be careful when taking any medications. Before taking any medication, consult your doctor.

The prognosis of psoriasis can be improved if you follow all the preventive rules. And, although the disease is considered incurable, with patience and persistence you can achieve success in treatment.

We hope that the above information will help you forget about such a disease as the initial stage of psoriasis. Perhaps, timely treatment will give only positive and long-term results.

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