psoriasis

introduction

The term psoriasis is an itchy and flaky disease of the skin that can affect all areas of the body. In addition to the skin, other organs of the body, such as Joints be affected. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that can be inherited.

A distinction is made between an early type (type 1) and a late type (type 2). The early type breaks out before the age of 40, the late type after the age of 40. Psoriasis can also develop in childhood. The psoriasis progresses in phases, which in addition to the basic treatment also makes acute treatment necessary.

Causes of psoriasis

In 30-40% of those affected, a genetic predisposition is the reason for the development of the disease. As a rule, it is direct family members who also suffer from more or less severe psoriasis.
If only one parent suffers from psoriasis, the probability that the child will also suffer from this skin disease is around 10%. If both parents suffer from the disease, the risk increases to 30%.

In addition to the hereditary component, the skin type is also responsible for whether the disease breaks out in one and not in the other. Lighter skin types are affected much more often than dark ones.
All of these are favorable factors for the occurrence of psoriasis.

In addition to these factors, there are also directly triggering factors that lead to an outbreak of the disease. These can be: Infections, especially streptococcal infections of the tonsils or ears in childhood and adulthood, intestinal diseases, HIV infections and an infection of the scalp with pathogens.
Among these pathogens, the yeasts, which can lead to an outbreak of psoriasis, should be mentioned in particular.

In addition to the infections, mechanical irritation can also contribute to the onset of psoriasis. Tattoos, strong and repeatedly provoked sunburn, severe itching, scratching and manipulation of areas of skin that have just healed represent a significant risk for the onset of psoriasis.
In addition to certain medications and stress, smoking and being overweight can also increase the likelihood of developing psoriasis.

Certain hormonal changes in the body can also contribute to the onset of psoriasis.
Menopause, but also pregnancy, should be mentioned in this context.

Psychological factors are also assigned a strong triggering effect on psoriasis. Severely stressed and mentally ailing people are affected by psoriasis much more often than mentally balanced people.

Climatic influences are also blamed for the outbreak of psoriasis.
Very dry climates tend to have a calming effect on the skin, while warm, humid weather can promote psoriasis.
Reactions to chemical substances can also lead to psoriasis. Above all, chemical substances should be mentioned here, which get on the skin in the form of shower gels or detergents and thus lead to allergic irritation of the skin.

Medicines that can lead to the outbreak of psoriasis are primarily so-called ACE inhibitors, which are used in high blood pressure, but also beta blockers or certain special anti-inflammatory drugs such as indomethacin can lead to an outbreak of the annoying scaly skin disease.

diagnosis

As a rule, the Psoriasis diagnosis based on Investigation and inspection provided by the doctor.
The typically reddish and thickened areas of the skin on certain parts of the body are very indicative of the presence of psoriasis.

The patient also gives the annoying itch, possibly also the familial appearance and possibly other risk factors.
All of these components corroborate the diagnosis of psoriasis. Scratch marks and bloody, dried skin abrasions also indicate the disease pattern psoriasis.

In addition to the inspection, the doctor will also carefully peel off a flake of skin. If it really is psoriasis, a thin membrane protrudes from under the detached skin flake, which is typical for this disease. Also called "last membrane“Marked structure can also be removed by the doctor. The resulting small bleeding would also be characteristic of psoriasis. The small hemorrhage is also called "bloody dew"Or"Auspitz phenomenon" designated.

Also typical of psoriasis is the so-called "Koebner phenomenon": Experimental irritation of the skin leads to changes that are typical of psoriasis. As a stimulus, for example, adhesive tape strips can be used, which are stuck to unaffected skin and quickly removed again.

When diagnosing psoriasis, it is also important to rule out other diseases with a similar effect. To do this successfully come diagnostic procedures like Skin swabs and Blood draws in question.

Symptoms of psoriasis

The symptoms of psoriasis are mostly triggered by a very rapid and uncontrolled growth of the epidermis, which leads to the classic keratinizing structure of the skin. The skin cells begin to settle on the surface almost 7-8 times as quickly as in a person with healthy skin.
For this reason, psoriasis is first noticeable through whitish, shiny skin flakes on certain parts of the body.
The extensor sides of the forearms are mostly affected.

The legs (especially the shins), scalp or back can often be affected by psoriasis. The classic expression can also occur on the face, on the forehead and eyebrows, in the area of ​​the stomach around the navel, on the hairline and on the hands.

The affected areas of the skin can very often be slightly to moderately itchy, and the flakes of skin can be lifted slightly with the fingernails.
The classic shape and distribution of affected skin areas can resemble a map.
Since simple psoriasis only affects the skin, other organs and parts of the body are not affected - with the exception of the joints.

These can also be affected relatively often (in approx. 10-20% of psoriasis patients), which then leads to movement-dependent pain, swelling and redness in the affected joints.

Psoriasis with joint involvement

In some cases, psoriasis affects certain joints in addition to the skin. The disease is then called Psoriatic arthritis and is included in the rheumatological group of forms.

In psoriatic arthritis, an excessive reaction of the immune system leads to inflammatory changes both in certain joints and in the changes in the skin that are typical for psoriasis.

Sometimes psoriatic arthritis affects the joints but not the skin.
It can also happen that joint pain and skin changes do not occur at the same time, but only occur at different times.

In psoriatic arthritis, the joints are sometimes red and swollen. Patients also report tenderness. Also, usual movements in the affected joints can often not be carried out painlessly.

Read more on the topic: Psoriatic arthritis, X-ray stimulation

Localization of psoriasis

Psoriasis on the scalp

In some cases it is from psoriasis only the scalp affected.
Most of the time, the scalp is also affected by psoriasis in connection with other skin areas.

An attack of psoriasis on the scalp becomes clear reddish and itchy minor skin changes between the hair roots. The skin is very flaky and dandruff is also visible in the hair area. There may be individual attacks of psoriasis on the scalp, in which the inflammatory skin changes are more pronounced.

However, latent reddening and flaking of the skin are often permanent. There is practically no spontaneous healing. In the case of psoriasis, it is important to irritate the scalp as little as possible. So should a Scratch and To solve of the flaky skin Not respectively. Furthermore, gentle shampoos and washing lotions should be used for the skin. Furthermore, permanent waves should not be twisted into the hair and should not be blow-dried with hot air. This would put more strain on the hairline and lead to less healing of the inflammatory skin areas. The treatment of psoriasis is carried out by applying special lotions to the scalp.

Psoriasis on the nails

The Nail psoriasis occurs relatively often. In many patients it occurs parallel to the typical skin changes on the body.

Often they are Toenails affected, which are then changed in their appearance and shape. The combination of psoriatic arthritis and nail psoriasis is particularly common.

Almost 2/3 of all patients with psoriatic arthritis also suffer from nail involvement of the hands or feet. In psoriasis patients who only affect the skin, only about 5% suffer from nail involvement. The nail affected by psoriasis is typically altered and shows some small indentations on the nail surface.

That is why this altered nail is also called Dotting nail designated. Sometimes psoriasis of the nails also leads to one Inflammation of the nail bedwhich can cause parts of the nail to turn yellow in some parts.
These types of changes are also known as Oil stain nails.

With the so-called Crumb nails the surface of the nail is so damaged that the nail surface is no longer smooth, but rather rough and crumbly.

There are also nails under the surface of which flaking is evident. As a result, sooner or later the nail will loosen and lift off.
In many cases it also falls off.

Often times, not just a single, but several nails of the hand or feet are affected. The diagnosis is usually made by the doctor as a visual diagnosis.

Psoriasis on the face

in the face psoriasis can also develop.
It looks like psoriasis on other parts of the body.

Since the face is not covered by clothing, it is also stronger wind, water and others external influences exposed.
The constant irritation can also lead to a stronger expression of the skin changes come.In addition, treatment measures cannot work as quickly as they do on protected skin areas.

If the face is affected by psoriasis, the areas around the eyebrows or around the mouth and the nasal folds are usually affected.
Since the skin on the face is much thinner than on other parts of the body, medication in the form of lotions or gels is absorbed more quickly and has a more intense effect.

Psoriasis on the ear

The skin in or on the ear can also be affected.
Affected areas of the skin also appear here changed reddish and inflammatory and show a clear Scaling on.
The ear may be itchy or painful.

The treatment of psoriasis of the ear is the same as that of the other skin on the body.
The skin irritation on the ear can be stronger than on other parts of the body, since the ear is mostly exposed to wind, sun and other influences without protection.

Treatment of psoriasis

A cure and treatment of the cause that leads to psoriasis is not possible.

For this reason, treatment strategies have been developed that minimize the frequency of attacks and limit the duration and intensity of an attack.

The treatment consists of an ointment or lotion treatment as well as a light irradiation treatment.
Lotions such as dithranol, which is applied to the affected skin area and then washed off again, ensure that the strong cell proliferation is reduced.
It also has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Stronger flare-ups of psoriasis can be treated with cortisone supplements. Here too, creams are used that are applied to the affected areas of the skin. Cortisone is anti-inflammatory and reduces the immune system.
In severe psoriasis, it may also be necessary to take cortisone in the form of a tablet.

What might also interest you: Kijimea® Derma

Vitamin D 3 supplements are also often used in the treatment of psoriasis. They also ensure that the cell proliferation of the skin cells is reduced. Tazaron, a vitamin A preparation, also works in a similar way.

In addition to the local treatment of the skin with lotions, a treatment attempt with radiation treatment can also be carried out.
For this purpose, UV radiation is available, through which the inflammatory reactions of the skin are reduced.

The term PUVA refers to a combination treatment of radiation therapy and drug treatment with the drug psoralen.
This substance ensures that the skin's sensitivity to light increases and the effect of the radiation becomes more effective.
The PUVA treatment is mostly used when larger areas of skin are affected.

In addition to the external treatment of psoriasis, systemic treatments can also be carried out.
These are mostly used if the infestation is either very pronounced or a local treatment has not been successful.
Drugs that suppress the immune system, such as cortisone, are used for systemic treatment. Fumaric acid preparations are also used.

This skin change is an indication for a skin biopsy. Find out more about this at: Skin biopsy

Read more on the topic:

• Treatment of psoriasis
• Psoriasis therapy
• Antibody Therapy (Anka)
• Psoriasis in Pregnancy

Treatment with creams

One of the pillars of treatment for psoriasis is the use of creams. Be here especially cortisone-containing creams applied to the affected skin areas. These then ensure rapid anti-inflammatory measures in the areas. There are also creams that contain tar. In the past, pure tar cream was applied to the affected areas of the skin, but today there are artificially manufactured tar-like preparations that can very successfully treat psoriasis from the outside.

The drug used today in the form of a cream is called dithranol. It not only reduces the inflammatory reaction of the skin in the affected area, but also reduces the rapid and excessive cell division of the epidermis. Creams containing vitamins A and D are also used very often in the treatment of psoriasis. In addition to an anti-inflammatory effect, they also reduce the very rapid cell division and have a calming effect on severely irritated skin.

Home remedies for psoriasis

In addition to conventional medical measures, numerous home remedies have also asserted themselves for many years, the use of which is always worth trying. A well-tried home remedy is washing the skin with chamomile water. For this you should put chamomile extract in a bowl with lukewarm water and let it steep. The highly concentrated liquid should then be applied to the affected areas or the entire skin of the body should be washed with it. After application, an aloe vera gel can also be applied to the skin as a daytime protection. The use of other washing lotions and shower gels, especially if they are chemical in nature, should initially be avoided. The consumption of spicy foods and spices should also be reduced. Some alternative medicine practitioners still recommend avoiding animal proteins. There is currently no scientific proof of a connection between psoriasis and the consumption of proteins. Stress should also be reduced as much as possible.

Tea tree oil treatment

The treatment of psoriasis with tea tree oil has also been used as a home remedy for many years. The tea tree oil has an anti-inflammatory and cooling effect and reduces itching.

First of all, it should be checked whether the tea tree oil is well carried away by the skin and does not irritate it too much.
For this purpose, a small amount of tea tree oil should be applied to an area of ​​the skin that is not affected by psoriasis.

If the normal, cooling effects occur but no burning sensation and no reddish skin changes, the tea tree oil can then also be applied to an area affected by psoriasis.
For this purpose, a drop of undiluted tea tree oil is applied to a flaky area of ​​skin and then spread over the entire surface with a cotton swab.

A cloth can also be soaked in tea tree oil and then applied to the affected area of ​​skin for a certain period of time.

Treatment according to Maria Treben

Treatments after Maria Treben consist of different herbal mixtureswhich are also present for the treatment of psoriasis.
The herbs should be prepared in the form of a tea and drunk 1.5-2 liters of it daily.

The tea consists of oak bark, willow bark, meadow goatee, earth smoke, walnut shell, celandine, nettle, sharp offering, speedwell and marigold.

The tea should steep for about 3 minutes before it can be drunk. You should drink the tea several days in a row to see the effect.

Psoriasis treatment with fish

For some time now there has also been one mechanical treatment psoriasis caused by fish is known and has been described as very successful.

Fish from the Kangal region are used here (Kangal fish). They need the protein-rich substance on the surface of human dander and begin to nibble off the excess skin on the surface. Since psoriasis causes excessive cell formation in the epidermis, this method should work well.

The fish are kept in a pool, those affected have to go into the pool, whereupon the fish swim towards the patients and the affected areas of skin begin to nibble off.
Patients must bathe in the pool 2-3 times a day for a total of 6-8 hours. Adequate drinking and alcohol abstinence must be observed.

It should be emphasized that it is with this method of treatment not a cure the disease comes: only that Symptoms are reduced and only for the duration of the cure.
As soon as the fish are no longer bathed every day, the symptoms quickly intensify again.
Experts suspect that a large part of the effect during the cures is due to the warm climate and strong solar radiation in Kengal.

In summary, it can be said that although some patients report a positive effect of the fish cure, this has not been scientifically proven.
It is therefore advisable to exchange ideas with other patients, for example via internet forums, and to obtain adequate information.

Urine treatment

The application of one's own urine to affected areas of the skin is also described very often.

The effectiveness is different. The urine not only promotes a faster one Detachment of the scalesbut also leads to a Anti-inflammatory.
However, it should be noted that after applying your own urine to the affected skin area Irritation can come.

The one dissolved in the urine urea can have burning effect that is similar to one Urea ointment is. Most of the time, however, there is quick improvement soon afterwards.

Your own urine should be treated 1-2 times a day for about a week.
Here, too, the underlying disease is not cured, but the symptoms are alleviated and the duration of the illness is shortened.

forecast

A cure for psoriasis is currently not possible. However, at different ages, the severity of the symptoms and relapses can vary.

So it can happen that the complaints in young adulthood very frequent and strong but are then in older years hardly available are.
Basic treatment, which should also be used regularly to prevent relapses, in conjunction with acute relapse treatment can have a positive effect on the course of the disease.

Home remedies for psoriasis can always be used as a supplement.
Severe courses affect large areas of the body and are characterized by a frequent thrust frequency.
Several parallel treatments, consisting of radiation, lotion and tablet treatment, have to be combined here. In addition to the annoying and itchy effects of psoriasis, the psychological components should not be underestimated.

Severely affected patients often suffer from permanent fear and stressful situations and often do not dare to go public, which can then lead to social problems. In severe cases, accompanying psychotherapy can also be very helpful.