Squamous lichen is the most common infectious disease that affects the skin. According to statistics, 3.5% of people suffer from this type of dermatosis. Patients who have red plaques, which represent not only a medical but also a cosmetic problem, want to know how to treat psoriasis on the elbows. But in order to get rid of the disease, you need to know about its causes and symptoms, which will significantly improve the condition of the epidermis and prevent the spread of rashes.
Causes of psoriasis on the elbows
This common skin disease is still not fully understood by scientists. They did not have a consolidated position regarding the process of the onset of the disease. At the same time, there are several supposed causes of the disease of a provoking nature:
- Genetic predisposition. According to statistics, more than 50% of the patient’s relatives suffered from a dermatological disease.
- Lack of resistance to all kinds of infectious diseases, an unbalanced diet, as well as taking pharmaceutical drugs is not a complete list of phenomena that lead to a decrease in natural immunity.
- The presence of various forms of damage to the dermis.
- Nervous overstrain and depressive states can serve as an impetus for the onset of the disease.
- Problems with the activity of the endocrine system.
- Disorders of the digestive tract.
Psoriasis can appear on any part of the body, including the elbows, but thanks to medical advances, symptoms and the extent of damage to the epidermis are significantly reduced.
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Factors for development
All skin disorders in psoriasis occur due to rapid cell division in the upper layer of the skin. To date, the causes of the disease are unknown. However, the most likely triggering factors are:
- Genetic predisposition (if one of the parents has the disease, the risk of developing psoriasis in the child increases significantly).
- Disruption of metabolism (in particular, lipid metabolism) and the endocrine system.
- Past infectious diseases of the upper respiratory tract.
- Stress, depression, nervous shock.
- Disturbances in the functioning of the immune system.
- Mechanical damage to the skin.
- The disease is non-infectious in nature (that is, it is not transmitted by contact) and has a pronounced seasonality (the period of exacerbation, as a rule, occurs in the autumn-winter period).
Source: 1psoriaz.net
Symptoms of psoriasis on the elbows
The first sign of a skin disease is the appearance of red spots, expressed in a round or oval shape. With the further development of the disease, the size of the spots increases, covering healthy areas of the body. The initial stage of psoriasis is characterized by the absence of a large number of rashes on the elbows (this can be seen in the photo), and therefore, it is necessary to contact a medical institution as quickly as possible and begin treatment, preventing psoriasis from developing into a chronic form.
Distinctive features of the disease are the presence of light gray scales, the integrity of which is damaged when injured, and a smooth scarlet surface of the skin with bloody cracks appears. Cases have been recorded where psoriatic spots appeared without scales. In this case, all patients experience such unpleasant sensations as severe itching, burning, and swelling of the affected surface. On palpation, the inflamed skin is hot and susceptible to mechanical damage, the person experiences pain.
Depending on the protective functions of the patient’s immune system, rashes can be isolated, involving minimal areas, but they can also be extensive - spread over the entire surface of the hand. In the absence of adequate treatment, the pathology can develop into an advanced form, which will require long-term complex treatment.
Due to the fact that psoriasis is a chronic disease, there are two phases: exacerbation (relapse) and remission. As a rule, the remission phase is characterized by significant improvements. The patient has several small spots during this period. Moreover, with the onset of a recurrent condition, the number of psoriatic rashes increases dramatically and can occupy a large part of the patient’s body. At the same time, the patient’s general health deteriorates due to painful symptoms.
Diagnostics
Experienced dermatologists diagnose psoriasis based on visual examination of the skin.
The disease is diagnosed by the “psoriatic triad”, a set of signs that appear after scraping the papules:
- Stearic stain. When scraped with a glass slide, the silvery scales are easily removed, and underneath they reveal a spot that visually resembles a drop of wax.
- Terminal film. Further scraping reveals the terminal lamina and terminal film - a thin, moist membrane similar to polyethylene.
- Bloody dew. If you continue scraping and remove the terminal film, tiny droplets of blood will appear on the surface of the skin.
To confirm the diagnosis and for the purpose of differential diagnosis of elbow psoriasis with other pathologies, in some cases a biopsy is performed. Histological examination of the skin of a patient with psoriasis reveals a thickening of the keratinocyte layer, signs of their increased proliferation, infiltration of T-lymphocytes, macrophages and dendritic cells, and increased angiogenesis.
Additional studies, such as blood tests, urine tests, and biochemical analysis, allow us to assess the patient’s general health, which is necessary for selecting drug therapy. In some cases, if psoriatic lesions of the elbow joints are suspected, X-rays or MRIs are required.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows
Considering that psoriasis on the elbows causes discomfort, as well as the depressing appearance of the rashes, many patients are interested in the question of how to treat it in order to get rid of the problem forever. People suffering from this defect are not sociable and have a lot of complexes, accompanied by stress and uncertainty about the future.
When the attending physician diagnoses psoriasis on the elbows in adults and children (the photo shows what it looks like), it is necessary to take into account that treatment will require a lot of effort and time. To achieve the desired result, the doctor usually recommends an integrated approach using:
- taking tablets and products for external use;
- therapy with vitamin complexes;
- balanced diet;
- phototherapeutic technique;
- traditional medicine.
Before selecting a systemic treatment, the patient will have to undergo the necessary tests, and then, after carefully studying the results received, the treating dermatologist will select a set of drugs that are suitable for him. At the initial stage of a dermatological disease, hormonal agents are usually not used. In this case, the following are assigned:
- enterosorbents – their feature is the removal of harmful substances from the body (toxins and waste);
- antihistamines – significantly reduce the symptoms of skin diseases;
- vitamin complex – a properly selected course of vitamins contributes to good skin regeneration.
Complications
Psoriasis is dangerous due to its complications, including:
- Psoriatic erythroderma.
- Generalized pustular psoriasis.
- The addition of bacterial flora with the development of secondary purulent complications.
- Mycoses of the skin.
- The appearance of long-term non-healing wounds, scars.
One of the dangerous complications of psoriasis is psoriatic arthritis, which leads to pain when moving, a feeling of stiffness, impaired mobility in the joint and disability.
More than half of patients with psoriasis suffer from depression, anxiety disorders and require specialized help from a psychotherapist and the use of sedative medications.
It doesn’t heal, how to cure it?
For severe psoriasis, profuse rashes, and long-term non-healing wounds, in addition to systemic therapy and external agents, physiotherapy is used. PUVA therapy has the best effect. This is a type of combination therapy, which is based on the use of a photosensitizing drug and irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet rays.
Within 2 hours before the procedure, the patient must drink the drug prescribed by the doctor, the dosage of which depends on the person’s body weight and height. The patient is then placed in a special chamber and exposed to ultraviolet light. In some cases, instead of taking the drug, the patient takes a bath with a photosensitizing substance - psolaren, after which phototherapy is performed. After the session, you should take a bath, use an emollient cream, and avoid exposure to sunlight throughout the treatment.
PUVA therapy for psoriasis is highly effective - in 80% of patients it is possible to achieve disease regression and skin cleansing after 4-6 procedures. This physiotherapy procedure has virtually no contraindications and leads to long-term remission.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows with folk remedies
The main condition for a successful outcome in the therapeutic measures aimed at eliminating the painful symptoms of the pathology and prolonging the period of remission as long as possible is that treatment should be carried out in accordance with the instructions of the attending physician and under his strict supervision.
Decoctions from plants are excellent auxiliary agents that help enhance the effect of medications. Plants such as chamomile, string, calendula, elecampane and other herbs help to eliminate itchy sensations and moisturize inflamed areas of the epidermis.
In case of recurrent conditions of psoriasis on the elbows, homemade baths, ointments and herbal decoctions have a beneficial effect on the affected area. These therapeutic procedures have a beneficial effect on the human immune system and stabilize metabolism.
You can learn how to prepare traditional medicine on forums and Internet sites. The results from using folk remedies may take several months to occur, so they cannot be used as the main treatment.
Treatment of psoriasis on the elbows with medications
In case of scaly plaque, treatment is selected depending on the form of external manifestations, the presence of other serious diseases and based on the degree of the disease. A guaranteed result of therapeutic actions for psoriasis on the elbows comes from the simultaneous use of several effective medications:
- tablets or capsules for oral administration;
- ointment, cream or spray for topical application.
For severe forms of psoriatic plaques that quickly spread over the entire surface of the body, accompanied by severe swelling, redness, and painful itching, the dermatologist prescribes hormonal pharmaceuticals. For example, Memetasone, Belosalik, Prednisolone and similar drugs. These medications are prescribed for a short term to avoid severe adverse reactions and complications.
If the first symptoms occur at an early stage from the rash, ointments that do not contain glucocorticosteroids are used. For convenience, we present the following list of medications:
- Daivonex. This product contains a large amount of vitamin D, which stops the excessive growth of keratocytes, which contributes to the rapid restoration of the epidermis.
- We see. Under the influence of the ointment, the plaques soften and are painlessly removed from damaged areas of the skin, and all layers of the dermis are renewed within a short period of time.
- Tsinocap. The drug has a positive effect on the damaged surface of the skin, moisturizes it, and has excellent antimicrobial properties.
- Malt-based ointments. Effectively combat the symptoms of the disease: peeling and itching. The following products from this group are presented on the pharmaceutical market: Antipsor and Magnipsor.
- Ointments containing birch tar. The natural component eliminates inflammatory processes at the site of the disease and also has antibacterial properties. Among the best products containing tar, it is worth noting Anthramin ointment.
The medication must be used until the epidermis affected by the disease is completely replaced by healthy skin. However, in a state of remission, it is not recommended to stop using the medicine to avoid new rashes.
During treatment procedures using ointments, as well as other medications, you should pay attention to your general well-being. If the medicine causes allergies or other negative consequences, it is necessary to stop treatment immediately and consult your doctor to adjust the therapy.
Preventive actions
If the skin on the elbows looks reddened and silvery scales appear on it, this indicates an active stage of psoriasis that requires treatment. To prevent development and prevent exacerbation of elbow psoriasis, proper skin care is recommended.
- To avoid the development of secondary infection, you should not scratch the plaques, despite the unbearable itching. Horny areas of skin on the scalp, elbows and knees must be removed very carefully so as not to injure the skin.
- Treatment of psoriatic rashes involves the use of neutral detergents without adding fragrances. After taking a bath or shower, it is recommended not to wipe the skin, especially on the knees and elbows, but to blot these areas with a soft towel so as not to injure the painful area.
- It is important to consider that effective treatment of psoriasis involves the use of sunscreens, lotions, etc. These products have a high coefficient of protection against exposure to ultraviolet rays, which contribute to the exacerbation of psoriasis.
You cannot self-medicate! All medical procedures to get rid of psoriasis, including traditional treatment recipes, should be carried out only after consultation with your doctor. This will avoid unwanted complications in the future.
