Psoriasis is a systemic disease of the body that affects not only the skin, but also some internal organs of a person. With timely treatment, a person can receive complete relief from the symptoms of psoriasis, as well as long-term remission.
External manifestations of psoriasis can occur in various parts of the human body, including the hands. Psoriasis on the hands causes a lot of inconvenience to its owner, since it does not look very attractive in appearance. The repulsive appearance of plaques gives a person a huge number of complexes. Often such people suffer from chronic depression and avoid communicating with people, since many pay great attention to the hands of a patient with psoriasis.
However, there are a huge number of special creams, ointments and other drugs that can eliminate symptoms in the shortest possible time. Most often, doctors recommend starting treatment with a non-hormonal drug. If they do not help, then hormonal drugs are prescribed, which have a positive effect on eliminating all the symptoms of this disease.
Causes of psoriasis
Initially, plaques form in the flexion areas. The skin takes on a reddish color. The lesions are located unevenly, have uneven edges, and can merge. The causes of psoriasis on the hands are often poor nutrition, hormonal imbalances, psychological overload, dysfunction of internal organs, heredity, and the use of chemicals during cleaning and washing dishes.
Symptoms of psoriasis
If the skin is damaged, the lesion appears between the fingers and can affect the entire hand. Swelling of the extremities is possible. There is soreness that can affect joint mobility. Accompanied by itching and scratching.
The appearance of the skin resembles eczema. It becomes dry and cracks appear. Possible infection. Mandatory consultation with a doctor and complex therapy are required.
Physiotherapeutic methods
The following methods are used to treat hand psoriasis:
- Cryotherapy.
- Ichthyotherapy.
- Ozone therapy.
- Bioresonance therapy.
- Phototherapy and PUVA therapy.
The doctor will individually calculate the treatment regimen.
Psoriasis is considered an incurable condition. Pathology therapy is aimed at improving the patient’s quality of life and reducing negative manifestations. By following all the doctor’s recommendations, long-term remission is achieved.
Forms of psoriasis
During the development process, the disease can take on various forms.
The simple form is characterized by the appearance of plaques. Without treatment, small red areas merge and cover a large surface. Affects fingers, palms and hands.
Patchy psoriasis is a type of guttate psoriasis. The rashes have a rich red color with a bluish tint. May occur after suffering from infectious diseases. More often women suffer from this form.
The exudative form has rashes filled with fluid. They are often affected by bacteria during skin injuries and can rot. They are allergenic in nature and occur when taking certain types of medications.
Palmar psoriasis occurs in people who do heavy physical work. It is characterized by keratinization of the surface and the appearance of calluses.
Nail psoriasis affects the nail plates. They lose their shape and break. The color of the nail changes. It exfoliates and thickens.
Psoriasis, which contributes to the occurrence of arthritis. A severe form that affects the joints of the hands.
All forms are very painful. The skin becomes rough. Sleep is disrupted due to irritation and itching. In winter it worsens due to low temperatures. Often the disease occurs in other parts of the body.
Stages of skin disease
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that has a certain sequence of development. Depending on the intensity of the disease manifestations and the frequency of relapses, there are 3 main stages of the disease:
- progressive - initial stage - the appearance on the hands, shoulders, between the fingers and in the extension of the elbows of several scaly papules, which are accompanied by swelling, inflammation, itching;
- stationary stage - no new rashes occur, and old plaques are densely covered with white scales, the affected areas stop itching (the disease freezes in one place);
- regression stage - the symptoms begin to disappear (papules turn pale, dry plaques dissolve, the skin clears, only minor dark spots remain).
Psoriasis can be in remission from 2–4 months to several years. New relapses become more severe each time, which leads to a gradual coarsening and thickening of the stratum corneum on the hands, elbows, between the fingers and around the nail plates.
Treatment of psoriasis
How to treat psoriasis on the hands? It is necessary to consult a professional doctor who will make a diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment. Treatment is aimed at eliminating the causes. What remedies and medications best treat psoriasis on the hands?
Dry skin can be relieved with various moisturizing creams. Psorilam and Kartalin will help relieve swelling. Betasalik cream is shown. Take antihistamines to relieve itching.
Normalize the functioning of the stomach and intestines with the help of Essensale, Polysorb. Take Lykopid and Wobensin for the immune system. Homeopathic medicines in the form of Psoriaten, Psoriloma are useful.
Various ointments based on sulfur and salicylic acid are used. To calm down, drink motherwort and valerian solution. In the absence of sleep, sedative medications are prescribed.
Pay attention to the mental state. The consequences are removed with the help of special therapy. Relieve pain with Ibuprofen and Indomethacin.
During an exacerbation, it is necessary to avoid alcohol and tobacco as much as possible. The diet should include fresh vegetables and fruits, cereals, cottage cheese, and kefir. Smoked, spicy and canned foods are excluded.
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Diagnostic features
The diagnosis is based on an external examination by a dermatologist and a laboratory blood test. Psoriasis on the palms must be differentiated from erythema (dilation of subcutaneous capillaries), mycosis (fungus) and syphilis.
The patient is prescribed:
- General clinical blood test. At the initial stage of development, the indicators of general analysis did not change significantly. Subsequently, measles reveals an increased number of leukocytes, a high ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate), and a reduced level of hemoglobin.
- Biochemistry of blood. The main evaluation parameters are liver enzymes (ALT - alanine aminotransferase, AST - aspartate aminotransferase).
- Wasserman reaction. A blood test determines the causative agent of syphilis and specific antibodies to it.
- PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test to determine mycelium on the skin. It is carried out to exclude a fungal disease.
- Histology of biomaterial (scrapings from the palm).
In difficult cases, immune diagnostics are additionally performed.
Psoriasis on the fingers is diagnosed using a method called the psoriatic triad. Its essence is as follows: when removing scales from psoriatic rashes, the plaques take the form of a drop of stearin, covered with a thin film. If you remove this film, the drop begins to bleed like “bloody dew.”
In addition, during the examination, the condition of the skin is assessed, a general and biochemical analysis of blood and urine is performed, and a skin biopsy is taken from the surface of the hands. It is important to make a correct diagnosis as early as possible. The treatment tactics for psoriasis and the prognosis of the disease will depend on this.
Folk remedies
When curing, along with medications, treatment with folk remedies is necessary. They are the ones who can help achieve a positive result. Baths with sea salt and soda can cleanse the surface of plaques. Medicinal herbs celandine, string, calendula, chamomile flowers, pine needle extract and valerian will relieve swelling and redness.
Decoctions and tinctures are taken daily, which may include lingonberry leaves, valerian, mint, calendula, and chamomile. The affected areas on the hands are treated with aloe juice and compresses are applied.
Tar and sulfur in ointments improve and disinfect. Juniper tincture has these properties. These and other folk remedies can restore the skin to a healthy appearance.
Phototherapy
The principle of treating psoriasis using phototherapy is to irradiate the affected areas of the skin with ultraviolet light of a certain strength and spectrum. At its core, this is a collective name for procedures such as:
- PUVA;
- selective phototherapy;
- shortwave therapy;
- narrow band therapy;
- UVB therapy.
The specific treatment plan you choose depends on the type of psoriasis you are diagnosed with. Thus, short-wave phototherapy is used in the mildest cases, when the disease has affected only the surface of the skin.
The selective option is used for exudative psoriasis; it does not require the use of accompanying tablets that can cause dizziness, headache, nausea and other undesirable effects.
A narrowband version of phototherapy can help treat more serious forms of the disease . The principle of its action is similar to hormonal ointments of class 1 - suppression of cell growth, but does not have their disadvantages.
Psoriatic plaques simply have nowhere to grow, and the ability to suppress inflammatory processes brings the patient to true remission.
IMPORTANT ! The price/effectiveness ratio of this procedure is extremely high. It has nothing to do with the “fashionable” procedures of SPA salons and is a real “cure” for psoriasis.
PUVA or photochemotherapy is the most effective method among other physiotherapeutic procedures . The vulgar form of psoriasis, not to mention all the others, also falls under its influence.
The advantages of all types of phototherapy include:
- no contraindications for use;
- absolute safety of the procedure, superior to exposure to the sun;
- is an effective component of complex treatment;
- applies to any part of the body.
Forecast
Psoriasis tends to return. You must follow your doctor's recommendations. Replace chemicals for washing dishes and cleaning with soda. Perform work using gloves. Stick to a diet, avoid stress.
Moisturize the skin of your hands using special creams. Visit your doctor regularly. In winter, protect your hands from hypothermia and dry skin. Take vitamins and minerals regularly, get plenty of rest and spend time in the fresh air more often.
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The dangers of self-medication
Dr. Panarin, a Russian dermatologist, reports the following: “A person who has psoriasis and does not have a specialized medical education, much less a certificate in dermatology, is unable to formulate treatment tactics using special medical knowledge and guidelines.”
Self-treatment of psoriasis is not the best solution. This disease has a complex etiology and requires qualified treatment, including a complex of medications and therapy.
At the current stage of medical development, psoriasis is incurable. The goal of fighting the disease is long-term medical remission - stopping the development of the disease and even completely eliminating the external manifestations of the disease.
In fact, you will be infected, but it will not manifest itself in any way, including your health.
Obviously, you can’t achieve such results on your own, so let’s not waste time and move on to describing effective treatment.
