What organs are affected by psoriasis? Important conclusions and what to do: skin injuries

The first accurate description of the dermatological disease psoriasis was in 1801, although the disease appeared much earlier. In fact, the name of the pathology comes from the ancient Greek word, translated as itching or pruritus. Therefore, the disease is often called scaly lichen.

About 2-4% of the world's population suffers from psoriasis (according to some sources, up to 7%). The disease manifests itself by external signs - psoriatic plaques appear on the human body, which peel off. It has a cyclical course - 3 stages replace each other throughout life.

It is during the period of exacerbation that pathological processes occur in the patient’s body, which negatively affect the functionality of internal organs and systems. The heart, blood vessels, liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, organs of vision, etc. are under attack.

With psoriasis, which organs are sick except the skin, the symptoms of internal disorders, what diseases does scaly lichen lead to - we will consider in detail.

What is this article about?

What is internal psoriasis?

Psoriasis of internal organs refers to complications of the disease when the patient has not only skin manifestations (psoriatic plaques), but also impaired functionality of internal organs and systems. The disease manifests itself with varying intensity and localization is different.

The undulating nature occurs with alternating remissions and relapses. As a rule, periods of remission become shorter over time, and exacerbations become longer; it is more difficult to relieve symptoms with medications.

Medical specialists view the disease not as a skin defect, but as a systemic failure that affects the functionality of the entire body as a whole. This is especially evident against the background of a prolonged course of lichen planus, when the patient’s exacerbation is severe and long-lasting, and a large area of the skin is affected. In the United States, psoriasis is already classified as a systemic disease.

Symptoms of internal psoriasis always vary, since they are caused by a specific disorder in the body.

Doctors know which organs and systems are affected by psoriasis. The disease leads to the following disorders:

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system.
Problems with blood vessels.
Slowing down and accelerating metabolic processes.
Impaired blood circulation.
Diseases of the excretory system.
Negative changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.
Psoriatic nephropathy, pulmonary psoriasis.
Visual impairment.
Endocrine disorders, etc.

If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, it progresses, complications develop, which can lead to loss of ability to work and sometimes death.

Effect on joints, skeletal system

The causes of the disease are not fully known to doctors, but the negative consequences have been fully studied. The prolonged course of psoriasis affects all organs and systems and leads to various pathological processes.

There is a high likelihood of psoriatic arthropathy. Against the background of this complication, damage to the ankle joints, joints of the upper/lower extremities, and some parts of the spine is detected. The root cause is scaly lichen, which affects the nail plates, elbows, feet, and knees.

At an early stage of the complication, an inflammatory process in the joint capsule is observed, which spreads over time. It is impossible to replace the change yourself.

Classification of arthropathy:

Asymmetric oligoarthritis (several joints are affected at the same time).
Arthritis (inflammation affects the interphalangeal joints).
Symmetrical rheumatoid arthritis.
Mutilating arthropathy.
Spondyloarthritis of psoriatic form.

Arthropathy is accompanied by painful sensations in the joints and muscles. Patients complain of deterioration in health, stiffness (especially pronounced in the morning, immediately after sleep). The disease may appear suddenly or develop slowly. Treatment includes taking medications (tablets), using external agents, and injections.

In severe cases, surgery is prescribed.

Impact on cardiovascular system

Psoriasis is not a contagious disease, it has been proven. Localization varies - scalp, palms, soles, hands and other areas of the body. Regardless of the location of psoriatic plaques, the lack of treatment affects the state of the cardiovascular system.

There is a relationship between long-term psoriasis and myocardial infarction. The risk of developing complications from the cardiovascular system is high in severe forms of lichen planus, which developed at a relatively young age.

In the presence of additional risk factors - alcohol consumption, smoking, frequent stress, poor nutrition, the likelihood of a heart attack increases significantly.

If the cardiovascular system is disrupted, patients complain of the following symptoms:

Painful sensations in the chest area that are not associated with breathing.
Shortness of breath (even at rest).
Deterioration in performance.
Increased heart rate.
Lability of blood pressure indicators.

If such symptoms are present, drug treatment is required. Patients with psoriasis are prone to developing insulin resistance, which increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Psoriasis and the organs of vision

It also has a negative effect. The most common complication is uveitis, an inflammation of the blood vessels of the eyes. It affects the eyeball both above and inside.

Clinical manifestations of the inflammatory process in the vessels of the eyes are pronounced. Thus, the patient’s whites of the eye turn red, a fear of light develops, lacrimation increases, and the level of visual perception decreases. A veil appears before your eyes, preventing you from seeing fully. But the patient suffers greatly from an unbearable burning sensation and pain.

The second most common eye complication, iritis, is already a complication of uveitis, when the inflammatory process spreads to the iris of the eye.

Symptoms:

The color of the iris changes.
There is no standard pupil reaction to light.
Softness of the eyeball (can be detected by palpation).

Treatment is complex; a dermatologist and an ophthalmologist must work together.

Kidney damage due to psoriasis

With moderate and severe forms of lichen planus, the risk of impaired kidney function doubles. The danger is that the likelihood of developing chronic renal failure in patients with psoriasis is 4 times higher. And over time it increases even more. That is why preventive control of the renal system is necessary for psoriasis.

Gastrointestinal tract, liver and psoriasis

The gastrointestinal tract primarily responds to the disease. Against the background of psoriasis, thickening of the mucous membrane, the appearance of atrophic areas, and impaired production of gastric juice can be diagnosed. Patients complain of heartburn, loss of appetite, and bouts of nausea. Clinical manifestations are not always pronounced.

With a long course of pathology, examination of the liver in almost all cases reveals abnormalities. They often occur without symptoms, but as the disease progresses they become more pronounced.

It is possible that liver failure may develop in severe cases when more than 10% of the patient’s skin is affected.

Liver problems have the following symptoms:

Hyperemia of the palms and feet.
Minor hemorrhages on the skin.
Increased pigmentation of the skin, as the concentration of bilirubin in the patient’s blood increases.
Intestinal disorders.
Phlebeurysm.
Increase in body temperature.
Hair loss (sometimes).

If the outflow of bile is disrupted, patients complain of decreased appetite, chronic fatigue, discomfort after eating, and jaundice of the skin.

Other violations

Since psoriasis is a systemic disease, it can affect all organs and systems without exception. In turn, this can lead to any pathology.

Neuropsychiatric disorders

Against the background of psoriatic lesions, the nervous system suffers. The patient may experience encephalopathy, which causes brain damage. He suffers from epileptic seizures, hallucinations and delusions are possible. Muscle atrophy is detected, and the person quickly loses weight.

Mental health is also at risk. Plaques on the skin look unsightly, which leads to embarrassment and emotional distress. The situation is aggravated by the people around him, because most see the skin lesion and consider it infectious, and as a result, they avoid the patient.

This provokes even greater emotional experiences. The patient develops difficulties with self-esteem, depression sets in, and social adaptation becomes difficult. The development of social phobia is possible.

Bladder problems

The inflammatory process disrupts the natural process of urine excretion. This problem increases the risk of developing bladder stones. Symptoms of bladder problems include loss of appetite, fatigue, and yellowness of the eyeballs.

Lungs

“Psoriasis in the blood” of a person is not detected, but this does not mean that the disease does not pose a threat. It affects the lungs. Inflammation of the lung tissue develops. Because of this, the lungs are insufficiently supplied with blood and breathing becomes difficult. Symptoms: coughing fits, shortness of breath.

What other diseases does psoriasis lead to?

Psoriasis is an incurable disease; there is no method of complete cure. Therefore, medication support is required throughout life. Inadequate therapy or its absence leads to various ailments:

Deterioration of the immune system. Psoriasis leads to a decrease in the activity of T-lymphocytes, which are responsible for immunity. Patients begin to suffer more often from infections, viruses, and fungal infections. The body is simply unable to cope with pathogenic microflora.
Disturbances in the lymphatic system; changes in the composition of peripheral blood (it is still a mystery why this happens and what gives impetus to the pathological process).
Disruption of metabolic processes is a consequence of energy imbalance. Organs experience increased stress, as a result of which the liver, endocrine system, and pancreas suffer.
Libido disturbance. During the period of relapse, sexual activity in men and women decreases. The latter are diagnosed with ovarian dysfunction and menstrual cycle disruptions.
Damage to the thyroid gland of varying severity is diagnosed in 40% of clinical pictures.
Some scientists believe that dermatological disease leads to cancerous lesions, since there are certain parallels, but this is a theory that has no evidence base.

Against the background of psoriasis, those systems and organs that have already been weakened are primarily affected. Thus, the patient may develop diabetes mellitus, Crohn's disease, or hemorrhagic stroke.

When complications occur in the heart and blood vessels, the risk of death increases. If there is no proper therapy against the background of arthropathy, the patient refuses medication, then the complication is gangrene. Lack of timely amputation means death.

Prevention of internal complications

Primary preventive measures have not been developed to prevent psoriasis, since the causes of the disease are unknown. Therefore, all recommendations relate to secondary prevention, aimed at preventing relapse.

Cloth

It is recommended to choose clothes in light colors and made from natural fabric. It should be loose - it doesn’t rub, it doesn’t hug the body. On light-colored clothing, the scales of the disease are not so noticeable, which is important for the patient. It is better to purchase bed linen from cotton fabrics. As a rule, the patient receives from the doctor a complete list of recommendations regarding clothing or a manual that describes the lifestyle.

Skin injury

You need to take care of your skin, but even with maximum care it is impossible to protect yourself from knife cuts, scratches, and abrasions.

All this can provoke the appearance of psoriatic plaques at the site of a violation of the integrity of the skin.

Wounds and scratches must be promptly treated with healing ointment and protected from contamination, because there is a risk of secondary infection.

Skin care

Water procedures for hardening, regardless of the time of year, salt and medicinal baths.
When washing, you must use soft sponges that do not injure the skin or rub.
Avoid hygiene products that contain fragrances, dyes, and chemicals.
If psoriasis has affected the scalp, special attention is paid to shampoos - they should be gentle.

Additionally, you should moisturize the skin, especially after taking a bath or shower, with special gels and oils.

Nutrition

Nutrition plays a significant role in the treatment of psoriasis. With the help of a well-designed diet, you can prolong remission and avoid complications from internal organs and systems. For example, the special one has proven itself to be excellent.

Nutrition tips:

Eliminate fried, spicy, salty and smoked foods from the menu. All canned foods that can negatively affect the functionality of the digestive tract are prohibited.
Eliminate allergenic foods from the diet. These include citrus fruits and honey.
It is important to limit the consumption of sweets and baked goods.
Doctors advise reducing the consumption of potatoes, since they are rich in potassium and sodium, and they wash away calcium from the human body.
To strengthen the immune system, you can use folk remedies, for example, decoctions based on medicinal herbs.

Preventive measures are general. If you constantly monitor the disease, change your lifestyle, and follow all doctor’s orders, this will prevent exacerbation and, accordingly, the development of complications that are fraught not only with health problems, but also with death.

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Psoriasis is an annoying disease with unpleasant symptoms and an unsightly appearance that can begin to progress at any time in the presence of provoking factors. Appearing not only from the outside, but also from the inside, the disease is quite multifaceted, it can affect, occurring differently in everyone, and has several stages of progression.

Particularly dangerous is psoriasis of internal organs, which manifests itself in the form of skin rashes, affects bone tissue and negatively affects the functioning of the entire body. The symptoms do not indicate the beginning of a series of internal disorders, unless a full examination is carried out to obtain more detailed data about the patient.

Features of development and symptoms of internal psoriasis

Because psoriasis can last for decades, and it is not easy to notice the connection between diseases developing against its background, it can lead to a whole chain of pathologies. Symptoms can differ radically; a systemic illness affects the functioning of internal organs and systems, manifesting itself in this way:

the patient has a metabolic disorder;
disruptions in the endocrine system are noticeable;
the composition of the blood changes, microcirculation is disrupted;
the functionality of the liver and kidneys decreases;
the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract organs is deteriorating;
psoriatic myopathy may develop;
are seriously damaged

Internal psoriasis especially threatens consequences in adulthood. The disease develops gradually and leads to serious complications, so it is best to treat it at an early stage, without pushing it into an irreparable situation. If the first symptoms of the disease appear, you should immediately seek help from a doctor.

The effect of psoriasis on internal organs

Despite the fact that the disease has not been fully studied, experts agree that advanced forms of psoriasis directly affect the organs and systems of the body. If their internal functioning is disrupted, treating psoriasis becomes even more difficult.

With psoriasis, there is an increase in blood pressure, and the patient may experience rapid weight gain. The disease reveals itself by some signs:

the sounds of the heart muscle are not expressed;
a patient with psoriasis notices frequent shortness of breath;
discomfort behind the sternum;
the myocardium contracts irregularly, this is due to poor blood circulation;
there is a risk of developing coronary insufficiency associated with insufficient venous blood flow;
changes in the osteoarticular system in elderly people, which provokes myocarditis and heart disease.

Timely intervention preceding disruptions to normal functionality will help restore the cardiovascular system.

Liver

Despite the possible absence of symptoms, liver function and its antitoxic function are often impaired under the influence of a long course of psoriasis. As a result, the organ may enlarge or liver failure may develop. Symptoms of psoriasis affecting the liver may include the following:

the patient's palms and feet acquire a reddish tint;
small hemorrhages are noticeable on the skin as a result of a blood clotting disorder;
pigmentation of the skin, which is ensured by increased bilirubin;
hair loss;
intestinal disorders;
high body temperature;
the consequences of psoriasis can manifest themselves through varicose veins.

If you start treatment in the early stages, liver function can be restored without causing serious changes that later affect other organs and systems. Often, a violation of the outflow of bile leads to pathologies of the gallbladder.

Kidneys

Kidney failure may occur as a consequence of psoriasis. With skin lesions, the risk of developing chronic kidney pathologies in patients is approximately four times higher. Psoriasis covering more than 3% of the skin already requires urgent action.

The stomach and intestines are the first to take the hit, reacting to the development of the disease. Antibiotics have a detrimental effect on the flora of the gastrointestinal tract, the mucous membrane undergoes changes under their influence:

the gastric mucosa thickens, some parts of it may undergo atrophy;
the patient's appetite decreases;
the secretion of gastric juice changes;
heartburn, nausea, vomiting, and stool disorders are observed.

The appearance of gastritis, colitis and other gastrointestinal diseases significantly complicates the treatment of psoriasis. The situation is aggravated in the case of severe forms of disease. Symptoms are not always pronounced at the initial stage of development, but at the first signs of gastrointestinal problems, you should immediately contact a gastroenterologist.

Nervous system

The disease causes the patient to experience a depressed state of depression, psychological discomfort associated with the deterioration of his own health and appearance. The patient withdraws into himself, finds it difficult to adapt and avoids company, which entails personal problems.

Due to vascular dysfunction, encephalopathy may develop, affecting the brain. The patient may experience delirium, epileptic seizures, and muscle atrophy.

Other internal disorders

The effect of any disease, especially one that lasts for years, has always affected other organs that are not related to a specific disease, and psoriasis is no exception. If the integrity of the body is violated, a process of internal changes is launched, which along the chain affects the work of interconnected systems. Internal violations also include:

Incorrect functioning of the bladder. Psoriasis also has a detrimental effect on the bladder, disrupting urination and increasing the risk of stone formation.
Development characterized by joint damage. Most often, the disease affects the fingers of the limbs, modifying them. If arthritis develops further, affecting the knee, elbow joints, and spine, the patient’s movements become constrained. The disease leads to disability.
Psoriasis disrupts metabolic processes and the functioning of the endocrine and immune systems.
The patient's hormonal levels change and libido disappears. Women suffer from ovarian diseases, and there may be interruptions in the menstrual cycle.
The thyroid gland is also often affected by psoriasis.

When the disease is prolonged and severe, it negatively affects almost all systems, slowly destroying the body. To avoid serious irreversible changes, psoriasis of the internal organs should be diagnosed and treated promptly.

Psoriasis is a non-infectious disease that affects the skin and its appendages: hair, nail plates. External manifestations are rashes and peeling of the skin, which is where the second name of the pathology comes from - lichen planus. It is characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation with periods of relative stability, or remission. Since it is not caused by microorganisms, it is not infectious and is not contagious. Medical statistics claim that approximately 3-4% of the population suffers from this pathology. Psoriasis can manifest itself in people of any age, but “prefers” young people: in more than 70% of patients it is detected before the age of 18-23 years.

Why does psoriasis appear?

Psoriasis is an abnormal reaction of the body to external irritants, which results in rapid death of the upper layer of skin in certain areas of the body. Normally, the duration of the cycle of cell division and subsequent maturation is 21-28 days; in this case, the period is reduced to 3-5 days.
Today, most experts tend to consider psoriasis a multifactorial disease of hereditary etiology.
There are several theories about the origin of the disease. According to the first, there are two types of lichen:

the first is a consequence of poor functioning of the immune system, affects the skin and is inherited, appearing at a young age;
the second makes itself felt after 40 years, affects joints, nails, is not genetically determined and is not associated with a malfunction of the immune defense.

Proponents of another theory argue that the only factor contributing to the development of psoriasis is immunity disorders, which are provoked by a wide variety of factors:

infectious diseases;
poor nutrition;
cold climatic conditions;
alcohol abuse.

In accordance with this theory, scaly lichen is classified as a systemic disease and can spread to internal organs, joints, and other tissues. When joints are damaged, so-called psoriatic arthritis develops, which affects the small joints of the hands and feet.
The following factors favor the appearance of the disease:

dry thin skin;
constant contact with irritating reagents: household chemicals, alcohol solutions, cosmetics;
excessive hygiene leading to disruption of the natural protective barrier of the skin;
smoking, drug or alcohol consumption (contribute to deterioration of blood supply and skin nutrition);
taking certain medications;
fungal and bacterial infections;
change in climate region;
stress;
consumption of spicy, sour foods, chocolate;
allergic conditions;
injuries.

Classification of the disease

How psoriasis begins, how it manifests itself, what its effect on the body is - all these points are determined by the specific type of pathology.
Today there are several classifications of the disease. One of the most common divides psoriasis into two types:

non-pustular;
pustular.

The non-pustular (or simple) form is a chronic pathology characterized by a stable course. This group also includes erythrodermic psoriasis, the main symptom of which is damage to most of the skin.

The pustular variety includes:

annular pustulosis;
Barber's psoriasis;
von Zimbusch psoriasis;
psoriasis of the palms and soles.

drug-induced form;
seborrheic;
Napkin psoriasis;
“inverse psoriasis” (develops on the flexor surfaces).

Depending on the localization of the pathological process and the characteristics of the manifestation of the first symptoms of psoriasis, the following are distinguished:

psoriasis of the scalp;
nails (onychodystrophy);
pustular;
spotted;

Symptoms

Psoriasis is a systemic pathology that, in addition to spreading to the skin and nails, can affect the spinal column, joints, tendons, immune, endocrine, and nervous systems. Damage to the liver, kidneys, and thyroid gland often occurs.

The first symptoms of psoriasis most often are:

general weakness;
feeling of chronic fatigue;
depressed state or depression.

Due to the complex impact of pathology on the body, experts are more likely to talk about psoriatic disease.
And yet the main clinical picture is associated with damage to certain areas of the skin. One of the first manifestations is the appearance of round, bright red or pink papules covered with psoriatic plaques (scales). Their peculiarity is their symmetrical location on the scalp, flexor surfaces, lower back, and less often on the mucous membrane of the genital organs. The size of papules in the early stages is several millimeters and can subsequently reach up to 10 cm or more. The peculiarity of the rash becomes the basis for dividing the disease into the following types:

point, in which the elements are smaller than the head of a pin;
teardrop-shaped - the papules are shaped like a teardrop and correspond to the size of a lentil grain;
coin-shaped - plaques with rounded edges reach 5 mm in diameter.

Sometimes the rash is arched, in the shape of rings or garlands, like a map with irregular edges.

The top layer of papules are easily removable scaly plaques formed by keratinized epidermis. Initially, scales form in the central part of the plaque, gradually spreading to the edges. The light, loose appearance is due to the presence of air-filled spaces in the keratinized cells. Sometimes a pink ring is formed around the elements, which is an area of plaque growth and the spread of inflammation. The surrounding skin remains unchanged.
When the plaque is removed, a shiny, bright red surface is revealed, formed by capillaries with significantly thinned walls, covered with a very thin film on top. Capillaries are detected due to disruption of the normal structure of the upper layer of skin and its significant thinning. Changes in the structure of the skin occur as a result of incomplete maturation of keratinocyte cells, leading to the impossibility of their normal differentiation.

Psoriasis of the scalp

The main symptom is the appearance of psoriatic plaques noticeably raised above the surrounding skin. They are abundantly covered with dandruff-like scales. In this case, the hair itself is not involved in the pathological process. From the area under the hair, the rash can spread to smooth skin, the neck area, and behind the ears. This process is caused by the rapid division of keratinocytes in the affected area.

Symptoms of psoriasis of the palms and feet

This form of lichen provokes a significant thickening of the stratum corneum of the skin in these areas. The skin becomes rough and covered with cracks. The reason is intensive cell division (their reproduction rate is up to 8 times higher than normal) and preservation on the surface. At an early stage, pustules form on the skin with contents that are initially transparent, but gradually become white. Over time, dark scars form. In most cases, it appears simultaneously on the feet and palms, but sometimes plaques appear in only one area. When the process spreads to the back of the hands, we are talking about another form of psoriasis (not palmoplantar).

Symptoms of nail psoriasis

How does it manifest? This type of disease is characterized by a variety of symptoms. There are mainly two types of plate damage:

according to the thimble type, in which the nail is covered with small pits, reminiscent of marks from needle pricks;
according to the type of onychomycosis - the affected tissues resemble nail fungus: the nails change color, noticeably thicken and begin to peel off. Through the plate one can discern a psoriatic papule surrounded by a reddish rim, resembling an oil stain.

Dependence of symptoms on the stage of the disease

The manifestations of psoriasis vary depending on the specific season and. Many patients experience a “winter” version of the disease, in which periods of exacerbation occur in late autumn or winter. In the warm season, due to the intensity of ultraviolet radiation, improvement occurs. The “summer” type is quite rare.
During the pathology there are three stages:

Progressive, in which new elements constantly appear, the active growth of existing plaques, the presence of a pink zone around them, severe peeling, and itching are recorded.
Stationary – the growth of papules stops, new rashes do not form, small folds are noticeable on the top layer of skin, around the plaques.
Regressive - there is no peeling, plaques begin to disappear, and as the disease subsides, areas with increased pigmentation remain in their place.

Symptoms of psoriasis in children

Symptoms have some differences, especially in infants. The first signs are not typical. A delimited area of redness appears in the skin folds, which is accompanied by maceration and gradual peeling of the stratum corneum (starting from the periphery). Outwardly, it resembles eczematitis, diaper rash or candidiasis. In young children, rashes continue to appear in places uncharacteristic for psoriasis (on the skin of the face, mucous membranes of the genital organs, in natural skin folds).
Very often, rashes first develop on the head, under the hair. Here, accumulations of crusts form against the background of moderate infiltration. Another common area for rash localization is areas of the skin exposed to constant friction from clothing or exposure to aggressive medications.
The papules that form on the body gradually merge into plaques with irregular outlines. Their sizes can vary from a lentil grain to a child's hand.
With a drop-shaped form, papular elements are small in size. They appear unexpectedly, quickly covering the body, face, neck, scalp and extensor areas of the arms and legs.
Psoriasis in children has a long and persistent course. The only exception is the teardrop type, which is characterized by a milder course with long periods of remission. As in the case of adults, there are three stages, or stages, in the development of the disease.

In the progressive stage, small itchy papules with a red rim of peripheral growth appear. A feature of symptoms in infancy is the weak severity of pinpoint bleeding, terminal film and the phenomenon of stearin stain. In children, the lymph nodes enlarge and thicken, sometimes they become painful (especially with erythroderma and exudative psoriasis).
Upon transition to the stationary stage, peripheral growth stops, the infiltrate in the center of the plaque becomes flattened and desquamation decreases.
The regressive stage is characterized by resorption of the rash elements. Sometimes a characteristic depigmented rim can be seen around them. Areas of the former rash lose pigment or, conversely, undergo hyperpigmentation. Lymph nodes become soft and decrease in size.

Diffuse lesions are observed on the child's palms and soles. Cracks and infiltration of the skin are also noted. In the case of common forms of dermatosis, the nails are affected: pinpoint indentations or longitudinal grooves form on them. Severe psoriasis leads to deformation of the nails.

Pustular psoriasis is very rare in children. It can occur in older adults. This disease is characterized by a severe course with a noticeable deterioration in the condition and an increase in temperature.

Arthropathic varieties do not occur in childhood. In rare cases, small patients indicate the presence of joint pain.

Video about psoriasis symptoms

How is the disease diagnosed?

If you suspect psoriasis, you should consult a dermatologist.

is based on an external examination, assessment of the condition of the nails, skin, and localization of lesions. As a rule, there is no need for special analyzes.
If difficulties arise with making a diagnosis, a biopsy is performed. A skin sample is taken from the affected area.
If there is joint pain, radiography is recommended. A blood test is done to rule out other types of arthritis.
If guttate psoriasis is suspected, a throat culture for microflora is prescribed to differentiate from acute pharyngitis.
A test using potassium hydroxide can rule out the presence of a fungal infection.

Treatment methods for psoriasis

The method is determined by the form of the disease, symptoms and sensitivity to medications.
First, local treatment is carried out on the affected areas. This avoids the occurrence of an adverse reaction.
There is a technique according to which patients are prescribed soft drugs. If there is no effect, they are replaced with more potent ones. Even if the chosen product is effective, it is changed periodically to avoid addiction.
Gives good results. Their use is advisable for severe and moderate forms of pathology. The disadvantage of this treatment is the high likelihood of serious adverse reactions.
Main groups of drugs used:

Retinoids (Tigason, Neotigazon) - eliminate impaired maturation of the surface layer of the skin.
Immunosuppressants (Cyclosporin A) - reduce the activity of the immune defense and the activity of T-lymphocytes, which provoke intensive division of skin cells.
Cytostatics - drugs for the treatment of malignant tumors () - stop the reproduction of atypical epidermal cells and their growth.

Physiotherapeutic methods are also used:

photochemotherapy;
selective;
magnetic therapy;
electrosleep;
ultrasound therapy;
hyperthermia.

Being a skin disease with a chronic wave-like course, psoriasis begins with the formation of rash elements and areas of peeling on the skin. The first symptoms of psoriasis usually appear after suffering skin diseases of infectious origin.

The first symptoms of skin psoriasis

The first symptoms of psoriasis (photo 1) appear as red spots that are prone to peeling. Their size at the initial stages can vary from 5 to 15 mm in diameter. Other possible symptoms of skin psoriasis (photo 2) are pink papules covered with whitish scales that appear on the skin. They are characterized by symmetry of arrangement. One of the main characterizing symptoms of the disease is the ease of traumatization of the elements of the rash; the formation of a new spot may be observed at this site.

Once it ends (photo 3), the rash and spots form plaques that enlarge and merge with those located nearby. There is compaction and thickening of the affected area of the skin.

Skin psoriasis in appearance resembles a frozen lake of paraffin; when the crust is removed, so-called thorns can be seen on its reverse side. They are formed as a result of the release of exudate from the deeper layers of the skin to the surface. Dry psoriatic plaques can crack and lead to pain. When scraping is carried out, the crust usually comes off easily, especially after preliminary moistening. In its place, a wet red spot appears, from which droplets of blood will ooze (a symptom of blood dew).

How does psoriasis begin?

Symptoms of how psoriasis begins(photo 4) are often confused with an allergic reaction, especially if their appearance is associated with food intake. The spots are slightly raised above the skin level, have a red rim and a whitish coating. The onset of the disease is acute and rapid. The location of the spots, their size and intensity of itching will depend on the form of the disease. Manifestations of psoriasis on the skin may disappear for some time.

Favorite areas for localization of rash elements are:

joints;
scalp;
skin folds of the body;
elbows and knees;
small of the back.

In rare cases, psoriasis may appear on the legs and palms, as well as in intimate areas. They manifest themselves in the same way; very often they are detected under the diaper. That is why these symptoms of psoriasis in a child are confused with manifestations of diaper dermatitis.

That psoriasis begins on the hands(photo 5), evidenced by a rash on the back of the hand, in the spaces between the fingers and on the fingers. These hand symptoms should be cause for concern, as they may be warning signs of psoriatic arthritis. Patients do not immediately notice the symptoms of palmar psoriasis and seek medical help only when the disease progresses.

Please note that it does not affect the hair, it appears as plaques raised above the surface of the skin with scales that resemble dandruff. Scalp psoriasis in men and women is not a dangerous disease, but it can cause the patient to develop complexes regarding his appearance, because the affected part of the body is always in sight.

The first signs of psoriasis

First signs of psoriasis(photo 6) is the appearance of small red spots on the skin that lead to itching. Situations of absence of spots against a background of itching are no exception. The disease is characterized by an acute onset, in which:

the elements of the rash are distinguished by clear boundaries and a round shape;
the size of the spots is no more than 2 mm;
the color of psoriatic plaques ranges from pink to red;
the surface of the rash elements is covered with scales.

The elements of the rash are characterized by the following phenomena (psoriasis triad):

Symptom of stearin stain - characterized by the formation of a large number of scales, the removal of which leads to the appearance of the idea that stearin has been dripped onto the skin.
Symptom of psoriatic film. When removing scales from a psoriatic area, a thin film will be observed that covers the skin with symptoms of the inflammatory process.
Auspitz's sign. Minor trauma to psoriatic plaques leads to the appearance of blood stains in the form of dots on the surface.

Another characteristic sign is damage to the nail plates. Small dots appear on the nail (symptom of a thimble in psoriasis), and a papule with a red rim under the nail plate (symptom of an oil stain) may also form.

Over time, the elements of the rash thicken and increase in size. The skin loses moisture and becomes dry, this happens due to the lack of subcutaneous fat. Itching appears, scratching leads to the appearance of cracks of varying depths. All this causes patients to suffer from insomnia, which occurs against the background of discomfort.

Psoriasis in the groin in men is very often mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease; patients begin to treat it on their own, which leads to the disease being detected at a late stage.

First stage of psoriasis

First stage of skin psoriasis(photo 7) is also called progressive. Its main symptom is the appearance of more and more new papules on the skin and a parallel increase in the size of existing ones with the formation of a peripheral growth zone free of scales.

Symptoms of the initial stage psoriasis can appear on areas of even slightly injured skin (for example, with a sunburn, needle prick, scratch). In the absence of adequate treatment, the progressive stage may be accompanied by complications and damage to the entire skin; this occurs against the background of stress. This is how psoriatic erythroderma develops.
After this, the formation of new elements of the rash stops, an intensification of the peeling process is observed and the disease transitions to a stationary period.

Symptoms of psoriasis of joints and bones

Psoriasis is considered a systemic disease, affecting not only the skin, but also the joints. The disease affects the nervous, endocrine and immune systems. Involvement in the pathological process of such internal organs as:

kidneys;
liver;
thyroid.

Joints are affected as a result of infiltrative processes in the periarticular tissues. Arthritis in psoriasis affects the interphalangeal joints (very often formed), but damage to large joints, as well as the sacroiliac joints and joints of the spine, is no exception.

Symptoms of joint psoriasis(photo 8) is pain, and subsequently swelling and limitation of motor activity of the joints. When performing an X-ray examination, osteoporosis and narrowing of the joint spaces are observed.

Rheumatoid psoriasis can cause ankylosis and joint deformation, and ultimately lead to disability. A characteristic feature of psoriatic arthritis is the rash that precedes its appearance.
It is impossible to cure this form of the disease; the symptoms of bone psoriasis can only be muffled.

The main ones have not been disclosed to date, but some factors have been identified, the combination of which leads to the disease. It can also appear due to nervousness, after stressful situations. A sick person develops a feeling of general weakness, he suffers from depression and chronic fatigue.

Officially in medicine there is no concept of internal psoriasis. But it has been established that with dermatosis, damage can occur not only to the epidermis, but also to internal organs.

Functional disorders are most often observed in the heart, kidneys, liver, nervous and gastrointestinal systems. Despite the fact that the causes of their occurrence have not yet been clinically established, all these problems can be treated at any age if medical instructions are strictly followed.

At the same time, medical studies have shown that, as a rule, when the external signs of psoriasis are cured, the internal symptoms also disappear.

Prerequisites for psoriasis of internal organs

According to experts, psoriasis of internal organs is associated with changes in biochemical processes in the body. It can be triggered by diseases, radiation, stress, polluted surrounding atmosphere, characteristic features of water, etc.

There are cases when dermatosis begins to appear during pregnancy or after it, as well as those when, on the contrary, it became less pronounced and even disappeared completely, after which it reappeared 6-7 months after birth. It has also been established that the disease manifests itself more intensely in older people, and patients under 40 years of age experience it much easier.

It is believed that any circumstance can cause a disease such as psoriasis, and damage to internal organs is a concomitant factor in this disease. One of the reasons for this may be a change in blood composition, for example, a sharp increase in cholesterol, when the cardiovascular system is especially affected. Then the patient begins to complain of heaviness in the chest and shortness of breath, and during the initial examination the doctor detects muffled organ sounds, rhythmic contraction of the myocardium, and can even diagnose the development of heart failure.

Symptoms

Symptoms of internal psoriasis appear depending on the affected organ:

Cardiovascular system: shortness of breath, increased heart rate, muffled heartbeat, heaviness in the chest.
Gastrointestinal tract: sensations of heartburn and/or nausea, possible vomiting, stool disturbances, loss of appetite; during diagnosis, thickening of the mucous membrane and the appearance of atrophic areas on it, changes in the secretion of gastric juice are revealed.
Liver: often asymptomatic and only after the development of the disease, yellowing of the skin and sclera of the eyes, hair loss, lack of appetite, low-grade fever, development of varicose veins, gastrointestinal disorders, minor hemorrhages on the skin, redness of the feet, pigmentation on the skin, in a blood test are observed an increase in bilirubin is detected, an ultrasound shows an increase in the size of the organ.
Joints: Reduced mobility caused by inflammation in the phalanges of the fingers, as in arthritis, the connective tissue of the spine may suffer.
Kidneys: psoriasis in the second or third stages of development increases the risk of developing renal failure.
Nervous system: general muscle weakness, sudden weight loss, social phobia and depression, part of the brain may be affected, epilepsy attacks may occur, and delirium may appear.

And these are not the only symptoms of psoriasis of the internal organs. There is also a decrease in immunity and sexual activity in both sexes. Women may have menstrual irregularities. Metabolism changes greatly as a result of energy imbalance. In approximately 40% of cases, the thyroid gland is affected.

Treatment of psoriasis of internal organs is possible only by contacting a specialist and conducting a thorough diagnosis. You may need to visit more than one doctor (dermatologist), but several, depending on the severity of your symptoms. So, if there is heaviness in the chest, you should additionally contact a cardiologist, and if you have problems with stool, nausea or vomiting, you should contact a gastroenterologist.

So, when asked whether psoriasis affects internal organs, medical experts answer in the affirmative and link this together with various factors. As such, there is no single risk group - both a young person and a pensioner can get psoriasis, which will cause complications on the internal systems of the body. In any case, the disease is effectively treated with medications.