Skin diseases are accompanied by the appearance of unpleasant symptoms and psychological discomfort. One of the common conditions that requires immediate skin treatment is elbow psoriasis, and the options for treatment are not limited to topical preparations. Small inflammation can quickly develop from a cosmetic problem to a medical one if you don't treat it on time.
What is Elbow Psoriasis
The disorder is characterized by the appearance of multiple spots in the flexures of the extremities that are unpredictable and periodic. Elbow psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that begins with the appearance of papules and progresses to plaques (large diffuse lesions) with white, silvery, reddish scales. A slightly raised damaged area forms due to the accumulation of dry dead cells. If inflammation is not treated, the disease progresses with alternating periods of exacerbation and remission.
symptom
When the elbow scabs over, you can immediately notice the damaged area of the skin. Signs of the disease are immediately visible, and a complete cure for psoriasis in the crooked area of the arm is almost impossible. The chances of a successful recovery are those patients who consult their doctor promptly. A cause of concern should be the encroachment of a skin condition on the elbow, which is similar to the following symptoms of psoriasis:
- Red patches or scaly spots that at first look like papules with a white film that grow, connect to each other, and are covered in white scales as the disease progresses and progresses.
- Itchy skin, causing more damage to the skin. Like other mechanical damage to the skin, such as scratches, cuts, this inflammation of the elbow can be combed and damage the skin, which can lead to the appearance of new spots.
- Severely red, inflamed areas of skin begin to bleed.
plaque on elbow
Psoriasis can occur in the groin area, trunk, extremities, or head, but wherever the disease occurs, the sure sign is plaque. Sores in the form of red spots and white scales on the elbows are more likely to occur due to the openness of the skin in this area as it can be easily damaged. Inflamed areas of epidermal metamorphosis, red, scaly plaques that gradually increase and can cover the entire elbow. In the neglected form, the plaque may bleed, and when scratching is attempted, a "stearin" phenomenon occurs, like after a drop of hardened wax.
reason
Continuing scientific research has not been able to fully identify the source of the flare-up, and in the medical version of the cause of psoriasis in the elbow area, the following are:
- Genetic susceptibility is an important statistical factor. If one of the parents has chronic inflammation of the skin, there is a good chance that the child will also have psoriasis.
- The entry of a specific substance through the injured area of the skin. The affected epidermal area begins to thicken and the body begins to fight the abnormal symptoms and reject the cells, which externally manifest as the fungus on the elbow.
- Contrary to the work of T lymphocytes, it is faced with the task of building a barrier in front of pathogens.
- The body is deficient in silicon.
- endocrine diseases.
- Serious Limb Injury.
- Severe mechanical damage, non-healing wounds.
- Emotional, mental stress.
- long-term medication.
- Weak immunity.
stage
A chronic inflammatory process in the elbow, which is exacerbated or diminished under the influence of a variety of causes, and progresses without proper treatment. The course of treatment should be prescribed by a dermatologist, but to determine the effectiveness of the method, the choice of medication, the procedure, the doctor needs to assess the course of the disease. Further strategies will depend on the clinical situation, and it is customary to distinguish the following stages of psoriatic elbow skin lesions:
- initial. The skin surface on the outside of the elbow is covered with a rash. Round red spots with a white film grow, covered with scales, and form plaques after 2-3 weeks. With prompt treatment, the symptoms of psoriasis may go away for a period of time and then reappear, or the lesions may develop elsewhere in the body.
- progress. This stage of the disease can be characterized by the presence of elements of psoriasis with many scales. The appearance of these signs indicates the onset of an exacerbation of psoriasis and is easily noticed by the presence of a hyperemic border (redness) along the edge of the scaly plaque.
- stationary. It is characterized by a reduction in inflammatory processes, which indicates the effectiveness of the treatment used. The appearance of new plaques on the elbows stopped, there was no red border around the psoriatic elements, their diameter decreased, and the scales completely covered the inflamed area.
- return. This indicates a partial recovery, while peeling is barely noticeable or disappears, and areas of skin pigmentation appear in place of plaques. Another set of measures will be aimed at preventing psoriasis from getting worse.
form
The ups and downs of the disease are not the only component of the insidious nature of psoriasis when spontaneous periods alternate with improvement. The severity of the inflammatory process depends on the nature of the rash, another important factor is the shape. With the localization of the elbow rash, a simple (vulgar) disease is often found, characterized by redness, peeling, itching. The neglected form of the disease threatens the appearance of complications and pustules, erythroderma, seborrheic psoriasis - as their lesion area will expand.
How to Treat Elbow Psoriasis
There are effective treatments, but the elbow skin cannot be completely cleaned because psoriasis is incurable. The entire complex treatment system will be designed to minimize external signs. The duration of remission depends on many factors, and in order to eliminate the manifestations of psoriasis, it is recommended to establish a treatment regimen using the following basic methods:
- topical treatments (ointments, creams, lotions);
- physical therapy procedures;
- Phototherapy;
- special diet;
- Take a vitamin and mineral complex.
Treatment of elbow psoriasis
Drugs are actively used to treat multifactorial diseases, but their effectiveness is only significant when combined with other means. For the treatment of psoriasis, it is customary to use external medicines, if they are ineffective, the following can be prescribed:
- cytostatic;
- antihistamines;
- Intestinal adsorbent.
ointment
A quick way to get rid of the unpleasant symptoms of psoriasis is topical treatment. An ointment containing vitamin D, zinc, tar is required to help remove dead cells and moisturize the skin of the elbows, while hormonal preparations can help with more severe forms of the disease. Corticosteroids are relatively safe if used as directed by a doctor who has examined psoriatic plaques on the elbow and assessed the condition and extent of the lesions. Only dermatologists can introduce hormonal creams into the treatment regimen, and self-medication is strictly prohibited!
replacement therapy
Compresses, lotions, decoctions, baths can rightfully be considered useful treatments for psoriasis. If the patches on the elbows are covered with a white film, the itching, redness at home can be easily removed by dipping the affected area in a cool herbal solution for 7-10 minutes. Ingredients should be selected individually, brewed in boiling water, but hot baths should be avoided. Herbs that can be used to treat psoriasis include:
- celandine;
- chicory root;
- Valerian root.
prevention
There's no reason to think psoriasis will go away on its own, but self-medication isn't worth it either because of the risk of aggravating the chronic disease process. Removing the inflammatory process is the first step in recovery, because for long-term relief, you must follow some of your doctor's recommendations. To avoid the worsening of psoriasis, it is necessary to observe the following precautions:
- follow correct eating habits;
- Exclude the use of alcoholic beverages, alcohol, sweets, spicy food;
- Get enough sleep, at least 8 hours a day;
- Avoid mechanical damage and injury to the skin;
- monitor the internal state of the body;
- Develop skills to cope with stress;
- Supports the function of the immune system and avoids infectious diseases;
- Minimize exposure to household chemicals.
Elbow Psoriasis Photos
