Elbow psoriasis is a form of psoriasis characterized by the presence of Red plaques and scaly on the elbows. It is usually associated with other forms of psoriasis, such as scalp, knee, or body psoriasis. Elbow psoriasis is a chronic condition that can be bothersome and painful. If you suffer from elbow psoriasis, it is important to treat it well to prevent the symptoms from getting worse.
Discover in this article how to recognize and effectively treat elbow psoriasis.
How is elbow psoriasis recognized?
What are the symptoms of this disease? And is it contagious?
Elbow psoriasis is a plaque psoriasis. Plaque psoriasis, or psoriasis vulgaris, is the most common form of psoriasis. In fact, it constitutes 80% of cases of psoriasis. It is characterized bythick red, scaly patches causing severe itching.
Generally, psoriasis plaques are symmetrical, therefore present on both elbows. The same goes for psoriasis of the knee. Furthermore, the plaques can be of variable size and more or less extensive depending on the people affected. When psoriasis is limited to the joints (elbows, knees) and therefore affects an area of less than 3% of the body, we then speak of mild psoriasis.
Psoriasis develops in flare-ups and therefore alternates between periods of crisis and periods of remission. The duration of these periods is completely random depending on the person. For some people the attacks can be very frequent, while others will only have one in their lifetime.
Furthermore, psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not not contagious.
What causes elbow psoriasis?
Where does it come from and how do you get these patches on the skin?
The elbows, like the knees, are frequently affected by psoriasis since it is a friction zone. Chafing can be linked to wearing clothing, physical activity, resting your elbows on a hard surface, etc. However, they can be interpreted as an attack or trauma to the skin by the immune system. The latter will therefore react by overproducing skin cells, which forms scales and causes a (new) outbreak of psoriasis.
However, the exact causes of psoriasis are currently poorly understood. Psoriasis is linked to various factors. First of all, the genetic predisposition is often noted. Indeed, in 30% of cases, one or more parents also suffer from psoriasis. Genetic factors are therefore one of the origins of psoriasis.
In addition, a emotional shock, stress or againanxiety can trigger psoriasis. See our article on psoriasis and depression.
Finally, it can also appear following taking certain medications, following a disease infectious (angina, otitis, etc.), be linked toenvironment (pollution, cold, sun, etc.) or even to poor lifestyle (alcohol, tobacco).
How to treat elbow psoriasis? What treatment or cream?
There are different possible treatments to relieve elbow psoriasis, which, we remind you, is a disease that does not heal. Furthermore, some psoriasis plaques can sometimes take longer than others to disappear. Treatments can therefore be more or less rapid and effective in acting depending on the person.
Topical corticosteroids for psoriasis of the elbows or knees
Psoriasis of the elbows or knees can be treated by local application of topical corticosteroids. These are areas where the skin is generally thick, it is therefore necessary to apply creams with a high dose of corticosteroids. However, topical corticosteroids have numerous Side effects. In fact, they refine the skin, making it very fragile and have an addictive effect. In addition, if the treatment is stopped abruptly, this leads to a new outbreak of psoriasis. It is therefore not a miracle treatment.
Relieving elbow psoriasis with natural treatments
Alternatives to corticosteroids exist. Natural alternatives have the advantage of having no side effects as well as rare allergic reactions. All while sometimes being equally, or even more, effective.
The Pso Natura Regenerative Complex
First of all, we can only recommend the Pso Natura Regenerative Complex. In fact, this treatment 100% natural, formulated with Carapa procera oil, has the advantage of being recognized Medical device. It has proven to be 94% effective by clinical studies, which makes it a remarkably effective treatment. The Regenerative Complex helps eliminate scales and traces of psoriasis, make redness disappear and cleanse the skin.
It is used for a course of 1 month. Its use is very simple: just take a little product and apply it to the loofah sponge provided with the treatment. Remember to moisten the loofah sponge well beforehand. Then, tap onto your skin until foam appears. It is the latter which releases the active ingredients. Once the foam appears, massage for about fifteen seconds on your psoriasis areas. Then simply rinse and gently dry your skin. Our foaming treatment does not require any exposure time.
Pso Natura Rich Cream
Psoriatic skin is suffering skin that needs to be hydrated and nourished daily. In addition, dry skin is the most sensitive to irritation and therefore to the appearance of eczema and psoriasis. L'hydration is therefore a step not to be neglected. In fact, this helps prevent and relieve breakouts in areas generally affected by psoriasis.
A good moisturizing and nourishing cream that meets these criteria is the Pso Natura Rich Cream. Indeed, this Cream, formulated with 99% ingredients of natural origin and manufactured in France, has numerous advantages.
First of all, it intensely nourishes and hydrates the skin throughout the day. It also helps soothe itching and smooth the skin thanks to its healing action. Furthermore, it is very pleasant to apply since it does not stick or stain. It therefore perfectly complements the use of the Regenerative Complex.
Still using a natural approach, certain vegetable oils such as sweet almond, nigella or also borage can help soothe psoriasis. Aloe vera is also known to soothe the skin. Finally, shea butter deeply hydrates the epidermis. There are therefore many natural alternatives. It may therefore be interesting to start by testing a few before moving towards drug treatments if traces of psoriasis persist.
Using patches
There are also patches, which come in the form of an anti-inflammatory and almost invisible dressing. Formulated with corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid, simply stick them on psoriasis plaques.
These patches have many benefits. In fact, they help mask psoriasis lesions while preventing the patient from scratching. In addition, they protect the skin from friction from clothing and facilitate the penetration of active ingredients into the epidermis. All with a hydrating effect as a bonus. Their action generally lasts all day.
Phototherapy and puvatherapy
In Summer, some people respond very well to the sun's rays and see their psoriasis diminish or even disappear. Phototherapy and puvatherapy techniques can therefore be effective in relieving psoriasis. However, before you start, consult a doctor so that he can give you his opinion and suggest the most suitable treatment.
Indeed, puvatherapy uses UVA and requires taking a photosensitizing medication. Phototherapy is, for its part, a projection of UVB.
UV can be done on the whole body or on specific areas, such as the elbows. It is a treatment that is done in a cabin and requires several sessions. However, they cannot be performed too frequently. There are sometimes even a limited number of sessions over a lifetime due to the risk of skin cancer.
Furthermore, be careful, not all people react in the same way. For some, UV rays have the opposite effect, they worsen their psoriasis lesions.
What to do to try to limit psoriasis outbreaks on the elbows?
In cases of psoriasis on the elbows, people affected tend to wear long sleeves to hide the lesions as much as possible from others.
However, friction from clothing is precisely a factor that triggers and aggravates psoriasis. It is therefore advisable to leave these areas in the open air. However, this is not always easy. If you want to hide your psoriasis then consider opting for loose clothing, in which your arms will not be tight. Furthermore, favor soft fabrics. Certain materials such as wool are, for example, strongly discouraged.
Furthermore, it is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle, eliminating as much as possible all the factors likely to trigger new outbreaks of psoriasis. These include, in particular, alcohol, tobacco, junk food, etc.
This also happens through thepersonal hygiene. It is important to cleanse the skin daily. Choose gentle, moisturizing products designed for sensitive skin. Products must have a neutral ph and not contain irritating ingredients such as alcohol. Always massage gently on areas of psoriasis, without attacking the skin. Then pat dry it, without rubbing. Finally, remember to always hydrate and nourish your skin well. These small actions can help you see significant changes in your psoriasis tracks.
Conclusion
The location of psoriasis on the elbows is a part of the body that can be easily hidden most of the year. However, this should not be a shame. This chronic illness should not negatively impact our quality of life. Unfortunately, the way others look at us can be hurtful and make us lose confidence in ourselves.
Furthermore, don't forget to consult a doctor to have your psoriasis diagnosed. And also consider opting for natural remedies to relieve your illness.
Read also:
Psoriasis and hair removal, what to do?
sources:
Psoriasis of the elbows and knees: what to do? (medisite.fr)
Psoriasis: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatments – Doctissimo
