Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease. Psoriasis outbreaks are followed by more or less long periods of remission. There is no cure for psoriasis. Existing treatments, in the form of medications or natural treatments, aim to relieve the symptoms of the disease.
Psoriasis affects approximately 5% of the population. Psoriasis of the foot, also called palmar-plantar, is a rather rare form of the disease. On the other hand, it causes discomfort on a daily basis. Let's see here how to best treat it.
What is palmar-plantar psoriasis?
A specific type of psoriasis on the hands and feet.
What causes psoriasis?
Like all types of psoriasis, the disease finds its origin in the patient's genetic heritage. The particular arrangement of a bouquet of genes predisposes to developing the disease. On the occasion of a stress or psychological shock in particular, the mechanics of psoriasis are put into place.
This autoimmune disease causes the body to overproduce epidermal cells. The rate of reproduction is multiplied by 5-6 compared to normal. Thus, the cells renew themselves every 3 to 5 days, instead of 28 days. As a result, the cells pile up and form scales.
Friction, a cause of psoriasis
In addition to nervous causes such as stress, an outbreak of psoriasis can also result from repeated rubbing on an area of the body. The skin interprets this irritating action as an attack. Thus, it protects itself by overproducing cells.
As a result, joint areas (elbows, knees) are often affected by psoriasis. But the feet, in permanent contact with socks, shoes or even the ground, are also subject to psoriasis. Daily and repeated aggression to the feet causes specific psoriasis lesions. Thus, the specific symptoms of psoriasis of the foot mean they are classified in a subfamily of psoriasis. Palmo-plantar (or palmo-plantar) psoriasis.
What are the symptoms of palmar-plantar psoriasis?
This type of psoriasis is localized on feet and hands. It particularly affects the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands. Multiple contacts during the day lead to strong symptoms.
Thicker skin
It is generally very thickened. In addition, it very frequently presents cracks. This is about keratoderma.
Significant skin dryness
The skin is dry or very dry. This is a sign of skin suffering. This is why, when it comes to foot psoriasis, hydration is absolutely essential. However, it is of course not sufficient to help the disappearance of marks and lesions.
Inflammation of the skin
The epidermis has an inflammatory character. That is to say, the presence of redness is significant.
A nagging pain
Cracks in the skin can cause bleeding. Consequently, palmar-plantar psoriasis is particularly debilitating. It causes difficulty putting on shoes or walking.
The consequences of psoriasis on the soles of the feet
Pain
The disease is disabling in everyday life. It causes daily discomfort. This type of psoriasis often causes considerable discomfort when putting on shoes. Walking can become torture with the presence of constant pain, depending on the severity of the psoriasis.
Complexes
In addition, psoriasis of the foot is often a source of complexes. So, many people hesitate to go to the swimming pool. Or even go to the beach.
Style and practical life
In addition, the choice of shoes is often tricky. It is indeed important to ensure the comfort of the shoe. But also to the material. Plastic shoes, for example, can cause irritation more easily. Even inflammation of the skin.
Furthermore, the choice of socks is also important. Due to the risk of skin overheating, synthetic socks should be avoided. Cotton socks should be preferred. Even organic cotton. For women, wearing stockings and tights is often problematic. See our daily advice
Thus, the delicate choice of underwear and shoes impacts the patient's quality of life. It can also alter a person's aesthetic, forcing them to favor comfort and softness over elegance.
How to recognize foot psoriasis?
The characteristic feature of foot psoriasis is the presence of cracks or even pustules. In some cases, it can be confused with a yeast infection. This is why it is better to make an appointment with a dermatologist or doctor to establish a firm diagnosis of psoriasis. The latter will be done through a sample and a culture to rule out - or not - the diagnosis of a mycosis.
Palmoplantar psoriasis can also be confused with palmoplantar pustulosis. The symptoms of contact eczema are also quite similar. So, visiting a dermatologist is really important. Today, many people are turning to natural treatments. They therefore consult naturopaths. The holistic approach of naturopaths is interesting. They apply themselves to analyzing the symptoms, but also the entire body. They can thus combine local care and global treatment. However, note that only the dermatologist is authorized to establish a diagnosis.
Guttate or plaque psoriasis?
Foot psoriasis usually presents as plaque psoriasis. Moreover, it is the most common type of psoriasis. Psoriasis is more rarely guttate psoriasis. Whatever happens, the treatments for either form do not differ. Therefore, this question is not essential to clarify in cases of psoriasis. Guttate or plaque psoriasis, it ultimately doesn't matter.
Diagnose pustular psoriasis?
Psoriasis of the foot can sometimes cause pustular manifestations. The sole of the foot and the arch of the foot are covered, in whole or in part, with purulent and yellowish pustules. They are the expression of suffering and inflammation of the skin on these parts of the body. They mark its sensitivity. These symptoms make psoriasis even more difficult to treat.
Nail psoriasis, a consequence?
When the nail is affected by nail psoriasis, it becomes streaked. It may also have small holes. We then speak of the thimble effect. Additionally, the nail may turn yellow. However, nail psoriasis is another subfamily of psoriasis. Thus, one can suffer from palmar-plantar psoriasis and be spared from nail psoriasis.
Nail fungus or psoriasis?
The diagnosis must be carried out by a dermatologist. If in doubt, he will have to carry out additional examinations. He will then take a nail sample. He will cultivate it. This way, he will be able to recommend a suitable treatment.
Foot psoriasis in photos
Here are the different forms that palmar-plantar psoriasis can take on the foot. Local irritations in images.
How to treat foot psoriasis?
The pros and cons of corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are certainly the medications most often prescribed by doctors for foot or other psoriasis. They are the stars of the therapeutic arsenal against psoriasis. Their success is linked to their effectiveness. However, there are many side effects of corticosteroids. Besides the habituation effect which reduces their effectiveness over time, there are other risks.
Prolonged use of cortisone-based treatments can cause thinning of the skin.. Thus, the skin is weakened. In the case of psoriasis of the foot, this risk is all the more harmful as the skin on the sole of the foot is constantly stressed. Therefore, friction on skin that is too thin can lead to lesions, bleeding, or even accentuate cracks.
if corticosteroids are used over time, the cessation must be very gradual. Indeed, too many people try to move from one treatment to another. However, in the event of sudden cessation of corticosteroid treatment, they are exposed to the rebound effect of the disease. Doped with cortisone, the skin then reacts strongly. This causes a flare-up of psoriasis. The patient may then falsely interpret the following treatment as making their psoriasis worse. Therefore, it is better to space out local cortisone applications little by little.
Retinoid medications
Retinoids are medications based on acitretin. They can be used alone or in addition to phototherapy. On the other hand, they often cause drying of the skin.
Puvatherapy
Puvatherapy consists of exposure to ultraviolet rays, UVA or UVB, if it is phototherapy. The results are generally good. However, the number of sessions over a lifetime is limited. The risk of melanoma formation would be too great.
What natural treatment for palmar-plantar psoriasis?
To our knowledge, no natural treatment is currently recognized on the market as a Medical Device for psoriasis. EXCEPT the Pso Natura Regenerative Complex. We will come back to this.
However, there are many natural care which may help relieve some symptoms of psoriasis. As we have seen, the symptoms of the disease are multiple. On the one hand, it is accompanied by itching. Certain natural treatments can actually help soothe these symptoms.
On the other hand, the skin is dry. It therefore requires good hydration. Again, some natural creams can help nourish the skin. They do not need to be special psoriasis creams for this. Certain treatments can also combine these two required qualities. They act both on itching and on hydration, soothing the inflammatory process.
On the other hand, when it comes to remove traces and lesions of psoriasis, the mission is significantly more difficult. For a treatment - natural or not - to be recognized as acting on psoriasis, it must ALSO present this quality. This is why the Pso Natura Regenerative Complex is the only natural treatment in this category. It is also aimed at people suffering from psoriasis on the hands.
Treat foot psoriasis naturally
How to get rid of palmar-plantar psoriasis?
In fact, the Regenerating Foaming Complex has been subjected to clinical studies by an independent laboratory. The results, on average, demonstrate 94% effectiveness on mild to moderate psoriasis.* Duration of the study: 28 days.
Thus, it acts on several fronts:
– It helps to soothe itching of psoriasis.
– It also contributes to eliminate lesions and cleanse the skin.
For the mission of hydration, this treatment is completed by the application of Pso Natura Rich Restructuring Cream.
The Pso Natura Complex is a topical treatment. So it is used in local application. Its foaming form makes its application simple and practical. Delivered with a natural fiber sponge, the loofah, it is applied to wet skin. A twice-daily massage of around fifteen seconds on the areas to be treated is enough for a result in one month on average.
A specific care protocol for the sole of the foot
In the case of psoriasis of the foot, the skin is weakened. It may present open lesions and cracks. The Pso Natura Complex is bactericidal. Used directly on a wound, it stings unpleasantly. This is why it is appropriate to first use the Pso Natura Rich Restructuring Cream. On the first days of treatment, only apply the Cream. This is to nourish the skin and help heal wounds. Only then, when the skin has healed, can the classic treatment protocol begin.
Classic psoriasis treatment protocol
On already wet skin, use the Complex to help cleanse the skin. Place a dab of treatment on the loofah sponge provided. Lather. Rinse without exposure time. Then, on well-dried skin, apply the Cream.
These treatments are recommended by several podiatrists in France and Belgium for their exceptional results.
*Clinical study conducted over 28 days and 32 patients
sources:
psoriasis-treatment.com dermato-info.fr – French Dermatology Company Geneva University Hospitals France Psoriasis Association
