Psoriasis is one of the most common skin diseases. It is primarily characterized by skin changes in the form of scaling lesions, accompanied by pain, itching, and burning. It develops slowly and has a long duration. Although psoriasis cannot be wholly cured, its symptoms can be effectively alleviated. Leech therapy may offer positive results.
Periods of exacerbation and remission are characteristic of psoriasis. To alleviate symptoms, it is important to avoid factors that aggravate psoriatic changes and to apply treatment. There are many methods for dealing with psoriasis, and one of the less popular is the application of leeches. In the following part of the article, we have briefly described the most important information about psoriasis and presented the benefits of leech treatment.
Psoriasis – what is this disease?
Psoriasis is a chronic, inflammatory skin disease that occurs at any age and affects both sexes. Genetic, immunological, and environmental factors mainly influence the development of psoriatic lesions. A characteristic of psoriasis is that its symptoms do not always persist and may temporarily recede. Importantly, it is a non-contagious disease that cannot be transmitted. Psoriasis often coexists with systemic disorders such as hypertension or diabetes.
Types of psoriasis
There are various types of psoriasis, each presenting different symptoms. Due to the diverse symptoms, the approach to treatment also varies. The most common variant is plaque psoriasis, which is estimated to affect about 90% of all people with the disease.
Other types of psoriasis include pustular, guttate, and inverse psoriasis. There is also scalp psoriasis and nail psoriasis. Apart from these, one can encounter erythrodermic psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis – classification by types
Based on the timing and manner of disease manifestation, the classification is as follows:
- Type I psoriasis, also known as juvenile (hereditary) psoriasis, appears in childhood or early youth, may have a severe course, and tends to recur. It usually runs in families. It is associated with specific antigens, e.g., HLA, Cw6, and DR7.
- Type II psoriasis, also known as adult psoriasis, activates after the age of 40 and has a weak association with HLA antigens. It has a milder course than type I, rarely occurs in families, and responds better to treatment.
How to recognize psoriasis?
A typical symptom of psoriasis, most commonly associated with the disease, is skin changes in red papules covered with scales. There is often talk of the “stearic candle” sign, which refers to the appearance of the surface under the scales after scraping, resembling a layer of stearin. The plaques on the body are demarcated from the skin and vary in size. The skin often cracks, and blood oozes from the cracks. All this is accompanied by pain, itching, and burning. Changes usually occur on the knees and elbows, in skin folds, on the hands, underarms, and groin.
The changes may vary slightly depending on the form of psoriasis. For example, in psoriatic arthritis, the sufferer experiences joint swelling and stiffness. In nail psoriasis, yellow-brown spots under the nail plate can be observed, as well as fragility and brittleness of the nails.
Causes of psoriasis
Unfortunately, the causes of psoriasis development have not been fully understood. Genetic factors play a significant role. If one parent has psoriasis, the risk of the disease occurring in the child is about 10-20%, but if both parents are affected, the probability increases to 50%.
Several factors can initiate or exacerbate the disease process and contribute to the recurrence of the disease after treatment of symptoms. These factors apply to all forms of psoriasis. They include:
– Stress,
– Pregnancy and childbirth,
– Hormonal factors (e.g., puberty, menopause),
– Physical factors (e.g., vaccination, tattoo, cuts, dermabrasion, etc.),
– Acute and chronic streptococcal infections,
– Chronic bacterial and fungal infections,
– Certain medications taken (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs),
– Cigarettes,
Who treats psoriasis?
In the initial stage of the disease, worrying changes can be observed in the body. Sometimes, they are nonspecific and resemble other skin conditions, so it is necessary to visit a doctor for diagnostics. The appropriate specialist here is a dermatologist.
Other diseases can accompany psoriasis so that the dermatologist may refer the patient to other doctors. Some patients with psoriasis also require the help of a cardiologist, rheumatologist, endocrinologist, diabetologist, or gastroenterologist. Sometimes, patients are referred to a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Diagnosis of psoriasis
Psoriatic changes are usually characteristic enough that the doctor can identify the disease with the naked eye. They may take a skin biopsy to confirm their hypothesis for histopathological evaluation. A minimal skin sample is needed for the examination, which takes place in the doctor’s office during a routine visit and is performed using a local anaesthetic.
Psoriasis – treatment
Psoriasis primarily requires topical treatment to remove scales and inhibit excessive epidermis proliferation. For this purpose, keratolytic and tar preparations, topical corticosteroids, moisturizing creams and ointments, and vitamin D3 derivatives are used. Sometimes, combined therapy, i.e., in addition to topical treatment, is needed. Systemic treatment may include phototherapy and photochemotherapy or the inclusion of drugs such as cyclosporine or retinoids.
Leeches for psoriasis
Regularly applying specialized preparations to the skin and taking medications prescribed by a doctor are not the only ways a person with psoriasis can improve their condition. An unusual but very effective method of treating psoriasis is leech therapy.
The scientific literature contains studies confirming the effectiveness of leech therapy in treating psoriasis. Thanks to leeches, the patient’s skin regains a standard colour, and the thickness of the psoriatic plaque decreases. Moreover, the area of the skin affected by changes becomes soft, redness disappears, and scales are reduced.
The number of treatments involving leeches and the frequency of visits depend on the patient’s health condition. The possibility of using leech therapy in one’s case should be discussed with the attending physician, and a qualified leech therapist should be consulted to ensure no contraindications are found.