Psoriasis is a genetically determined skin disease. It is inflammatory and affects approximately 1-3% of the population, with a mild form with slight skin eruptions observed in 70% -80% of patients, requiring the use of topical medications, and in other cases of moderate and severe psoriasis phototherapy or general treatment is necessary. Can psoriasis be on your face?
Facial psoriasis – how is it manifested?
The face in a person with psoriasis can be affected to varying degrees. Usually the lesions are located in its central part (around the eyebrows, eyes), which often occurs in severe psoriasis. They are red, raised above the surface, and covered with scales. Most often, the skin of eyebrows and eyelashes is affected – causing them to fall out and even distort the eyelids. Eyelashes can grow back from an unnatural angle, irritating the eyeball, causing it to become inflamed and making vision difficult.
In turn, when psoriatic lesions appear in the area of the hairline, forehead and ears, they are usually a consequence of scalp psoriasis spreading to this region. When changes appear in the ears, they can block the ear canal, which impairs one of our more important senses, reports the National Psoriasis Foundation. Sometimes changes occur both in the “center” and the perimeter, which represents the mixed type. Very rarely, the lesions show up in the nasal cavity, or on the inside of the cheeks and on the tongue.
How is facial psoriasis formed?
Facial psoriasis is a disease with etiology that is not fully understood. As with all forms of the disease, genetic predisposition, as well as immunological factors inducing the occurrence of skin inflammation and disturbed actinic keratosis are most likely to play a key role.
Also important in this case are environmental determinants, often having the character of direct stimulants of the disease. These include bacterial, viral and fungal infections, drugs (especially painkillers), improperly selected care products, mechanical injuries (cuts, scratches, irritation), stimulants, poor diet, obesity, stress, air pollution as well as solar radiation .
Psoriasis on the face – what to lubricate?
A dermatologist treats psoriasis. The goal of the treatment is to have the best facial skin condition with the lowest possible risk of side effects. In Poland, hydrocortisone ointment is available without a prescription, but we do not recommend using it for a long time. Although this type of treatment can reduce the severity of psoriasis on the face, the side effects of hydrocortisone include thin, transparent and easily cracked skin and frequent bruising.
In addition, you can wash your skin with a saline solution, which will reduce itching and pain. However, the basis of care is everyday:
moisturizing and oiling with creams and balms based on birch tar, vegetable oils (linseed, borage, hemp seed), paraffin, petroleum jelly, ectoine,
exfoliation of flaky skin thanks to salicylic acid and urea ointments, which also increase the absorption of moisturizing creams and steroid ointments,
using delicate cleaning substances,
regular UV filter application to stop flaking caused by descending tan and skin burns.
