Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological skin disease. Psoriasis is expressed in the form of red papules (swollen spots). In recent years, the disease has become more common in people between the ages of 20 and 30. Unfortunately, the modern level of medicine cannot prevent the spread of the disease. Why does psoriasis appear, which should be an effective treatment? Let's take a closer look.
Causes of disease
There are many different assumptions in the world about what causes psoriasis. However, this issue has not been fully studied in medicine. There are various theories, but where psoriasis comes from is still not clear.
There are two main types of psoriasis: due to a hereditary factor (there is a shift in the immune system) and the so-called "late onset type" - after 40 years (affected areas - nails and joints).
Why does psoriasis occur?
At the modern level of medicine, psoriasis is considered a failure in the entire body system, not as a separate disease. In addition to the typical skin rashes, patients also suffer from dysfunction of the endocrine system, nervous and immune.
There is no single answer to the question of what causes psoriasis. There are several typical theories of psoriasis. Let’s dwell on each of them in more detail.
Immunity theory
Immunological theory is recognized by many physicians around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis occurs due to dysfunction of the body's immune system. What causes psoriasis on the body? Typical papules (bright red spots) appear as a result of autoimmune aggression. The immune system perceives the skin cells as foreign, so it gradually rejects them. Characteristic papules appear in their place.
Doctors have long established that psoriasis can develop in the background of ongoing infectious diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis. This theory has a right to exist, because the dysfunction of the immune system provokes psoriasis. By studying the shells of papules, scientists have discovered that they contain antigenic complexes that are not characteristic of healthy cells. There are antibodies to these complexes in the blood, so rejection occurs - papules form.
Low immunity is a fertile ground for the development of psoriasis.
At the genetic level
Unfortunately, psoriasis can be inherited. However, it should be borne in mind that the disease is not transmitted at the level of genes, but a predisposition for it. This fact is confirmed by direct statistics: 60% of patients with psoriasis have blood relatives who have the same diagnosis.
If one of the parents has this disease, then the probability of psoriasis in the child is 25%. If both parents suffer from psoriasis, the risk increases to 75%.
Scientists have proven that the disease is directly related to the chromosomal region, which determines the level of inflammatory response on the skin. However, genetic predisposition cannot be considered the main cause of psoriasis.
Some people are resistant to psoriasis. Among them are Indians living in the Andes, the Eskimos. These peoples have genetic characteristics, thanks to which their representatives never get psoriasis.
Endocrine theory
What causes psoriasis in adults? According to endocrine theory, psoriasis can be the result of hormonal dysfunction. This theory was put forward by doctors after a careful analysis of the course of the disease itself. Excessive production of skin cells is thought to be the result of a disorder in the body’s regulatory function. Accordingly, due to dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal surges in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. However, so far scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the occurrence of psoriasis as such. For this reason, endocrine theory cannot be said to be fundamental.
Neurogenic theory
Neurogenic theory is considered one of the newest. According to her, psoriasis arises "from the nerves", ie psychological factors are to blame. Psoriasis causes neurosis. As a result of the neurosis, the blood vessels are narrowed, the blood flow to the skin is weakened, and papules are formed.
Therefore, it is not in vain that all the people around, when asked what causes psoriasis, immediately answer that it is from the nerves.
According to numerous studies, it becomes clear that stress, deep inner experiences, nervous shocks are the impetus for the appearance of skin rashes.
Virus theory
There is also a viral theory. In its framework, doctors claim that psoriasis can occur as a result of infection. Indeed, during infectious diseases, papules appear more often, and lymph nodes increase. However, some doctors attribute such changes to a weakening of the immune system in general.
In the entire history of the disease, no specific pathogen has been identified that would cause the appearance and development of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a disease that is not transmitted by contact. No cases of infection with this disease have been reported even after a blood transfusion from an infected person to a patient.
Disorders in metabolic processes
During psoriasis, many patients have a low temperature, high cholesterol levels, impaired metabolism of vitamins, carbohydrates and trace elements. All this indicates signs of metabolic disorders in the body.
As a result of repeated studies of patients with psoriasis, doctors came to the conclusion that one of the reasons for the appearance of the disease lies in the violation of metabolic processes.
Factors that trigger psoriasis
In order to understand exactly what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to outline a number of factors that can cause its occurrence. Among the most powerful factors are the following:
- stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, emotional and physical fatigue are fertile ground for recurrence of psoriasis;
- infectious diseases, vaccination;
- changes in the body at the hormonal level (during puberty, during pregnancy, breastfeeding);
- physical injuries: scratches, burns, bites, frostbite;
- taking certain medications: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with improper diet (abundance of sweet, fatty, fried, and also alcohol in the diet);
- when the climate changes (unfavorable conditions - humid climate, sudden changes in temperature);
- in the presence of other dermatological diseases: dermatitis, fungus.
The cause of psoriasis can be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease should reduce the manifestation of the above external factors affecting relapse.
The main symptoms
Psoriasis can manifest at any age, including children. Moreover, the earlier the disease appears, the more precisely it will eventually pass into an advanced stage.
As psoriasis occurs, the photos below show: the formation of rashes, cracks, papules on the surface of the skin (red spots with white scales).
The first signs of psoriasis are:
- cracks and pustular skin rash;
- the nail plate peels off;
- blisters appear on the palms and soles of the feet;
- the skin is very peeling;
- itching in the area of the papule.
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin in the damaged areas is sensitive, but the hairline remains.
There are different forms of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads to the skin of the feet (in the extensor surface of the knee), the papules are covered with white scales;
- seborrheic psoriasis usually occurs in people who additionally suffer from seborrhea; this disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow papules, which stick together with sebum, do not indulge in the inflammatory process and are mainly localized in the scalp, behind the ears and on the face;
- arthropathic psoriasis - papules appear at the site of joints, feet and hands, therefore the disease interferes with their normal mobility;
- inverse - papules are localized in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease is adjacent to problems in the endocrine system of the body;
- psoriasis tears can appear on the head, whence psoriasis of this form occurs - it is not known for sure;
- nail psoriasis - the disease manifests itself exclusively on the nail plates - they thicken and deform, the nails affected by the disease look like a bird's beak;
- psoriatic erythroderma is an extremely severe form of psoriasis manifestation, characterized by plaque fusion; if the patient is neglected, plaques can cover the entire body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, peeling, redness, severe itching and extremely bad condition.
What causes psoriasis on the hands? The reasons are purely individual.
There are various factors and theories that have not been fully proven. However, many doctors agree that the causes of psoriasis can be hidden in disorders of the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.
Stages of psoriasis
There are three stages of psoriasis:
- Progressive phase - characterized by bright red rashes with a possible increase in volume. If you do not start treatment on time, the disease will progress.
- Stationary phase - no new papules appear, and those on the skin have stopped growing.
- Regressive stage - the papules noticeably fade, the size decreases, and the peeling becomes smaller or stops completely.
In order to properly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, a professional consultation with a dermatologist is required. With the help of visual examination, laboratory studies and microscopy, they will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the existing phase.
Psoriasis has appeared: what to do?
Psoriasis is a complex disease, its treatment takes a long time. Relapses often occur even after prolonged remission of the disease. The main goal of treatment is to remove skin rashes. Therefore, it is necessary to prescribe treatment individually, relying on the development of the disease, accompanying symptoms and relapses.
External and internal remedies differ among the main methods of treatment.
External psoriasis treatments:
- fat on solid, lanolin and fatty bases;
- pine tar;
- naphthalene;
- mustard fat;
- hormonal fats (usually prescribed by a doctor in the progressive stage of the disease).
Internal remedies:
- vitamin complex;
- sedatives;
- sedative, neuroleptic;
- hypnotic;
- antidepressants;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmaceutical.
In addition to medication, the patient should remove sweet, fried, spicy, smoked foods from the diet. Do not eat ice cream, coffee, carbonated drinks, mushrooms or pickled foods.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted by contact. The causes and factors of psoriasis are striking in their diversity, so that almost every person can be at risk. Therefore, it is necessary to be careful about one's own health and strengthen the immune system. Avoid stressful situations and nervous strain! First, think about how stress can become for you in the future. Be healthy!