What are the causes of psoriasis? An overview of theories of disease appearance

The causes of psoriasis are not clear. However, scientists believe that various factors can cause skin diseases. This is confirmed by medical research and expert observations. Given the nature of the disease, we will assess the origin of the disease in children and adults; during pregnancy in women; depression, overweight people with CNS disorders.

Features of the disease

Psoriasis is a serious dermatological disease of autoimmune nature. The disease can be felt in both infancy and adulthood. Under certain conditions, the patient has severe relapses even after long-term treatment. The duration of remission depends on the severity of the disease, age, general health and the presence of chronic diseases in the patient.

Externally, the disease manifests itself as red-pink spots. Rash can occur anywhere on the body. Often peeled. Exacerbation is accompanied by severe itching, the spread of the inflammatory area to healthy areas of the epidermis.

The causes of psoriasis are still being investigated; Effective methods of psoriasis therapy are being developed both to improve the patient's internal condition and to cleanse the skin.

Causes of psoriasis

Pearl: There are many causes of this unpleasant skin condition. If a person is diagnosed with this disease, specialists prescribe treatment based on the existing heredity, allergy susceptibility, possible hormonal diseases, previous infections, metabolic diseases. Doctors take into account the patient's poor nutrition, stress, the presence of harmful habits and a harmful lifestyle.

To determine the cause of psoriasis, health indicators are first analyzed, taking into account the age and sex of the patient. The research is then conducted in several generally accepted theoretical areas, each of which will be discussed below. A detailed summary of the results helps specialists to prescribe effective treatment.

The most common forms are:

  • guttate psoriasis;
  • palmar-plantar (psoriasis on the head, elbows);
  • psoriasis of nails, hands;
  • psoriatic erythroderma (skin rash affects the whole body, including parts of the head);
  • pustular form (excessive growth of plaques and abscesses);
  • refers to psoriatic arthritis of the joints (not only epidermal cells, but also inflammation of the joints, gradual deformation) and others.

Causes of childhood illness

Psoriasis in infants and young children is caused by a genetic predisposition. If the parents, close or distant relatives in the family suffer from any kind of this disease, then in 80% of cases the child will inherit it.Causes of the disease in childhoodThe disease may not manifest itself immediately, but against the background of any mild illness, such as a virus, a cold. There are other causes of psoriasis in children:

  1. Disorders of the immune system due to the transfer of protective cells to their own tissues to foreign tissues. When this process occurs, antibodies against the antigens in the scales are found in the child's blood.
  2. Congenital, acquired liver diseases.
  3. Intestinal parasites.
  4. Mental disorders, severe emotional stress, dissatisfaction with oneself and others (often in adolescence), long-term experiences.
  5. Metabolic disorders: slowing of metabolic processes, as a result of which the body temperature drops, "harmful" cholesterol rises, B vitamins are deficient, and the amount of C in the epidermis increases.

Medical experience confirms that the causes of psoriasis in children can be very individual.

Causes of psoriasis in adult men and women

What causes psoriasis in adults? The causes of psoriasis in women and men have a number of common factors. However, due to physiology, thyroid disorders, hormonal changes, women have a higher risk of developing the disease in adulthood. Consider the symptoms of psoriasis in adults: men and women.

For men

The disease traditionally begins with a characteristic skin lesion. Red, spotty spots on any part of the body are a sign of the development of the early stages of the disease. Why does it show itself?

In men, psoriasis appears against the background of the following phenomena:

  • Excessive stress on the central nervous system due to long-term depression;
  • drinking alcohol, smoking;
  • overweight slows down metabolism;
  • living or working in a polluted environment;
  • Dry structure of the upper layer of the epidermis, skin that is poorly protected due to insufficient moisture / low water intake.

For women

The causes of psoriasis in women are as follows:

  • genetic;
  • weakened immune system (less leukocytes are produced, the quality of tissue nutrition deteriorates);
  • A, vitamin B deficiency;
  • high cholesterol levels, metabolic diseases;
  • infectious diseases that are not treated in time;
  • emotional anxiety;
  • Undiagnosed disorders of the thyroid gland, which gradually lead to hormonal disorders.

psoriasis theories

Psoriasis theories

After much research into the origins of eczema in children and adults, scientists have begun to apply several theories. They explain not only the symptoms of the first and subsequent stages of the disease, but also the causes of exacerbation of psoriasis, relapses. Let's look at each theory.

immunity

According to doctors, any focal infection can cause psoriasis in the body. For example, chronic tonsillitis causes immune deficiencies. Disorders of the immune system are the first step in the development of dermatitis.

Accidental damage to the surface of the epidermis can lead to the development of a focus in which future severe inflammation will occur, in which the body will react with autoimmune aggression (confusing the cells with the outside). Refusal occurs. Along the chain, psoriatic scales generally form with each damage to the skin.

Heritage

It is not difficult to understand the essence of the theory of heredity, as mentioned above. If a patient's family, regardless of age, has relatives suffering from an autoimmune disease, the risk is still high.

Viral

According to viral theory, psoriasis is called a retrovirus lymphotropic infection. Herbal antiviral drugs are often used to treat psoriasis. It is believed that if a person is prone to the disease, his immunity will not be able to "resist" the psoriatic virus. Thanks to the latest technology, physical and chemical medical institutes are developing new drugs that can achieve long-term remission.

Allergic

Since psoriasis is mainly a dermatological disease, the theory of allergy is still relevant today. Many doctors believe that the disease is completely allergic in origin. This is especially true for psoriatic arthritis. Allergic theory is closely related to the infectious, because the disease is an allergic tissue reaction to the structure of streptococci, viral bacteria.

Neurogenic

This theory is associated with functional disorders of the nervous system. Experience shows that before the development of the disease, many patients with psoriasis had mental, physical trauma, burns, contusions. The neurogenic effect is confirmed when the patient is prescribed drugs to normalize the functioning of the autonomic and central nervous systems. Depression, stress, and emotional overload have been shown to cause relapse.

Disorders of metabolic processes

The theory of metabolism is based on numerous studies and observations of the course of the disease, in which patients suffer from lipoid metabolic disorders in addition to the disease under consideration. Being overweight has a direct effect on the composition of the blood, the biosynthetic functions of the liver. Toxins accumulate, protective functions are reduced. Bottom line: the body "responds" to skin rashes. The initial stage begins, plaques appear on the hands and palms.

Metabolic diseases

Hormonal

Hormonal theory is closely related to the theory of metabolic diseases. The reasons for the development of psoriasis in terms of hormonal imbalance are studied primarily in women. Excess weight and obesity in men also cause hormonal disorders, causing eczema.

Infectious

Infectious theory, along with parasitic theory, is among the first. In 1879, scientists discovered a "parasitic fungus. "However, subsequent studies did not confirm this fact. External infections affect immunity and can therefore affect the onset of pathology. In practice, psoriasis patients regularly suffered from colds and viral illnesses in the fall and winter.

Factors affecting the appearance of psoriasis

The factors that directly affect the development of psoriasis are shown in the table:

ad early stage development risk (%) risk of recurrence (%)
Stress, trauma 49 41
Infections 15 21
Physical injury 14 12
breastfeeding, adolescence, menopause 6 6
hypothermia 5 4
long-acting medication 3 6
Alcohol poisoning 2 3
Don't stay in the sun for long 2 2

The presented factors are one of the main factors. Let's take a closer look at some of them.

Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases cause the development of psoriasis in people with genetic predisposition; very weak immunity. Such diseases:

  • bronchitis;
  • sore throat;
  • pharyngitis;
  • complicated flu;
  • staphylococcal, fungal infections.

An untreated infection, self-medication or illiterate prescription of drugs can sooner or later cause dermatosis. It is important to consult a doctor in time not to start treatment.

Pregnancy

Pregnancy is characterized by global hormonal changes in the body. Immunity is weakened. All efforts are made to protect the development of the fetus. Psoriatic skin rashes occur during pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding. In general, after the recovery of the body, the normalization of hormones, the disease decreases or disappears completely.

Injury and damage to the surface of the epidermis

Mechanical damage to the skin can create favorable conditions for the development of dermatosis at the wound site. Psoriatic plaques will appear after healing. According to many dermatologists, the cause of this condition is the body's aggressive reaction to its own cells.

Bad habits

Doctors believe that people with such habits are at risk because alcohol abuse and smoking have a negative impact on everyone's health. At a young age, the body will still have the strength to cope with such a "burden". But gradually health will deteriorate. Bad habits, along with stress, are the main causes of psoriasis.

Illicit drug use

Medications

People with weak nervous systems, emotional, hypersensitivity, as well as anyone at risk are advised not to self-medicate. It is important to contact an authorized professional because of the possibility of using banned drugs. An allergic reaction to a drug can cause dermatosis. Not all medications can be taken during pregnancy.

An illiterate approach to the treatment of a mild disease can lead to the development of a serious autoimmune dermatosis in the future.

Eating Disorders

Diet is a must for psoriasis. It should be borne in mind that with the help of certain foods it is possible to quickly eliminate the relapse of the patient, strengthen the result and completely forget about the creams and ointments for psoriasis.

Spiritual Reasons

Psoriasis requires accepting yourself, your illness, your skin, giving up guilt, and being positive. Psychological factor, a person's mood, is one of the reasons for the onset of psoriatic eczema. Mood for calmness, a successful result helps to achieve a healthy skin surface and the normal course of the healing process.

Disease prognosis

Psoriasis occurs not only on the skin, but also on the internal organs. It is important for patients to respect their health, mood and nutrition. The disease forces a person to choose: either a healthy lifestyle, or psoriasis. Treatment consists not only of the use of ointments and other means, but also of cleansing the body from the inside, removing toxins.Disease prognosisThe key to success in the fight against psoriasis is based on a positive attitude, following the advice of doctors, diet and stress management.