The symptoms of the disease i.e. red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, severe itching on the arms, legs, groin area, hairline, nails and in severe cases even the eyes cause a lot of discomfort.
Despite the great efforts of experts and scientists, it is not possible to determine the cause of the disease.There are many different theories.Proponents of immunity claim that the disease is affected by weak immunity.Studies confirm that parents with psoriasis often have children with the same disease.
Patients report that symptoms worsen after stress.Many believe that psoriasis is influenced by metabolism, endocrine system activity, and other factors.In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes of psoriasis, what treatments are available, and its symptoms.
Causes of psoriasis
Scientists have not yet discovered the main cause of psoriasis.From the conducted experiments, researches, and surveys, it became known that the conditions and factors in which the disease occurs more often.However, not every factor is found in all cases, so unconfirmed theories have been formed.
A dermatologist can tell you what psoriasis is, what are its symptoms, but today it is impossible to give a clear answer to the question of what causes psoriasis and which medicine will definitely help to treat it.
Many patients report that stress and poor diet can worsen psoriasis symptoms;This disease is also more common in people with weak immunity and metabolism, with disorders of the endocrine system.However, it is not known whether these factors actually affect the disease.
Let's take a look at the following main theories about the causes of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- Immunity
- Genetic.
- Viral.
- Endocrine.
- Neurogenic.
- Metabolic disorder.
Psoriasis symptoms and description of its types can be seen in the photo;The causes of the disease are listed below.
The immune theory of psoriasis
This theory is considered one of the most well-founded and popular among experts.Thus, its supporters believe that the disease occurs due to a phenomenon such as autoimmune aggression.Let's see how this happens.
Since the immune system does not work properly, it identifies healthy cells as pathological and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become sick, the affected areas become inflamed, peeling areas appear and cells die.Peeling is caused by the following factors:
- Rubbing the affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis were examined under a microscope and antigenic compounds do indeed occur when they are absent in healthy areas.However, this does not prove the immune theory of the appearance of psoriasis, because the reason for their appearance is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriatic symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the "starter" of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and collecting statistics.Experts suggest that a person whose parents have a similar disease has a higher risk of developing the disease.The reason for this is a hereditary tendency.It is possible that not only parents, but also more distant relatives can "transmit" genes with this disease.
According to the results of the survey, more than half of the patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.Experts have compiled statistical data and determined the risks:
- If only one parent has psoriasis, the child has a 1 in 4 chance of developing it.
- If both father and mother have psoriasis, the risk is higher - from 3 to 4.
However, we can also observe from the results that patients may not have sick relatives.Therefore, the hereditary factor is not considered the main factor.The theory that the disease is caused by two or more factors rather than one is confirmed by this study.Therefore, genetics is not the only culprit in the occurrence of the disease.
Viral theory
For a long time, many experts believed that viral infections predispose to the appearance of skin diseases.The hypothesis is associated with the intensification of psoriasis symptoms during a disease that appears as a result of exposure to viral formations.In some patients, it was noted that the first symptoms appeared during the illness.
Opponents of this theory refuted: this theory is directly related to the immune system, because when the body is damaged by viruses, the patient's immune defense is greatly weakened, and this is the cause of the disease.This theory is also disproved by the non-contagious nature of psoriasis.The disease is not viral because it is impossible to contract the disease from another patient.
Endocrine theory
Proponents of the endocrine theory put forward the following hypothesis: the failure of hormone production directly affects the appearance of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalance.
This happens due to disorders in the endocrine system.This includes the secretion of glands, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, pregnancy and ovulation in women.Since hormonal levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to the appearance of symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active reproduction of cells in the body indicates a violation of regulation, and it is disturbed precisely because of endocrine reasons.
According to doctors' opinions about the observations of their patients, an increase in symptoms is observed with the dysfunction of the endocrine system.But there is no proof or disproof of this theory, because it was not possible to determine which hormones are produced that aggravate the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients experience the confirmation of this theory for themselves: after experiencing stress and depression, they notice that symptoms such as itching and rash not only intensify, but in many people they show symptoms of the disease for the first time.It is related to disorders in the nervous system and is related to the psychosomatics of the patient.
This theory appeared very recently;like other theories, no research has been done on it.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiments.
- Insomnia.
- Severe fatigue, overwork.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels narrow, as a result, blood flow to the skin weakens.That is why, according to experts, manifestations of psoriasis may appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that according to their patients, the symptoms of the disease appeared after experiments.Therefore, this theory is based only on the words of patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists from all over the world have a hypothesis that psoriasis appears as a result of poor metabolism in the patient's body.According to numerous studies conducted under laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similarities in their results.
Psoriasis patients have a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed by a significant decrease in temperature, a high level of cholesterol and various toxic compounds that are not processed by the body in time and are not removed from it.
Lack of retinol, adermin, cyanocobalamin (vitamins A, B6, B12, respectively) in the blood - this is what characterizes the course of the disease.At the same time, the level of ascorbic acid is higher than normal.
Factors that cause psoriasis
According to the conducted research, what factors most often unite patients with psoriasis, under which conditions the occurrence of cases increases and the factors that lead to an increase in symptoms have been discovered.Below are the factors with which the incident is observed more often.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infection in the body can provoke the symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious illness.Therefore, if the patient is sick with various infectious diseases during psoriasis, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor to eliminate the source and symptoms, treat the disease, and prescribe medication.
Pregnancy
It was observed that women get sick more often during pregnancy.This is due to hormonal changes, so the endocrine theory of psoriasis applies here.Therefore, pregnant women should undergo more frequent examinations, undergo medical examinations and consultations, monitor their general health, try not to worry, follow proper nutrition or the diet prescribed by the doctor, do not smoke alcohol and smoke, sleep and wake up at the same time, and eat.
Injuries and skin damage
There is a risk of developing psoriasis with various lesions of the skin, for example, wounds, burns, cuts, scratches.This article covers chemical damage to the skin under the influence of various substances related to household and any other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and are constantly in contact with irritants - in this case, it is necessary to use protective gloves or other methods.
Bad habits
The cause of the disease can be bad habits, including alcohol and smoking.
Use of certain drugs
Overdosage of various medications such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, even vitamins can increase the symptoms of psoriasis.This is related to the immune theory of the onset of the disease.
Poor nutrition
It was found that people who do not follow the rules of proper nutrition have more pronounced symptoms than those who eat properly and control their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet and smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not recommended to independently choose drugs for the treatment of psoriasis, as this can worsen the course of the disease.The treating dermatologist must diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.Because psoriasis is chronic, it cannot be completely cured.The right medicine will help to quickly get rid of symptoms and long-term remission.
In addition to taking medication, you should follow a special diet for psoriasis.This will reduce oil production by the sebaceous glands.The diet excludes the consumption of fatty, smoked, spicy, salty foods, alcohol and tobacco.It is forbidden to drink coffee and strong tea.It is also recommended to take drugs that will improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to the diet, the metabolism is restored.
Doctors also prescribe vitamin complexes containing vitamins D, B, A and E.It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil and honey.
Prevention of psoriasis
To prevent the recurrence of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, you can follow the following preventive measures:
- Don't be stressed, anxious, depressed.
- Follow proper nutrition, give up bad habits, do light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- If there are diseases, restore the work of internal organs.
- Visit your doctor more often.