Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease of the skin. Psoriasis is expressed in the form of red papules (swollen spots). In recent years, the disease has become increasingly common in people in their 20s and 30s. Unfortunately, the modern level of medicine cannot prevent the spread of disease. Why does psoriasis appear, what should be the effective treatment? Let's find out in more detail.
Causes of the disease
There are many different types of assumptions in the world about the causes of psoriasis. However, this topic has not been fully studied in medicine. There are various theories, but it is not yet clear where psoriasis comes from.
There are two main types of psoriasis: due to a hereditary factor (there is a change in the immune system) and the so-called "late-onset type", after 40 years (affected areas, nails and joints).
Why does psoriasis appear?
At the modern level of medicine, psoriasis is considered a failure in the entire body system and not as a separate disease. In addition to the typical skin rashes, patients suffer from dysfunction of the endocrine, nervous, and immune systems.
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.
Immunological theory
The immunological theory is recognized by many physicians around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis occurs due to a dysfunction of the body's immune system. What Causes Psoriasis in the Body? Typical papules (bright red spots) appear as a result of autoimmune insult. The immune system perceives skin cells as foreign, so it gradually rejects them. Instead, characteristic papules appear.
Long ago, doctors established that psoriasis can develop against the background of ongoing infectious diseases - sinusitis, tonsillitis. This theory has a right to exist, since the immune system dysfunction and causes psoriasis. By studying the scales of the papules, the scientists discovered that they contain antigenic complexes that are not characteristic of healthy cells. There are antibodies to these complexes in the blood, which is why rejection occurs - papules are formed.
Low immunity is fertile ground for the development of psoriasis.
At the genetic level
Unfortunately, psoriasis can be inherited. However, it must be taken into account that it is not the disease that is transmitted at the genetic level, but the predisposition to it. This fact is confirmed by direct statistics: 60% of psoriasis patients have blood relatives who have the same diagnosis.
If one of the parents is ill with this disease, then the probability of psoriasis in a child is 25%. If both parents have psoriasis, the risk increases to 75%.
Scientists have shown that the disease is directly related to the chromosomal region, which determines the level of inflammatory response in the skin. However, genetic predisposition cannot be considered the main cause of psoriasis.
Some people are resistant to psoriasis. Among them are the Indians who live 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 may be due to hormonal dysfunction. This theory was proposed by doctors after carefully analyzing the course of the disease itself. The overproduction of skin cells is believed to be the result of an alteration in the body's regulatory function. Consequently, due to a dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal increases in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. However, until now, scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the onset of psoriasis as such. That is why the endocrine theory cannot be said to be fundamental.
Neurogenic theory
The neurogenic theory is considered one of the most recent. According to her, psoriasis arises "from the nerves", respectively, psychological factors are to blame. Psoriasis causes neurosis. As a result of neurosis, the blood vessels narrow, the blood supply to the skin weakens, and therefore papules form.
Therefore, not in vain all the people around you, when asked what causes psoriasis, immediately answer that it is from the nerves.
According to a series of studies, it is clear that stress, deep internal experiences, nervous shocks are stimuli for the appearance of skin eruptions.
Viral theory
There is also a viral theory. In their framework, doctors argue that psoriasis can appear as a result of an infection. In fact, during infectious diseases, papules appear more often, and lymph nodes increase. However, some doctors attribute these changes to a weakening of the immune system in general.
In the entire history of the existence of the disease, no specific pathogen has been identified that causes the appearance and development of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a disease that is not transmitted by contact. Not a single case of infection with this disease was recorded, 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, altered 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 have come to the conclusion that one of the reasons for the appearance of the disease lies in the violation of metabolic processes.
Factors that trigger the appearance of psoriasis
To understand exactly what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to delineate the range of factors that can provoke its appearance. Among the most powerful factors are the following:
- stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, emotional and physical fatigue are fertile ground for the recurrence of psoriasis;
- infectious diseases, vaccination;
- changes in the body at the hormonal level (during puberty, during pregnancy, lactation);
- physical injury: scratch, burn, bite, frostbite;
- taking certain medications: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with improper nutrition (abundance of sweets, fats, fried, and also alcohol in the diet);
- when the weather changes (unfavorable conditions - humid weather, sudden changes in temperature);
- in the presence of other dermatological diseases: dermatitis, fungi.
The cause of psoriasis can be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease must minimize the manifestation of the above external factors that affect relapse.
The main symptoms
Psoriasis can occur at any age, including children. Furthermore, the earlier the disease appears, the more precisely it will eventually move to an advanced stage.
How psoriasis appears, the photos below demonstrate: the formation of a rash, cracks, papules on the surface of the skin (red spots with white scales).
The first signs that indicate psoriasis are:
- cracks and pustular rash on the skin;
- the nail plate exfoliates;
- blisters appear on the palms and feet;
- the skin is heavily exfoliated;
- itching in the area of the papules.
With the progression of the disease, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin in the damaged areas is sensitive, but the hairline remains.
There are several forms of manifestation of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads on the skin of the legs (on the extensor surface of the knees), the papules are covered with white scales;
- seborrheic psoriasis generally occurs in people who also suffer from seborrhea; This disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow papules, which adhere to the sebum, do not lend themselves to the inflammatory process and are located mainly on the scalp, behind the ears and on the face;
- arthropathic psoriasis - papules appear at the site of the joints, feet and hands, therefore the disease interferes with their normal mobility;
- reverse - papules are localized in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease is adjacent to problems in the body's endocrine system;
- tear-shaped psoriasis can appear on the head, from which psoriasis appears in this form; 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 fusion of plaques; If the patient's case is neglected, the plates can cover the entire body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, flaking, redness, intense itching and extreme discomfort.
What Causes Psoriasis on the Hands? The reasons are purely individual.
There are several factors and theories that are not 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 stage - characterized by bright red rashes with a possible increase in quantity. If you do not take the treatment in a timely manner, the disease will progress.
- Stationary stage: no new papules appear and those on the skin have stopped growing.
- Regressive stage: the papules noticeably fade, the size decreases, and the scaling decreases or stops completely.
To correctly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, a professional consultation from a dermatologist is required. With the help of a visual examination, laboratory studies and microscopy, you will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the existing stage.
Psoriasis appeared: what to do?
Psoriasis is a complex disease, its treatment takes a long time. Relapses usually appear even after a prolonged remission of the disease. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate skin rashes. That is why it is necessary to prescribe treatment individually, based on the development of the disease, the accompanying symptoms and relapses.
External and internal remedies are distinguished between the main methods of treatment.
External treatments for psoriasis:
- ointment on solid bases, lanolin and fats;
- pine tar;
- naphthalene;
- mustard ointment;
- hormonal ointments (usually the doctor prescribes in the progressive stage of the disease).
Internal remedies:
- vitamin complex;
- sedatives
- tranquilizer, neuroleptic;
- hypnotic;
- antidepressant;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmaceutical agent.
In addition to drug treatment, the patient must eliminate sweet, fried, spicy and smoked foods from the diet. Don't 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 the appearance of psoriasis are surprising in their diversity, which is why almost everyone can be at risk. That is why it is necessary to be attentive to one's own health and strengthen the immune system. Avoid stressful situations and nervous tension! Think first and imagine how stress can turn out for you in the future. Be healthy!