Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disorder of the skin. Psoriasis is expressed in the form of papules (swollen spots) of red color. 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 disease from spreading. Why does psoriasis occur, what should be the effective treatment? Let's find out in more detail.
Causes of the disease
There are many different kinds of assumptions in the world about what causes psoriasis. However, this problem 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?
In modern medicine, psoriasis is viewed as a failure in the integral system of the body rather than a disease in itself. In addition to typical rashes, patients suffer from a 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 about psoriasis. Let's dwell on each of them in more detail.
Immune theory
The immune theory is recognized by many doctors around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis occurs due to a malfunction in 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 skin cells as foreign and gradually rejects them. Characteristic papules appear in their place.
Long ago, doctors noted that psoriasis can develop against the background of persistent infectious diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis. This theory has a right to exist as it provokes dysfunction of the immune system and psoriasis. When examining papule scales, scientists found that they contain antigen complexes that are not characteristic of healthy cells. There are antibodies to these complexes in the blood, so 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 should be taken into account that it is not the disease that is transmitted at the gene level, but the predisposition to it. This fact is confirmed by direct statistics: 60% of patients with psoriasis have blood relatives who have the same diagnosis.
If either parent has this disease, the chance of psoriasis in a child is 25%. If both parents have psoriasis, the risk rises to 75%.
Scientists have shown that the disease is directly related to the chromosomal region, which determines the extent of the 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 can result from hormonal dysfunction. This theory was established by doctors themselves after careful analysis of the course of the disease. It is believed that excessive production of skin cells is the result of a disruption in the regulatory function of the body. Accordingly, due to a dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal fluctuations in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. So far, however, scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the occurrence of psoriasis as such. Because of this, the endocrine theory cannot be called fundamental.
Neurogenic Theory
The neurogenic theory is considered to be one of the most recent. In her opinion, psoriasis arises "from the nerves", with psychological factors to blame. Psoriasis provokes neurosis. As a result of neurosis, the blood vessels become narrowed, the blood supply to the skin is weakened, as a result of which papules form.
Therefore, it is not for nothing that when asked what causes psoriasis, all people immediately answer that it comes from the nerves.
A number of studies have shown that stress, deep inner experiences and nervous shock are stimuli for the appearance of rashes.
Viral theory
There is also a viral theory. In this context, doctors argue that psoriasis can occur as a result of infection. In fact, with infectious diseases, papules are more common and the lymph nodes increase. However, some doctors attribute such 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 would provoke the appearance and development of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a disease that is not transmitted through contact. Even after a blood transfusion from an infected person to a patient, not a single case of infection with this disease was recorded.
Disturbances in metabolic processes
During psoriasis, many patients have a low temperature, high cholesterol, and impaired metabolism of vitamins, carbohydrates and trace elements. All of this indicates signs of metabolic disorders in the body.
Due to repeated studies on 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 occurrence of psoriasis
In order to understand exactly what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to outline the number of factors that can provoke its occurrence. The strongest factors include:
- Stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, emotional and physical fatigue are fertile reasons for psoriasis to recur.
- Infectious diseases, vaccination;
- Changes in the body at the hormonal level (during puberty, during pregnancy, breastfeeding);
- Assault: scratches, burns, bites, frostbite;
- Taking certain drugs: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with improper diet (an abundance of sweet, fat, fried, and even alcohol in the diet);
- when the climate changes (adverse conditions - humid climate, sudden changes in temperature);
- in the presence of other dermatological diseases: dermatitis, fungus.
The cause of psoriasis may be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease should minimize the manifestation of the above external factors affecting relapse.
The main symptoms
Psoriasis can manifest itself at any age, including children. The earlier the disease occurs, the more precisely it will eventually move to an advanced stage.
The following photos show how psoriasis occurs: the formation of rashes, cracks, papules on the surface of the skin (red spots with white scales).
The first signs that indicate psoriasis are:
- Cracks and rash;
- the nail plate is peeling off;
- Blisters appear on the palms and feet;
- the skin is severely peeled off;
- Itching in the area of the papules.
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin in the damaged areas is sensitive, but the hairline remains intact.
There are several forms of the manifestation of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads on the skin of the legs (in the extensor surface of the knees), papules are covered with white scales;
- seborrheic psoriasis usually occurs in people who also have seborrhea; This disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow papules stuck together with sebum, unsuitable for the inflammatory process, localized mainly in the scalp, behind the ears and face.
- arthropathic psoriasis - papules appear in the place of joints, feet and hands, so the disease affects their normal range of motion;
- inverse - papules are localized in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease borders on problems in the endocrine system of the body;
- Tear psoriasis can appear on the head from which psoriasis of this form originates - it is not known for sure;
- Psoriasis of the nails - 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;
- Erythroderma psoriasis is an extremely severe form of the manifestation of psoriasis, which is characterized by the fusion of plaques; If the patient's case is neglected, the plaques can cover the entire body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, peeling, redness, severe itching and extreme discomfort.
What causes psoriasis on the hands? The reasons are purely individual.
There are various 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 hormonal systems.
Stages of psoriasis
There are three stages of psoriasis:
- Progressive stage - it is characterized by bright red rashes with a possible increase in the amount. If you do not start treatment on time, the disease will progress.
- Stationary stage - new papules do not appear, and those that are on the skin have stopped growing.
- Regression stage - the papules noticeably fade, decrease in size, and peeling decreases or they stop entirely.
In order to properly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, professional advice from a dermatologist is required. With the help of visual examinations, laboratory tests, and microscopy, he can make an accurate diagnosis and determine the existing stage.
Psoriasis appeared: what to do?
Psoriasis is a complex disease that takes a long time to treat. Relapses often occur even after prolonged remission of the disease. The main goal of treatment is to get rid of rashes. That is why it is necessary to prescribe treatment individually, depending on the development of the disease, accompanying symptoms and relapses.
External and internal remedies are distinguished between the main treatment methods.
External treatments for psoriasis:
- Solid, lanolin and fat based ointment;
- Pine tar;
- Naphthalene;
- Mustard ointment;
- Hormone ointments (usually the doctor prescribes as the disease progresses).
Internal remedies:
- Complex of vitamins;
- Sedatives;
- Sedative, neuroleptic;
- hypnotic;
- Antidepressant;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmaceutical agent.
In addition to drug treatment, the patient needs to remove sweet, fried, spicy and 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 through contact. The causes and factors for the occurrence of psoriasis are striking in their diversity, so that almost everyone can be at risk. That is why it is necessary to take care of your own health and strengthen the immune system. Avoid stressful situations and nervous stress! First, think and imagine how stress may turn out to be for you in the future. Health!