The causes of psoriasis have not been precisely established. But scientists agree that several factors can cause skin diseases. This is confirmed by medical research, expert observations. Considering the characteristics of the disease, we will assess the origin of the disease in children and adults; during pregnancy in women; in overweight people with depression, CNS disorder.
Characteristics of the disease
Psoriasis (scaly lichen) is a serious skin disease of an autoimmune nature. The disease can manifest itself both in childhood and in adulthood. Under certain conditions, the patient has severe relapses, even after prolonged treatment. The length of the remission period depends on the severity of the disease, the age, the general health status and the presence of chronic diseases in the patient.
Externally, the disease manifests itself as reddish-pink spots. Skin rashes can occur anywhere on the body. Often with crust. The exacerbation is accompanied by intense itching, the spread of the inflammation area to healthy areas of the epidermis.
The causes of psoriasis are still being studied; Effective methods of psoriasis therapy are being developed with the aim of improving the patient's internal condition and cleaning the skin.
Causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis: The causes of this unpleasant skin condition are many. If a person is diagnosed with this diagnosis, specialists prescribe treatment taking into account the existing heredity, the propensity to allergies, possible hormonal disorders, previous infections, metabolic disorders. Doctors take into account the patient's poor nutrition, stress, the presence of bad habits and an unhealthy lifestyle.
To clarify the cause of psoriasis, health indicators are first analyzed, taking into account the patient's age and sex. Then, the research is carried out in several generally accepted theoretical areas, each of which will be considered below. A detailed summary of the results obtained helps specialists to prescribe an effective treatment.
The most common forms are:
- guttate psoriasis;
- palmoplantar (psoriasis on the head, elbows);
- psoriasis of nails, hands;
- psoriatic erythroderma (skin rashes affect the entire body, including parts of the head);
- pustular form (excessive growth of plaques and abscesses);
- psoriatic arthritis of the joints (damage not only to the cells of the epidermis, but even inflammation of the joints, their gradual deformation) and some others.
Causes of childhood illnesses
Psoriasis in infants and young children is caused by a genetic predisposition. If the parents, close or distant relatives of the family have suffered from some form of this disease, then in 80% of cases the child will inherit.
The disease may not manifest immediately, but in the context of any mild illness, for example, a virus, a common cold. There are other causes of psoriasis in children:
- Disorders of the immune system, caused by the attack of protective cells in their own tissues, referring to foreign tissues. When this process occurs, antibodies to the antigens inside the scales are found in the child's blood.
- Congenital acquired liver diseases.
- Parasites in the intestines.
- Mental disorders, severe emotional stress, dissatisfaction with oneself and others (usually in adolescence), long-term experiences.
- Metabolic disorders: slowing down of metabolic processes, in which body temperature remains low, "harmful" cholesterol goes up, there is a lack of B vitamins, the amount of element C in the epidermis, on the contrary, goes up.
Medical practice confirms that the causes of psoriasis in children can be highly individual.
Causes of psoriasis in adult men and women
What is the cause of psoriasis in adults? The causes of psoriasis in women and men have several factors in common. But due to physiology, thyroid gland disorders, hormonal changes, women are at an increased risk of becoming ill in adulthood. Consider the symptoms of psoriasis in adults: in men and women.
For men
The disease traditionally begins with a characteristic skin lesion. Red, scaly patches on any area of the body are a manifestation of signs of development of the early stage of the disease. Why does this manifest?
Psoriasis in men appears in the context of phenomena such as:
- overload of the central nervous system due to prolonged depressive conditions;
- drinking alcohol, smoking;
- being overweight, slowing metabolism;
- live or work in a polluted environment;
- Dry structure of the upper layer of the epidermis, skin poorly protected due to insufficient moisture / small amount of water.
For women
The causes of psoriasis in women are as follows:
genetics- ;
- weakened immune system (less leukocytes are produced, the quality of tissue nutrition worsens);
- deficiency of vitamins A, group B;
- high cholesterol levels, metabolic disorders;
- infectious diseases not cured in time;
- emotional turmoil;
- timely undetected disorders of the thyroid gland, which gradually lead to hormonal disorders.
Psoriasis theories
After much research, analyzing the origin of eczema in children and adults, scientists began to adhere to several theories. They give an understanding not only of the symptoms in the early and subsequent stages of the disease, but also explain the causes of the exacerbation of psoriasis, the cases of relapse. Let's consider each theory.
Immune
According to doctors, any focal infection can be the cause of psoriasis in the body. For example, tonsillitis, which has become chronic, causes immune failures. And 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, where severe inflammation will form in the future, to which the body will react with autoimmune aggression (roughly mistaking your cells for strangers). The rejection occurs. Further down the chain, with each damage to the skin, psoriatic scales usually form.
Hereditary
It is not difficult to understand the essence of the theory of heredity, it was mentioned above. If a patient's family, regardless of age, has relatives suffering from an autoimmune disease, there are still great risks of becoming ill.
Viral
According to viral theory, psoriasis is called lymphotropic retroviral infection. Herbal antiviral medications are often used to treat psoriasis. It is believed that if a person is predisposed to the disease, then his immunity will not be able to "resist" the psoriatic virus. Thanks to the latest technologies, the institutes of physical and chemical medicine are developing new drugs that can achieve long-term remission.
Allergic
Since psoriasis is mainly a dermatological disease, the allergic theory remains relevant today. Many doctors consider the disease to be of purely allergic origin. This is especially true for psoriatic arthritis. The allergic theory is closely related to the infectious, since the disease is an allergic reaction of the tissue to the structure of streptococci, viral bacteria.
Neurogenic
This theory is associated with functional disorders of the nervous system. Practice shows that many patients with psoriasis before the development of the disease had mental, physical trauma, burns, bruises. The neurogenic effect is confirmed when the patient is given medication to normalize the central and autonomic nervous systems. It has been proven that depression, stress, emotional overload can cause a relapse.
Disorders of metabolic processes
The theory of metabolism is based on numerous studies, observations of the course of the disease, when patients, in addition to the disease under consideration, suffer from lipoid metabolic disorders. Excess weight directly affects the deterioration of the blood composition, the biosynthetic functions of the liver. Toxins accumulate, protective functions are reduced. In short: the body "responds" with rashes. The initial phase begins, plaques appear on the hands and palms.
Hormonal
Hormonal theory is closely related to the theory of metabolic disorders. The reasons for the development of psoriasis in terms of hormonal imbalance are studied, first, in women. Overweight, obesity in men also lead to hormonal disorders, cause eczema.
Infectious
Infectious theory, along with parasitic theory, are among the first. In 1879, scientists discovered a "parasitic fungus". But later studies have not confirmed this. External infections affect immunity and, therefore, can affect the onset of pathology. In practice, psoriasis patients regularly suffered from colds and viral illnesses during the fall and winter periods.
Factors affecting the onset of psoriasis
Factors that directly affect the development of psoriasis are shown in a table:
| Name | Risk of early stage development (%) | Risk of relapse (%) |
| Stress, trauma | 49 | 41 |
| Infections | 15 | 21 |
| Physical injury | 14 | 12 |
| Breastfeeding, adolescence, menopause | 6 | 6 |
| Hypothermia | 5 | 4 |
| Long-term medication | 3 | 6 |
| Alcohol poisoning | 2 | 3 |
| Long exposure to the sun | 2 | 2 |
The factors presented are among the main ones. Let's consider some of them in more detail.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases lead to the development of psoriasis in people with a genetic predisposition; very weak immunity. These diseases are:
bronchitis- ;
- sore throat; pharyngitis;
- flu with complications;
- fungal and staphylococcal infections.
Untreated infection, self-medication or illiterate prescription of drugs sooner or later cause acne. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner, not to start treatment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is characterized by global hormonal changes in the body. Immunity weakens as all forces are expended in maintaining the fetus' development. It is during pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding that psoriatic skin rashes appear. Normally, after the body is restored, hormones are normalized, the disease subsides or disappears entirely.
Injuries and damage to the surface of the epidermis
Mechanical damage to the skin can create a favorable environment for the development of acne at the wound site. Psoriatic plaques will appear after healing. According to many dermatologists, the reason in this case is an aggressive reaction of the body to its own cells.
Bad habits
As alcohol abuse and smoking negatively affect the health of all people, doctors tend to believe that people with these habits are at risk. At a young age, the body will still have the strength to handle such a "load". But gradually, health will deteriorate. Bad habits, along with stress, are the main causes of psoriasis.
Use of illegal medicines
People with weak, emotional, overly susceptible nervous systems, as well as all people at risk, are advised not to resort to self-medication. It is important to contact competent experts due to the possibility of using prohibited drugs. An allergic reaction to a medication can cause acne. Not all medications can be taken during pregnancy.
An illiterate approach to treating mild illness may trigger the development of severe autoimmune dermatosis in the future.
Eating Disorder
The psoriasis diet is mandatory. It should be borne in mind that with the help of some food products, the patient has the opportunity to quickly overcome a relapse, consolidate the result and completely forget the medicinal creams and ointments for psoriasis.
Spiritual reasons
Psoriasis is the need to accept yourself, your illness, your skin, give up guilt and be positive. The psychological factor, a person's mood, is one of the reasons for the onset of psoriatic eczema. The disposition to calm, a successful result contributes to the normal course of the healing process, obtaining a healthy skin surface.
Prognosis of the disease
Psoriasis appears not only on the skin, but also on Organs internal organs. For patients, it is important to respect their own health, state of mind and nutrition. The disease leads the person to choose: either a healthy lifestyle or psoriasis. Treatment involves not only the use of ointments and other means, but also cleaning the body from the inside, removing toxins.
The key to success in the fight against psoriasis is based on a positive attitude, adherence to the doctor's recommendations, diet and stress elimination.