The symptoms of the disease, namely red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, intense itching, cause a lot of discomfort in the arms, legs, groin area, hairline, nails and, in severe cases, even in the eyes.
Despite the great efforts of experts and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be identified.There are many different theories.Immune system advocates argue that the disease is affected by low immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with a similar condition.
Patients notice that, after experiencing stress, symptoms intensify.Many believe that metabolism, the functioning of the endocrine system and other factors influence psoriasis.In this article, we will take a closer look at the causes of psoriasis, what treatment methods exist and its symptoms.
Causes of psoriasis
Scientists have not yet been able to discover the main cause of psoriasis.From the experiments, studies and research carried out, it was discovered under which conditions and factors the disease occurs most frequently.However, each factor is not found in all cases, so theories have been formed that have not yet been confirmed.
A dermatologist can tell you what psoriasis is, what its symptoms are, but today it is not possible to give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis and which medicine will certainly help cure it.
Many patients notice that under stress and non-compliance with dietary rules, psoriasis symptoms can worsen;the disease is also more common in people with poor immunity and metabolism and endocrine system disorders.But it is not known whether these factors actually influence the disease.
Let's look at the following main theories about the cause of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- Immune
- Genetic.
- Viral.
- Endocrine.
- Neurogenic.
- Metabolic disorder.
The symptoms of psoriasis and a description of its types can be seen in the photo;The causes of the disease are listed below.
Immune theory of psoriasis
This theory is considered one of the most substantiated and popular among experts.Thus, its adherents believe that the disease arises due to a phenomenon such as autoimmune aggression.Let's look at the principle by which this happens.
As the immune system does not function properly, it identifies healthy cells as pathological and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become sick, affected areas become inflamed, areas of scaling appear and cells die.Peeling is caused by the following factors:
- Rubbing the affected areas.
- Weather-related skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
The cells affected by psoriasis were examined under a microscope and antigenic formations actually occur, although they are absent in healthy areas.But this does not prove the immunological theory of the appearance of psoriasis, since the cause of its appearance is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriasis symptoms.The immunological factor often becomes the “start” of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting surveys, surveys and compiling statistics.Experts suggest that a person is at greater risk of getting sick if their parents have a similar illness.The reason for this is a hereditary predisposition.It is possible that not only parents, but also more distant relatives can “transmit” genes with this disease.
According to research results, more than half of patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.Experts compiled statistics and identified risks:
- The risk of a child getting sick if only the parent has psoriasis is 1 in 4.
- If both the father and mother have psoriasis, the risk is much higher – 3 to 4.
However, from the results we can also see that patients may not have sick relatives.Therefore, the hereditary factor is not considered the main one.The theory that not one, but two or more factors lead to the disease is confirmed by this study.Therefore, not only genetics are to blame for the onset of the disease.
Viral theory
For a long time, many experts believed that viral infections predisposed to the onset of skin diseases.The hypothesis is linked to the fact that during a disease that arises as a result of exposure to viral formations, the symptoms of psoriasis intensify.It was noticed that in some patients the first symptoms appeared during the illness period.
Opponents of this theory put forward a refutation: this theory is directly related to the immune system, since when the body is damaged by viruses, the patient's immune defense is greatly weakened, and this is what becomes the cause of the disease.This theory is also refuted by the non-infectious nature of psoriasis.Since it is impossible to contract a disease from another patient, the disease is not viral in nature.
Endocrine theory
Proponents of the endocrine theory put forward the following assumption: failure in hormone production directly affects the onset of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalances.
This happens precisely because of disruptions in the endocrine system.These include secretion of glands, excessive use of hormone-containing medications, pregnancy and ovulation in women.As hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to the onset of symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active proliferation of cells in the body indicates disturbances in regulation, and is disturbed precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to doctors' reviews of their patients' observations, it was revealed that with dysfunction of the endocrine system, an increase in symptoms is observed.But there is no evidence or refutation of this theory, since it was not possible to establish which hormones are produced intensifying the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients experience confirmation of this theory for themselves: they notice that after experiencing stress and depression, not only do symptoms such as itching and rashes intensify, but many people even experience signs of the disease for the first time.This is due to disorders of the nervous system and is related to the patient's psychosomatics.
This theory has appeared recently;no research has been carried out on this like other theories.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Severe fatigue, overwork.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, resulting in insufficient blood flow to the skin.This is why, according to experts, manifestations of psoriasis may appear.So, in the last century, doctors noticed that the signs of the disease, according to their patients, appeared after experiments.Therefore, this theory was built exclusively based on the patients' words.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists around the world have an assumption related to the fact that psoriasis appears due to poor metabolism in the patient's body.According to numerous studies carried out, carried out on the basis of tests in laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similarities in their results.
Patients with psoriasis have slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed by a noticeable decrease in temperature, high cholesterol levels and various toxic formations that were not processed by the body in time and were not eliminated from it.
Lack of retinol in the blood, adermin, cyanocobalamin (vitamins A, B6, B12, respectively) - this is what characterizes the course of the disease.At the same time, the level of ascorbic acid is above normal.
Factors provoking the occurrence of psoriasis
According to the studies, the factors that most unite patients with psoriasis were revealed, under which conditions the incidence becomes high and what causes an increase in symptoms.Below are the factors in which the incidence is most frequently observed.
Infectious diseases
Several diseases associated with the development of infections in the body can cause symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious illnesses.Therefore, if a patient becomes ill with various infectious diseases during psoriasis, it is necessary to promptly eliminate the source and symptoms, cure the disease and consult a doctor to prescribe medications.
Pregnancy
It has been observed that during pregnancy women get sick more often.This is due to hormonal changes, so the endocrine theory of psoriasis is applicable here.Therefore, pregnant women need to take exams more frequently, undergo exams and consultations with the doctor, monitor their general health status, try not to worry, follow the appropriate diet or diet prescribed by the doctor, not drink alcoholic beverages or smoke, preferably fall asleep and wake up at the same time, in addition to eating food.
Injuries and damage to the skin
With various skin injuries, such as wounds, burns, cuts, scratches, there is a risk of developing psoriasis.This item includes chemical damage to the skin under the influence of various substances related to household use and any other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and have constant contact with irritants – in this case, the use of protective gloves or other methods is necessary.
Bad habits
The cause of the disease can be bad habits, including alcohol consumption and smoking.
Use of certain medications
Overdose of various medications, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants and even vitamins, can increase psoriasis symptoms.This is due to the immunological theory of the onset of the disease.
Poor nutrition
It is noticed that in people who do not follow the rules of proper nutrition, the symptoms manifest themselves much more clearly than in those who eat properly and monitor their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet or smoked foods.
Psoriasis treatment
It is not advisable to select medications for the treatment of psoriasis on your own, as this may worsen the course of the disease.The treating dermatologist must diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis as it is chronic.The right medicine will provide quick symptom relief and long-term remission.
In addition to medication, it is necessary to 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 medications that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to the diet, metabolism is restored.
Doctors also prescribe vitamin complexes that include vitamins D, group B, A and E. It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil and honey.
Psoriasis prevention
To prevent a relapse of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, the following preventive measures can be followed:
- Do not expose yourself to stress, anxiety, depression.
- Follow a proper diet, abandon bad habits and do light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restore the functioning of internal organs if there are diseases.
- Visit your doctor more often.