The symptoms of the disease, namely red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, severe itching, cause a lot of discomfort in the arms, legs, groin, hairline, nails, and in severe cases, even the eyes.
Despite the considerable efforts of specialists and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be identified.There are many different theories.Immune system proponents claim 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, existing treatment methods and its symptoms.
Causes of psoriasis
Scientists have not yet succeeded in discovering the main cause of psoriasis.From the experiments, studies and surveys carried out, it was found out under what conditions and factors the disease most often occurs.However, not every factor is found in all cases, which is why theories have been formulated that have not yet been confirmed.
A dermatologist can tell you what psoriasis is and what its symptoms are, but today it is not possible to give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis and what medication will definitely help cure it.
Many patients notice that with stress and non-compliance with dietary rules, psoriasis symptoms can worsen;the disease is also more common in people with weak immunity and metabolism, as well as disorders of the endocrine system.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.
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 supported and popular among specialists.So, its followers believe that the disease appears due to such a phenomenon as autoimmune aggression.Let's look at the principle by which 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 diseased, affected areas become inflamed, areas of scaling appear and the cells die.Peeling is caused by the following factors:
- Friction of affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of injuries, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis have been examined under a microscope and antigenic formations actually occur, while they are absent in healthy areas.But this does not prove the immune theory of the occurrence of psoriasis, since the cause of their occurrence is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriatic symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the “start” of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and compiling statistics.Experts suggest that a person is at greater risk of getting sick if their parents suffer from a similar illness.The reason is a hereditary predisposition.It is possible that not only parents, but also more distant relatives can “pass on” the genes for this disease.
According to the survey results, more than half of the patients have one or more people suffering from a similar illness.Experts compiled statistics and identified risks:
- The risk of a child getting sick if only the father or mother has psoriasis is 1 in 4.
- If both father and mother have psoriasis, the risk is much higher – 3 to 4.
However, from the results we can also notice 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, genetics are not the only one responsible for the appearance 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 related to the fact that during a disease that appears as a result of exposure to viral formations, the symptoms of psoriasis intensify.It has been noted that in some patients, the first symptoms appear during the course of the disease.
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 significantly weakened, and it is she who becomes the cause of the disease.This theory is also refuted by the non-contagious 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 hypothesis: failure of hormone production directly affects the occurrence of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalances.
This occurs precisely due to disruptions in the endocrine system.This includes secretion from the glands, excessive use of medications containing hormones, pregnancy and ovulation in women.Since hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to the appearance of symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active proliferation of cells in the body indicates disruptions in regulation, and it is disrupted precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to doctors' reviews of their patients' observations, it was revealed that in case of dysfunction of the endocrine system, an increase in symptoms is observed.But there is no proof or refutation of this theory, since it has not been possible to establish which hormones are produced to intensify the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients themselves see confirmation of this theory: they notice that after experiencing stress or depression, not only do symptoms, such as itching and rashes, intensify, but many people even show signs of the disease for the first time.This is due to disorders of the nervous system and is related to the psychosomatic characteristics of the patient.
This theory appeared quite recently;no research has been done on this, like other theories.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Intense fatigue, overwork.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, leading to poor blood flow to the skin.It is for this reason, according to experts, that manifestations of psoriasis can 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 solely on the words of patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists around the world put forward a hypothesis 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 in 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 higher than normal.
Factors provoking the appearance of psoriasis
According to the studies, it was revealed which factors most often unite patients with psoriasis, under what conditions the incidence becomes high and what causes an increase in symptoms.Below are the factors in which the incidence is observed most often.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infection in the body can cause symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious illnesses.Therefore, if a patient suffers from various infectious diseases in the course of psoriasis, it is necessary to promptly eliminate the source and symptoms, cure the disease and consult a doctor to prescribe medication.
Pregnancy
It has been observed that during pregnancy, women get sick more often.This is due to hormonal changes, which is why the endocrine theory of psoriasis is applicable here.Therefore, pregnant women should take tests more often, undergo examinations and consultations with their doctor, monitor their general health, try not to worry, follow proper nutrition or the diet prescribed by the doctor, do not drink alcohol or smoke, preferably fall asleep and wake up at the same time, as well as eat food.
Wounds and skin lesions
With various skin lesions, such as wounds, burns, cuts, scratches, there is a risk of developing psoriasis.This element includes chemical damage caused to the skin under the influence of various substances related to household products and any other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and are in constant contact with irritants.In this case, it is necessary to use protective gloves or other methods.
Bad habits
The cause of the disease may be bad habits, including drinking alcohol and smoking.
Use of certain medications
Overdosing on various medications, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, and even vitamins, can increase psoriasis symptoms.This is due to the immune theory of disease onset.
Poor diet
It was 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 correctly and monitor their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet or smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not advisable to choose medications for the treatment of psoriasis on your own, as this can worsen the course of the disease.Your treating dermatologist should diagnose the condition and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis because it is chronic.The right medication will provide rapid symptom relief and long-term remission.
In addition to medications, you need 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 strong coffee and tea.It is also recommended to take medications that will improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to the diet, metabolism is restored.
Doctors also prescribe vitamin complexes including vitamins D, groups B, A and E. It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil and honey.
Psoriasis prevention
To prevent the relapse of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, you can follow the following preventive measures:
- Don't be exposed to stress, anxiety, depression.
- Follow a good diet, give up bad habits and engage in light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restore the functioning of internal organs in case of illnesses.
- See your doctor more often.