Symptoms of the disease, namely red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, severe itching, cause a lot of discomfort in the arms, legs, groin area, hairline, nails, and in severe cases even the eyes.
Despite the great efforts of specialists and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be identified.There are many different theories.Immune supporters argue that the disease is affected by poor immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with a similar disease.
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 uncover the main cause of psoriasis.From the experiments, studies, and surveys conducted, it was found out under what conditions and factors the disease occurs more often.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 what drug will definitely help cure it.
Many patients notice that under stress and non-compliance with dietary rules, the symptoms of psoriasis can worsen; the disease is also more common in people with poor immunity and metabolism, and disorders of the endocrine system.But whether these factors actually influence the disease is unknown.
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 most popular among specialists.Thus, its adherents believe that the disease appears due to a phenomenon such as autoimmune aggression.Let's look at the principle by which this happens.
Since the immune system does not work correctly, it identifies healthy cells as pathological and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become diseased, affected areas become inflamed, areas of peeling appear, and cells die.Peeling is provoked by the following factors:
- Friction of affected areas.
- Skin damage of a climatic nature: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis were 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 appearance of psoriasis, since the cause of their appearance is unknown.Many scientists believe that immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriatic symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the “start” for the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and compiling statistics.Experts suggest that a person has a greater risk of getting sick if his parents have a similar disease.The reason for this is a hereditary predisposition.It is possible that not only parents, but also more distant relatives can “pass on” genes with this disease.
According to survey results, more than half of patients have one or more people who suffer 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 the 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, not only genetics is to blame for the occurrence of the disease.
Viral theory
For a long time, many experts believed that viral infections predispose to the appearance of skin diseases.The hypothesis is connected with the fact that during a disease that appears 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 period of illness.
Opponents of this theory have 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 it is this that 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 have put forward the following assumption: failure of hormone production directly affects the appearance of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalances.
This happens precisely because of disruptions to the endocrine system.This includes the secretion of glands, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, pregnancy, and ovulation in women.Since hormonal 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 disturbances in regulation, and it is disrupted precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to doctors' reviews of observations of their patients, 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 show signs of the disease for the first time.This is due to disorders in the nervous system, and it is connected with the patient’s psychosomatics.
This theory appeared quite recently; no research has been carried out on it, 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 poor blood flow to the skin.It is because of this, according to experts, that manifestations of psoriasis may appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that signs of the disease, according to their patients, appeared after experiences.Therefore, this theory was built solely on the words of patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists from all over the world have one assumption related to the fact that psoriasis appears due to poor metabolism in the patient’s body.According to numerous studies carried out, which were carried out on the basis of tests in laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similarities in their results.
Patients with psoriasis experience a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed by a noticeable decrease in temperature, high levels of cholesterol 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 that provoke the occurrence 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 more often.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infection in the body can provoke symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause severe disease.Therefore, if a patient falls 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 medication.
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 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.
Injuries and skin damage
With various lesions of the skin, 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 and any other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and have constant contact with irritants - in this case, it is necessary to use protective gloves or other methods.
Bad habits
The cause of the disease can be bad habits, including drinking alcohol and smoking.
Use of certain medications
Overdose of various medications, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, even vitamins, can increase the symptoms of psoriasis.This is due to the immune theory of the onset of the disease.
Poor nutrition
It has been noticed that in people who do not follow the rules of proper nutrition, 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.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not advisable to select medications for the treatment of psoriasis on your own, as it can worsen the course of the disease.Your treating dermatologist should 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 relief from symptoms and long-term remission.
In addition to medication, you must follow a special diet for psoriasis.This will reduce the production of oil by the sebaceous glands.The diet excludes the consumption of fatty, smoked, spicy, salty foods, alcohol and tobacco.Drinking coffee and strong tea is prohibited.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 that include vitamins D, group B, A, and E. It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil, and honey.
Prevention of psoriasis
To prevent relapse of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, you can follow the following preventive measures:
- Do not be exposed to stress, anxiety, depression.
- Follow proper nutrition, give up 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.