The causes of psoriasis have not been precisely established. But scientists agree that a variety of factors can cause skin diseases. This is confirmed by medical research, by the observations of specialists. Considering the characteristics of the disease, we will evaluate 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 (squamous lichen) is a severe dermatological disease of an autoimmune nature. The disease can make itself felt in both childhood and adulthood. Under certain conditions, the patient has severe relapses even after prolonged treatment. The duration of the remission period depends on the severity of the case, age, general health and the presence of chronic diseases in the patient.
Externally, the disease manifests itself as reddish-pink spots. The rashes can be on any part of the body. Often encrusted. Exacerbation is accompanied by severe itching, spread of the area of inflammation 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 both the patient's internal state and skin cleansing.
Causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis: The causes of this unpleasant skin condition are many. If a person is diagnosed with this diagnosis, then experts prescribe treatment taking into account the existing inheritance, propensity to allergies, possible hormonal disorders, previous infections, metabolic disorders. Doctors take into account the patient's poor nutritional quality, 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 age and sex of the patient. Hence the research is conducted in several generally accepted theoretical areas, each of which will be considered below. A detailed summary of the results obtained helps specialists to prescribe effective treatment.
The most common forms are:
- guttate psoriasis;
- palms and soles (psoriasis on the head, elbows);
- psoriasis of nails, hands;
- psoriatic erythroderma (rashes affect the whole body, including parts of the head);
- pustular form (overgrowth of plaques and abscesses);
- psoriatic arthritis of the joints (damage not only to the cells of the epidermis, but also inflammation of the joints, their gradual deformation) and some others.
Causes of disorders in childhood
Psoriasis in infants and young children is caused by a genetic predisposition. If the parents, close or distant relatives of the family suffered from any form of this disease, then in 80% of cases the child will inherit it.
The disease may not manifest itself immediately, but against the background of a 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 on one's own tissues, referring them to foreign ones. When this process occurs, antibodies to the antigens found within the scales are found in the baby's blood.
- Congenital and acquired liver disease.
- Parasites in the intestine.
- Mental disorders, severe emotional stress, dissatisfaction with oneself and others (often in adolescence), long-term experiences.
- Metabolic disorders: slowing down of metabolic processes, whereby the body temperature remains low, the "harmful" cholesterol increases, the B vitamins are lacking, while the quantity of element C in the epidermis increases.
Medical practice confirms that the causes of psoriasis in children can be highly individual.
Causes of psoriasis in adult men and women
What causes psoriasis in adults? The causes of psoriasis in women and men have a number of factors in common. But due to physiology, thyroid disorders, hormonal changes, women have a higher risk of getting sick 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, flaky spots on any area of the body are a manifestation of the signs of the development of the initial stage of the disease. Why does it manifest itself?
Psoriasis in men appears against the background of phenomena such as:
- overload of the central nervous system due to prolonged depressive conditions;
- drinking alcohol, smoking;
- being overweight, slowing down your metabolism;
- living or working in a polluted environment;
- dry structure of the upper layer of the epidermis, poorly protected skin due to insufficient moisture / small amount of water intake.
For women
The causes of psoriasis in women are as follows:
- genetic;
- weakened immune system (fewer leukocytes are produced, the quality of tissue nutrition worsens);
- deficiency of vitamins A, group B;
- high cholesterol levels, metabolic disorders;
- infectious diseases not treated in time;
- emotional disorders;
- timely undetected disorders of the thyroid gland, which gradually lead to hormonal disruptions.
Theories of psoriasis
After much research, analyzing the origin of eczema in children and adults, scientists have begun to adhere to several theories. They give an understanding not only of the symptoms in the first and subsequent stages of the disease, but also explain the causes of exacerbation of psoriasis, 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 immune system disorders are the first step towards developing dermatitis.
Accidental damage to the surface of the epidermis, to which the body will react with autoimmune aggression, can lead to the development of a focus, in which severe inflammation develops in the future. Rejection occurs. Further along the chain, with any damage to the skin, psoriatic scales usually form.
Hereditary
It is not difficult to understand the essence of the theory of inheritance, it was mentioned above. If a patient's family, regardless of age, has relatives with an autoimmune disease, there are still high risks of getting sick.
Viral
According to the viral theory, psoriasis is called retroviral lymphotropic infection. Herbal antiviral drugs are often used in the treatment of psoriasis. It is believed that if a person has a predisposition to the disease, his immunity will not be able to "resist" the psoriatic virus. Thanks to the latest technologies, institutes of physical and chemical medicine are developing new drugs capable of achieving long-term remission.
Allergic
Since psoriasis is primarily a dermatological disease, the allergic theory remains relevant today. Many doctors believe that the disease is of purely allergic origin. This is especially true of psoriatic arthritis. The allergic theory is closely related to the infectious one, since the disease is a reaction of allergic tissues 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 physical and mental trauma, burns, bruises. The neurogenic effect is confirmed when the patient is prescribed drugs to normalize the autonomic and central nervous system. It has been shown that depression, stress, emotional tension can cause a relapse.
Disorders of metabolic processes
The theory of metabolism is based on numerous studies, observations on the course of the disease, when patients, in addition to the disease under consideration, suffer from lipid metabolic disorders. Overweight directly affects the deterioration of the blood composition, the biosynthetic functions of the liver. Toxins accumulate, protective functions are reduced. Conclusion: the body "responds" with rashes. The initial stage begins, plaques appear on the hands and palms.
Hormonal
The hormonal theory is closely related to the theory of metabolic disorders. The reasons for the development of psoriasis from the point of view of hormonal imbalance are studied, first of all, in women. Overweight, obesity in men also lead to hormonal disorders, provoke eczema.
Infectious
The infectious theory, together with the parasite theory, are among the very first. In 1879, scientists discovered a "parasitic fungus". But subsequent studies have not confirmed this fact. External infections affect immunity and, therefore, can affect the onset of pathology. In practice, psoriasis patients regularly suffered from colds and viral diseases in the autumn and winter periods.
Factors affecting the appearance of psoriasis
The factors that directly influence the development of psoriasis are shown in a table:
| Name | Early stage development risk (%) | Risk of relapse (%) |
| Stress, trauma | 49 | 41 |
| Infections | 15 | 21 |
| Physical injuries | 14 | 12 |
| Breastfeeding, adolescence, menopause | 6 | 6 |
| Hypothermia | 5 | 4 |
| Long-term drugs | 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 genetic predisposition; very weak immunity. Such diseases are:
- bronchitis;
- sore throat;
- pharyngitis;
- flu with complications;
- Staphylococcal fungal infections.
Untreated infection, self-medication or illiterate prescription drugs sooner or later provoke dermatosis. 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 is weakened as all the forces are expended to maintain the development of the fetus. It is during gestation and subsequent lactation that psoriatic rashes appear. Usually, after the restoration of the body, the normalization of hormones, the disease subsides or disappears altogether.
Injuries and damage to the surface of the epidermis
Mechanical damage to the skin can create a favorable environment for the development of dermatosis 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
Since alcohol abuse and smoking negatively affect everyone's health, doctors tend to believe that people with such habits are at risk. At a young age, the body will still have the strength to cope with 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 a weak, emotional, overly sensitive nervous system, as well as all those at risk, are advised not to resort to self-medication. It is important to contact competent specialists due to the possibility of using prohibited drugs. An allergic reaction to a drug can cause dermatosis. Not all drugs can be taken during pregnancy.
An illiterate approach to treating a mild disease can trigger the development of a very severe autoimmune dermatosis in the future.
Eating disorder
The psoriasis diet is a must. It should be borne in mind that with the help of certain food products, the patient has the opportunity to quickly overcome a relapse, consolidate the result and completely forget about medicinal creams and ointments for psoriasis.
Spiritual reasons
Psoriasis is the need to accept yourself, your disease, your skin, give up guilt and be positive. The psychological factor, the mood of a person is one of the reasons for the onset of psoriatic eczema. The mood for calm, a positive result contributes to the normal course of the healing process, achieving a healthy skin surface.
Prognosis of the disease
Psoriasis not only appears on the skin, but also on the internal organs. For patients, it is important to respect their health, state of mind and nutrition. The disease makes a person choose: a healthy lifestyle or psoriasis. Treatment involves not only the use of ointments and other means, but also cleansing the body from the inside, the elimination of toxins.
The key to success in the fight against psoriasis is based on a positive attitude, adherence to doctors' recommendations, diet and stress elimination.