The symptoms of the disease, i.e. 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 in the eyes.
Despite the great efforts of specialists and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be identified.There are many different theories.Immune system advocates argue that disease is influenced by poor immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with a similar disease.
Patients note that after experiencing stress, the 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 root cause of psoriasis.From the conducted experiments, studies and surveys it was found out under which conditions and factors the disease occurs most often.However, not all factors are present 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 note that in conditions of 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 with endocrine system disorders.But it is not known whether these factors actually influence the disease.
Let's look at the following major theories about the cause of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- Immune
- Genetic.
- Viral.
- Endocrine.
- Neurogenic.
- Metabolic disorder.
The symptoms of psoriasis and the 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 proven and popular among specialists.Therefore, its adherents 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 function properly, it identifies healthy cells as pathological and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become diseased, the affected areas become inflamed, areas of scaling appear and the cells die.Peeling is caused by the following factors:
- Friction of the affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
The cells affected by psoriasis were examined under the microscope and antigenic formations actually occurred, 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 the immune factor alone is not sufficient to cause the symptoms of psoriasis.The immune factor often becomes the “initiation” 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 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" the genes carrying this disease.
According to the survey results, more than half of patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.Experts have 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.
From the results, however, 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 is responsible for the appearance 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 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 precisely 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
Supporters of the endocrine theory put forward the following assumption: the lack 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 in the endocrine system.This includes secretion of glands, excessive use of hormone-containing drugs, pregnancy and ovulation in women.As hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active proliferation of cells in the body indicates disturbances in regulation and is disrupted 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 proof or disproof of this theory, since it has not been possible to establish which hormones are produced which intensify the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients personally experience confirmation of this theory: 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 of the nervous system and is connected to the psychosomatics of the patient.
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 tiredness, overwork.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, resulting in poor blood flow to the skin.It is for this reason, according to experts, that manifestations of psoriasis can appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that the 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 around the world have a hypothesis 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 experience a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed in 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 cause the onset of psoriasis
Studies have revealed which factors patients most often have in common with psoriasis, under which conditions the incidence becomes high and what causes an increase in symptoms.Below are the factors in which the incidence is most often observed.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infections in the body can provoke symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious diseases.Therefore, if a patient falls ill with various infectious diseases during psoriasis, it is necessary to promptly eliminate the source and symptoms, treat 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 get tested 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 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 household and other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and are constantly in 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 some drugs
Overdosing on various medications, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, and even vitamins, can increase the symptoms of psoriasis.This is due to the immune theory of disease onset.
Bad nutrition
It has been 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 control their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet, or smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not recommended to choose drugs for the treatment of psoriasis on your own, as this may worsen the course of the disease.The attending dermatologist should diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, since it is chronic.The right medicine will provide quick relief from symptoms and long-term remission.
In addition to medications, you need to 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.It is forbidden to drink coffee and strong tea.It is also recommended to take drugs that will improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to the diet, the 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 a correct diet, abandon bad habits and carry out light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restores the functioning of internal organs if there are diseases.
- Visit your doctor more often.