Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease of the skin. Psoriasis is expressed in the form of papules (swollen spots) of red color. In recent years, the disease is more and more common in people from 20 to 30 years. The modern level of medicine, unfortunately, cannot prevent the spread of the disease. Why does psoriasis appear, what should be the effective treatment? We will understand in more detail.
Causes of the disease
In the world there are many different kinds of assumptions about why psoriasis appears. However, this issue has not been fully studied in medicine until the end. There are various theories, but where psoriasis comes from is still not clear.
The main two types of psoriasis are distinguished: due to a hereditary factor (there is a shift in the immune system) and the so-called “late-appearing type" after 40 years (the affected areas are nails and joints).
Why does psoriasis appear?
At the modern level of medicine, psoriasis is considered as a malfunction in the whole system of the body, and not as a separate disease. In addition to typical skin rashes, patients suffer from impaired functioning of the endocrine system, nervous and immune.
There is no single answer to the question of what causes psoriasis. There are several typical theories of psoriasis. Let us dwell on each of them.
Immune theory
Immune theory is recognized by many doctors around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis appears due to dysfunction of the body's immune system. What causes psoriasis on the body? Typical papules (spots of bright red color) appear as a result of autoimmune aggression. The immune system perceives the skin cells as foreign, and therefore gradually rejects them. In their place, characteristic papules appear.
Long ago, doctors found that psoriasis can develop against a background of ongoing infectious diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis. Such a theory has a right to exist, since dysfunction of the immune system provokes psoriasis. In the study of papule flakes, scientists found that they contain antigenic complexes that are not characteristic of healthy cells. Antibodies to these complexes are in the blood, therefore rejection occurs - papules are formed.
Low immunity is a favorable soil for the development of psoriasis.
At the genetic level
Unfortunately, psoriasis can be inherited. However, it should be borne in mind that it is not the disease that is transmitted at the gene level, but a predisposition to it. This fact is confirmed by direct statistics: 60% of patients with psoriasis have blood relatives who have the same diagnosis.
If one of the parents is ill with this disease, then the likelihood of psoriasis in a child is 25%. In the event that both parents suffer from psoriasis, the risk rises to 75%.
Scientists have proven that the disease is directly related to the chromosome region, which determines the level of inflammatory reaction on the skin. However, genetic predisposition cannot be considered the main cause of psoriasis.
Some peoples are resistant to psoriasis. Among them are Indians who live in the Andes, Eskimos. These peoples have genetic characteristics, thanks to which their representatives never suffer from psoriasis.
Endocrine theory
What causes psoriasis in adults? According to endocrine theory, psoriasis can occur due to hormonal dysfunction. This theory was put forward by doctors after carefully analyzing the course of the disease itself. Excessive production of skin cells is considered the result of a violation of the regulatory function of the body. Accordingly, due to dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal surges in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. However, until now, scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the appearance of psoriasis per se. It is for this reason that it cannot be said that endocrine theory is fundamental.
Neurogenic theory
Neurogenic theory is considered one of the newest. According to her, psoriasis occurs "from the nerves", respectively, psychological factors are to blame for everything. Psoriasis provokes a neurosis. Due to neurosis, blood vessels narrow, blood supply to the skin weakens, and therefore papules form.
Therefore, it is not in vain that all people around answer the question of what causes psoriasis, they immediately answer that from the nerves.
According to a number of studies, it becomes clear that stress, deep internal feelings, nervous shocks are stimuli for the appearance of rashes on the skin.
Viral theory
There is a viral theory. In its framework, doctors argue that psoriasis can occur as a result of infection. Indeed, during infectious diseases, papules appear more often, and the lymph nodes enlarge. However, some doctors attribute such changes to a weakening of immunity in general.
In the entire history of the existence of the disease, no specific pathogen was identified that would provoke the appearance and development of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a disease that cannot be transmitted by contact. Not a single case of infection with this disease was recorded even after a blood transfusion from an infected person to a patient.
Metabolic disorders
During psoriasis, many patients have a low temperature, high cholesterol, a violation of the metabolism of vitamins, carbohydrates and trace elements. All this indicates signs of metabolic disorders in the body.
As a result of repeated studies of patients with psoriasis, doctors concluded that one of the causes of the onset of the disease lies in metabolic disorders.
Factors that trigger the appearance of psoriasis
In order to accurately understand what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to outline a circle of factors that can provoke its appearance. Among the most powerful factors, the following are distinguished:
- stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, emotional and physical fatigue are favorable conditions for relapse of psoriasis;
- infectious diseases, vaccination;
- changes in the body at the hormonal level (during puberty, during pregnancy, lactation);
- physical injury: scratch, burn, bite, frostbite;
- taking certain medications: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with improper nutrition (an abundance of sweet, fatty, fried, and also alcohol in the diet);
- when changing climate (adverse conditions - humid climate, sudden changes in temperature);
- in the presence of other dermatological diseases: dermatitis, fungus.
The cause of psoriasis may be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease should minimize the manifestation of the above external factors affecting relapse.
Main symptoms
Psoriasis can occur at any age, including in children. Moreover, the earlier the disease appears, the more precisely it will go over time to the advanced stage.
As psoriasis appears, the photos below demonstrate: the formation of rashes, cracks, papules on the surface of the skin (red spots with white scales).
The first signs indicating psoriasis:
- cracks and pustular rash on the skin;
- the nail plate exfoliates;
- blisters appear on the palms and feet;
- greatly exfoliates the skin;
- itching in the area of papules.
With the progression of the disease, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin on the damaged areas is sensitive, however, the hairline remains.
There are various forms of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads on the skin of the legs (in the extensor surface of the knees), papules are covered with white scales;
- seborrheic psoriasis usually occurs in people who additionally suffer from seborrhea; this disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow papules that stick together with sebum, they do not respond to the inflammatory process and are mainly localized in the scalp, behind the ears and on the face;
- arthropatic psoriasis - papules appear in place of joints, feet and hands, so the disease interferes with their normal mobility;
- inverse - papules are localized in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease is adjacent to problems in the endocrine system of the body;
- teardrop-shaped psoriasis can occur on the head, from which psoriasis of this form appears - it is not known for certain;
- nail psoriasis - the disease manifests itself exclusively on the nail plates - they thicken and deform, the nails affected by the disease look like a bird's beak;
- erythroderma psoriatic is an extremely severe form of psoriasis, which is characterized by the fusion of plaques; if the patient’s case is neglected, then the plaques can cover the whole body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, peeling, redness, severe itching and extremely poor health.
What causes psoriasis in the arms? The reasons are purely individual.
There are various factors and theories that are not fully proven. However, many doctors agree that the causes of psoriasis can be hidden in disorders of the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.
Stages of psoriasis
There are three stages of psoriasis:
- Progressive stage - it is characterized by rashes of a bright red color with a possible increase in quantity. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, then the disease will progress.
- Stationary stage - new papules do not appear, and those that are on the skin stopped growing.
- Regressive stage - papules noticeably fade, size decreases, and peeling becomes smaller or they completely stop.
In order to correctly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, a professional consultation of a dermatologist is necessary. With the help of visual inspection, laboratory tests and microscopy, he will be able to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the existing stage.
Psoriasis appeared: what to do?
Psoriasis is a complex disease, its treatment takes a long time. Often relapses occur even after prolonged remission of the disease. The main goal of treatment is the elimination of skin rashes. That is why it is necessary to prescribe treatment on an individual basis, based on the development of the disease, related symptoms and relapses.
Among the main methods of treatment, external and internal agents are distinguished.
External treatments for psoriasis:
- ointment on solidol, lanolin and fatty bases;
- pine tar;
- naphthalene;
- mustard-containing ointments;
- hormonal ointments (usually a doctor prescribes at a progressive stage of the disease).
Internal treatments:
- vitamin complex;
- sedatives;
- tranquilizer, antipsychotic;
- hypnotic;
- antidepressant;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmacological agent.
In addition to drug treatment, the patient must remove from the diet sweet, fried, spicy, smoked. You can not eat ice cream, coffee, carbonated drinks, mushrooms and pickled products.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that cannot be transmitted by contact. The causes and factors of the appearance of psoriasis are striking in their diversity, so almost everyone can be at risk. That is why it is necessary to carefully consider your own health and strengthen immunity. Avoid stressful situations and nervous strain! Think first and imagine how stress can turn out for you in the future. Be healthy!