Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease of the skin. Psoriasis is expressed as red papules (swollen spots). In recent years, the disease has been increasingly common in people between 20 and 30 years old. Unfortunately, the modern level of medicine cannot prevent the spread of the disease. Why does psoriasis appear, what should be the effective treatment? Let's find out in more detail.
Causes of the disease
There are many different types of assumptions in the world about what causes psoriasis. However, this problem has not been fully studied in medicine. There are several theories, but it is still unclear where psoriasis comes from.
There are two main types of psoriasis: due to a hereditary factor (there is a change in the immune system) and the so-called "late onset type" - after 40 years (affected areas - nails and joints).
Why does psoriasis appear?
At the level of modern medicine, psoriasis is considered to be a failure in the entire system of the body, not a separate disease. In addition to typical skin rashes, patients suffer from disorders of the endocrine, nervous and immune systems.
There is no single answer to the question of what causes psoriasis. There are several typical theories of psoriasis. Let's look at each one in more detail.
Immunological theory
The immunological theory is recognized by many doctors around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis occurs due to the dysfunction of the body's immune system. What causes psoriasis in the body? Typical papules (bright red spots) appear as a result of autoimmune aggression. The immune system perceives the skin cells as foreign, so it gradually rejects them. In its place, characteristic papules appear.
Doctors long ago established that psoriasis can develop in the context of ongoing infectious diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis. This theory has a right to exist, as it disrupts the immune system and causes psoriasis. In studying papule scales, scientists found that they contain antigenic complexes that are not characteristic of healthy cells. There are antibodies to these complexes in the blood, so rejection occurs - papules are formed.
Low immunity is a breeding ground for the development of psoriasis.
At the genetic level
Unfortunately, psoriasis can be hereditary. However, it must be borne in mind that it is not the disease that is transmitted at the gene level, but the predisposition to it. This fact is confirmed by direct statistics: 60% of patients with psoriasis have blood relatives with the same diagnosis.
If a parent has this disease, the likelihood of psoriasis in a child is 25%. If both parents suffer from psoriasis, the risk increases to 75%.
Scientists have proven that the disease is directly related to the chromosomal region, which determines the level of the skin's inflammatory response. However, genetic predisposition cannot be considered the main cause of psoriasis.
Some people are resistant to psoriasis. Among them are the Indians who live in the Andes, the Eskimos. These peoples have genetic characteristics, thanks to which their representatives never get psoriasis.
Endocrine theory
What causes psoriasis in adults? According to endocrine theory, psoriasis can result from hormonal dysfunction. This theory was put forward by doctors after carefully analyzing the course of the disease itself. Excessive production of skin cells is believed to be the result of a disturbance in the body's regulatory function. Consequently, due to dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal outbreaks in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. However, until now, scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the onset of psoriasis as such. That is why endocrine theory cannot be considered fundamental.
Neurogenic theory
The neurogenic theory is considered to be one of the newest. According to her, psoriasis arises "from the nerves" and, respectively, psychological factors are to blame. Psoriasis causes neurosis. As a result of neurosis, blood vessels are narrowed, the blood supply to the skin is weakened, and therefore, papules are formed.
Therefore, it is not for nothing that all the people around, when asked about what causes psoriasis, immediately respond that it is of the nerves.
According to several studies, it is clear that stress, deep inner experiences, nervous shocks are stimuli for the appearance of skin rashes.
Viral theory
There is also a viral theory. In this context, doctors argue that psoriasis can arise as a result of an infection. In fact, during infectious diseases, papules appear more often and lymph nodes enlarge. However, some doctors attribute these changes to the weakening of the immune system in general.
In the entire history of the existence of the disease, no specific pathogen that could cause the onset and development of psoriasis has been identified.
Psoriasis is a disease that is not transmitted by contact. Not a single case of infection with this disease has been recorded, even after a blood transfusion from an infected person to a patient.
Disorders in metabolic processes
During psoriasis, many patients experience low temperature, high cholesterol levels, impaired metabolism of vitamins, carbohydrates and trace elements. All of this indicates signs of metabolic disorders in the body.
As a result of repeated studies of patients with psoriasis, doctors came to the conclusion that one of the reasons for the onset of the disease lies in the violation of metabolic processes.
Factors that trigger the onset of psoriasis
To understand exactly what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to outline the range of factors that can trigger its onset. Among the most powerful factors are the following:
- stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, physical and emotional fatigue are fertile ground for the recurrence of psoriasis;
- infectious diseases, vaccination;
- hormonal changes in the body (during puberty, during pregnancy, lactation);
- physical injury: scratch, burn, bite, frostbite;
- taking certain medications: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with inadequate nutrition (plenty of sweets, fat, fried foods and also alcohol in the diet);
- when the climate changes (unfavorable conditions - humid climate, sudden changes in temperature);
- in the presence of other dermatological diseases: dermatitis, fungi.
The cause of psoriasis may be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease must minimize the manifestation of the above external factors that affect relapse.
The main symptoms
Psoriasis can manifest at any age, including children. In addition, the sooner the disease appears, the more precisely it will move to an advanced stage.
As psoriasis appears, the photos below demonstrate: the formation of a rash, cracks, papules on the surface of the skin (red spots with white scales).
The first signs that indicate psoriasis are:
- cracks and pustular rash on the skin;
- the nail plate exfoliates;
- blisters appear on the palms and feet;
- the skin is heavily exfoliated;
- itching in the wheal area.
As the disease progresses, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin in the damaged areas is sensitive, but the hairline remains.
There are several forms of manifestation of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads on the skin of the legs (on the extensor surface of the knees), the papules are covered with white scales;
- seborrheic psoriasis usually occurs in people who also suffer from seborrhea; this disease is characterized by the appearance of yellow papules, which adhere to sebum, do not lend themselves to the inflammatory process and are located mainly on the scalp, behind the ears and on the face;
- arthropathic psoriasis - the papules appear at the site of the joints, feet and hands, therefore, the disease interferes with their normal mobility;
- reverse - the papules are located in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease is adjacent to problems in the body's endocrine system;
- tear psoriasis can appear on the head, from where psoriasis arises in this way - it is not known for sure;
- nail psoriasis - the disease manifests itself exclusively in the nail plate - thicken and deform, the nails affected by the disease look like a bird's beak;
- psoriatic erythroderma is an extremely severe form of psoriasis, which is characterized by the fusion of plaques; if the patient's case is neglected, the plaques can cover the entire body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, peeling, redness, intense itching and extreme indisposition.
What causes psoriasis on the hands? The reasons are purely individual.
There are several factors and theories that have not been fully proven. However, many doctors agree that the causes of psoriasis may be hidden in disorders of the immune, nervous and endocrine systems.
Stages of psoriasis
There are three stages of psoriasis:
- Progressive stage - is characterized by bright red eruptions with possible increase in quantity. If you do not start treatment in a timely manner, the disease will progress.
- Stationary stage - no new papules appear and the ones on the skin have stopped growing.
- Regressive stage - the papules disappear visibly, the size decreases and the flaking decreases or they stop completely.
In order to correctly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, a professional consultation with a dermatologist is required. With the help of visual examination, laboratory studies 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 time. Relapses usually appear even after prolonged remission of the disease. The main purpose of treatment is to eliminate skin rashes. Therefore, it is necessary to prescribe the treatment individually, counting on the development of the disease, following the symptoms and recurrences.
External and internal remedies are distinguished among the main methods of treatment.
External treatments for psoriasis:
- ointment on solid bases, lanolin and greasy;
- pine tar;
- naphthalene;
- mustard ointment;
- hormonal ointments (usually the doctor prescribes in the progressive phase of the disease).
Internal remedies:
- vitamin complex;
- sedatives;
- neuroleptic tranquilizer;
- hypnotic;
- antidepressant;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmaceutical agent.
In addition to drug treatment, the patient must remove sweet, fried, spicy and smoked foods from the diet. Do not eat ice cream, coffee, soft drinks, mushrooms or pickled foods.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not transmitted by contact. The causes and factors of the appearance of psoriasis are impressive in their diversity, so that almost everyone can be at risk. So it is necessary to be aware of your own health and strengthen your immune system. Avoid stressful situations and nervous tension! Think first and imagine how stress might turn out for you in the future. Be healthy!