Psoriasis is a chronic dermatological disease of the skin. Psoriasis is expressed as papules (swollen spots) that are red in color. In recent years, the disease has become more and more common in people between the ages of 20 and 30. Unfortunately, the standard of modern medicine cannot prevent the spread of the disease. Why does psoriasis appear, what should be the effective treatment? Let's see this in more detail.
Causes of the disease
There are many types of hypotheses around the world about what causes psoriasis. However, this issue has not been fully studied in medicine. There are various theories, but the origin of psoriasis is still unclear.
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 modern level of medicine, psoriasis is considered a failure of the entire body system, and not a separate disease. In addition to the typical rashes, patients suffer from dysfunction of the endocrine, nervous and immune systems.
There is no single answer to the question of what causes psoriasis. There are several theories typical of psoriasis. Let's look at each of them in more detail.
Immune theory
The immune theory is recognized by many doctors around the world. According to this theory, psoriasis is caused by a dysfunction of the body's immune system. What causes psoriasis on the body? Typical papules (bright red spots) appear as a result of autoimmune aggression. The immune system perceives skin cells as foreign, so it gradually rejects them. In their place, characteristic papules appear.
A long time ago, doctors established that psoriasis can develop against the background of ongoing infectious diseases: sinusitis, tonsillitis. This theory has a right to exist, because the immune system malfunctions and causes psoriasis. When studying the scales of papules, 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 inherited. However, it should be borne in mind that it is not the disease that is transmitted at the level of the gene, but its predisposition. 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 has this disease, the probability of psoriasis in a child is 25%. If both parents have psoriasis, the risk rises to 75%.
Scientists have proven that the disease is directly linked to the chromosomal region, which determines the level of inflammatory response in the skin. 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 contract psoriasis.
Endocrine theory
What are the causes of 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. It is believed that excessive production of skin cells is the result of a disruption of the body's regulatory function. As a result, due to a dysfunction of the endocrine system.
During hormonal surges in women (ovulation and menstruation) and during pregnancy, psoriasis is activated. However, so far scientists have not identified a hormone that affects the appearance of psoriasis as such. It is for this reason that the endocrine theory cannot be considered fundamental.
Neurogenic theory
Neurogenic theory is considered one of the most recent. According to her, psoriasis arises "from the nerves", respectively, psychological factors are to blame. Psoriasis causes neurosis. As a result of neurosis, the blood vessels are narrowed, the blood supply to the skin is weakened, therefore papules are formed.
Therefore, it is not for nothing that everyone, when asked about the causes of psoriasis, immediately responds that it comes from the nerves.
According to a number of studies, it becomes clear that stress, deep inner experiences, nervous shocks are stimuli for the appearance of rashes.
Viral theory
There is also a viral theory. In its framework, doctors claim that psoriasis can appear as a result of infection. This is because in infectious diseases papules appear more often, and lymph nodes increase. However, some doctors attribute these changes to a weakened immune system in general.
In the entire history of the existence of the disease, no specific pathogen has been identified that would cause the onset and development of psoriasis.
Psoriasis is a disease that is not spread 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 of metabolic processes
During psoriasis, many patients have a 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 is the violation of metabolic processes.
Factors that trigger the onset of psoriasis
In order to understand exactly what causes psoriasis, it is necessary to define the range of factors that can cause its onset. The most powerful factors are:
- stress, negative emotions, mental trauma, emotional and physical fatigue are fertile ground for the recurrence of psoriasis;
- infectious diseases, vaccination;
- changes in the body at the hormonal level (during puberty, during pregnancy, lactation);
- physical injuries: scratches, burns, bites, frostbite;
- take certain medications: antibiotics, vitamin complexes, immunostimulants;
- with poor nutrition (an abundance of sweet, fatty, fried 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, fungus.
The cause of psoriasis can be hidden in one of the factors. Therefore, a patient suffering from this disease should minimize the manifestation of the above external factors affecting the relapse.
The main symptoms
Psoriasis can start at any age, including children. In addition, the earlier the disease appears, the more accurately it will eventually pass to an advanced stage.
How 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:
- pustular cracks and rashes on the skin;
- the nail plate exfoliates;
- blisters appear on the palms and feet;
- the skin is heavily exfoliated;
- itching around the papules.
With the progression of the disease, the number of papules increases to 10 cm. The skin of the damaged areas is tender, but the hairline remains.
There are different forms of manifestation of psoriasis:
- simple - spreads on the skin of the legs (in 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 stick to sebum, they do not lend themselves to the inflammatory process and are mainly localized in the scalp, behind the ears and on the face;
- arthropathic psoriasis - papules appear at the site of the joints, feet and hands, therefore, the disease interferes with their normal mobility;
- reverse - papules are localized in the natural folds of the body, often this form of the disease is adjacent to problems with the endocrine system of the body;
- tear-shaped psoriasis can appear on the head, from which psoriasis of this form appears - it is not known for sure;
- nail psoriasis - the disease manifests itself exclusively on the nail plates - they thicken and deform, the nails affected by the disease resemble a bird's beak;
- Psoriatic erythroderma is an extremely severe form of manifestation of psoriasis, which is characterized by the fusion of plaques; if the patient's case is neglected, the plaques can cover the whole body. As accompanying manifestations: swelling, peeling, redness, severe itching and extremely sore.
What causes psoriasis on the hands? 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 bright red color with a possible increase in the amount. If you do not take the treatment on time, the disease will progress.
- Stationary stage - new papules do not appear and the ones on the skin have stopped growing.
- Regressive stage - the papules noticeably fade, the size decreases and the scaling decreases or they stop completely.
In order to correctly diagnose and determine the stage of psoriasis, professional consultation with a dermatologist is necessary. 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 has appeared: what to do?
Psoriasis is a complex disease that takes a long time to treat. Relapses often appear even after prolonged remission of the disease. The main goal of treatment is to eliminate the rashes. That is why it is necessary to prescribe treatment on an individual basis, depending on the development of the disease, accompanying symptoms and relapses.
Among the main methods of treatment are external and internal remedies.
External treatments for psoriasis:
- ointment on solid, lanolin and fatty bases;
- pine tar;
- naphthalene;
- mustard ointment;
- Hormonal ointments (usually prescribed by the doctor at the progressive stage of the disease).
Internal remedies:
- vitamin complex;
- sedatives;
- tranquilizer, neuroleptic;
- hypnotic;
- antidepressant;
- antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs;
- metabolic stimulant;
- immunopharmaceutical agent.
In addition to drug therapy, the patient should remove sweet, fried, spicy and smoked foods from his diet. Do not eat ice cream, coffee, soda, mushrooms, or pickled foods.
Psoriasis is a chronic disease that is not spread by contact. The causes and factors behind the onset of psoriasis are striking in their diversity, so almost everyone can be at risk. This is why you have to be attentive to your own health and strengthen the immune system. Avoid stressful situations and nervous tension! Think first and imagine how stress may become for you in the future. To be in a good health!