The symptoms of the disease, i.e. red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, severe itching, cause great discomfort in the hands, legs, groin, hairline, nails, and in severe cases, the eyes.
Despite the great efforts of experts and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be determined.There are many different theories.Supporters of immunity claim that the disease is affected by weak immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with a similar disease.
Patients notice that after stress the symptoms intensify.Many believe that metabolism, functioning of the endocrine system and other factors affect 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 main cause of psoriasis.From the conducted experiments, studies and surveys, it was found out under what conditions and factors the disease occurs more often.However, not every factor has been found in all cases, so theories have been formed that have not yet been confirmed.
A dermatologist can tell you what psoriasis is, what are its symptoms, but today it is not possible to give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis and which medicine will certainly help to cure it.
Many patients notice that under stress and not following the rules of nutrition, the symptoms of psoriasis can worsen;the disease is more common in people with weak immunity and metabolism, and disorders of the endocrine system.But whether these factors really affect the disease is not known.
Let's look at the following main theories about the causes of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- Immun
- Genetically.
- Viral.
- Endocrine.
- Neurogenic.
- Metabolic disorder.
Symptoms of psoriasis and a description of its types can be seen in the photo;the causes of the disease are listed below.
Immunological theory of psoriasis
This theory is considered one of the most confirmed and popular among experts.Therefore, its followers believe that the disease occurs due to a phenomenon such as autoimmune aggression.Let's look at the principle by which this happens.
Since the immune system does not work properly, it recognizes healthy cells as pathological and acts destructively on them.Healthy cells get sick, affected areas become inflamed, peeling areas appear and cells die.Peeling is caused by the following factors:
- Friction of affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis have been examined under a microscope and antigenic formations are actually formed, while there are none in healthy areas.But this does not prove the immunological theory about the appearance of psoriasis, because the cause of their appearance is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriasis symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the "beginning" of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and collecting statistical data.Experts suggest that a person has a higher risk of getting the disease if their parents have a similar disease.The reason for this is a hereditary predisposition.It is possible that not only parents, but also distant relatives can "transmit" genes with this disease.
According to the research results, more than half of the patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.Experts compiled statistical data and identified risks:
- The risk of a child getting sick if only the father or mother has psoriasis is 1 in 4.
- If both father and mother have psoriasis, the risk is much higher - 3 to 4.
However, from the results we can also notice 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, it is not only genetics that is to blame for the onset of the disease.
Viral theory
For a long time, many experts believed that viral infections predispose to the development of skin diseases.The hypothesis is related to the fact that during the course of the disease, which occurs as a result of exposure to viral formations, the symptoms of psoriasis intensify.It has been observed that in some patients the first symptoms appear during the period of the disease.
Opponents of this theory presented a refutation: this theory is directly related to the immune system, because when the body is damaged by viruses, the patient's immune defenses are greatly weakened, and this is precisely what becomes the cause of the disease.This theory is refuted by the non-infectious nature of psoriasis.Since it is impossible to catch the disease from another patient, the disease is not viral in nature.
Endocrine theory
Proponents of the endocrine theory put forward the following assumption: the failure of hormone production directly affects the appearance of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalance.
This happens precisely because of disorders in the endocrine system.These include glandular secretions, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, pregnancy and ovulation in women.Because 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 it is disturbed precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to the reviews of doctors about the observations of their patients, it was found that with the dysfunction of the endocrine system, an increase in symptoms is observed.But there is no proof or refutation of this theory, because it was not possible to determine which hormones are produced that increase the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients themselves experience the 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.It is due to a disorder in the nervous system, and it is related to the patient's psychosomatic condition.
This theory appeared quite recently;no research has been conducted on it, as on other theories.
According to this theory, the disease occurs and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Severe fatigue, overwork.
In stressful situations, blood vessels narrow, which leads to poor blood flow to the skin.This is exactly why, according to experts, manifestations of psoriasis can appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that signs of illness, according to their patients, appear after experiences.Therefore, this theory is built exclusively on the words of patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists from all over the world have an assumption related to the fact that psoriasis occurs due to poor metabolism in the patient's body.According to numerous conducted studies that were conducted on the basis of testing in laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similarities in their results.
Psoriasis patients have a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed by a noticeable drop in temperature, a high level of cholesterol and various toxic formations that the body did not process and eliminate from it in time.
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 provoke the onset of psoriasis
According to research, it was discovered which factors most often unite patients with psoriasis, under which conditions the incidence becomes high and what causes the symptoms to intensify.Below are the factors in which the incidence is observed more often.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infection in the body can cause symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious diseases.Therefore, if a patient falls ill from various infectious diseases during the course of psoriasis, it is necessary to urgently remove the source and symptoms, cure the disease and consult a doctor to prescribe medication.
Pregnancy
It has been observed that women get sick more often during pregnancy.This is due to hormonal changes, so the endocrine theory of psoriasis is applicable here.Therefore, pregnant women must be tested more often, undergo examinations and consultations with their doctor, monitor their general state of health, not worry, adhere to a proper diet or diet prescribed by the doctor, not drink alcohol and smoke, preferably sleep and wake up at the same time, as well as eat food.
Injuries and skin damage
With various skin damages, 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 substances related to household and any other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and have constant 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 alcohol consumption and smoking.
Use of certain medications
An overdose of various drugs, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, even vitamins, can increase the symptoms of psoriasis.This is due to the immunological theory of the onset of the disease.
Poor nutrition
It has been observed that in people who do not follow the rules of a proper diet, the symptoms manifest much more clearly than in those who eat properly and follow the diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet or smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not recommended to independently choose medicines for the treatment of psoriasis, as this can worsen the course of the disease.Your treating dermatologist should diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, because it is chronic.The right medicine will ensure rapid relief of symptoms and long-term remission.
In addition to medication, you must follow a special diet for psoriasis.This will reduce oil production by the sebaceous glands.The diet excludes the consumption of fatty, smoked, spicy, salty food, alcohol and tobacco.It is forbidden to drink coffee and strong tea.It is also recommended to take medicines that will improve the work of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to nutrition, the metabolism is restored.
Doctors also prescribe vitamin complexes that include vitamins D, groups B, A and E. It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil and honey.
Prevention of psoriasis
In order to prevent the recurrence 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.
- Adhere to a proper diet, give up bad habits and engage in light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restore the functioning of internal organs if there are diseases.
- Visit your doctor more often.