The symptoms of the disease, namely 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.Supporters of immunity argue that the disease is affected by weak immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with a similar disease.
Patients note that after experiencing stress, symptoms intensify.Many believe that metabolism, the 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 managed to discover the main cause of psoriasis.From the experiments, studies and surveys conducted, it was discovered under which conditions and factors the disease occurs most often.However, not every factor is found in all cases, so theories have been formed that have yet to be 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 which medicine will definitely help to cure it.
Many patients note that under stress and non-compliance with dietary rules, the symptoms of psoriasis can worsen;the disease is also more common in people with weak immunity and metabolism, as well as with 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 cause of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- immune
- Genetic.
- 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.
The immune theory of psoriasis
This theory is considered one of the most proven and popular among specialists.Thus, its adherents believe that the disease appears 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 identifies healthy cells as pathological and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become sick, affected areas become inflamed, areas of peeling appear and cells die.Peeling is provoked by the following factors:
- Rubbing the affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis were examined under a microscope and antigenic formations actually occur, while they are absent in healthy areas.But this does not prove the immune theory of the occurrence of psoriasis, since the cause of their occurrence is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not enough to cause psoriatic symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the "start" of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and compiling statistics.Experts suggest that a person has a 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 the most distant relatives can "transmit" genes with this disease.
According to the results of the survey, more than half of the patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.Experts compiled statistics and identified risks:
- The risk of a child getting it 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 note 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 to blame for the appearance of the disease.
The viral theory
For a long time, many experts believed that viral infections predispose to the appearance of skin diseases.The hypothesis is related to the fact that during a disease that appears as a result of exposure to viral formations, the symptoms of psoriasis intensify.It was noted that in some patients the first symptoms appeared during the period of the disease.
Opponents of this theory have 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 greatly weakened, and this is precisely what becomes the cause of the disease.This theory is also refuted by the non-infectious nature of psoriasis.Since it is impossible to infect a disease from another patient, the disease is not viral in nature.
Endocrine theory
Proponents of the endocrine theory have put forward the following assumption: the failure of hormone production directly affects the occurrence 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 glandular secretions, excessive use of hormone-containing drugs, pregnancy and ovulation in women.Since hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessive active proliferation of cells in the body indicates disorders in regulation and breaks down precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to doctors' reviews of their patients' observations, it was found that with endocrine system dysfunction, an increase in symptoms is observed.But there is no proof or refutation of this theory, since it was not possible to determine which hormones are produced by intensifying the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients experience the confirmation of this theory themselves: 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 in the nervous system and is related to the psychosomatics of the patient.
This theory appeared quite recently;no research has been done on it, like other theories.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Heavy fatigue, overwork.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, resulting in poor blood flow to the skin.It is because of this, according to experts, that the manifestations of psoriasis can appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that the signs of illness, according to their patients, appeared after experiences.Therefore, this theory was built only on the words of the patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists from all over the world have an assumption related to the fact that psoriasis appears due to poor metabolism in the patient's body.According to numerous studies carried out, which were carried out on the basis of analyzes in laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similarities in their results.
Psoriasis patients experience a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed by a noticeable decrease in temperature, high cholesterol levels and various toxic formations that were not processed in time by the body 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 provoke the appearance of psoriasis
According to studies, it was discovered which factors most often unite patients with psoriasis, under what conditions the incidence increases and what causes an increase in symptoms.Below are the factors in which the incidence is most often observed.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases related to the development of infection in the body can provoke symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause serious diseases.Therefore, if a patient gets sick from various infectious diseases during psoriasis, it is necessary to immediately eliminate the source and symptoms, cure the disease and consult a doctor to prescribe medication.
pregnant
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 should do tests more often, undergo examinations and consultations with their doctor, monitor their general health, try not to worry, follow the right food or diet prescribed by the doctor, do not drink alcohol or smoke, preferably fall asleep and wake up at the same time, and eat food.
Injuries and skin damage
With various skin lesions, such as wounds, burns, cuts, scratches, there is a risk of developing psoriasis.This article 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 drinking alcohol and smoking.
Use of certain medications
Overdosing on various medications, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, and even vitamins, can increase psoriasis symptoms.This is due to the immune theory of disease initiation.
Poor nutrition
It has been noticed that in people who do not follow the rules of proper nutrition, the symptoms appear much more clearly than in those who eat properly and monitor their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet or smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not advisable to self-select medications for the treatment of psoriasis, as it can worsen the course of the disease.Your treating dermatologist must diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, as it is chronic.The right medicine will provide quick relief from symptoms and long-term remission.
In addition to medication, you must follow a special diet for psoriasis.This will reduce oil production from the sebaceous glands.The diet excludes the consumption of fatty, smoked, spicy, salty foods, alcohol and tobacco.Drinking strong coffee and tea is prohibited.It is also recommended to take medications 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 the return of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, you can follow the following preventive measures:
- Do not expose yourself to stress, anxiety, depression.
- Follow the right diet, give up bad habits and do light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restore the functioning of internal organs if there is disease.
- Visit your doctor more often.