The causes of psoriasis are not exactly known. However, scientists agree that a wide variety of factors can cause skin diseases. This is confirmed by medical research and observations by specialists. Taking into account the characteristics of the disease, we will assess the origin of the disease in children and adults. during pregnancy in women; in overweight people with depression, CNS disorder.
Features of the disease
Psoriasis (lichen scales) is a serious dermatological disease of an autoimmune nature. The disease can make itself felt in both infancy and adulthood. Under certain circumstances the patient has severe relapses even after prolonged treatment. The duration of the remission period depends on the severity of the illness, the age, the general state of health and the presence of chronic diseases in the patient.
Outwardly, the disease manifests itself as reddish-pink spots. Rashes can appear on any part of the body. Often encrusted. The exacerbation is accompanied by severe itching, the spread of the area of inflammation to healthy areas of the epidermis.
The causes of psoriasis are still being investigated. Effective methods of psoriasis therapy are being developed to both improve the patient's internal condition and cleanse the skin.
Causes of psoriasis
Psoriasis: The causes of this unpleasant skin condition are diverse. When a person is diagnosed with this diagnosis, experts prescribe treatment taking into account the existing heredity, tendency to allergies, possible hormonal disorders, previous infections and metabolic disorders. Doctors take into account the patient's poor diet, stress, the presence of bad habits and an unhealthy lifestyle.
To clarify the cause of psoriasis, first of all, the health indicators are analyzed, taking into account the age and sex of the patient. Research is then carried out in several generally accepted theoretical areas, each of which is considered below. A detailed summary of the results obtained will help professionals prescribe an effective treatment.
The most common forms are:
- guttate psoriasis;
- palmar-plantar (psoriasis on the head, elbow);
- psoriasis of the nails, hands;
- psoriatic erythroderma (rashes affecting the entire body, including parts of the head);
- pustular shape (overgrowth of plaques and abscesses);
- psoriatic arthritis of the joints (damage not only to the cells of the epidermis, but even inflammation of the joints, their gradual deformation) and some others.
Causes of illness in childhood
Psoriasis in infants and young children is caused by a genetic predisposition. If parents, close or distant relatives in the family suffered from any form of this disease, the child will inherit it 80% of the time.
The disease may not manifest itself immediately, but against the background of a mild illness, for example, a virus or a cold. There are other causes of psoriasis in children:
- Disorders of the immune system due to the attack of protective cells on one's own tissue, which are transmitted to other people. When this process takes place, antibodies to the antigens that are inside the scales are found in the child's blood.
- Congenital, acquired liver diseases.
- Parasites in the intestines.
- Mental disorders, severe emotional stress, dissatisfaction with oneself and others (often in adolescence), long-term experiences.
- Metabolic disorders: slowing down of metabolic processes, as a result of which the body temperature remains low, “harmful” cholesterol rises, there is a lack of B vitamins, but the amount of element C in the epidermis rises.
Medical practice confirms that the causes of psoriasis in children can be very individual.
Causes of psoriasis in adult men and women
What causes psoriasis in adults? The causes of psoriasis in women and men have a number of common factors. Due to physiology, thyroid disorders, and hormonal changes, women are at greater risk of getting sick in adulthood. Consider the symptoms of psoriasis in adults: in men and in women.
For men
The disease traditionally begins with a characteristic skin lesion. Red, scaly patches on any area of the body are signs of the development of the initial stages of the disease. Why does it manifest?
Psoriasis in men occurs against the background of the following phenomena:
- Overloading of the central nervous system due to prolonged depressive states;
- drink alcohol, smoke;
- be overweight, slow down the metabolism;
- live or work in a polluted environment;
- dry structure of the upper layer of the epidermis, poorly protected skin due to insufficient moisture / low water consumption.
For women
The causes of psoriasis in women are as follows:
- genetics;
- weakened immune system (fewer leukocytes are produced, the quality of tissue nutrition deteriorates);
- lack of vitamin A, group B;
- high cholesterol, metabolic disorders;
- Infectious diseases not cured in time;
- emotional disorders;
- timely undetected diseases of the thyroid gland, which gradually lead to hormonal disorders.
Theories of psoriasis
After much research to analyze the origin of eczema in children and adults, scientists began to adhere to several theories. They not only provide an understanding of the symptoms of the first and subsequent stages of the disease, but also explain the causes of the exacerbation of psoriasis, relapses. Let's look at each theory.
Immune
According to doctors, any focal infection can be the cause of psoriasis on the body. For example, tonsillitis that has become chronic leads to immune deficiencies. And immune system disorders are the first step in developing dermatitis.
Accidental damage to the surface of the epidermis can lead to the development of a focus in which severe inflammation will develop in the future, to which the body will react with autoimmune aggressions (e. g. mistaking its cells for foreign bodies). Rejection takes place. Further along the chain, psoriatic scales usually form whenever the skin is damaged.
Hereditary
It's not difficult to understand the essence of inheritance theory, it was mentioned above. If a patient's family has members who have autoimmune disorders regardless of age, the risk of the disease remains high.
Viral
According to the virus theory, psoriasis is called a retroviral lymphotropic infection. Herbal antiviral drugs are widely used in the treatment of psoriasis. It is believed that if a person has a predisposition to the disease, their immunity cannot "resist" the psoriasis virus. Thanks to the latest technologies, the institutes of physical and chemical medicine are developing new drugs that can achieve long-term remission.
Allergy sufferers
Since psoriasis is primarily a dermatological disease, the allergic theory remains relevant to this day. Many doctors believe that the disease is of purely allergic origin. This is especially true of psoriatic arthritis. The allergic theory is closely related to the infectious one, since the disease is an allergic tissue reaction to the structure of streptococci, viral bacteria.
Neurogen
This theory is linked to dysfunction of the nervous system. Practice shows that many patients with psoriasis had mental, physical trauma, burns, and bruises before the disease developed. The neurogenic effect is confirmed if the patient is prescribed drugs to normalize the autonomic and central nervous systems. It has been proven that depression, stress, and emotional overload can cause relapse.
Disorders of metabolic processes
The theory of metabolism is based on numerous studies, observations of the course of the disease, when patients suffer from lipoid metabolic disorders in addition to the disease under consideration. Obesity directly affects the deterioration in blood composition and the biosynthetic functions of the liver. Toxins accumulate, protective functions are reduced. Conclusion: The body "reacts" with skin rashes. The initial stage begins, plaques appear on the hands and palms.
Hormonal
The hormone theory is closely related to the theory of metabolic disorders. The reasons for the development of psoriasis in terms of hormonal imbalance are first studied in women. Overweight, obesity in men also lead to hormonal disorders, provoke eczema.
Infectious
The infectious theory, along with the parasitic theory, is one of the first. In 1879 scientists discovered a "parasitic fungus". However, later studies did not confirm this fact. External infections affect immunity, and therefore can affect the onset of pathology. In practice, patients with psoriasis regularly suffered from colds and viral diseases in the autumn and winter.
Factors that influence the occurrence of psoriasis
Factors that directly influence the development of psoriasis are listed in a table:
| Name | Risk of development in the initial stage (%) | Risk of relapse (%) |
| Stress, trauma | 49 | 41 |
| Infections | 15 | 21 |
| Assault | 14 | 12 |
| Breastfeeding, youth, menopause | 6 | 6 |
| Hypothermia | 5 | 4 |
| Long-term medication | 3 | 6 |
| Alcohol poisoning | 2 | 3 |
| Long exposure to sunlight | 2 | 2 |
The factors shown are among the most important. Let's take a closer look at some of them.
Infectious diseases
Infectious diseases lead to the development of psoriasis in people with a genetic predisposition. very weak immunity. Such diseases are:
- bronchitis;
- sore throat;
- pharyngitis;
- flu with complications;
- staphylococci, fungal infections.
Untreated infections, self-medication or illiterate prescription of drugs sooner or later lead to dermatosis. It is important to consult a doctor in a timely manner so as not to start treatment.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is characterized by global hormonal changes in the body. Immunity weakens asAll forces are expended to maintain the development of the fetus. Psoriatic rashes appear during pregnancy and subsequent breastfeeding. Usually after the body is restored and hormones normalized, the disease subsides or disappears entirely.
Injuries and damage to the surface of the epidermis
Mechanical skin damage can create a favorable environment for dermatosis to develop at the wound site. Psoriatic plaques appear after healing. According to many dermatologists, the reason in this case is an aggressive reaction of the body to its own cells.
Bad habits
Because alcohol abuse and smoking negatively affect everyone's health, doctors tend to believe that people with such habits are at risk. At a young age the body will still have the strength to cope with such "stress". But gradually health will deteriorate. Bad habits and stress are the main causes of psoriasis.
Use of illegal drugs
People with a weak, emotional, overly vulnerable nervous system, as well as anyone at risk, are advised not to resort to self-medication. It is important to contact competent specialists, as the use of prohibited drugs is possible. An allergic reaction to a drug can cause dermatosis. Not all drugs can be used during pregnancy.
Illiteracy for the treatment of a mild illness could provoke the development of a severe autoimmune dermatosis in the future.
Eating disorder
Diet for psoriasis is a must. It should be noted that with the help of certain foods, the patient has the opportunity to quickly overcome a relapse, consolidate the result, and completely forget about medicinal creams and ointments for psoriasis.
Spiritual reasons
Psoriasis is the need to accept yourself, your illness, your skin, to give up the blame and to be positive. The psychological factor, a person's mood, is one of the reasons for psoriatic eczema to appear. The mood for calm, a successful result, contributes to the normal course of the healing process and ensures a healthy skin surface.
Disease prognosis
Psoriasis occurs not only on the skin, but also on the internal organs. It is important for patients to respect their own health, state of mind, and diet. The disease forces a person to choose: either a healthy lifestyle or psoriasis. Treatment includes not only the use of ointments and other means, but also the cleansing of the body from the inside, eliminating toxins.
The key to success in the fight against psoriasis lies in having a positive attitude, following the recommendations of doctors, diet and the elimination of stress.