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, hairline, nails, and in severe cases, also 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 the immune system argue that the disease is influenced by weak immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with the same disease.
Patients notice that symptoms worsen after experiencing stress.Many people 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 been able to uncover the main cause of psoriasis.From the experiments, tests and surveys carried out, it became clear under what conditions and under what factors the disease occurs more often.However, the individual factors are not found in all cases, so theories have been created that have not yet been confirmed.
A dermatologist can tell you what psoriasis is and what its symptoms are, but today it is still not possible to give an exact answer to the question of what causes psoriasis and what medicine is sure to help cure it.
Many patients notice that the symptoms of psoriasis can worsen in case of stress and non-compliance with dietary rules;the disease occurs more often in people with weak immunity and metabolism, as well as with disorders of the endocrine system.But it is not known whether these factors actually affect the disease.
Let's look at the following main theories about the causes of psoriatic rashes in children and adults:
- Immune
- Genetic.
- Viral.
- Endocrine.
- Neurogenic.
- Metabolic disorder.
A description of the symptoms and types of psoriasis can be seen in the photo;the causes of the disease are listed below.
The immune theory of psoriasis
This theory is one of the most supported and popular among professionals.Thus, its supporters believe that the disease appears due to a phenomenon such as autoimmune aggression.Let's see how this is based on the principle.
Since the immune system does not work properly, it classifies healthy cells as abnormal and has a destructive effect on them.Healthy cells become diseased, affected areas become inflamed, scaly areas appear, and cells die.Peeling is provoked by the following factors:
- Friction of the affected areas.
- Climatic skin damage: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical injuries in the form of wounds and cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis have been examined under a microscope and antigen formations are actually produced, while healthy areas are absent.But this does not prove the immune theory of the appearance of psoriasis, since the cause of their appearance is unknown.Many scientists believe that the immune factor alone is not sufficient for the development of psoriasis symptoms.The immune factor is often the "starting point" of the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven with research, surveys, and statistics.According to experts, your risk of getting sick is higher if your parents also suffer from a similar disease.The reason for this is a hereditary tendency.It is possible that with this disease, not only parents, but also distant relatives can "pass on" genes.
According to the results of the surveys, more than half of the patients have one or more people suffering from a similar disease.The experts compiled statistics and identified the risks:
- The risk of the child getting sick is 1 in 4 if only the father or mother has psoriasis.
- If both father and mother suffer from psoriasis, the risk is much higher - 3-4.
However, we can also notice from the results that patients do not necessarily have sick relatives.Therefore, the hereditary factor cannot be considered the main factor.This study confirms the theory that not one, but two or more factors lead to the disease.Therefore, not only genetics is to blame for the occurrence of the disease.
Virus 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 the symptoms of psoriasis intensify during the disease that appears as a result of exposure to viral formations.It was observed that in some patients the first symptoms appeared during the period of the disease.
Opponents of this theory formulated a refutation: this theory is directly related to the immune system, since if the body is damaged by viruses, the patient's immune defenses are greatly weakened, and this will be the cause of the disease.This theory is also refuted by the non-contagious nature of psoriasis.Since you cannot catch a disease from another patient, the disease is not viral in nature.
Endocrine theory
Proponents of the endocrine theory put forward the following hypothesis: the failure of hormone production directly affects the appearance of psoriasis.According to them, the formation of pathological cells is caused by hormonal imbalance.
This happens precisely because of disorders of the endocrine system.This includes glandular secretions, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, pregnancy and ovulation in women.As hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active cell reproduction in the body indicates regulatory disturbances and is disturbed precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to the opinion of the doctors about the observations of their patients, it turned out that in case of dysfunction of the endocrine system, an increase in symptoms can be observed.However, there is no proof or disproof of this theory, as it has not been possible to determine which hormones are produced that increase the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients themselves confirm this theory: they notice that after experiencing stress and depression, not only do symptoms such as itching and rashes intensify, but many people even experience signs of the disease for the first time.It is caused by disorders of the nervous system and is related to the patient's psychosomatics.
This theory appeared quite recently;like other theories, no research has been done on it.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Severe fatigue, overload.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, resulting in poor blood flow to the skin.According to experts, the manifestations of psoriasis may appear because of this.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that the signs of the disease appeared after experiences, according to their patients.Therefore, this theory was based solely on the words of the patients.
Metabolic disorders
Dermatologists from all over the world have an assumption that psoriasis appears in the patient's body due to poor metabolism.According to a number of studies that have been carried out based on tests carried out in laboratory conditions.Many patients showed similar results.
Psoriasis patients have a slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders occur.This is expressed by a noticeable decrease in temperature, high cholesterol and various toxic formations that the body did not process in time and was not excreted from it.
Lack of retinol in the blood, adermin, cyanocobalamin (vitamins A, B6, B12) - this characterizes the course of the disease.At the same time, the level of ascorbic acid is higher than normal.
Factors that trigger the development of psoriasis
According to the studies, it was found which factors most often connect patients suffering from psoriasis, under what conditions the incidence becomes high and what causes the symptoms to increase.Factors in which the occurrence is observed more often are listed below.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases related to the development of infection in the body can trigger the symptoms and relapse of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and serious diseases.Therefore, if the patient falls ill with various infectious diseases during psoriasis, the source and symptoms should be eliminated immediately, the disease should be cured, and a doctor should be consulted to prescribe medicine.
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 can also be applied here.Therefore, pregnant women should have more frequent examinations, attend medical examinations and consultations, monitor their general health, do not worry, follow a proper diet or a diet prescribed by a doctor, do not drink alcohol and smoke, preferably sleep and wake up at the same time, and eat.
Injuries and skin damage
Various changes to the skin, such as wounds, burns, cuts, and scratches, present a risk of developing psoriasis.This item includes chemical damage to the skin caused by various household and other chemicals.Many patients work in factories and are in constant contact with irritants - in this case, protective gloves or other methods must be used.
Bad habits
The disease can be caused by bad habits, including alcohol consumption and smoking.
Use of certain medications
An overdose of various drugs, such as antibiotics, immunostimulants, or even vitamins, can increase the symptoms of psoriasis.This is due to the immune theory of the development of the disease.
Bad nutrition
It has been observed that people who do not follow the rules of proper nutrition have much more pronounced symptoms than those who eat properly and monitor their diet.If you have psoriasis, do not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet or smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not advisable to independently choose medicines for the treatment of psoriasis, because it can worsen the course of the disease.The attending dermatologist must determine the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.A complete cure of psoriasis is impossible, as it is chronic.The right medication provides quick relief and long-term remission.
In addition to medication, you must follow a special diet to treat psoriasis.This reduces the oil production of the sebaceous glands.The diet excludes the consumption of fatty, smoked, spicy, salty foods, alcohol and tobacco.Drinking coffee and strong tea is prohibited.It is also recommended to take medicines that improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.Thanks to the diet, the metabolism is restored.
Doctors also prescribe vitamin complexes that contain vitamins D, B, A and E.It is recommended to eat fish, olive oil and honey.
Psoriasis prevention
In order to prevent the relapse of the disease or the appearance of the first symptoms, follow the following preventive measures:
- Do not be exposed to stress, anxiety, depression.
- Follow a proper diet, give up bad habits and do light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restoring the function of internal organs in case of diseases.
- See your doctor more often.