The symptoms of the disease, namely red spots on the skin, plaques, dryness, severe itching, cause a lot of discomfort in the hands, feet, groin area, hairline, nails, and in severe cases even the eyes.
Despite the great efforts of specialists and scientists, the cause of the disease cannot be established.There are many different theories.Supporters of immunity claim that the disease is influenced by weak immunity.Research confirms that parents with psoriasis often have children with the disease.
Patients notice that after experiencing stress, the 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 been able to discover the main cause of psoriasis.From the conducted experiments, studies and surveys, it was established under what conditions and factors the disease occurs more 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 what medicine will certainly help to cure it.
Many patients notice that with stress and non-compliance with the rules of nutrition, the symptoms of psoriasis can worsen;the disease is also more common in people with weak immunity and metabolism, as well as disorders of the endocrine system.But whether these factors actually affect the disease is unknown.
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.
You can see the symptoms of psoriasis and a description of its types in the photo;the causes of the disease are listed below.
The immune theory of psoriasis
This theory is considered one of the most substantiated and most popular among specialists.Thus, its supporters 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, peeling areas appear and cells die.Peeling is provoked by the following factors:
- Rubbing the affected areas.
- Damage to the skin of a climatic nature: burns, hypothermia.
- Mechanical damage in the form of wounds, cuts.
Cells affected by psoriasis were examined under a microscope and antigen formations actually appeared, while in healthy areas there were none.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 psoriasis symptoms.The immune factor often becomes the "start" for the disease.
Genetic theory
This theory can be proven by conducting research, surveys and collecting statistics.Experts suggest that a person has a greater 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 more distant relatives can "transmit" genes with this disease.
According to the results of the study, more than half of the patients have one or more people who suffer from a similar disease.The experts collected statistics and identified the risks:
- The risk of the child getting the disease 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 in 4.
However, we can notice from the results that patients may not have sick relatives.Therefore, the hereditary factor is not considered to be 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.
Viral theory
For a long time, many specialists believed that viral infections predispose to the appearance of skin diseases.The hypothesis is related to the fact that during a disease that occurs as a result of exposure to viral formations, the symptoms of psoriasis intensify.It was noticed that in some patients the first symptoms appeared during the period of the disease.
Opponents of this theory presented a rebuttal: 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 what causes the disease.This theory is also refuted by the non-infectious nature of psoriasis.Since it is impossible to contract a disease from another patient, the disease is not viral in nature.
Endocrine theory
Adherents of the endocrine theory put forward the following assumption: the failure in the production of hormones directly affects the appearance of psoriasis.According to them, the development of pathological cells is due to hormonal imbalance.
This happens precisely because of disturbances in the endocrine system.This includes glandular secretion, excessive use of drugs containing hormones, pregnancy and ovulation in women.As hormone levels change during pregnancy and ovulation, this can contribute to the onset of symptoms.This theory is explained by the fact that excessively active reproduction of cells in the body indicates disturbances in regulation, and it is disturbed precisely for endocrine reasons.
According to the reviews of the doctors, from the observations of their patients, it was found that with dysfunction of the endocrine system, an increase in symptoms is observed.But there is no evidence or refutation of this theory, since it was not possible to determine which hormones are produced, intensifying the symptoms.
Neurogenic theory
Many patients themselves experience 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.This is due to disorders in the nervous system and is related to the psychosomatics of the patient.
This theory has emerged quite recently;it has not been researched like other theories.
According to this theory, the disease appears and progresses in the following cases:
- Stress and depression.
- Experiences.
- Insomnia.
- Severe fatigue, fatigue.
In stressful situations, a person's blood vessels constrict, which leads to poor blood supply to the skin.It is because of this, according to experts, that psoriasis can appear.Thus, in the last century, doctors noticed that the signs of the disease, according to their patients, appeared after experiences.Therefore, this theory is built solely 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 that have been carried out on the basis of tests in laboratory conditions.Many patients show similarities in their results.
Psoriasis patients experience slow metabolism and various metabolic disorders.This is expressed in a significant 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.
The lack of retinol in the blood, adermin, cyanocobalamin (respectively vitamins A, B6, B12) - this is what characterizes the course of the disease.At the same time, the level of ascorbic acid is higher than normal.
Factors provoking the appearance of psoriasis
According to the studies, it was established which factors most often unite patients with psoriasis, under what conditions the frequency becomes high and what causes an increase in symptoms.Below are the factors in which the frequency is observed more often.
Infectious diseases
Various diseases associated with the development of infection in the body can provoke symptoms and relapses of psoriasis.They also lead to complications and cause severe illness.Therefore, if the patient falls ill with various infectious diseases during psoriasis, it is necessary to promptly eliminate the source and symptoms, cure the disease and consult a doctor to prescribe medication.
Pregnancy
It has been noticed that during pregnancy women get sick more often.This is due to hormonal changes, so the endocrine theory of psoriasis applies here.That is why 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 nutrition or the diet prescribed by the doctor, do not drink alcohol and do not smoke, preferably go to sleep and wake up at the same time, and eat food.
Injuries and damage to the skin
With various skin lesions, such as wounds, burns, cuts, scratches, there is a risk of developing psoriasis.This element 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, even vitamins, can increase psoriasis symptoms.This is due to the immune theory of the onset of the disease.
Bad 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 follow their diet.If you have psoriasis, you should not eat fried, spicy, salty, sweet and smoked foods.
Treatment of psoriasis
It is not advisable to choose medicines for the treatment of psoriasis yourself, as this can worsen the course of the disease.Your attending dermatologist must diagnose the disease and prescribe the necessary treatment.It is impossible to completely cure psoriasis, as it is chronic.The right medication will provide quick relief of 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 coffee and strong tea is prohibited.It is also recommended to take drugs that will improve the work 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 recurrence 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 proper nutrition, give up bad habits and do light physical activity.
- Use vitamin complexes.
- Restoring the functioning of internal organs, if there are diseases.
- See your doctor more often.