Understanding the Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune skin disease that affects millions of people around the world. It is characterized by scaly, red and inflamed patches of skin, psoriasis can be more then just an aesthetic concern. It’s often associated with irritation, itching, as well as emotional or social anxiety. Although the causes of psoriasis are evident however, the causes are complex and multifactorial. This blog is designed to offer an knowledge of the different elements that lead to the progression of psoriasis.

What is Psoriasis?

Before we get into the root causes, it’s important to know what psoriasis actually is. Psoriasis is a an autoimmune disorder that occurs when the immune system misinterprets normal skin cells. The abnormal immune response speeds up the lifespan of the skin’s cells resulting into an accelerated buildup of skin cells in the outer layer of skin. This leads to the development of red, thick plaques with silvery white scales typically found on knees, elbows, lower back and scalp.

Psoriasis is non-infectious that is, it cannot be passed between people by physical contact. It is a chronic condition with flare-ups periodically and remission, caused by various external and internal triggers.

Primary Causes of Psoriasis

There’s no one reason for Psoriasis. The condition is because of a mix of genetic, immunological and environmental influences. Let’s look at the major factors that contribute to this:

Genetic Predisposition

Genetics play a major part in the process of developing the condition known as psoriasis. Studies have shown that up to 70% of patients who suffer from psoriasis also have the family background of the condition. Certain genes that are associated with an immune system are associated with the condition, and specifically those that are involved in the function of T-cells.

A variety of genetic markers, like HLA-Cw6 and HLA-Cw6 have been linked with onset psoriasis that is early. If both parents suffer from psoriasis the odds of being a victim of the disease rises significantly. However, the presence of the gene doesn’t guarantee that a person will get psoriasis. It simply increases the chance.

Immune System Dysfunction

It is believed that the body’s immune system is the main factor in the process of causing Psoriasis. In healthy people T-cells (a kind of white blood cells) guard the body against infections. When psoriasis is present, T-cells are overactive and begin attack healthy cells of the skin as if were invaders from another country.

This causes inflammation and a rapid growth from new cells. The normal process is for skin cells to grow and then shed over a period of around 28 days. In the case of psoriasis this process can be accelerated to three to seven days and leads to accumulation of cells on the skin’s surface, which form thick plaques.

The immune-mediated component of psoriasis can be explained by the fact that it is frequently associated with other autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s disease, as well as the type one diabetes.

Common Triggers That Lead to Psoriasis Flare-Ups

However, even with a genetic or immune-related predisposition the psoriasis condition often requires an trigger to bring it out or make it worse. These triggers may differ from person to person, but are important to recognize and avoid

Stress and Mental Health

Stress caused by emotional stress is among the most frequently cited triggers of Psoriasis. Stress triggers a rise in cortisol production and other hormones associated with inflammation that cause immune dysfunction and cause flare-ups.

Stress-related stress can make the illness harder to manage and could even cause the development of psoriasis for those who are genetically predisposed. It can also trigger the vicious cycle of stress causing psoriasis to worsen and psoriasis can cause more stress.

Infections

Certain illnesses such as those caused by streptococcal infections of the throat are known to cause a type of psoriasis referred to as Guttate Psoriasis. This kind of psoriasis is most common in young and children and is characterized by tiny, drop-shaped lesions that appear that appear on skin.

Other diseases, such as tonsillitis, bronchitis, or skin conditions, may also trigger a reaction by triggering an immune response that is affecting the skin.

Injury to the Skin (Koebner Phenomenon)

Any physical damage to skin such as burns, cuts insects bites, cuts and even tattoos–can cause the development of psoriatic lesion at the location of trauma. This is referred to by the Koebner phenomena and is more common in people suffering from active disease.

Even small abrasions can lead to plaques to develop and that is the reason why those who suffer from psoriasis should safeguard their skin from traumas.

Medications

Certain medicines have been proven to trigger or exacerbate psoriasis. They include:

• Beta-blockers (used to treat the treatment of high blood pressure)

• Lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder)

• Antimalarials (like hydroxychloroquine)

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs)

If a patient with psoriasis takes an new treatment and experiences an increase in symptoms, it’s important to seek out a medical professional. There are alternative treatments offered that are less likely worsen the symptoms.

Weather and Climate

Dry and cold weather can cause psoriasis to get worse for many people. Low levels of humidity dry out the skin and cause inflammation, which makes flare-ups more likely. However, sunlight and warm weather tend to improve symptoms, because the ultraviolet (UV) radiation can slow the development of skin cells.

But excessive sun exposure could cause sunburn which can then cause new lesions of psoriasis Therefore, balance is vital.

Lifestyle Factors: Smoking and Alcohol

Smoking is strongly linked with both the onset as well as severity of Psoriasis. It causes inflammation in the system and affects immune function and could hinder efficiency of the treatment. Similar to that, excessive alcohol consumption may affect immune function and cause greater frequency of flare ups.

Both are related to poor medication compliance and stress in the psychological sphere and stress, which further complicates the management of illness.

Hormonal Changes

Changes in hormones, specifically during pregnancy, puberty or menopausal affect the extent of Psoriasis. A lot of women say that their psoriasis gets better when they are pregnant due to the increased levels of hormones that reduce inflammation However, it could be recur or worsen following childbirth.

In the same way, fluctuations in hormones during menopausal changes can cause flare-ups or other symptoms that persist.

Conclusion

Psoriasis can be a multifactorial illness that is influenced by immune, genetic elements, and environmental. Although the cause could differ from one person to the next knowing the main factors can aid in the early detection of and effective treatment of the disease.

Identifying your personal triggers, whether it’s anxiety, infection, or medication can play an important part in preventing flare-ups. If you are able to treat the problem, make changes in lifestyle, and a better understanding of possible causes, people who suffer from psoriasis will see substantial improvements in their overall quality of life.

While there’s no cure for the disease currently, medical research continues to advance with promising therapies that target the root cause of the condition at an atomic level. If you’re suffering from psoriasis, working with a dermatologist, and taking an active approach to your health could make all the difference.