Causes / Risk Factors

Psoriasis usually raises its ugly head after a bout of stress, a skin injury or streptococcal infection

The causes of psoriasis are not clearly understood. Some believe it to be caused by the excessive growth and reproduction of the skin alone. Others believe that the disease is mediated by the immune system.

According to the latter theory the T-lymphocytes migrate to the dermis of the skin and triggers the release of cytokines, which causes inflammation and elevates production of skin cells. Several studies have confirmed the excessive expression of proinflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, interleukins and interferon-gamma, in psoriatic patients What triggers this release still keeps everyone guessing!

There appears to be a link between the environmental and genetic factors in the development of this disease. One third of people affected by psoriasis report a family history of the disease.

Researchers have unearthed a psoriasis-associated gene loci and in the case of monozygotic twins, there is a 70% chance of one twin to develop the disease if the other twin has already developed the disease. In dizygotic twins the risk is around 20%.

Although immunosuppressants can control psoriasis, the role of the immune system has not been thoroughly understood. However, the disease usually raises its head following stress (either physical or mental), a skin injury or streptococcal infection.

Some of the other factors that can aggravate psoriasis are-

Climate change
Stress
Medications like - beta blockers ,lithium salt and antimalarials,
Certain infections
Smoking
Alcohol consumption
Obesity

Environmental factors – Can be important in the reccurrence of psoriasis as it can get aggravated in winter due to the cold temperatures. Sunlight can be of benefit, but constant exposure is not advised. Sometimes in children, excessive sun can result in the disease flare ups.

Drugs - Antimalarial drugs, beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure, and lithium, a drug used to treat depression and bi-polar disorder, can worsen psoriasis in some individuals. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen, used to manage pain and inflammation, can also aggravate psoriasis.

The hormonal changes within the body of growing children can trigger the immune system and make the disease worse.

Stress is an important factor that can trigger worsening of symptoms and cause psoariasis to flare up. During its episode the hormone adrenalin gets released in large amounts and this can stimulate the immune system, resulting in a flare ups.

The cause of psoriasis seems to be multifactorial. Despite all the research advances its causes are not fully understood. Psoriasis affects only human beings and no such disease equivalent is seen among animals.

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@Guest

We at leucoderma foundation of India practicing immunology boosting rather than immunology suppression and advocating self blood 2ml with inj beta methadone 2mg intramuscular every 4th day or every week till patient had complete relief of presentation and on complete symptomatic relief ,administered in tapering dose , literature will be published very shortly

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Will psoriasis affect young adults, is that genetic or contagious disease?

mandysimpkins414

I suffered from same problem too, but I was cured now. It was bad, and makes me very unhappy. I live in China. Here we use Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat skin problems, I went to many hospitals like this and tried many different treatments, but the effect is not very good until I went to a hospital in the North of China. It works, and now I am a happy person again, I am glad to share this with you, you may not able to go there, but you can talk to their doctors for advice. you can find more information on the website of vitiligotcm.

lin70

i have been trying to deal with this disease for years i tried treatments but gotten temporary results ,till i have heard of this i call a prayer answered someone visited me and told me just put male sperm and you will never see Psoriasis again and i had nothing to lose so i did and it worked yes the thought of it bothered me but as long as it works and it did natural medicine got rid of my psoriasis

mc1978

My wife has fairly serious psoriasis. I told her about it and we are going to try it. Have you continued this practice and is it still working?

Rosali

Psoriasis is a common multi factorial, non-contagious, auto-immune skin disease. It affects adults and children in equal proportion. The exact cause osof psoriasis is unknown. There is evidence of a genetic predisposition. A positive family history is often observed. Psoriasis, being an autoimmune disorder has autosomal dominant inheritance. People with dry skin are more likely to develop psoriasis than those with oily or well-moisturized skin. There are many precipitating and aggravating factors so it keeps on recurring and becomes difficult to treat. Combination of ayurvedic herbs and homoeopathic remedies gives good results. These remedies along with nutritional supplements acts on the body and balance the altered immune responses. These are 100% natural and safe, free from side effects and they are not habit forming. Some of the frequently used remedies are C54 PSORAease formula and R65 Reckeweg PSORAease formula. These remedies work by relieving inflammation and reducing the itching of the skin, softening your hardened skin, aidding shredding of silvery scales and working on the immune system making it less responsive to triggering factors.

Hi, I have tried homeopathic treatment for my Psoriasis but I had a major flare up. I had gone to the doctor with the complaint of disease on my scalp and leg and after 3 months of taking the medicine its all over my body.