Psoriasis causes are more complex and challenging than you may anticipate.
Though it seems like just another skin rash, psoriasis is an autoimmune disease.
Medical researchers are still learning why the immune system malfunctions.
© Verywell, 2018
In all autoimmune conditions, the immune system identifies healthy cells as dangerous and attacks them.
As a result, the top two causes of psoriasis are inflammation and genetics.
With psoriasis, there is no pathogen.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
This triggers inflammation, which leads to the rapid production of skin cells (keratinocytes).
It usually takes new cells a month to reach the surface.
With psoriasis, that time is cut to three to five days.
Genetics
Genetics is believed to play a central role in the development of psoriasis.
This is especially true withguttate psoriasiswhich almost always follows anupper respiratoryorstrep infection.
HIVis another infection commonly associated with psoriasis.
This is known as theKoebner phenomenon, a reaction that occurs along a line of a skin trauma.
If you have psoriasis, it’s essential to treat minor skin injuries right away.
A compression bandage may be especially useful.
Doing this may reduce the risk of an acute flare.
Even the vigorous rubbing of skin or friction from a tight collar or belt can trigger psoriasis.
This response is closely linked to increases in a person’sbody mass index (BMI).
It is believed that the inflammation induced by obesity can instigate the outbreak ofpsoriasis symptoms.
Hormones
Several hormones play a role in psoriasis.
Changes in female and male hormones (estrogen and androgens) may also affect psoriasis.
However, the current evidence reveals contradictory findings.
More research is needed to determine the exact relationship between these hormones and psoriasis.
Oral corticosteroidsused to treat psoriasis can trigger severe “rebound” symptoms if you stop abruptly.
Get our printable guide for your next healthcare provider’s appointment to help you ask the right questions.
These are five common lifestyle variables associated with a higher risk of developing psoriasis.
Smoking increases inflammation and may trigger the immune response.
It can also influence your response to psoriasis treatment by reducing the effectiveness of anti-inflammatory drugs.
On the flip side, acute psoriatic flares can induce stress and make your condition worse.
For some people, stress both triggers and perpetuates the disease.
Physical stressfrom surgery or childbirth, for exampleis also a common trigger for psoriasis outbreaks.
Cold temperatures sap the air of moisture, leading to dry skin, a common psoriasis trigger.
However, too much sun (whether natural sunlight or from tanning beds) causes skin damage and inflammation.
The best way to benefit from ultraviolet light is with supervisedphototherapydelivered in a dermatologist’s office.
Gluten
People with psoriasis have a higher risk of developingceliac disease.
Studies suggest that both conditions may share common genetic and inflammatory pathways.
More research is needed to verify their connection.
However, if it exists, gluten may also trigger psoriasis and a gluten-free diet may improve symptoms.
Summary
There are many psoriasis causes.
Numerous genetic mutations have a potential role in causing the condition.
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