Psoriasis is a common skin disorder affecting 1-2 % of the general population. It is a chronic skin condition in which there is scaling of skin. Psoriasis can be controlled not cured. so you should know the causes of psoriasis which leads to a lot of suffering to those affected. Following are causes of psoriasis.
The exact cause of psoriasis is not yet known. there is genetic predisposition. if one of your parents is suffering from psoriasis, then you have 25% chance of inheriting the disease. if both of your parents are suffering from psoriasis, then the chance is doubled. It is important for everyone to note that psoriasis is not infectious or contagious. It does not spread from one person to another through contact.
The normal skin cell maturation cycle is about 28 – 30 days. But due to some triggers, this process gets accelerated. It can also happen due to some faulty genes. when the process is accelerated, the whole process occurs in about 3-6 days. Due to this, rapid scaling of skin occurs. The skin cells mature early, slough, and scales form. The scales remain attached at one point and the whole body gets covered with white silvery scales.
Recent studies show that psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. Antibodies are formed against the cells of stratum corneum and nuclei of cells of basal cell layer which are layers of epidermis of skin. these antibodies attack cells of epidermis and set off a cascade of events which make the skin cells to mature very fast. This results in proliferation of epidermis resulting in formation of epidermis and leading to formation of scales in psoriasis. also the T lymphocytes which are protective cells of our immune system, suddenly start producing chemicals which cause inflammation of the skin and joints.
The precipitating factors of psoriasis are trauma involving the epidermis and dermis, winter season, emotional stress, depression, pregnancy, upper respiratory tract infection, alcohol and tobacco smoking. Cell proliferation also occurs if there is fall in the level of cyclic AMP. Drugs like beta- blockers and lithium decrease cyclic AMP and are known to exacerbate or precipitate psoriasis. Sudden withdrawal of topical or systemic corticosteroid is also shown to precipitate psoriasis in some people.