The causes of psoriasis are not clearly established, but it is well established that the disease is genetically induced, plus various external and/or internal aggravating triggers. Psoriasis is an immune disease, with a fatal chronic evolution, often unpredictable, without having a well-established cause.
Genetic factors are beyond any doubt, however scientist could not demonstrate so far, the gene or genes responsible. It is assumed that it is a set of genes that also could not be identified. Studies have shown that 30-50% of patients with various forms of psoriasis have been identified other people with this condition within their family. It is assumed that these genes control immune response and inflammatory reactions in the body. On this genetic area act various factors that are triggers or aggravating features, specific to each patient.
The most common triggers are:
- Trauma, stress, infections, smoking and alcohol, certain medications, hormonal changes, HIV / AIDS, metabolic factors, ultraviolet radiation.
- Infections, particularly streptococcal, followed by the appearance of psoriasis especially in children, but other viral or bacterial infections can trigger or exacerbate the disease.
- Metabolic factors most frequently involved are those associated with hypocalcaemia (low levels of calcium in the blood).
- Endocrine factors involved are particularly associated with two physiological private moments, those regarding menarche and menopause.
- Drugs most commonly involved are lithium salts, beta-blocking agents, anti-malarias, systemic corticosteroids.
- Ultraviolet radiation even if they have a beneficial effect in the vast majority of patients, at a rate of about 10% of patients are associated with worsening or onset of psoriasis.
Extremely important to be noted is the fact that psoriasis is not an infectious disease. To understand how this particular disease occurs, we must study the skin structure. Thus, from surface to depth, the skin consists of epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. The main cells of the epidermis are the keratinocytes, cells arranged in several layers: basal, spinouts, granular and corneum. Basal cell layer is arranged in a single line and is designed to continuously produce cells that will "move" toward the surface. This "road" normally takes 28-30 days and is associated with a number of changes in the cells.
In psoriasis, this time is much shorter, about 3-4 days and normal cell changes do not appear. Thus, appear specific clinical manifestations of psoriasis that thicken the skin, skin redness and peeling appearance. Also, the occurrence of the disease is associated with inflammatory and immunological changes. Psoriasis is a non-contagious disease that affects the joints and the skin.
It can affect any area of the body, and a defining characteristic of this disease, which makes it very difficult to treat, is that it comes and goes often.
Although a cure for psoriasis is very hard to find some natural remedies have proven to be very effective. In addition, these remedies have no bad side effects.
Doctors and scientists are still not sure of the particular cause of psoriasis, but they concluded that genes may be an important factor in triggering psoriasis.