Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by thickening, inflammation as well as flaking of skin. It is a chronic disease that occurs in adults.
There is no single cause identified by the researchers for occurrence of psoriasis but it is believed that it may occur due to the following causes:
- Autoimmunity: The T-cells present in the human body are the white blood cells that provide immunity against infections and foreign agents during its normal functioning. Psoriasis result when these defence cells overreact by causing defensive action against the body’s own skin cells by recognising them as foreign cells. This leads to a chain of unnecessary events causing inflammation of the skin.
- Genetics: Psoriasis may also run in families with heredity being a predisposing factor.
- Environmental agents: Certain infections like common cold, HIV or other immunosuppressive diseases may also result in psoriasis by making the overall immune system of the body compromised.
Triggering agents of Psoriasis
Psoriasis may be already present in some individuals but is symptomless. These symptoms could be aroused by some triggering agent present inside the body or in the external environment. These triggering agents could be any of the following:
- Viral or bacterial infections: Infections like common cold and strep throat could lead to triggering of psoriasis by lowering elevating the inflammatory response in the body.
- Immunosuppressive diseases: Some diseases like HIV/AIDS lower the immunity of body by attacking the immune system of the body directly. Other immunosuppressive diseases include cancer, tuberculosis etc.
- Dryness: Weather may also affect the skin as in winters when the dry air may lead to dryness as well as flakingof skin.
- Immunosuppressant drugs: Some drugs like anti-malarial drugs, beta-blockers, lithium and other metals may cause suppression of immunity thus triggering psoriasis.
- Stress: Emotional stress also tends to compromise the immune system that may become another triggering agent for psoriasis.
- Cuts, burns or bites: Various injuries or insect as well as animal bites or burns may also trigger psoriasis.
- Sunburn or sunrays: Harmful sunrays may also lead to skin burns leading to psoriasis. Deficient exposure to sun may also trigger psoriasis.
- Alcohol: Increased intake of alcohol may be another agent for lowering the immunity.
- Smoking: Smoking cigarettes or bidis may also result in appearance of symptoms of psoriasis as the tobacco contained in these also affect the immunity.
All the above agents may either lead to appearance of symptoms of psoriasis or may even lead to worsening of the already existing condition.