A survey found that less than 20% of respondents knew that HPV is associated with Psoriasis.
A survey found that many people don’t realize that the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) can cause Psoriasis in addition to genital warts and some forms of cancer.
The relationship between HPV and Psoriasis has gained renewed interest as represented by an article in The New York Times published on September 29, 2013. The article states that “Infections caused by viruses or bacteria can trigger some cases of psoriasis.
For example… human papillomaviruses (HPV) called EV-HPV has been associated with psoriasis (1).”
A study published in The Journal of Pathology in January 2006 said that “In addition to cancers, cutaneous (skin infected) HPVs have also been detected … in the development of psoriasis (2).”
Another study showed that “HPV types 5 and 36 were detected at high frequency in children with psoriasis (3).”
In further studies, HPV 5 was also “detected at high frequency in psoriatic plaques (4).”
Yet another study showed that “HPV DNA positivity in plucked hairs from psoriatic patients undergoing PUVA treatment (was) also been noted (5).”
“I’ve had Psoriasis for years. I never knew HPV could be a cause.” – Max J. (Pittsburgh)
The bottom line?
The HPV virus is a bad, bad virus. Infected people should be concerned, and it’s recommended that these individuals use a product known to help the immune system target the latent form of the virus.
(1) NYTimes.com – Health Guide – Psoriasis – Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Review Date: 12/3/2013
(2) Akgül B1, Cooke JC, Storey A. “HPV-associated skin disease.” J Pathol. 2006 Jan;208(2):165-75.
(3) Mahé E1, Bodemer C, Descamps V, Mahé I, Crickx B, De Prost Y, Favre M. “High frequency of detection of human papillomaviruses associated with epidermodysplasia verruciformis in children with psoriasis.” Br J Dermatol. 2003 Oct;149(4):819-25.
(4) Prignano G1, Ferraro C, Mussi A, Stivali F, Trento E, Bordignon V, Crescimbeni E, Salvati G, Degener AM, Ameglio F. “Prevalence of human papilloma virus type 5 DNA in lesional and non-lesional skin scales of Italian plaque-type psoriatic patients: association with disease severity.” Clin Microbiol Infect. 2005 Jan;11(1):47-51.