What causes Psoriasis?
It is not known what causes psoriasis, but there are various theories. Some factors might indeed contribute to or trigger the development of psoriasis. The most common theory is that the immune system is not working right. Similar to auto immune diseases, psoriasis is a disorder that causes the body to fight itself. In the case of psoriasis the body fights its own tissue, sometimes even joints. The white blood cells (T cells) in the body produce overdoses of chemicals that are actually thought to help our body heal faster. Overdoses of these chemicals cause inflammation of the skin. Psoriasis might have genetic causes and can therefore probably be inherited. People affected by psoriasis have usually a specific genetic factor that sabotages the immune system. However, only a smaller percentage of people with this special gene actually suffer from psoriasis. In those cases the psoriasis is however also caused by one or more of the triggers mentioned here.
While the exact cause of psoriasis is not known, current research indicates that a disorder in the body’s immune system Immune System A that protects the body from foreign substances and pathogenic organisms by producing the immune response., the system that protects one’s body from infection, may be involved in the development of psoriasis. In people with psoriasis, a malfunction of the immune system causes skin cells to reproduce faster than normal. Because of their rapid growth, and the lack of time for the cells to shed, skin cells accumulate forming plaques. For example, a normal skin cell grows to maturity in 28-30 days. It then sheds from the skin’s surface. A psoriatic skin cell on the other hand takes only 3-4 days to mature. It then moves to the surface of the skin where it builds up with other cells, forming the thick scaly patches called plaques.
Some people’s genes have a tendency towards acquiring psoriasis which could be triggered off by injury, throat infection, certain drugs and physical or emotional stress. Although the exact causes are not known, it is widely understood to be a genetic immune disorder. Is it contagious ? No! Psoriasis is never spread from person to person. It does not even spread from one part of the body to another. It is a peculiar condition where some parts of the skin gets affected. Is it serious ? Although Psoriasis is a chronic, stubborn condition of the skin, it is rarely serious. However, the sore, dry, scaly skin can give it the appearance of a serious disease. It has been reported that around 10% of those affected by Psoriasis also get affected by a condition called Psoriatic Arthritis. This is an affliction of the joints particularly of fingers and toes occassionally in the lumbar joints causing a low backache. Like Psoriasis this form of arthritis can also wax and wane. What makes psoriasis w
