What Causes Psoriasis and Why Do Only Some People Have It?
Unlike what many people believe, Psoriasis is not caused by bacteria, virii or fungi, nor is it a contagious disease.
Psoriasis is what is called an autoimmune disease - a disease that causes the body to use its immune system against itself.
This condition is a result of excessive and abnormal growth of skin cells which causes scaly patches, called psoriatic plaques, to appear over a person's body.
Depending on the severity, this can be in very localized areas (i.
e.
hands, feet, scalp, genitals) or can cover the entire body.
But if it is impossible to contract, why do some people have psoriasis and others dot not? The answer is not fully understood, yet it is believed it lies in a person's genetic makeup.
Certain people are born with the faulty genes that cause psoriasis.
Although this is believed to be hereditary, it is possible for only some family members to inherit these genes (just like the child of a blue eyed parent may have brown eyes).
Furthermore, while the disease may never manifest, there are triggers that can cause it to occur.
Here are a few of those - each may cause a psoriasis flareup.
It is important to emphasize that these do not always cause this effect.
A person may reach adulthood and never know he has psoriasis.
Because of the wide range of triggers, there are many potential treatments for this condition, ranging from medical: medicated creams which soothe inflamed skin, to phototherapy, the exposure of affected skin cells to sunlight can potentially improve the symptoms, to systemic treatment - medications that are taken orally or using an injection, to psychotherapy, which attempts to curb some of the triggers that cause it - such as reducing stress and the tendency to drink.
Psoriasis is what is called an autoimmune disease - a disease that causes the body to use its immune system against itself.
This condition is a result of excessive and abnormal growth of skin cells which causes scaly patches, called psoriatic plaques, to appear over a person's body.
Depending on the severity, this can be in very localized areas (i.
e.
hands, feet, scalp, genitals) or can cover the entire body.
But if it is impossible to contract, why do some people have psoriasis and others dot not? The answer is not fully understood, yet it is believed it lies in a person's genetic makeup.
Certain people are born with the faulty genes that cause psoriasis.
Although this is believed to be hereditary, it is possible for only some family members to inherit these genes (just like the child of a blue eyed parent may have brown eyes).
Furthermore, while the disease may never manifest, there are triggers that can cause it to occur.
Here are a few of those - each may cause a psoriasis flareup.
- Skin injury
- Certain types of infections
- Sunburn
- Stress
- Smoking
- Excessive drinking
It is important to emphasize that these do not always cause this effect.
A person may reach adulthood and never know he has psoriasis.
Because of the wide range of triggers, there are many potential treatments for this condition, ranging from medical: medicated creams which soothe inflamed skin, to phototherapy, the exposure of affected skin cells to sunlight can potentially improve the symptoms, to systemic treatment - medications that are taken orally or using an injection, to psychotherapy, which attempts to curb some of the triggers that cause it - such as reducing stress and the tendency to drink.
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