Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that is a result of the immune system sending faulty signals that accelerate the growth of skin cells.
Psoriasis can be categorized into five types:
- Pustular,
- Guttate,
- Plaque,
- Erythrodermic
- Inverse.
Psoriasis – Causes Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is mainly caused by the changes in the immune system, concerning T cells which are a type of white blood cells.
Originally, the function of T cells is to provide protection to the body against infections and diseases but in the case of Psoriasis, T cells become overactive setting off other immune reactions.
As the dead skin and white blood cells can’t shed off quickly, they develop into thick, scaly patches on the surface of the skin.
The most widely prevalent type is plaque which appears as red patches, raised covered with dead skin cells which is silvery white. It might appear anywhere on your body and is connected with grave health issues, e.g. heart disease, depression & diabetes.
There are times when the skin becomes worse and then gets better. This flaring up of skin occurs due to many reasons:
- Allergies and infections, e.g. strep throat/thrush
- Injury to the skin:
- Psoriases can occur on the skin that has been injured or traumatized.
- This is called the Koebner phenomenon. Koebner response can be triggered by vaccinations, sunburns, scratches, a cut or scrape and bug bite.
- Stress
- Changes in weather or climate: Cold weather that makes the skin dry
- Smoking: Especially in woman increases the likelihood of getting Psoriasis
- Heavy alcohol consumption
- Medications: Lithium for bipolar disorder, medicines for high blood pressure, e.g. beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, iodides, Inderal, Quindine, Indomethacin, NSAIDS and drugs that treat certain mental illnesses.
- Too little or too much sunlight.