causes of psoriasis
The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it is known that your immune system plays a part. Your immune system is your body's defence against disease and helps to fight infection.
If you have psoriasis, T cells (which exist in the blood and are part of your body's defence system) start to attack healthy skin cells by mistake. This triggers the immune system to produce new skin cells and also more T cells.
The cycle of skin cell production becomes faster and faster. Skin cells are created and then die in the space of five to six days, rather than the normal 28 days. The dead skin cells build up on the surface of your skin in thick, scaly patches.
Genetics
Psoriasis runs in families. One in three people with psoriasis has a close relative with the condition.
The exact role that genetics plays in causing psoriasis is unclear. Research studies have shown that many different genes are linked to the development of psoriasis. It is likely that different combinations of genes may make people more vulnerable to the condition. However, having these genes does not necessarily mean that you will develop it.
Psoriasis triggers
Many people with psoriasis find that their symptoms start or become worse because of a certain event, known as a trigger. Knowing your triggers may mean you can avoid a flare-up of psoriasis. Common triggers include:
- an injury to your skin such as a cut, scrape, insect bite or sunburn (this is known as the Koebner response)
- alcohol
- smoking
- stress
- certain medicines such as lithium, some antimalarial medicines, anti-inflammatory medicines including ibuprofen, ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure) and beta blockers (used to treat congestive heart failure)
- throat infections. In some people, usually children and young adults, a form of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis (which causes smaller pink patches, often without a lot of scaling) develops after a streptococcal throat infection. However, most people who have streptococcal throat infections do not develop psoriasis
- other immune disorders. Diseases of the immune system, such as HIV, can cause psoriasis to flare up or to appear for the first time.
For more information about the diagnosis of psoriasis follow this link
Click here to tell a friend about talkpsoriasis
Last Reviewed: 22 November 2011
Next Review Date: 10 November 2013
