Psoriasis Causes - Psoriasis Symptoms

Psoriasis Causes & Symptoms

Psoriasis is a medical condition that appears when skin cells grow speedily. Faulty signals in the immune system causes new skin cells to form in days not in weeks. The body does not throws away these excess skin cells, so the cells pile up on the surface of the skin and lesions form. Psoriasis disease is not contagious. One cannot get Psoriasis from touching someone who has Psoriasis, swimming in the same pool, or even intimate contact. Psoriasis is much more complex, in fact, scientists are still conducting deep research on the actual causes that develops Psoriasis. Psoriasis affected areas includes scalp, elbows, knees, arms, stomach and back. Psoriasis is autoimmune in origin. Around a quarter people who are affected with Psoriasis also suffer from Psoriatic Arthritis. Psoriatic Arthritis is similar to Rheumatoid Arthritis in its effects.

Psoriasis is driven by the immune system, especially involving a type of white blood cell called a T cell. Often, T cells help protect the body against infection and disease. T cells help creating scabs over wounds. In the case of psoriasis, T cells are put into action by mistake and become so active that they trigger other immune responses, which lead to inflammation and to quick turnover of skin cells. Most recently, the natural or innate immune system has been found to be highly implicated. Non-specific natural responses of the skin immune system, and virtually every subsystem of that, are activated in psoriasis. Epidermal cells up on the surface of the skin, forming itchy patches or plaques. The first outbreak of psoriasis is sometimes triggered by emotional or mental stress or physical skin injury, but heredity is a major factor as well. In about 1/3 of the psoriasis cases, there is a family history of psoriasis. Researchers have studied a large number of families affected by psoriasis and identified genes linked to the disease. (Genes govern every bodily function and determine the inherited traits passed from parent to child.) People with psoriasis may notice that there are times when their skin worsens, then improves. Conditions that may cause flareups include infections, stress, and changes in climate that dry the skin. Also, certain medicines, including Lithium salt and beta blockers, which are prescribed for high blood pressure, may trigger an outbreak or worsen the disease. Other autoimmune diseases such as HIV/AIDS may significantly worsen the symptoms of psoriasis. Alcohol consumption and obesity may also worsen the condition. Austrian dermatologist Ferdinand von Hebra in 1841 gave this disease its name Psoriasis when he found this condition completely different from other skin conditions.