8 Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune illness that manifests in a flaky, thick, red, and itchy skin. Patches on the skin brought about by the disease crust over with a covering of silver scales. The immune system uses cells known as T cells to fight off infections. In doing so, they produce inflammation-causing chemicals. When this process goes wrong, it leads to an abnormal growth of skin cells and inflammation with this illness. The severity of psoriasis symptoms differs from individual to individual and the form of the disease. It may infect any part of the body, although it is most common on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. An attack of this disease can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. So, what causes psoriasis? Well, several factors can predispose one to get the disease while others can trigger a flare-up. They are highlighted in detail below.

1. Skin Infections

Between 80 and 90% of people with this skin condition have a form of the disease known as plaque psoriasis. This manifests in the skin as inflamed patches that flake. The skin infections are also painful and itchy.One of the triggers of this form of the disease is trauma (injury) to the skin. This could be intentional injury such as that caused by tattoos or accidental, like cuts and scrapes in a football game. Other accidental triggers could include the site of an injection, a burn, or scratching yourself intensely. All these can cause the autoimmune system to go into overdrive.For people who are overweight, a condition known as inverse psoriasis may be the main culprit. This condition will usually be found where there are folds of skin. Common areas are the buttocks, genitals, and under the breasts. It is thought that sweating and constant rubbing in these areas contribute to the aggravation of the condition. Usually, inflamed lesions appear before the condition escalates.Guttate psoriasis is more likely to appear during childhood up to young adulthood. Tiny red lesions that stand alone, rather than crusty patches define this disease. These tiny spots can spread rapidly to cover large areas of the body.Pustular psoriasis is uncommon and is mostly found in adults. Small pus filled blisters surrounded by reddened skin are the defining marks of this condition. It has multiple triggers that range from respiratory tract infections to various medications.Next