Psoriasis Causes

About Psoriasis Causes

Nobody knows with absolute certainty what causes psoriasis. It is generally understood that genetics and the bodies immune system play large parts in it’s development. The majority of psoriasis researchers are in agreement that the immune system is somehow wrongly activated, which causes a number of events, most notably the large increase in skin cell growth.

Normal skin cells mature and fall off the body in approx 28 to 30 days. Skin cells in a person suffering with psoriasis take 3 to 4 days to fully mature and instead of shedding (dropping off), the skin cells build up on the exterior surface of the skin leading to psoriasis lesions forming.

Psoriasis researchers believe that at least 9 percent of the worlds population inherits 1 or more of these genes that create a pre-disposed condition to psoriasis. Despite these large numbers, only 2 percent to 3 percent of the population develops full or partial psoriasis. Psoriasis researchers understand that for a sufferer to develop psoriasis, that person must have a combination of the genes in their genetics that cause psoriasis and also be exposed to external factors known as “psoriasis triggers.”

About Psoriasis triggers

Psoriasis triggers are not the same in everyone. What can activate one person’s psoriasis, may certainly not affect another person.

Established major psoriasis triggers include:

Stress

Stress can be a major reason psoriasis flare’s up for the first time or can aggravate existing psoriasis. Relaxation, decent sleep and a good diet may help to prevent stress from impacting or making the psoriasis outbreak worse.

Injury to skin surface

Psoriasis does make an appearance in areas of the skin surface that has been recently traumatized or injured. Medical vaccination injections, skin sunburn, cuts and scratches can all lead to a psoriasis outbreak. This can be treated if caught early enough with a psoriasis cream or lotion.

Certain Medications

Some medications are associated with triggering psoriasis.

These can include: Litium, Antimalarials, Inderal, Indomethacin, Inderal, Quinidine and other pharmacy medicines.

Other psoriasis triggers can include diet, allergies, lack of sleep, the weather and also too much alcohol or recreational drugs (or other medications as discussed above).