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Psoriasis is a condition of the
skin that is little understood. The underlying cause appears
to be an autoimmune disorder that causes the body to produce
new skin cells at an accelerated rate that leads to the inflammation
and itching that is characteristic with psoriasis. Normally skin
cells take 28 to 30 days to grow to maturity, but in people who
have an outbreak of psoriasis this process is shortened to 3
to 6 days. The scaling, itching and inflammation of the skin
is caused by the over build-up of skin cells.
It is believed that the main cause
of psoriasis is driven by a certain type of white blood cell
known as a T-cell. T-cells are one of the body's defenses against
disease and infection, but in the case of psoriasis they leap
into action unintentionally and begin to trigger other immune
systems which accelerate the creation of new skin cells. Because
the skin cells grow and mature quicker then normal they also
die off much faster, creating a build up of dead skin cells on
the surface. This build up of dead skin cells forms the characteristic
plaques, or flaky patches, that sufferers of psoriasis are familiar
with. The redness and inflammation of the underlying skin is
a product of the increased blood supply needed to feed the new
skin cells that are growing at an accelerated rate below the
plaques.
While anyone at any age can suffer
from psoriasis researchers have found that people in their thirties
and sixties are more likely to develop this skin condition than
people in other age groups. Why this is the case no one knows.
It is also apparent that heredity can be a marker for an increased
chance of contracting psoriasis. Children who have one parent
who suffers from psoriasis have a ten percent chance of contracting
the disease. That percentage goes up dramatically to fifty percent
if both parents have this condition. Scientists, who have done
studies on families afflicted with psoriasis, have been able
to identify genes that are known links to the condition.
The exact causes of psoriasis remains
something of a mystery but there are known triggers that are
linked to outbreaks. Many people who suffer from this disease
notice that there are times the condition is worse and times
it seems to get better. Reactions to certain drugs, such as lithium
and beta blockers, have been shown to trigger a psoriasis outbreak
and in extreme instances make the condition worse.
Because psoriasis is caused by a
faulty immune system anything that stimulates the body's defenses
can bring about an outbreak. An injury such as a cut or bruise
or an infection, particularly strep, can all cause an outbreak.
Another factor that can cause an
outbreak of psoriasis is stress. People who suffer from psoriasis
have noticed that as their stress levels go up so does the potential
for a severe outbreak of their skin inflammation. Psoriasis in
and of itself also causes stress leading to a self perpetuating
problem of continual outbreaks that increase in severity as a
person's stress level increases.
One way that psoriasis cannot be
caught is through contact with someone who suffers from the disease.
It is not a contagious skin condition, and although it is unsightly
and can cause repulsive reactions from those who do not suffer
its affects it is important to remember that those who suffer
from it need the reassurance and support of friends and family
along with proper treatment to help them live a normal life.
About the author: Do you or someone you know suffer from psoriasis?
If you want to learn more about the causes of psoriasis, symptoms,
and treatments then visit http://psoriasis.health-choices-net.com
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