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  2. Psoriasis
    PsoriasisSkin disease
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  3. Psoriasis - Causes

    Verified Expert

    • It is believed to result from abnormal immune system. The risk factors or triggers of psoriasis are:
    • Family history
    • Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections
    • Injury to the skin such as a cut or severe burn
    • Stress
    • Obesity
    • Smoking
    • Alcohol abuse
    • Vitamin deficiency
    • Medications such as beta blockers, antimalarials, and lithium
    • Cold weather

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    Complications

    Verified Expert

    The following complications may be noted in severe cases of psoriasis.

    • Eye conditions: Such as conjunctivitis, blepharitis and uveitis
    • Obesity: People with severe psoriasis tend to be obese
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • High blood pressure
    • High cholesterol
    • Cardiovascular diseases such as irregular heartbeat and atherosclerosis
    • Metabolic syndrome
    • Autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease
    • Parkinson’s disease
    • Kidney disease
    • Depression

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    Symptoms vary from person to person and may include:

    • Red patches with thick, silvery scales which may range from a few spots to large areas of scaly patches
    • Small scaling spots, commonly noted in children
    • Dry, cracked skin which may be accompanied by bleeding
    • Itching, burning, and painful lesions which may be accompanied by soreness
    • Thick, pitted, or ridged nails
    • Swollen joints with stiffness

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    What are the risk factors for psoriasis?
    Having another autoimmune disorder or taking certain medications may raise the risk of developing psoriasis. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, but it likely results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that affects the skin, causing skin cells to multiply rapidly and accumulate on the surface of the skin.
    healthline.com

    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    The diagnosis of psoriasis is mainly based on obtaining information from the patients.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: The doctor examines the skin, scalp and nails.

    Patient history: The doctor asks for information to know if you have had an affected family member.

    Complete blood count (CBC): To check blood cell count, cholesterol levels and to check for infections.

    Skin biopsy: Rarely required; a small skin sample taken from the affected area is tested.

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    Microsoft Start Health

    Treatment

    Verified Expert

    There is no permanent cure for psoriasis and treatments aim at reducing symptoms such as pain, inflammation, and scaling. Combination of treatments including topical creams, oral medications and injections is given.

    Medication

    Psoralens: Are used in combination with light therapy.

    Methoxsalen

    Immunosuppressants: Reduce inflammation by reducing the strength of the body's immune system.

    Methotrexate

    Biologics: Reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system

    Etanercept . Ustekinumab . Secukinumab

    Topical retinoids: Reduce inflammation.

    Tazarotene

    Vitamin D analogues: To slow skin cell growth.

    Calcipotriene

    Calcineurin inhibitors: Reduce inflammation and plaque buildup.

    Tacrolimus . Pimecrolimus

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    Source: Focus Medica. For informational purposes only. Consult a medical professional for advice. | Disclaimer: Opinions are from external health professionals and should not be considered as Microsoft's opinion or a substitute for professional help. Consult a health professional for medical advice.
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    Table of Contents
    Causes
    Complications
    Symptoms
    What are the risk factors for psoriasis?
    Diagnosis
    Health guide
    Treatment
     
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  2. Psoriasis is caused by an over-reactive immune system that creates inflammation in the skin1. Common triggers for psoriasis include:
    • Stress
    • Illness (particularly strep infections)
    • Injury to the skin
    • Certain medications
    • Cold temperatures
    • Alcohol
    • Smoking
    • Having another autoimmune disorder
    • Infections that cause a weakened immune system
    • Skin injury
    • Excessive stress and tension234.
    Learn more:
    An over-reactive immune system that creates inflammation in your skin causes psoriasis. If you have psoriasis, your immune system is supposed to destroy foreign invaders, like bacteria, to keep you healthy and prevent you from getting sick. Instead, your immune system can mistake healthy cells for foreign invaders.

    Psoriasis: What It Is, Symptoms, Causes, …

    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/6866-psoria…

    The triggers vary from person to person, but common psoriasis triggers include:

    • cold temperatures
    • drinking too much alcohol
    • smoking

    Psoriasis Causes, Triggers, and Preventi…

    www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/causes
    No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe it’s a combination of things. Something sets off your immune system, which causes inflammation. That triggers new skin cells to form too quickly. Normally, skin cells are replaced every 10-30 days. With psoriasis, new cells grow every 3-4 days.

    Psoriasis: Pictures, Symptoms, Causes, …

    www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/p…

    Common psoriasis triggers include: Stress Skin injury, such as a cut or bad sunburn Infection, such as strep throat Some medications, including lithium, prednisone, and hydroxychloroquine Weather, especially cold, dry weather Tobacco Alcohol (heavy drinking)

    Psoriasis: Causes - American Academy o…

    www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/what/causes
     
  3. Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org › diseases-conditions › psoriasis

    Psoriasis - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

     
  4. WebMD
    https://www.webmd.com › skin-problems-…

    Psoriasis: Types, Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

    Psoriasis Causes. No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis, but experts believe it’s a combination of things. Something sets off your immune system, which causes inflammation. That...