What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition of the skin that affects both males and females of all ages. It is characterized by inflamed, scaly, thick red patches of the skin, which can become quite itchy and sore. Psoriasis can be found on any part of the body. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis rashes will appear bilaterally. If you have a patch on your right calf, you will likely have one on your left as well. Psoriasis patches can often turn white as the skin cells dry out and flake.
Cause
While a single cause of psoriasis cannot be named, we do know that psoriasis is related to the improper functioning of the immune system. The Mayo Clinic states that the immune system sends out what is called a T cell, whose job is to locate and combat unwanted body invaders such as bacteria and viruses. In psoriasis, instead of combating foreign invaders the cell mistakingly attacks the skin. This causes a rapid production of skin cells, moving them up to the outer layer before the old cells slough off as they would in normal skin production. Since these older skin cells are not gone and the new ones are rapidly coming up, it causes thick, red or white and often flaky patches of skin.
Triggers
So what makes the T cells act up and not function properly? According to research, there are certain environmental factors, as well as genetics, that can trigger the malfunction of a T cell. A review published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dermatology states that trauma, stress, bacterial and viral infections, medications and even weather are all factors that can trigger psoriasis. It also states that people with psoriasis have a genetic predisposition to it. In other words, if there is a history of psoriasis in your family, you have a greater chance of developing it.
