What causes psoriasis?
-
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is affected by sunlight. Dr. Oz answers singer LeAnne Rhimes' question about psoriasis in this video.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that is affected by sunlight. Dr. Oz answers singer LeAnne Rhimes' question about psoriasis in this video. More -
Psoriasis is most likely caused by a malfunctioning immune system. In this particular case, the malfunction has to do with white blood cells known as T cells. If you have psoriasis, your T cells aren't operating as they should, causing inflammation and a buildup of extra skin cells. Unfortunately, no one knows what causes this malfunction. But in addition to knowing that the condition has something to do with your immune system, researchers have also linked it to genetics. Several genes responsible for psoriasis have already been identified. Your environment can play a role too, and it's possible that psoriasis may be caused by a combination of all three of these factors.
Psoriasis is most likely caused by a malfunctioning immune system. In this particular case, the malfunction has to do with white blood cells known as T cells. If you have psoriasis, your T cells aren't operating as they should, causing inflammation... More -
RealAge answered:We don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, but it appears that a combination of factors contribute to its development. Basically, psoriasis starts with inflammation in the skin that prompts new skin cells to develop. The process starts in the basal (bottom) layer of the epidermis, where keratinocytes are made. Keratinocytes are epidermal skin cells that produce keratin, a tough protein that helps form hair, nails, and skin. In normal cell growth, keratinocytes grow and move from the bottom layer to the skin’s surface and shed unnoticed. This process takes about a month.
In people with psoriasis, the keratinocytes multiply very rapidly and travel from the basal layer to the surface in about three to four days. The skin cannot shed these cells quickly enough, so they build up, leading to thick, dry plaques. Silvery, flaky areas of dead skin build up on the surface of the plaques. The underlying skin layer (dermis), which contains the nerves, blood, and lymphatic vessels, becomes red and swollen.
From The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin, and a Whole New You by Amy Wechsler.
Find out more about this book: The Mind-Beauty Connection: 9 Days to Less Stress, Gorgeous Skin, and a Who...
We don’t know exactly what causes psoriasis, but it appears that a combination of factors contribute to its development. Basically, psoriasis starts with inflammation in the skin that prompts new skin cells to develop. The process starts in... More -
Dr. Michael T Murray answered:Psoriasis is caused by a pileup of skin cells that have replicated too rapidly. The rate at which skin cells divide in psoriasis is roughly 1,000 times as great as in normal skin. This high rate of replication is simply too fast for the cells to be shed, so they accumulate, resulting in the characteristic silvery scales of psoriasis. Although psoriasis has a significant genetic component, a number of factors appear to cause or contribute to psoriasis, including incomplete protein digestion, bowel toxemia, impaired liver function, alcohol consumption, excessive consumption of animal fats, and stress.
Psoriasis is caused by a pileup of skin cells that have replicated too rapidly. The rate at which skin cells divide in psoriasis is roughly 1,000 times as great as in normal skin. This high rate of replication is simply too fast for the cells to be... More -
Healthwise answered:The exact cause of psoriasis isn't known.
Doctors believe that the immune system overreacts, causing inflammation and flaking of skin.
Many scientists believe that psoriasis can be inherited. About one-third of people who have psoriasis have one or more family members with the condition. But it isn't clear that genetic factors alone determine whether you develop get psoriasis.
Psoriasis isn't contagious—it can't be spread by touch from person to person.
The exact cause of psoriasis isn't known. Doctors believe that the immune system overreacts, causing inflammation and flaking of skin. Many scientists believe that psoriasis can be inherited. About one-third of people who have psoriasis have one or... More
