The same environmental factors can also trigger diseaseflare-upsperiods of high disease activity and increased skin symptoms.
The other bang out of psoriatic disease ispsoriatic arthritis(PsA).
Psoriasis primarily affects the skin, but it can sometimes lead to PsA.
George Pachantouris / Getty Images
Both types of psoriatic disease are immune systemdirected conditions characterized by systemic (whole-body)inflammation.
But with psoriatic disease, the invaders do not actually exist.
Inflammation presents as skin and joint swelling.
The inflammatory response in psoriatic disease can also cause inflammation that cannot be seen.
Is Psoriasis Genetic?
It’s also possible to pass on genes related to the development of psoriasis to a child.
But simply having genetic mutations related to the condition does not mean you will go on to develop psoriasis.
Triggering events cause a change in the immune system resulting in the condition.
Such events include stress, medications, infections, and smoking.
Mechanical stress might also trigger psoriasis.
A 2019Journal of Investigative Dermatologyreport finds that mechanical stress can amplify skin cell and inflammatory protein production.
Researchers do not have any real answers to why some people develop psoriasis from using certain medicines.
However, they suspect some drugs might affect skin cell production and trigger inflammatory processes.
Infections
Strep throatandstaph infectionsare commonly linked to the development of psoriasis.
Some kinds of yeast infections might also be linked to psoriasis.
A staph infection is caused byStaphylococcusbacteria that can either lead to a minor or life-threatening skin infection.
Quitting smoking reduces your risk for psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases.
A healthcare provider can offer resources and advise you on the best ways to quit.
Alcohol also can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications or lead to severe drug side effects.
The more body fat there is, the more adipokines that get released.
Weather
It is unknown if weather increases psoriasis risk.
But cold, dry weather might trigger a psoriasis flare for some people.
Skin Injury
Psoriasis can occur in areas where there is damage to the skin.
A skin injury could be anything from an injection to a sunburn to a deep cut to a tattoo.
This is called theKoebner phenomenon(skin lesions that appear due to trauma in previously health skin).
It causes psoriasis lesions days or weeks after a skin injury.
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
Psoriasis is not a contagious condition.
Those attacks lead to inflammation which causes skin cells to grow too quickly, forming skin patches.
But genetics and a family history alone are not enough to lead to its development.
Psoriasis occurs due to genetics and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissue.
Such triggers include stress, skin injuries, infections, and medications.
There is a misconception that psoriasis is contagious, which isn’t true.
These factors increase your risk, but other characteristics that lead the immune system to malfunction must also occur.
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and other tissues throughout the body.
About one-third of people with psoriasis will go on to develop PsA.
Psoriasis mainly affects the skin.
But untreated inflammation from the condition can eventually lead to disease complications.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.
National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.
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