An inheritance pattern for psoriasis may involve multiple genes or a combination of genes.
Researchers looked at collected DNA and other information and determined the number of genes involved in psoriasis are 36.
Most people who have psoriasis report they have a relative who has psoriasis.
David Pereiras / EyeEm/Getty Images
And having a parent with psoriasis increases a persons risk for developing the condition.
The strongest evidence on genes involved in psoriasis comes from twin studies.
But having identical genes is not the only risk factor.
There are also environmental factors and triggers at play.
After all, researchers have long believed that psoriasis is triggered by a combination of genes and external forces.
exposure to aspects of the same environment.
Genetic risk is not enough for a person to develop psoriasis.
This means that passing certain genes to your child does not mean your child will develop psoriasis.
Planning for Pregnancy
There isnt any evidence that shows psoriasis affects getting pregnant.
However, there is a potential for adverse events.
The study authors noted that women with mild psoriasis did not have this same risk.
Your practitioner is in the best position to determine what treatments are safest for you to use.
A planned pregnancy can help you and your practitioner plan for minimal treatment before getting pregnant and during pregnancy.
You and your healthcare provider can work out a treatment plan in advance of your becoming pregnant.
Men should also limit their psoriasis treatments as well.
In fact, methotrexate should be discontinued before trying to conceive.
During Pregnancy
Hormonal and immune changes may induce or reducepsoriasis symptoms.
Of course, this varies from person to person.
While rare, a woman with no family or personal history can also develop this condition.
Women who develop PPP do so during their third trimester of pregnancy.
PPP is a life-threatening conditionboth for mother and babyand must not be ignored.
A woman with this condition will have areas of inflamed skin with pustules.
Pustules are pimple-looking bumps full of a yellowish fluid called pus.
Affected skin areas are usually anywhere where skin folds, such under the breasts or armpits or the groin.
Pustules usually do not affect the face, hands or soles of feet.
Pustules can also join together and form large plaques.
Additional symptoms of PPP are fatigue, fever, diarrhea, and delirium (severe and sudden confusion).
Fortunately, PPP is treatable.
Work with your healthcare provider to determine a suitable treatment plan for managing psoriasis during pregnancy.
“They did note overuse could contribute to low birth weight.
Because there are few studies with similar findings, the researchers merely suggest biologics might be a safe option.
Some types of light therapy, also calledphototherapy, are safe for use during pregnancy.
Light therapy consists of exposure to daylight or specific wavelengths of light.
Any jot down of light therapy that uses ultraviolet light is not suitable for use during pregnancy.
After Delivery
For women with psoriasis, a healthy delivery is possible.
Labor may increase the chance for a psoriasis flare.
A cesarean delivery is a skin trauma and may induce a serious flare, as may hormonal changes.
Breastfeeding with psoriasis is very possible, asthe condition is not contagious.
Researchers havent studied the effects of psoriasis treatments on breastfed infants.
If your practitioner thinks you need treatments while breastfeeding, you should discuss alternative methods for feeding your baby.
In some cases, you may be able to schedule medications until after you have breastfed your baby.
Most non-medicated topical treatments are OK for use while nursing your baby.
You should still check with your healthcare provider about which ones are safest.
Avoid applying a topical medication to nipples and wash breasts before breastfeeding your baby.
Pregnancy may even give you a nine-month reprieve from itchy, scaly skin plaques.
Even if your psoriasis doesnt subside, there are still safe treatments you could take while pregnant.
Try not to worry that your will baby might have psoriasis later down the road.
Of course, nothing is certain and the information on genetics is based on risk statistics.
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al.Psoriasis and adverse pregnancy outcomes: A systematic review of observational studies.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev.
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doi:10.1002/14651858.CD007346.pub3
National Psoriasis Foundation.Treatment and pregnancy.
Psoriasis (Auckl).
2015; 5: 8395. doi:10.2147/PTT.S82975
American Academy of Dermatology.Can a woman treat psoriasis while pregnant or breastfeeding?.
