Causes of psoriasis are not yet determined

[MikeK]

HEALTH OPTIONS

Causes of psoriasis are not yet determined

By Joannie Dobbs and Alan Titchenal

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Feb 01, 2010

Psoriasis has perplexed sufferers and their doctors ever since the skin condition was first described. It persists as a major medical problem around the world, with an estimated 7.5 million sufferers in the United States alone.

Question: What is psoriasis?

Answer: There are several types of psoriasis. Most types result in raised patches of skin that are red and become covered with a scaly white covering of dead skin. These patches can be itchy and painful. However, psoriasis can even affect the fingernails and cause arthritic symptoms in some people.

The National Psoriasis Foundation considers this chronic skin condition to be caused by an autoimmune mechanism. In psoriasis it seems that the immune system inappropriately speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells on various parts of the body, and this leads to the common symptoms of the condition.

Q: What do doctors think causes psoriasis?

A: No one seems to have a widely accepted answer to this question, and there is likely more than one cause. What seems clear is that specific immune cells called T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells and create an inflamed condition characteristic of infection or wound healing.

What causes the T cells to function this way is not known, but researchers speculate that it might be related to a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Also, psoriasis symptoms can clear up and return for no obvious reasons.

Q: Are there common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups?

A: The Mayo Clinic Web site lists some common things that can trigger psoriasis. These include injuries to the skin (scrapes, bug bites or severe sunburn), stress, cold weather, smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, a variety of medications and infections such as strep throat.

The link with strep throat is interesting. Some researchers have proposed that the streptococcus bacteria that commonly lives inside of tonsils is capable of producing "superantigens" that, through a complex series of steps involving the immune system, can trigger the symptoms of psoriasis. Although much more research is needed to prove this theory, one study reported that people with psoriasis had strep throat infections 10 times as often as usual. Also, some cases of partial or complete recovery from psoriasis have been reported after tonsil removal. However, there was no way to prove that the psoriasis remission was related to the tonsillectomy.

Q: Do diet and nutrition play a role in the disease?

A: A variety of nutritional factors are being studied. These include the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids, wheat gluten, antioxidants and vitamin B-12. None of these have emerged as clear-cut major factors in psoriasis, but they might help some patients. Though not a cure, prescription vitamin D analog skin creams can help reduce symptoms. Oral vitamin D supplements also might help, but combining supplements with the use of creams should only be done with medical supervision.

Since the immune system is clearly involved in psoriasis, maintaining an overall healthful diet that meets all nutrient needs is likely important. Many nutrients are known to be essential for normal immune function, so a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies could be involved and they could be different from one sufferer to another.

Joannie Dobbs, Ph.D., C.N.S., and Alan Titchenal, Ph.D., C.N.S., are nutritionists in the Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii-Manoa. Dobbs also works with University Health Services.

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[Redboy]

Q: What do doctors think causes psoriasis?

A: No one seems to have a widely accepted answer to this question, and there is likely more than one cause. What seems clear is that specific immune cells called T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells and create an inflamed condition characteristic of infection or wound healing.

What causes the T cells to function this way is not known, but researchers speculate that it might be related to a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental factors. Also, psoriasis symptoms can clear up and return for no obvious reasons.

Come on doctors this is not 1950 now is 2010 doctors should know to fix psoriasis.

Problem is doctors is too ignore...listen to patients background problem etc.

[Followell]

Thanks for posting, Mike. This sounds almost word for word what my derm has told me.

I think the quote: "Many nutrients are known to be essential for normal immune function, so a wide variety of nutritional deficiencies could be involved and they could be different from one sufferer to another" is so true. I believe we are what we eat and we all eat differently.

Redboy, I agree they should have an answer by now! With all our technology and everything, I'm sure they could if they put forth the effort. I guess p isn't that hi on the list.

[firefighter777]

Their is no money in cures, pharmacutical companies make their money in treatments and meds.

[RichJ]

hi firefighter777,
welcome to the p family. you have meet some of the wonderful people on here and will find alot of great info. welcome and nice to meet you.

try and have a good day all

richard

[brandy55]

Their is no money in cures, pharmacutical companies make their money in treatments and meds.

I totally agree with you!

[tinabina0604]

Agreed! I understand that it is a complicated disease, but there should be something more by now! I am currently on 5 different medications that cost me an arm and a leg every month (with insurance), which I'm sure everyone is familiar with! It's getting a little ridiculous and very frustrating!

Their is no money in cures, pharmacutical companies make their money in treatments and meds.

[SCCatman]

It really is a VERY complex disease. There are at least a dozen genes involved, and there may be as many as several thousand. Each gene can be wrong in many different ways. these means that everyone has a slightly different version of the disease.
For a long time it was thought to be a disease of the skin, then a disease of the immune system, now I think the beats guess is that it is a problem with microRNA, which is just beginning to be studied.
Keep in mind that as recently as the 1980's if you had P, there were no good options for treating it.

Personally, I am amazed at how fast progress has been made in the last 10/15 years.
Dennis

[lpagano]

Sccatman, I agree. P is in my family, I have had it since 1958, there was nothing back then, tar and light and I am allergic to both. My poor grandfather could only get relief by wrapping himself in sheets soaked in ice water, we have come a very looooooooooooooong way.

I have a real pet peeve about peoples perception of pharmaceutical companies...they are in the business of TREATING disease. Scientist find the cures, when people attack the drug companies for not finding the cure, it just pi---- me off. ...and no I don't work for a drug company.

[Followell]

Keep in mind that as recently as the 1980's if you had P, there were no good options for treating it.
Personally, I am amazed at how fast progress has been made in the last 10/15 years.
Dennis

Dennis - Good point. Thanks for putting it perspective!

[Followell]

I have a real pet peeve about peoples perception of pharmaceutical companies...they are in the business of TREATING disease. Scientist find the cures, when people attack the drug companies for not finding the cure, it just pi---- me off. ...and no I don't work for a drug company.

Ipagano
You are so right. I was blaming the doctors - I wasn't thinking about the scientists!
I was thinking...could I also blame the medical schools? My son and his wife are both doctors, and neither one of them have ever had a nutrition class!!

Ha! You can see I'm wanting to blame someone...I just want it GONE!!

[Cappy72]

My derm has an interesting theory and as it relates to me, I think he might be right.

His research seems to point to "metabolic syndrome". In my case, I started with a mild case of psoriasis that was easily treatable with a cream and gone for a week at a time. As it worsened, I gained weight and became a type II diabetic.

His plan right now is to get my skin clear with Humira and MTX (which is working wonderfully) and then begin a diet and supplementation regimen to reverse the metabolic syndrome. With that, off comes the weight, the diabetes goes away and hopefully the psoriasis goes in remission.

I'll update as I progress and we'll see if the theory holds water.

[Followell]

Hi, Cappy
Are you thinking people with psoriasis have metabolic syndrome? Or are you just thinking it is something that might work for you? The reason I ask is because I do not have any of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and I have a bad case of psoriasis. --However, I could certainly improve upon my diet and supplementation regimen! -- can't we all?

But I hope it works for you - if nothing else, you'll be much healthier, which will help you battle your skin demons!

Good Luck!

[DottieD]

The basic cause of psoriasis is a critical queston, one that has received too little attention. I just started a thread on this topic on the complementary board, which I hope interested people will read and add anything they can.
DottieD

[Cappy72]

Hi, Cappy
Are you thinking people with psoriasis have metabolic syndrome? Or are you just thinking it is something that might work for you? The reason I ask is because I do not have any of the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and I have a bad case of psoriasis. --However, I could certainly improve upon my diet and supplementation regimen! -- can't we all?

But I hope it works for you - if nothing else, you'll be much healthier, which will help you battle your skin demons!

Good Luck!

It's definitely not a one size fits all deal but I do think it's highly probable in my case and maybe in a significant number of those with psoriasis. I got fat, psoriasis got unbearable and just diagnosed with Type II diabetes last year.

My derm is a big believer in nutrition and supplementation (he's writing a book about it and the connection to psoriasis!).

[gurushack]

I think the basic cause of psoriasis is multiple,if the T cells in our body has to attack our skin there should be a reason for it,i personally think that it is a combination of factors including a trigger mechanism.

Stress is proven so is the eviorment,food habits trigger it too along with certain medications,alcohol and smoking.I think P has a big association with our gastro intestinal tract,including the liver.

I wonder how many people with P had problems with their liver,stomach or intestines.How many had dermititis from an early age along with dry flaky skin.

[DottieD]

Cappy - what is the name of your dermatologist? I will keep a lookout for his new book.

[nesielheum]

MikeK,
Thanks for posting the well written article concerning the causes and challenges of Psoriasis.
This entire thread makes one thing clear.

It really is a VERY complex disease. There are at least a dozen genes involved, and there may be as many as several thousand. Each gene can be wrong in many different ways. these means that everyone has a slightly different version of the disease.
For a long time it was thought to be a disease of the skin, then a disease of the immune system, now I think the beats guess is that it is a problem with microRNA, which is just beginning to be studied.
Keep in mind that as recently as the 1980's if you had P, there were no good options for treating it.

Personally, I am amazed at how fast progress has been made in the last 10/15 years.
Dennis

Some people read it and understand that there is no simple fix
But one day, hopefully soon, the source, and more likely complex sources, of our disease will be exposed and shortly thereafter the "fix' will come. I have no doubt that scientists are learning more about the cause of psoriasis on a daily basis.
BTW Thanks for sharing the article MikeK

[Cappy72]

Cappy - what is the name of your dermatologist? I will keep a lookout for his new book.

Dr. David J. Cohen. I'll try to remember to update you when it's published.