Causes of Psoriasis

Contents

Psoriasis: Introduction
List of Causes
Causes Discussion
Drugs/substances (9 causes)
Triggers
Hidden causes
Risk factors
Complication causes
Causes of symptoms
Related cause information

List of causes of Psoriasis

Following is a list of causes or underlying conditions (see also Misdiagnosis of underlying causes of Psoriasis) that could possibly cause Psoriasis includes:

Genetic predisposition
Factors that may aggravate psoriasis include stress, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking
Withdrawal of systemic steroids
Drugs, including salicylates, iodine, lithium, phenylbutazone, oxyphenbutazone, trazodone, penicillin, hydroxychloroquine, calcipotriol, interferon-alpha, and recombinant interferon-beta injection
Strong, irritating topicals, including tar, anthralin, steroids under occlusion, and zinc pyrithione in shampoo
Infections
Sunlight or phototherapy
Cholestatic jaundice
Hypocalcemia
Idiopathic in many patients
Specific medications including lithium, antimalarials and interleukin II are shown to be triggers of Erythrodermic psoriasis
Calcium deficiency
Sudden withdrawal of oral corticosteroids (prednisone)
Withdrawal of excessive use of strong topical corticosteroids, and strong coal tar preparations
The condition is linked to a variety of possible genetic defects
Triggering factors which may also be exacerbating factors include:
Strep throat
Thrush
HIV
Medications e.g. lithium, iodides, high blood pressure medications
Alcohol
Stress
Exposure to cold weather
Smoking
Sunburn and other injuries to the skin

Psoriasis Causes: Risk Factors

The following conditions have been cited in various sources as potentially causal risk factors related to Psoriasis:

Psoriasis Causes: Male-Female Gender Ratio

Gender of Patients for Psoriasis: Males and females equally....more »

Psoriasis: Related Medical Conditions

To research the causes of Psoriasis, consider researching the causes of these these diseases that may be similar, or associated with Psoriasis:

Autoimmunity
Koenber phenomenon
Red scaly patches
Inverse psoriasis
Psoriaric arthritis
Nail psoriasis
Plaque psoriasis
Flexutral psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis
Psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis: Causes and Types

Causes of Types of Psoriasis: Review the cause informationfor the various types of Psoriasis:

Plaque psoriasis (psoriasis vulgaris) - most common type
Guttate psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis
Erythrodermic psoriasis
more types...»

Causes of Broader Categories of Psoriasis: Review the causal information about the various more general categories of medical conditions:

Psoriasis as a complication of other conditions:

Other conditions that might have Psoriasis as a complication may, potentially, be an underlying cause of Psoriasis. Our database lists the following as having Psoriasis as a complication of that condition:

CRMO, juvenile

Psoriasis as a symptom:

Conditions listing Psoriasis as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Psoriasis. Our database lists the following as having Psoriasis as a symptom of that condition:

Medications or substances causing Psoriasis:

The following drugs, medications, substances or toxins are some of the possible causes of Psoriasis as a symptom. This list is incomplete and various other drugs or substances may cause your symptoms. Always advise your doctor of any medications or treatments you are using, including prescription, over-the-counter, supplements, herbal or alternative treatments.

Cardinol
Inerferon Alfa
Alferon N
Infergen
Intron A
more drugs...»

See full list of 9 medications causing Psoriasis

What causes Psoriasis?

Causes: Psoriasis: Recent research indicates that psoriasis is likely a disorder of the immune system. This system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that, in psoriasis, an abnormal immune system causes activity by T cells in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. (Source: excerpt from Questions and Answers About Psoriasis: NIAMS)
Article excerpts about the causes of Psoriasis:
Recent research indicates that psoriasis may be a disorder of the immune system. The immune system includes a type of white blood cell, called a T cell, that normally helps protect the body against infection and disease. Scientists now think that in psoriasis, an abnormal immune system produces too many T cells in the skin. These T cells trigger the inflammation and excessive skin cell reproduction seen in people with psoriasis. (Source: excerpt from Psoriasis: NWHIC)