Causes and effects
Many factors may trigger a bout of psoriasis in a susceptible individual, although the exact cause of psoriasis is not known at this stage. Throat infections can cause flare-ups particularly in children. Skin injury may result in psoriasis outbreaks 5 or 6 weeks later at the injury site. Stress is also a factor in the flare-up of psoriasis for many individuals.Although a few individuals may notice some aggravation to psoriasis lesions from exposure to the sun, the sun does seem to help improve the condition for most sufferers.
Psoriasis may be aggravated by alcohol but the role alcohol plays is uncertain. Some people believe that psoriasis may be aggravated by diet or improved by diet. However no apparent connection between psoriasis and diet has been scientifically established although much anecdotal evidence exists. The anecdotal evidence would suggest that diet does play a vital part in the treatment and elimination of psoriasis.
Within the epidermis, (the outer layers of the skin) the cells move up on a continual basis and are constantly being cast off. In a normal individual this process takes between 3 and 4 weeks. However, for an individual suffering from psoriasis the rate of cell cast off is substantially increased. The process of cell shedding may be as short as 3 or 4 days. The result is a build up of scale on the surface of the skin waiting to be shed off.
(published with permission in writing from:http://www.health-report.co.uk)
