Causes of Psoriasis

Psoriasis is one of the most common skin conditions seen and treated by dermatologists.  The physicians at Village Dermatology have extensive experience diagnosing and treating psoriasis in Houston, Memorial, and the surrounding areas.  

Who gets psoriasis?

Psoriasis affects as many as 7.5 million people in the United States.  On average, most patients experience their first outbreak between the ages of 15 and 35; however, it can appear at any age and in any skin type.  

Is psoriasis contagious?

Psoriasis is not contagious.  It is not something that can be "caught" from or "passed on" to others.  The skin lesions do look red and scaly, but they are not infectious or considered open wounds.  Patients with psoriasis pose absolutely no threat to the health and safety of others, and there is no reason they cannot carry on all normal activities.

What causes psoriasis?

No one knows the exact cause of psoriasis.  It is known to have a strong genetic component, so if you have an affected family member, the chances of developing psoriasis are higher.  However, often patients may be the first in the family to develop psoriasis, or they may not know of other family members who have the condition.  Most physicians agree that the immune system is to blame in psoriasis.  The immune system becomes mistakenly triggered, and this speeds up the growth cycle of skin cells.  A person can have the genes for psoriasis without having any skin symptoms, and genes may be passed on for several generations before the right mix of genetic and environmental factors lead to the development of skin lesions.  There aren't any known dietary triggers, though as with any skin condition, choosing a diet free of processed foods is always a good idea.