Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPsoriasis and ImmunityIs Psoriasis Genetic?Risk Factors and TriggersIs Psoriasis Contagious?Frequently Asked QuestionsNext in Psoriasis GuidePsoriasis Treatment and Management
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Psoriasis and Immunity
Is Psoriasis Genetic?
Risk Factors and Triggers
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
Frequently Asked Questions
Next in Psoriasis Guide
Psoriasisis anautoimmune skin conditionthat occurs because the immune system malfunctions and starts attacking skin cells, causing them to multiply faster than normal.
Genetics and environmental factors, such as chronic stress, certain medicines, infections, smoking, and skin injuries, contribute to psoriasis. The same environmental factors can also trigger diseaseflare-ups—periods of high disease activity and increased skin symptoms.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis affects around 8 million Americans.It affects adults and children alike and occurs equally among people of any sex.
This article will cover the immune system’s role in psoriasis, genetic risk, risk factors and triggers, and more.
George Pachantouris / Getty Images
Psoriasis and the Immune System
Psoriasis is a type ofpsoriatic disease—one of two specific inflammatory conditions that affect the joints and skin throughout the body. The other type of psoriatic disease ispsoriatic arthritis(PsA).
Psoriasis primarily affects the skin, but it can sometimes lead to PsA. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to 30% of people with psoriasis will eventually develop PsA.For most, PsA symptoms start about 10 years after psoriasis symptoms begin, but it is possible to develop PsA first or without ever having psoriasis.
Inflammation presents as skin and joint swelling. In psoriasis, inflammation leads to the overgrowth of skin cells at an accelerated rate that builds up as skin patches calledplaques.
The inflammatory response in psoriatic disease can also cause inflammation that cannot be seen. It will affect other organs and body systems, causing comorbidities (two or more diseases in one person).
Research shows that up to 73% of people with psoriasis have at least one comorbidity.Comorbidities linked to psoriatic disease include heart disease,high blood pressure, diabetes,metabolic syndrome(a combination of conditions that include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess abdominal fat that can lead to stroke, heart disease, and diabetes), anxiety, and depression.
Genetic factors play a key role in the development of psoriasis.But whether someone with genetic risk factors goes on to develop psoriasis depends on environmental triggers and genes working together.
Researchers have identified genes they believe are linked to the development of psoriasis.These include HLA-C, CCHCR1, CDSN, and CARD14.
The research on CARD14 shows this gene produces a large amount of CARD14 protein in skin tissue.CARD14 protein is typically responsible for activating other proteins, including ones that control the body’s immune and inflammatory responses.
It’s also possible to pass on genes related to the development of psoriasis to a child. But simply having genetic mutations related to the condition does not mean you will go on to develop psoriasis.
The Genetics of Psoriatic Arthritis and Psoriasis
Family HistoryResearch shows a high prevalence of psoriasis in people with a family history of psoriasis.Having a family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is a risk factor for psoriasis that cannot be controlled.However, it might be possible to manage other contributing factors, such as smoking, consuming alcohol, and having obesity, to reduce your risk for the condition.
Family History
Research shows a high prevalence of psoriasis in people with a family history of psoriasis.Having a family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is a risk factor for psoriasis that cannot be controlled.However, it might be possible to manage other contributing factors, such as smoking, consuming alcohol, and having obesity, to reduce your risk for the condition.
Research shows a high prevalence of psoriasis in people with a family history of psoriasis.Having a family history of psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis is a risk factor for psoriasis that cannot be controlled.
However, it might be possible to manage other contributing factors, such as smoking, consuming alcohol, and having obesity, to reduce your risk for the condition.
Various triggering events can cause psoriasis in people genetically predisposed to it.But the genetics of psoriasis is complex, and healthcare providers can’t predict who might develop the condition even when they have a family history.
Triggering events cause a change in the immune system resulting in the condition. Such events include stress, medications, infections, and smoking.
Stress
Mental stressis a well-established risk factor for psoriasis.It occurs when your life demands exceed your ability to cope.
According to a 2017British Journal of Dermatologysystematic review and meta-analysis of 39 studies, 46% of study participants believed their psoriasis was stress reactive, and 54% recalled stressful preceding events.
Mechanical stress might also trigger psoriasis. This type of stress occurs in the body tissues and is believed to be responsible for different musculoskeletal conditions. A 2019Journal of Investigative Dermatologyreport finds that mechanical stress can amplify skin cell and inflammatory protein production.
Medications
Drug-related psoriasis is a recognized trigger for the onset of psoriasis and flare-ups (periods of worsening disease activity).Medication-induced psoriasis has been linked to different prescription drugs, includingbeta-blockers,lithium, antimalarial drugs, interferons, and tetracycline.
Researchers do not have any real answers to why some people develop psoriasis from using certain medicines. However, they suspect some drugs might affect skin cell production and trigger inflammatory processes.
Infections
Strep throatandstaph infectionsare commonly linked to the development of psoriasis. Some kinds of yeast infections might also be linked to psoriasis.
The connection between strep throat and psoriasis is well-established, especiallyguttate psoriasis, which appears as small, round spots.Strep infections can also lead to other types of psoriasis.
Smoking
Smoking increases the risk of psoriasis in people genetically disposed to the condition.It might also worsen symptoms and reduce treatment response.
Quitting smoking reduces your risk for psoriasis and other inflammatory diseases. A healthcare provider can offer resources and advise you on the best ways to quit.
What to Know About Nicotine Withdrawal
Alcohol
Like smoking,alcohol can put you at risk for psoriasisand otherinflammatory diseases.Alcohol might trigger inflammation and worsen symptoms for some people with psoriasis. Alcohol also can reduce the effectiveness of certain medications or lead to severe drug side effects.
Obesity
Having obesity, defined as abody mass index (BMI)of over 30, is a risk factor for the development of psoriasis.Being overweight could also mean worsening symptoms, and psoriasis can lead to weight gain.
The reason for the increased risk is that fat tissues release adipokines—a type of inflammatorycytokine(chemical messenger that regulates the inflammatory response). The more body fat there is, the more adipokines that get released.
What to Know About Biologics for Psoriasis
Weather
It is unknown if weather increases psoriasis risk. But cold, dry weather might trigger a psoriasis flare for some people.
A study reported in 2015 in theJournal of the American Academy of Dermatologyfound that many people with psoriasis report clearer skin during the summer months.In contrast, most experienced moderate to severe symptoms in the winter months.
Skin Injury
Psoriasis can occur in areas where there is damage to the skin. A skin injury could be anything from an injection to a sunburn to a deep cut to a tattoo. This is called theKoebner phenomenon(skin lesions that appear due to trauma in previously health skin). It causes psoriasis lesions days or weeks after a skin injury.
Psoriasis is not a contagious condition. It is a problem with the immune system, in which it malfunctions and tries to fight harmful pathogens that do not exist.
Because psoriasis is an immune system problem, it cannot be acquired from skin-to-skin contact with someone with the condition. You cannot get it from hugging, kissing, having sex, or being near someone who has psoriasis lesions.
What Is Psoriasis?
Summary
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin conditon that occurs when the immune system malfunctions and starts to attack healthy tissues. Those attacks lead to inflammation which causes skin cells to grow too quickly, forming skin patches.
Genetics might be to blame for the development of psoriasis, and having a family history of the condition could increase your risk of developing it. But genetics and a family history alone are not enough to lead to its development.
Psoriasis occurs due to genetics and environmental factors that trigger the immune system to attack healthy tissue. Such triggers include stress, skin injuries, infections, and medications.
Frequently Asked QuestionsHaving genes specific to psoriasis and a family history does not mean you will go on to develop the condition. These factors increase your risk, but other characteristics that lead the immune system to malfunction must also occur.Learn MoreIs Psoriasis Hereditary?Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and other tissues throughout the body. About one-third of people with psoriasis will go on to develop PsA.Learn MoreClinical Features of Psoriatic ArthritisPsoriasis mainly affects the skin. But untreated inflammation from the condition can eventually lead to disease complications. Complications of psoriasis include eye diseases, PsA, anxiety and depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure.Learn MoreComorbidities in Psoriasis
Having genes specific to psoriasis and a family history does not mean you will go on to develop the condition. These factors increase your risk, but other characteristics that lead the immune system to malfunction must also occur.Learn MoreIs Psoriasis Hereditary?
Having genes specific to psoriasis and a family history does not mean you will go on to develop the condition. These factors increase your risk, but other characteristics that lead the immune system to malfunction must also occur.
Learn MoreIs Psoriasis Hereditary?
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and other tissues throughout the body. About one-third of people with psoriasis will go on to develop PsA.Learn MoreClinical Features of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and other tissues throughout the body. About one-third of people with psoriasis will go on to develop PsA.
Learn MoreClinical Features of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriasis mainly affects the skin. But untreated inflammation from the condition can eventually lead to disease complications. Complications of psoriasis include eye diseases, PsA, anxiety and depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure.Learn MoreComorbidities in Psoriasis
Psoriasis mainly affects the skin. But untreated inflammation from the condition can eventually lead to disease complications. Complications of psoriasis include eye diseases, PsA, anxiety and depression, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Learn MoreComorbidities in Psoriasis
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Psoriasis statistics.
National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.
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Huang Y-H, Kuo C-F, Huang L-H, Hsieh M-Y.Familial aggregation of psoriasis and co-aggregation of autoimmune diseases in affected families.Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2019;8(1):115. doi:10.3390/jcm8010115
Snast I, Reiter O, Atzmony L, Leshem YA, Hodak E, Mimouni D, Pavlovsky L.Psychological stress and psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Br J Dermatol. 2017;178(5):1044-1055. doi:10.1111/bjd.16116
Pascoe VL, Kimball AB.Seasonal variation of acne and psoriasis: A 3-year study using the Physician Global Assessment severity scale.J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(3):523-525. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.06.001
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