What causes Pso?
What causes Pso?
No one knows exactly what causes psoriasis (Pso) yet, but scientists are working hard to understand it and we now know more than ever before. The relationship between the immune system and psoriasis, triggers and new targeted treatments are continually being studied. Research suggests there may be an imbalance with the immune system, but genetics may also have a part to play. A child with one parent with psoriasis has a 10% chance of developing it, and a 50% chance if both parents have Pso. Psoriasis usually happens when something triggers it, like an infection, taking certain medicine, skin damage or stress. In fact, up to 1/2 of young people say their Pso developed after an infection.
Pso usually develops between 15 and 35 years, and certain factors related to your environment or lifestyle may cause symptoms to ‘flare up’, in the same way that it may have been triggered in the first place. Unfortunately, having Pso can be stressful, and stress can cause flares, flares can cause stress, and so on, in a vicious circle. Pso is always there though, even if sometimes you don’t have symptoms, so at times you may think it’s disappeared, and then it comes back.7
Cold weather can trigger flares in some people8
Want to make the most of your doctor's appointment?
Read our useful guide about how to make the best use of the limited time you have with your healthcare professional during each consultation.
