|
Infections and Psoriasis seem to be tightly connected. The appearance of psoriasis in this case is believed to be connected with strains of spirochaeta, streptococci, criptococci etc. Although, none of these microorganisms, by themselves, proved to be the reasons for Psoriasis Appearance.
More than 100 years ago a scientist named Lang (1879) announced his "discovery" of a "parasitic fungus", and that this "parasitic fungus" is the provoking agent of psoriasis. However, studies to verify this theory did not confirm it and did not find any "parasitic fungus" responsible for psoriasis.
However, data testifies that infections do affect the appearance and the course of psoriasis. In a large number of people psoriasis first appears or gets aggravated in autumn, winter or spring, i.e. the periods when infectious diseases (acute respiratory diseases, strep throat, influenza etc.) are more frequent.
In a huge number of cases psoriasis is accompanied by a chronic tonsillitis (focal infection of the tonsils).
A mother came to a doctor with an 8 year old son, who had psoriasis for 3 years. With a thorough examination the doctor established that besides psoriasis the child also had enlarged tonsils. When pressing on the tonsils with a spatula there appeared purulent pus. It was then recommended that the boy gets treatment not only for psoriasis, but also for chronic tonsillitis.
One woman with psoriasis after eating a dinner with beef and two portions of ice cream had gotten a toothache. Since it was Saturday she could not visit the dentist. On Monday the woman had suffered from a toothache for two days, her cheek was swollen, and her body temperature rose to 101°F (38.2° C). At the same time she had noted an increase in new psoriatic lesions and their size.
What seems to unite these two cases? The fact that the reasons for the flare-up of psoriasis in both cases were the so-called centers of focal (local) infection.
Back in the 19th century there was noted a connection of psoriasis with acute feverish diseases (influenza, scarlet fever, polyarthritis etc.), acute infections or a flare-up of a chronic dormant infection (chronic tonsillitis, carious teeth, the inflammation of the nose cavities and eardrum, the inflammation of the uterine appendages in women, the inflammation of the prostate gland in men etc).
Observations show that the infections of the tonsils frequently cause psoriasis appearance or aggravation. The role of the so-called focal infection is frequently confirmed by obtaining a therapeutic effect after the removal of the tonsils (tonsillectomy).
How can tonsils influence skin changes and psoriasis?
- Impulses from the infected tonsils receptors may create a center of ill excitement in the central nervous system. As a result there may appear functional disorders of various body systems, disorders of metabolism, disorders of regulatory systems etc.
- Constant excretion of toxic substances from the infected tonsils, teeth etc. can weaken the immune system. This will eventually change the reactivity of the body to the streptococcal or staphylococcal infection.
With chronic tonsillitis, the tonsils do not perform their protective function. However, tonsillitis (i.e. purulent plugs in tonsils etc.) is not always found in the patients with psoriasis. Infectious process in the tonsils may be concealed, and the tonsils may not be changed on the outside, and only a thorough examination makes it possible to reveal the concealed infection.
Data of one research has indicated that bad teeth may also have a negative effect on psoriasis. The frequency of tooth cavities in the group of people with psoriasis composed 76.3%. On average each person had 3.7 teeth with cavities. Furthermore, many had inflammation of the gums etc. The best therapeutic results were achieved with the treatment of such patients jointly by a dermatologist and a dentist.
It seems that Infections and Psoriasis are really connected. Therefore the prudent thing to do would be to try to treat any sights of infections, i.e. tonsillitis, infected teeth etc. in order to prevent psoriasis flare-ups, to help improve the state of psoriasis or even to try to prevent psoriasis if you have a family history of psoriasis.
 |
