The deterioration of the general and local ecology, an irrational approach to catering, low physical activity, the emergence of new viruses have caused a huge number of modern people to suffer from a variety of diseases, the carriers of which were only a few yesterday. One such disease is psoriasis.

Psoriasis is most often a hereditary chronic disease of a non-infectious nature that affects the skin of a person, and is most typical for people in the middle age group, but cases of psoriasis are also becoming more frequent among very young children and adolescents. The disease manifests itself in different ways, it depends on the form of its severity. Only the presence of plaques protruding above the surface of healthy skin remains unchanged. Scratching them leads to the appearance of blood.

But there is good news: psoriasis is a disease that comes in waves. Exacerbations alternate with periods of remission, which can be extended by every sick person who responsibly approaches his state of health.

Is psoriasis hereditary?

Many parents who are faced with manifestations of psoriasis in themselves or their close relatives ask a completely natural question: does this disease pass to children? An unambiguous answer cannot be given here. Yes, children whose parents suffer from psoriasis are at risk and are more likely to become carriers. But whether the disease manifests itself or not depends on the combination of circumstances. This is a kind of roulette game where a person either came out as a winner or was among the losers.

It is worth noting that heredity plays a truly huge role when it comes to making predictions about psoriasis. There are cases when none of the parents of a child with psoriasis suffered from the disease, but it still manifested itself. In addition to external factors, the cause may be the presence of the same diagnosis in more distant relatives, up to great-grandparents or great-uncles and aunts.

There is an opinion that psoriasis is transmitted only through the male line – for example, by inheritance from father to children. Does this assumption have any basis, or is it nothing more than another myth? Dermatologists say: the statement has nothing to do with reality. With a probability of 20–25%, the disease can manifest itself in a child, regardless of which of the relatives suffers from the disease.

What measures should be taken to mitigate the risks?

Unfortunately, you will not be able to completely protect yourself if the forecasts are unfavorable. But it is possible to significantly reduce the risk of the disease. To do this, you should give up bad habits (if any), review your diet, giving preference to healthy food. It is also worth taking a closer look at your own health, because psoriasis often develops against the background of all kinds of endocrine diseases, ailments affecting the nervous system.

If psoriasis nevertheless passed to you as a hereditary disease, in addition to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, taking vitamins and undergoing physiotherapy, pay attention to caring for the affected skin. During periods of remission, maintain optimal levels of hydration and lipid balance.