Psoriasis Plaque Under Microscope

If you ever wanted to see a psoriasis plaque under microscope in hope of seeing something unique you will be disappointed. There is nothing more to see than skin cells.

Is there the pathogens in psoriasis plaques?

Yes, because every inch of our skin is covered by bacteria and other microorganisms.

The pathogens, “hidden” in the spot where you can see the red and scaly plaque, may also produce the toxins that damage the skin cells.

Immune system is destroying the skin cells since they are already damaged by the pathogen and/or its toxins. Also because of low blood flow the plaques are red and inflamed because of so called reperfusion injury. It is the term describing the situation when the immune system starts the inflammation in the tissues due to prolonged oxygen/nutrient starvation and oxidative stress (because of constricted blood vessels in case of psoriasis).[127]

The skin cells are damaged by toxins, low nutrients, low oxygen which causes oxidative stress so they are dieing also by necrosis along with normal programmed cell death.

Necrosis means that the cells after they die decay in an abnormal way so they are creating even more oxidative stress and immune system responds with more inflammation around.

The skin gets red since immune system is trying to supply the blood (immune cells, oxygen, etc.) to the area in order to eliminate the toxins and bacteria.

In order to eliminate the problems in the skin the body starts the angiogenesis (growing the blood vessels) in the psoriasis plaques to be able to deliver more oxygen, nutrients and immune cells and eliminate more waste from the spots where are the psoriasis plaques.[128]

Dead skin from the psoriasis plaque under the microscope – 40x magnification

 

Dead skin from the psoriasis plaque under the microscope – 400x magnification