Psoriasis can be tricky to predict: Your skin seems fine one day and your psoriasis flares the next. What sets it off? Although psoriasis triggers aren’t “one size fits all,” some common culprits are troublesome for many people. Tracking these triggers — and steering clear of them when possible — can help prevent psoriasis flares and keep your skin clearer and healthier. Find out about the psoriasis triggers you’re likely to encounter in your everyday life.
Scale Back on Stress
Maybe it’s your job that’s causing you too much stress, or perhaps you’re going through a divorce — or maybe you’re dealing with a number of stressful things at once. Whatever is stressing you out may be stressing out your skin, too. Many people with the condition say stress is among their top psoriasis triggers. It’s impossible to avoid stress altogether, but decreasing the pressure in your life can help clear your skin and prevent psoriasis flares. Francisco Tausk, MD, a psoriasis researcher, professor of dermatology and psychiatry, and head of the Center for Integrated Dermatology at the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, N.Y., says effective stress-busters include exercise, yoga, meditation, and hypnosis. Also, consider joining a psoriasis support group. Sharing your experiences with others who cope with psoriasis can also help prevent depression, a definite risk for people with psoriasis.
Be Careful in Cold Weather
When the temperature dips, psoriasis flares in many people. Winter can be a problem for a number of reasons. Cold, dry air and indoor heaters can suck the moisture from your skin, Dr. Tausk explains. Plus, the lack of sunlight during winter months can make psoriasis worse because some sunshine tends to improve the condition. Tausk’s advice: “Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize.” Talk to your doctor about better ways to manage your psoriasis and prevent psoriasis flares if they get worse when the seasons change.
Treat Infections Right Away
Do you notice that sometimes your psoriasis flares after you get sick? Certain infections are known psoriasis triggers. For example, strep throat or a fungal infection such as thrush can bring on an outbreak of psoriasis. Staph infections like boils and the virus that causes AIDS can also trigger psoriasis. The good news is that treating the infection often improves or completely clears up the psoriasis flare, so don’t delay seeing your doctor.
Be Mindful With Medications
Certain drugs can be psoriasis triggers. Lithium, indomethacin, and anti-malarial drugs can bring on the first case of psoriasis or trigger psoriasis flares. Oral corticosteroids like prednisone can clear psoriasis quickly, but when the drug is stopped, psoriasis can come back with a vengeance, says Tausk. Pustular psoriasis, a serious form of the skin condition that often requires hospitalization, may even develop. To help prevent psoriasis flares, let all health care providers know that you have psoriasis so they can be aware when prescribing medication.
Keep Skin Clear of Cuts
Bug bites, scratches, cuts, or other injuries to the skin can trigger psoriasis about 10 to 14 days afterward. Why? About half of people with psoriasis experience what’s called the Koebner phenomenon — new psoriasis patches appear at the site of an injury or in the same place as another skin condition, such as dermatitis. To avoid accidental nicks and cuts, be extra careful while shaving and when cooking in the kitchen. Getting a tattoo is risky because it’s considered a skin trauma, so think twice before doing so to prevent psoriasis from worsening. Although some sun exposure is usually good for psoriasis, be careful not to burn, because this too is damaging to your skin and can cause a psoriasis flare.
Kick Smoking to the Curb
Add psoriasis to the list of reasons to quit smoking. "Various studies have linked smoking to the severity of psoriasis, and smoking also increases the risk of developing psoriasis,” says Tausk. Quitting is difficult for most smokers, and trying to stop cold turkey may not work — the majority of smokers require the help of smoking cessation aids to quit for good. Talk to your doctor about medications or other strategies to help you kick the habit. It will do your overall health a world of good and may even help prevent psoriasis flares.
Check Your Meds Before Drinking
Could having a couple drinks on a regular basis be contributing to your psoriasis flares? There’s no proof that moderate alcohol consumption is a risk factor for psoriasis or that it makes it worse, says Tausk. Of course, drinking too much alcohol isn’t good for anyone’s health. "Having said this, some of the drugs that are effective for controlling psoriasis can’t be used by people who drink alcohol,” he says. So it’s important to put down your glass if alcohol interferes with the effectiveness of your psoriasis medication. During cocktail hour, replace your alcoholic beverage of choice with a sparkling “virgin” one. Or if you’re tempted to drink when feeling stressed, take a vigorous walk around the block instead.
- Last Updated: 07/05/12.