Psoriasis is a skin condition causing red, itchy, sometimes inflamed skin. Typically the symptoms of psoriasis range from mild to very severe.
How can you prevent severe psoriasis symptoms or psoriasis flare-ups?
Knowing about psoriasis triggers can help make the condition more manageable over time. Each person is different but there are a few common psoriasis triggers that you can manage by taking the right steps.
Keep reading for a list of 5 of the most common psoriasis triggers and how to treat them.
1. Extreme Weather
Cold, dry weather can contribute to severe psoriasis flare-ups. The skin becomes dry which can make the itchiness and the redness worse. You can’t control the temperature outside, but you can avoid spending too much time in extreme cold, dry weather.
You can also invest in a good humidifier in your home if you live in a cold, dry climate. The humidifier can help your skin retain moisture.
Very hot weather can also be a trigger. Too much sun, or sunburn, can irritate the skin which makes treating psoriasis that much harder. Some sunlight is okay, but avoid too much time in the sun and protect yourself from direct sunlight.
2. Stress
Stress can cause the inflammation (swelling) from psoriasis to get worse. On top of that, the swelling and redness can cause even more stress because people often feel self-conscious about their appearance.
Part of treating psoriasis is treating stress. You can build self-care habits like yoga or meditation into your routine to reduce daily stress. Or try a soothing psoriasis treatment product for your skin.
3. Alcohol
Consuming alcohol may trigger psoriasis symptoms. Researchers still don’t know exactly how or why alcohol makes psoriasis flare-ups worse, but it could be related to the carbohydrates found in many types of alcohol.
It’s also possible that alcohol makes inflammation worse or that it makes a person more susceptible to infection. Avoiding alcoholic beverages is probably the best way to avoid alcohol-related psoriasis flare-ups. Drinking in moderation may also help.
4. Medications
If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis you were probably warned that you should avoid certain medications that could trigger a psoriasis flare-up. These medications include beta-blockers (for high blood pressure), malaria pills, and lithium.
If you have questions about how a certain medication might affect your psoriasis, talk to a doctor right away.
5. Infections
Certain infections can trigger psoriasis flare-ups including strep throat and respiratory infections. Viral infections may also trigger psoriasis symptoms. Skin infections caused by bug bites or burns may also make psoriasis symptoms worse.
If you have an infection of any kind, talk to your doctor or another medical professional. He or she can tell you the right course of treatment.
Take Control of Your Psoriasis Triggers
When it comes to psoriasis triggers and treatments, knowledge is power. Knowing more about your condition and what makes the symptoms worse allows you to build your lifestyle around staying healthy and keeping psoriasis under control.
If you experience a psoriasis flare-up, talk to a doctor about potential treatment recommendations. Keep track of situations that make your psoriasis better and worse.
And if you’re looking for more health and lifestyle advice, browse our other articles to learn more.
