Psoriasis: 7 common triggers and how to avoid them

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disorder that entirely depends on your genetic build-up. In this condition, the immune cells in the blood mistakenly recognize newly produced skin cells as foreign invaders and attack them. This can cause the overproduction of new patches of skin cells below your skin.

Psoriasis symptoms include elevated scaling papules and grey or silvery-white dry patches, mainly on the scalp, elbows, knees, lumbosacral area, and body folds. These dry and cracked patches may also bleed. Psoriasis may also appear on the oral mucosa or tongue as gyrate red patches. Psoriasis diagnosis is made as a physical examination or a biopsy.

Here are the 7 common triggers for Psoriasis 

Apart from medication, avoiding anything that triggers Psoriasis is essential. Here are some common psoriasis causes:

1) Certain Foods

Eating certain foods can flare up psoriasis. These foods include

• Gluten rich foods
• Dairy products
• Red meat
• Pork
• High sugar foods
• Fatty foods
• Nightshade plants, such as eggplant, tomatoes, and white potatoes

Read more: Gluten-Free Grains

2) Excess alcohol consumption

The overconsumption of alcohol is an independent risk factor for psoriasis flare-ups in genetically predisposed individuals. During excess alcohol consumption, reactive oxygen species are generated in the skin. This increases the pro-inflammatory reactions in the cell with increases in immune responses and the production of cytokines.

3) Cold and dry weather

Dry and cold weather in winter can also trigger psoriasis flare-ups. During the winter season, the moisture content of your skin is low. So you are more susceptible to itchy patches and dry skin. Long bath time in warm water during winter can fade away your skin’s moisture.

4) Stress

One of the significant psoriasis causes includes stress. 31-88% of cases of psoriasis are reported due to stress. Stress can be the outcome of financial problems, the death of a close person, sexual issues, family conflicts, illness or accident, change in work conditions, exam failure, unemployment, and even due to an awful marriage.

5) Smoking

Smoking also impacts the clinical severity of psoriasis. Nicotine is the main alkaloid present in tobacco. Nicotine induces an increased secretion of several chemicals that increase the pathogenesis of psoriasis. It also affects your response toward the treatment of psoriasis and is also responsible for other comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, and certain cancers.

6) Excessive sun exposure

Excess sun exposure to the skin can also flare up psoriasis, especially in females. While both narrowband UVB and UVA in a controlled manner are currently used as the first-line and second-line therapy for the treatment of psoriasis.

7) Obesity

Obesity and psoriasis are linked due to multiple factors, including dietary habits, lifestyle, and certain genetic factors. The risk of psoriasis flare-ups increases as the body mass index (BMI) increases.

If your condition worsens, you may also experience psoriasis complications, including psoriatic arthritis, Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Cardiovascular Problems, Diabetes, Cancer, and even depression.

How can you avoid Psoriasis?

Here are the scientifically proven tips that you can implement in your daily routines to you reduce the risk of psoriasis flare-ups:

a) Healthy diet

Staying away from nightshade plants and reducing gluten from your diet can certainly reduce the risk of psoriasis flare-ups. Besides, you can switch to healthy substitutes such as:

• vegetables
• Lean proteins
• Low-fat dairy
• Whole grains
• omega-3 fatty acids
• vitamin D supplements
• fruits
• probiotics
• organic foods

These healthy options can also prevent the risk of other conditions, such as diabetes, obesity, or heart problems, from developing.

You can also get one of the following diet plans from your nutritionist:

• Gluten-free diet
• Vegan diet
• Mediterranean diet
• Paleo diet
• Autoimmune protocol diet
• Keto diet
• Dr Pagano diet

b) Keeping the skin moist in winter

Keep your skin moist in winter to ease redness and itching. You can use a moisturizing soap and a hydrating lotion after a bath. Choose cotton or soft clothes for the inner layer over woollens and denim to avoid contact with any harsh fabric with dry patches.

Long showers in hot water remove moisture from your skin. Reduce the span of hot water with your skin. Besides, sprinkling oil, Epsom salts, or sea salts in your warm bath can also soothe your skin.

c) Plenty of water

Drinking 2-3 lt water every day can help retain moisture in your skin and keep you away from many health conditions. 

d) Managing stress

Practice these stress-managing techniques in routine to reduce the risk of psoriasis:

• Deep breathing
• Meditation
• Yoga
• Good body massage
• Socialising
• Following a hobby

e) Reducing body weight

Keeping your body parameters in range with a balanced diet and physical activities can also reduce the risk of psoriatic flares.

f) Limiting alcohol

Limiting alcohol consumption or quitting it is a favourable approach to avoid flare-ups and reduce the risk of psoriasis symptoms. If you are dealing with alcohol use disorder, you can seek the help of your doctor to start a treatment plan.

g) Quitting smoking

Quitting smoking can also reduce the severity of psoriasis and offer additional health improvement.

h) Avoiding excess sun exposure

A small amount of sun exposure can be a treatment strategy for psoriasis. However, avoid exposure to the sun for longer durations.

i) Prevent skin injuries

Prevent skin injury, sunburn, and cuts to avoid skin infections. The immune system is already compromised in people with psoriasis, making it harder for the body to fight off infections.

j) Including multivitamins

Multivitamin supplements are beneficial to fill in any nutritional gaps in your diet. However, make sure to consult your doctor before taking any supplement.

What is the best cream to treat psoriasis?

The creams or lotions with the following combination work best for psoriasis:

• Corticosteroids and vitamin D analogues.
• Corticosteroids and tazarotene.
• Corticosteroids and salicylic acid.

Besides, moisturisers and creams containing urea 5–10%, salicylic acid, ceramides, niacinamide, or thermal water are beneficial to maintain skin elasticity and texture. Here are a few creams that work best for psoriasis:

• Tarsalic ointment
• Psorolin
• Psoramist

Conclusion

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin triggered by multiple factors, including unhealthy eating, being unaware of certain foods, excessive use of alcohol, smoking, excess body weight, excessive sun exposure, and even dry weather. Medical treatment and lifestyle management can help you treat the disease, but it’s recommended to identify your triggers and take preventive measures to escape the severity of the disease. You can seek guidance from your dermatologist to get the best treatment plan for your psoriasis flare-ups.

Disclaimer: The information given in this article is true to our best knowledge. Still, we will recommend that you consult your healthcare professional before taking any medication mentioned in this article.

References-

• Stress and psoriasis – https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29729012/
• Psoriasis and smoking: links and risks – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5683129/