What Makes Psoriasis Worse?

September 23, 2024

Psoriasis is a long-term skin disorder that is prevalent among millions of global citizens. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to multiply at an abnormal rate, resulting in red, scaly patches on the skin. The exact cause of psoriasis is still unknown, but it is established that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the onset and progression of the condition.

Those who are aware of what it is like to live with psoriasis will understand that managing the flare-ups is a difficult endeavour. However, knowing the many triggers that cause psoriasis to worsen is an essential step towards managing the condition. In this article, we will explore the common causes and factors that may worsen psoriasis and ways to help prevent them to enable the effective management of the disease.

Food Intake

Although there is no strict psoriasis meal plan, some foods are known to bring about inflammation that causes worsening of psoriasis. Processed foods full of sugars, refined carbohydrates, and unhealthy fats can lead to an increase in the inflammation of the body that may cause psoriasis to worsen. Common culprits include:

Red meat
Processed foods
Sugary snacks
Dairy
Fried foods

Also, it is crucial to note that some people with psoriasis might experience worsened symptoms in case they consume foods which they are allergic to or are intolerant of such as gluten. While this is a question of individual specifics, it is possible that attaining an eating regimen low in inflammation, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and omega-3 fatty acids may help with psoriasis symptoms.

Learn from our video, Natural Ways To Control Psoriasis.

Stress

Stress is among the most common stimuli that aggravate psoriasis. Stress is something that cannot be removed from life, but in the case of having psoriasis, stress becomes a significant enemy. Cortisol, which is a stress hormone, is known to stimulate the immune system into a state where the skin inflammation may be worsened.

There exists a direct relationship between the skin and the mind: when the mind is stressed, so is the skin. For those who have psoriasis, this is often a sign of more frequent or severe relapses. For instance, learning how to reduce stress through the use of exercises like meditation, yoga or deep breathing can go a long way in helping control psoriasis.

Infections and Illness

Infections, especially streptococcal throat infections have been closely associated with exacerbation of psoriasis. I do know that sometimes a throat infection causes a certain form of psoriasis called guttate psoriasis where there are small red spots on the skin. Viral or bacterial infections, such as the flu or respiratory infections, can also cause the symptoms of psoriasis to flare up.

The reason behind this connection is immunological, as the human body is protected by the immune system. If the immune system is active in fighting an infection, it may also increase the skin cell turnover rate, which aggravates psoriasis. Reducing infections through good hygiene, adequate fluid intake, proper nutrition, and a healthy lifestyle can contribute to the reduction of flare-ups.

Cold and Dry Weather

Psoriasis is known to be worse during the winter and this is attributed more to the severity of cold weather. Low temperatures also exacerbate the problem since the skin becomes very dry, and scratching the affected areas becomes even more uncomfortable with psoriasis. When people are indoors because of cold weather and are using heaters, the air is very dry and it causes the skin to become dry, cracked, and inflamed.

There are many people complaining about the worsening of psoriasis during the winter season because their skin becomes much drier in comparison to the summer months. Sunlight, including UV light, also benefits psoriasis as it reduces skin cell production rate. The toughest season is winter, one has to moisturise their skin often and use a humidifier at home to prevent the air from being dry.

In this video, we will show and explain to you How To Prevent Psoriasis from Spreading. It starts from what kind of food we eat.

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Medications

Some drugs can make the psoriasis worse or cause new patches to develop. Some of the most commonly associated drugs include:

Beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure)
Lithium (used to treat bipolar disorder)
Antimalarial drugs such as hydroxychloroquine
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)

In case you notice that your psoriasis deteriorates after taking a certain medication, you should seek the help of your physician. They may be able to provide other treatment options that are less harmful to those with psoriasis. Do not discontinue any medication without consulting with the doctor as this may cause other ailments.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the factors that tend to bring about a worsening of the psoriasis condition. Scientists have also found out that smokers are at a higher risk of developing psoriasis, and those affected by this skin disease may even see their condition worsen if they continue smoking. Smoking can also affect the effectiveness of some medications used in the treatment of psoriasis.

The relationship between these two vices is not clearly understood, but there is some evidence that smoking weakens the immune system, triggers inflammation and cuts off blood supply to the skin which all tend to worsen the psoriasis condition. Smoking cessation is one of the crucial steps that can be taken towards improving the condition of psoriasis.

Alcohol Consumption

Alcohol intake has several effects on psoriasis, all of which are detrimental when taken to the extreme. It impairs the immune system, contributes to inflammation, and decreases the efficacy of psoriasis treatment. Additionally, alcohol may impair judgement, leading to poor decisions regarding skincare and lifestyle, which can further aggravate the condition.

In some instances, alcohol consumption can have negative effects when taken with certain psoriasis medications especially methotrexate and acitretin which are widely used to treat severe forms of psoriasis. Cutting down or even excluding alcohol from your diet can be beneficial in alleviating your psoriasis symptoms.

Learn about foods you should avoid to improve Psoriasis by watching our video, “Foods to avoid when you’ve got psoriasis”.

Skin Injuries (Koebner Phenomenon)

Psoriasis can also be precipitated by an injury to the skin which is referred to as the Koebner phenomenon. This can happen after cuts, bruising, insect stings, or even sunburn. Broken skin increases the immune response, and this may result in new patches of psoriasis arising from the damaged site.

To avoid the occurrence of the Koebner phenomenon, it is always wise to be careful with your skin and avoid any injuries. Avoid overexposure to the sun, use sun-protection creams, gentle skin care, and proper wound care to minimise the formation of new lesions in psoriasis.

Obesity

Obesity is associated with higher severity of psoriasis, and having excess weight could also complicate the treatment. This is partly because the fat cells in the body produce inflammatory substances that could worsen the psoriasis condition. Additionally, skin folds in overweight people can lead to friction, irritation, and moisture, which would aggravate the condition.

Weight loss through a balanced meal plan and physical exercise can go a long way in decreasing the symptoms of the skin disorder. Moreover, weight loss can beneficially influence the effectiveness of treatments and can positively affect overall skin health.

Hormonal Changes

Other factors such as hormonal imbalance during the onset of puberty, pregnancy and menopause also affect psoriasis. This is because, during pregnancy, some women may have worsening of symptoms due to hormonal changes while others may experience remission. Likewise, hormonal changes can result in flare-ups especially during the period of menopause when a woman experiences fluctuating hormones.

Familiarity with hormonal changes in psoriasis can assist people in managing the manifestations at the time of hormonal shifts. For instance, consulting a healthcare provider when modifying treatment during pregnancy or menopause can help to avoid flare-ups of psoriasis.

Watch our video where Petrina answers the question “What makes Psoriasis worse?”

Conclusion

Suffering from psoriasis can be challenging but knowing what exacerbates the condition is important in its treatment. There are many triggers that cause psoriasis to become worse, ranging from food intake and stress to infections and medications. These are the main triggers to consider, and by practising preventive measures like controlling stress, eating more detoxifying foods, smoking cessation, and skin care, one can avoid flare-ups and enjoy a better quality of life. It is always recommended to seek advice from a healthcare provider to create a treatment plan for each person’s unique case of psoriasis.

Start your Psoriasis journey with confidence, using our resources that are meant to guide and encourage you. Start by downloading our FREE Psoriasis guide booklet, containing all relevant information and helpful tips. For those interested in gaining further knowledge and learning more about comprehensive approaches, enrol in our special Psoriasis course. Furthermore, you can book a free consultation from our wellness clinic to get professional help that will be aimed at meeting your needs. Do not let Psoriasis be a hindrance – begin your path to improved skin health right away!

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