7 Psoriasis Triggers

What Triggers Psoriasis Flare-ups?

While the underlying cause of psoriasis stems from your body's immune system, certain triggers can make symptoms worse or cause flare-ups. These triggers include:

• Cold and dry weather. Such weather can dry out your skin, which makes the chances of having a flare-up worse. In contrast, hot, sunny weather appears to help control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people.

• Stress. Having psoriasis can cause stress itself and patients often report that outbreaks of symptoms come during particularly stressful times.

• Some medications. Certain drugs, such as lithium (a common treatment for bipolar disorder), drugs for malaria, and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease and some heart arrhythmias), can cause flare-ups of psoriasis symptoms.

• Infections or disease. Certain infections, such as strep throat or tonsillitis, can result in guttate or other types of psoriasis. Psoriasis symptoms may worsen in people who have HIV.

• Trauma to the skin. In some people with psoriasis, trauma to the skin -- including cuts, bruises, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos, and other skin conditions -- can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms at the site of the injury. This condition is called "Koebner's phenomenon."

• Alcohol. Using alcohol may increase the chances of psoriasis flare-ups, at least in men.

• Smoking. Some experts think that smoking can worsen psoriasis symptoms.