Psoriasis Symptoms and Triggers

The symptoms and triggers of psoriasis vary depending on the type you have. Some common symptoms for plaque psoriasis -- the most common variety of the condition -- include:

• Areas of red, inflamed skin, often covered with loose, silver-colored scales. These plaques may be itchy and painful and sometimes crack and bleed. In severe cases, the sites of irritated skin will grow and merge into one another, covering large areas.
• Disorders of the fingernails and toenails, including discoloration and pitting of the nails. The nails may also begin to crumble or detach from the nail bed.
• Areas of scales or crust on the scalp.

Psoriasis can also cause psoriatic arthritis, which leads to pain and swelling in the joints and joint destruction or deformities in many cases. The National Psoriasis Foundation estimates that up to 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis between the ages of 30 and 50.

What Causes Psoriasis Flare-ups?

While the underlying cause of psoriasis seems to be a malfunctioning immune system, certain triggers can make it worse or cause flare-ups. They 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 drugs. 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.
• Infections or disease. Certain infections, such as strep throat or tonsillitis, can result in guttate or other types of psoriasis. Psoriasis 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 at the site of the injury. This condition is called "Koebner's phenomenon."
• Alcohol. Using alcohol may increase the chances of flare-ups, at least in men.
• Smoking. Some experts think that smoking can worsen psoriasis.