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What are Psoriasis Triggers? and Why Do You Need to Avoid Them?

Though the reason for psoriasis is the malfunction of the immune system of your body certain triggers can make symptoms worse or can cause flareups.

Psoriasis is categorized as an autoimmune disease most commonly, yet the actual reason is not proven so far. However, the studies carried out on this condition have proven that the T cell’s unusual immune responses without any foreign body attack have led to this excessive production of skin cells.

The cells pile up and become thickened layers, scales, pustules, and lesions. Silvery patches, irritation, redness, and inflammation develop around the patches of psoriasis making it dreadful to sustain.

Psoriasis affects various parts of the body from the scalp to the tiny toe, foldings of the skin to the folds in the groin. No area is unleft by its miserable sores and irritation. It can be confined to smaller patches in specific areas or can spread like a red patch all over the body.

Depending on the type of psoriasis attacked, the regions and the impacts change. Whatever may be the type of psoriasis, it is chronic and cannot be cured. Therefore all the efforts and treatment plans are designed to lessen the severity of the disease by reducing its symptoms.

The cause behind psoriasis is the problem of the T cells and neutrophils. T cells work to protect the body from the invasion of foreign bodies if any. But the immune system sends down unusual immune responses. By which the T cells get overactive and divide into more T cells and produce more white blood cells called neutrophils.

These cells surface on the skin, as it is the first line of defense for the body. They form pus, inflammation, excessive cell production, redness, and eventually into pustules and lesions. The blood vessels that are circulating through this area become warm and show redness.

This psoriasis begins in the immune system of the body. All this takes place, by the mistake of the immune system. So it is considered to be an autoimmune disease. This process is continuous forever like a cycle and does not stop. Hence the skin cells pile up forming pustules, itching, and irritation.

It may be suppressed for a while but it flares up within no time. Most of the studies on this consider genetic and environmental factors to have a role in the cause of these autoimmune attacks.

Psoriasis Triggers

Laying aside the causes, there are certain factors that can trigger the flare-ups. Some of them can be infections in the body. Below are the common Psoriasis Triggers

• Any infection in the skin, cuts, wounds, irritation causing infections or diseases, infection in the throat or respiratory infections, or strep throat can trigger psoriasis outbreaks.
• Being depressed or taking the stress of any situation can make an individual more vulnerable to any disease, mostly psoriasis.
• The stake of bad habits will always end up with a great repayment. Diabetes, pulmonary diseases, respiratory problems, renal and liver issues worsen with smoking and drinking.
• Even psoriasis flare-ups have been recorded with a history of heavy drinking habits and chronic smoking.
• To lead successful management of psoriasis they should be completely left behind. Vitamin D has a vital role in reducing inflammation and removing the scales from the skin. analogues D analogues like calcitriol and calcipotriene are used as medications in the form of creams and solutions for psoriasis topical medications.
  “This shows the importance of vitamin D. So, vitamin deficiency can trigger psoriasis outbreaks in patients already living with psoriasis. To continue this, as we know, sunlight provides the vitamin D requirements of the body. When our body is exposed to an adequate amount of sunlight on a regular routine, vitamin D gets absorbed.”
  This as said above reduces the inflammation and also the scales, irritation, and redness making the skin clear. But if continued beyond limit or saturation, the skin develops more redness and rashes, this is called sunburn. Severe sunburn is also a trigger for psoriasis outbreaks.
• Scientists have identified genes that trigger psoriasis. After extensive work on the DNA samples from the families with psoriasis, they found a gene mutation that is responsible for psoriasis. CARD4 is the gene mutation that mutates the genes to develop psoriasis in the body.
• Koebner phenomenon is another add-on to cause the psoriasis flare-ups. When a deep injury, cut or wound happens in the skin, psoriasis starts this is defined as Koebner’s phenomenon. Sunburn, injections, itchy scratches rashes are responsible for Koebner’s phenomenon.
• Apart from these certain medications, we take for various ailments in the body can be a cause for psoriasis aggressiveness. Metals like Li dosages trigger outbreaks in people with psoriasis. They are prescribed to treat psoriatic problems.
• Cardiovascular medications containing the quinidines worsen psoriasis.
• Drugs against malaria i.e., antimalarial drugs like hydrochloroquine, Plaquenil, chloroquine, etc. can start psoriasis all over again.
• Daily dosages for treating blood pressure that use beta-blockers like Inderal are responsible for psoriasis coming back. Almost 35 percent of patients have experienced this condition.
• People with psoriasis who take indomethacin as a treatment for arthritis are prone to the attack of psoriasis flare-ups again. A careful dosage can keep psoriasis at the limit.
• Cold weather and winters bring in many skin diseases. The skin becomes dried up and loses its moisture. Room heaters make the body even drier using the humidifier and moistening the body daily can solve the situation. Diet has a meaningful role in psoriasis.
• Being overweight and obese increases the risks of more psoriasis outbreaks. Low-calorie food and maintaining optimum weight ensures good results.
• Apart from these, having tattoos and piercings on the body, being inked can increase the severity of psoriasis. Avoiding all of these can be the best option while suffering from psoriasis.

Preventive steps for psoriasis flareups

• Know your psoriasis Triggers and avoid them.
• Prevent being injured, falls, cuts, and scratches, shaving may cause cuts. These cuts develop psoriasis in no time. Apply moisturizers while beginning to shave. If any medication has brought up a psoriasis flare, stop using it.

• The kids are more vulnerable to respiratory infections and throat infections. Treating those infections can clear psoriasis too.

• If life-threatening infections like HIV is present in an individual, the treatments for psoriasis become hard.
• Use sun protection moisturizers or sunscreen lotions. Applying an SPF cream or one with broad-spectrum protection and moisture resistance can possibly keep psoriasis under control.
• Do not use hot water for bath or shower. Bath with lukewarm or warm water. Hot water worsens the psoriasis symptoms. Prefer fragranceless and light oil-free moisturizers after a bath. They get easily absorbed and decrease the dryness keeping the moisturizer intact.
• Whenever the skin dries up, apply the cream with petroleum jelly.
• Keep the body warm in winter from rip to the toe. Use hats, socks, gloves, boots, and sweaters.
• Do not sit near a fireplace, a room heater, or a bonfire.
• Do not soak yourself in rain or in wet clothes. Keep the body always away from wet and damp. 
• Stay away from tobacco using a nicotine patch can cause a flare.
• Ask your doctor before taking one methotrexate, that is used in treating psoriasis. It can become fatal if alcohol consumption persists.
• Quitting drinking can ease the way for treatment.
• Start yoga, exercise, dance, walk, or medication to make your body feel good.
• Give your body a self-care or pamper with goodies. Make a habit of reading books of your choice, write down a personal diary to ease your heart and relieve stress, and do not scratch when itching happens.
• Heal your wounds quickly by dressings and taking proper care of them.
• Prevent bed bugs mites and mosquitoes.
• Tracking any foods and habits that are triggering your psoriasis and avoiding them will be useful. Some of the foods have proven as an enemy to people with psoriasis and have worsened the situation. They are enlisted after a period of study, spices that are used in any delicious food like cinnamon, paprika, sauces like tomato sauce, Tabasco sauce, mayonnaise, vinegar, etc. have proven themselves to increase inflammation.
• Gluten-free is not easy to follow, but gluten sensitivity has been observed in people with psoriasis.
• Allergic reactions to citrus fruits are noticed in psoriasis. Eg: lemonades, oranges, grapefruits, etc.
• Eating dairy products and drinking milk are linked to inflammation. Arachidonic acid present in red meat causes inflammation.

These are a few tips that will help you to prevent further flare-ups of psoriasis. We also look for your suggestions and experiences that can help the readers. Please do share your experiences here.

References

1. Psoriasis Causes & Triggers – National Psoriasis Foundation
2. Are triggers causing your psoriasis flare-ups?
3. 11 triggers for psoriasis flares – Medical News Today
4. Psoriasis: Causes, Triggers, Treatment, and More – Healthline
5. Psoriasis – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
6. Foods in Your Diet That Affect Psoriasis | Everyday Health

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