A psoriasis outbreak can happen at any moment, and it can be stressful going about your regular scheduled day to all of a sudden developing a flare-up all whilst trying to get things done.
Most people who are new to the condition or haven’t experienced psoriasis and its symptoms aren’t fully aware of all the causes that can set it off. Luckily, you can try and keep your psoriasis under control by becoming familiar with these surprising flare-up triggers.
1. Stress
We all stress, it’s a normal human reaction that takes place in the mind and body, and we are designed to react to it. There’s good and bad stress, but the stress that leaves you physically, mentally, and emotionally overwhelmed is the type of stress that can trigger a flare-up. Dealing with psoriasis is stressful as it is and can make it worse. That’s why it’s important to keep yourself at ease when you start to feel stressed, and handle stress in positive ways.
You can decrease your stress levels in a majority of different ways that bring you peace and happiness. Some common ways of coping with stress are by practicing meditation, deep breathing techniques, yoga, journaling, and being in nature. Since flare-ups can occur out of nowhere, it’s best to formulate some kind of routine every day to take time to cater to your mental and emotional health so you can limit psoriasis symptoms.
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2. Infections
Our immune systems are constantly working to keep us healthy and functioning properly by fighting off harmful uninvited guests that come in contact with us. But sometimes our bodies do get exposed to germs and viruses that can cause infections to arise. Infections such as strep throat, earaches, thrush, bronchitis, and other upper respiratory infections can spark flare-ups. Make sure if an infection does arise that you seek professional medical help and treat it ASAP, so it won’t cause further psoriasis complications.
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3. Alcohol Consumption and Smoking
Out of all the damage drinking and smoking does to the liver and lungs, it can also trigger a psoriasis flare-up if consumed too heavily, and too often. I know drinking can be fun when you’re out trying to have a good time, but it’s best to be mindful of how much alcohol is consumed and limit your intake to about 1-2 drinks if you drink daily. However, the reason why little to no drinking is heavily influenced when you have psoriasis is that alcohol affects the potency of most psoriasis treatments, causing treatments to not work as effectively.
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Smoking and second-hand smoke is also a huge trigger when it comes to psoriasis, and should be taken seriously. Studies have implied that people who smoke are bound to have psoriasis. If you’re a regularly heavy smoker and have been smoking for a long time, you are in more danger of developing psoriasis. Tobacco and nicotine can interfere with psoriasis medication as well.
Drinking and smoking can be considered bad habits and affect your overall health. Avoiding alcohol and smoking altogether will not only prevent flare-ups but will strengthen your immune system. If you or someone you know has an alcohol and/or nicotine addiction while also
