Triggers of Psoriasis

Stress is a proven trigger in some people. It can cause psoriasis to flare for the first time or aggravate existing psoriasis.
Relaxation and stress reduction may help people with psoriasis. For example, not only does relaxation help lower stress levels, but also it gives people a feeling of control. These techniques, however, seem to work best with traditional medical treatments, instead of using the techniques alone.

Cope with the stigma: A stigma—a characteristic that other people think of as negative—can erode a person's self-esteem. Low self-esteem can lead to stress, and possibly a worsening of psoriasis. One way to overcome the stigma, however, is to understand how and why it occurs.
Hypnosis: This relaxation technique may help people who are using other treatments. For example, one study found that people who listen to meditation-based relaxation tapes while they are using light therapy may clear faster than those who don't listen to the tapes.

Sometimes psoriasis appears in areas of the skin that have been injured or traumatized. This is called the "Koebner phenomenon." Vaccinations, sunburns and scratches can all trigger a Koebner (KEB-ner) response. The Koebner response can be treated if it is caught early enough. For example, people receiving a vaccination may be at risk for the Koebner response, but the physician can bring it under control if the psoriasis occurs at the injection site.

Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis, such as Lithium, Antimalarials, Inderal, Quinidine, and Indomethacin.

Weather: May make skin drier and more susceptible to a psoriasis outbreak.

Strep infection: May trigger guttate psoriasis.

Diet: Although unproven, changing the diet has helped some people improve their psoriasis or avoid flares.

Allergies: Although unproven, some people suspect that allergies trigger their psoriasis.

Coping With Psoriasis

People with psoriasis may cope with it in different ways.
They may decide to tell no one about the stigma. This can lead to a feeling of isolation, which makes it more difficult to cope with everyday activities. But attempts to hide it may actually cause a person to focus on it more intently.
They may reveal it to only a few trusted people or only late in a relationship. Most people choose to share their feelings with trusted friends or loved ones.
They may make the stigma public knowledge. By telling people about the psoriasis immediately, they may not to be surprised by the person's skin. If people react badly, it also allows the person with psoriasis to decide whether the relationship is worth it. Also, educating others can decrease the stigma, and make it more acceptable for others to come forth with their disease.
There is no "best" way to cope. A person may choose to not mention they have psoriasis if it doesn't bother them. Or, if the psoriasis has caused emotional difficulties, a person may feel safest telling only a few friends.

The Emotional Impact of Psoriasis

Psoriasis has a physical impact on the skin, but it also affects people's feelings, behaviors and experiences. The National Psoriasis Foundation is here to help with services, advocacy and information.
It is important to recognize and acknowledge the social effects of psoriasis in order to cope with the disease. Not all people react the same way toward psoriasis. Very little is known about why this is the case. Some people may be able to handle the emotional and social aspects of having psoriasis, while others struggle with these issues.
Psoriasis marks people as different because the skin looks different from other people's skin. Some people may react with insensitivity and ignorance to people with psoriasis because they don't know what it is; it is something they're not used to seeing, or they are afraid they may "catch" it.
There are many ways to cope with these reactions, and to prevent psoriasis—and reactions to it—from affecting an individual's self-esteem.

How Common is Psoriasis?

Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are serious diseases that affect more than 4.5 million people in the United States. A person's quality of life—including emotional health—can be seriously jeopardized. Because of this, it is important to understand the full impact of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.

The Facts on Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition affecting approximately 4.5 million people in the United States.
New skin cells grow too rapidly, resulting in inflamed, swollen, scaly patches of skin in areas where the old skin has not shed quickly enough.
Psoriasis can be limited to a few spots or can involve more extensive areas of the body, appearing most commonly on the scalp, knees, elbows and trunk.
Psoriasis is not a contagious disease.
The cause of psoriasis is unknown, and there currently is no cure.
Psoriasis can strike people at any age, but the average age of onset is approximately 28 years.
Likewise, it affects both men and women, with a slightly higher prevalence in women than in men.
Approximately 30 percent of people with psoriasis are estimated to have moderate-to-severe forms of the disease.
Psoriasis can be a physically and emotionally painful condition.
It often results in physical limitations, disfiguration and a significant burden in managing the daily care of the disease.
Psoriasis sufferers may feel embarrassed, angry, frustrated, fearful, depressed and, in some cases, even suicidal.

Basic Facts on Treating Psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis is determined by the location, severity and history of psoriasis in each individual. There is no one method of treatment, for each person with psoriasis may respond differently. One main objective of treatment is to slow down the more rapid than usual growth rate of the skin cells. The rapid growth rate of skin cells causes the red, scaly psoriasis patches. The underlying cause of this increased skin growth is not yet known. For patients with minimal psoriasis, therapy is limited to topical medications that are drugs applied to the skin. For patients with moderate to widespread psoriasis, topical treatments are often combined with ultraviolet light therapy. Either sunlight or artificial ultraviolet light therapy can be used. If topical and ultraviolet light therapy are not effective, or are not practical, systemic or oral medications can be used. These may be combined with ultraviolet light therapy, the so-called photo-chemotherapy or PUVA therapy. In severe cases and unresponsive cases of psoriasis, there are oral medications that slow down the growth rate of skin which are helpful. These drugs can have significant side effects and have to be used with the proper safeguard and caution. Even these strong drugs do not cure psoriasis but only help to control the disease.