Psoriasis Triggers

Psoriasis triggersPsoriasis is not contagious—no one can "catch" it from another person. Because of their genes, certain people are more likely to develop it, but a "trigger" is usually necessary to make psoriasis appear. These triggers may include emotional stress, injury to the skin, some types of infection and reaction to certain drugs.
StressStress 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.
How can people cope with stress?
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.
Injury to skinSometimes 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.
MedicineCertain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis.
Lithium: Used to treat manic depression and other psychiatric disorders. Lithium aggravates psoriasis in about half of those with psoriasis who take it. However, people can ask their physicians about alternatives to lithium.
Antimalarials: Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis, usually two to three weeks after the drug is taken. Hydroxychloroquine has the lowest incidence of side effects.
Inderal: This high blood pressure medication worsens psoriasis in about 25 percent to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. It is not known if all high blood pressure (beta blocker) medications worsen psoriasis, but they may have that potential. Sometimes other medications can be substituted.
Quinidine: This heart medication has been reported to worsen some cases of psoriasis.
Indomethacin: This drug is used to treat arthritis. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug. It has worsened some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatories usually can be substituted. Indomethacin's negative effects are usually minimal when it is taken properly. Its side effects are usually outweighed by its benefits in psoriatic arthritis.
What are some other triggers?Allergies: Although unproven, some people suspect that allergies trigger their psoriasis.
Diet: Although unproven, changing the diet has helped some people improve their psoriasis or avoid flares.
Strep infection: May trigger guttate psoriasis.
Weather: May make skin drier and more susceptible to a psoriasis outbreak.