{"id":2169,"date":"2018-10-01T07:23:34","date_gmt":"2018-10-01T07:23:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/?p=2169"},"modified":"2021-05-19T19:33:42","modified_gmt":"2021-05-19T19:33:42","slug":"9-possible-psoriasis-causes-and-triggers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.io\/9-possible-psoriasis-causes-and-triggers\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Possible Psoriasis Causes and Triggers"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes red, inflamed patches of skin at best, and silver flakes representing skin dandruff at worse. The exact causes are not known but genetics is believed to play a role. Several triggers though have been identified, due to their impact on the immune system. When you have psoriasis, your immune system malfunctions and incorrectly attacks itself. It sees healthy cells as the intruder. The body then rushes to make excess skin cells and these dead cells than have to be discarded of, which is when the silver flakes appear during a flare-up.<\/p>\n

While psoriasis does not discriminate on the basis of age, it is mostly seen in adults. Many people incorrectly assume that they have a red skin allergy rash at first. In the US, it is estimated 7.5 million people are sufferers. If you know your triggers, you can minimize flare-ups.<\/p>\n

1. Genetics<\/h3>\n

As mysterious as the exact causes and triggers of psoriasis <\/a>are, it is possible that genetics could provide clues. Has anyone in your family line suffered from this skin condition which causes dry, flaky skin? If so, you may develop this autoimmune disease. According to scientists, one in 10 people can inherit a single gene or more that puts them at risk of developing psoriasis.<\/p>\n

The good news is, just because you have the genetic makeup predisposing you to psoriasis, that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll automatically get the symptoms. A small fraction – only 2% to 3% of people who have the psoriasis gene in the DNA, will, in fact, develop it. That\u2019s because there\u2019s a gap between being programmed for something on a DNA level, and the body actually biologically acting on that programming code. Genetically, psoriasis is commonly passed on though. One out of three people who have psoriasis report that they do in fact also has a relative with the disease.<\/p>\n

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\"\"2. Immune System Malfunction<\/h3>\n

The flakiness on your skin when you have psoriasis is as a result of more healthy, normal skin cells being on the surface than what is required. The body, therefore, has to get rid of them. Not only are the skin cells more than needed, they are also produced very rapidly. There is no other option but for these skin cells to be shed on the epidermis<\/a> or upper skin layer. Why would more skins cells be produced in the first place? The body thinks there has been an invasion. When you have an open wound, the body produces scar tissue while it quickly repairs the skin below it.<\/p>\n

This suggests that the body is misreading signals. Its auto-responses in the immune system have gone haywire. Science does not know exactly why this is so but the body perceives a false intruder and ends up attacking its own healthy cells. This is why psoriasis is sometimes also called an autoimmune disease and in some cases, patients receive immune suppressors as part of their treatment.<\/p>\n

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\"\"3. Stress<\/h3>\n

This can be one of the main triggers in the sense that when you\u2019re stressed, it can cause a psoriasis flare-up. The American Academy of Dermatology says that stress is an environmental factor that should be managed in order to avoid triggers, even though psoriasis itself remains primarily a genetic<\/a> disease.<\/p>\n

Because stress impacts on the immune system, and suppressed or malfunctioning is related to psoriasis, recent research is showing exactly just how clear the link between stress and psoriasis is. In fact, many sufferers experience their first flare-up during a period of great anxiety. Worry further lowers immunity, which explains why the condition is worse during this time.<\/p>\n

Sufferers are advised to manage stress with activity and to minimize stress-associated behaviors such as drinking, smoking, and drug-taking. If you have the condition, make sure coworkers, friends, and family understand it. If you are criticized your self-esteem may take a knock, causing upset and a flare-up.<\/p>\n

\"\"4. Medication<\/h3>\n

Some forms of medication<\/a> are linked to flare-ups, namely:<\/p>\n

Antimalarials: These are drugs for the treatment of malaria. Plaquenil, Quinacrine, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine may cause a psoriasis episode, usually two to three weeks after the drug is taken. Hydroxychloroquine is the least likely to cause side effects.<\/p>\n

Inderal: This is taken for high blood pressure. It increases the severity of the condition in up to 30 percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. High blood pressure medications are beta blockers. It is not known if all beta blockers worsen psoriasis, but they may well do so.<\/p>\n

Quinidine: This is prescribed for heart conditions. It has been reported to worsen some cases of psoriasis. Indomethacin: This is an anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis that is not based on steroids. It has had a negative impact on some psoriasis sufferers. But the relief it brings to psoriatic arthritis usually outweigh the negative side effects. It is up to each patient to monitor the impact and possibly lessen the dose accordingly.<\/p>\n

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\"\"5. High Blood Pressure, Heart Conditions, and Psoriatic Arthritis<\/h3>\n

Usually, psoriasis does not exist in isolation. There are several conditions that seem to be common in psoriasis patients. These are called comorbidities. It is not a given that every psoriasis sufferer will have these conditions as well, but one or more often present in patients together. As they each either require medication or impact the immune system response, they are linked to flare-ups.<\/p>\n

As we\u2019ve seen previously, for example, Inderal is a blood pressure<\/a> medication that can cause severe worsening of the condition. It is a beta blocker, and while it isn\u2019t clear if all beta blockers have this effect, one-third of patients who take this medication report a worsening of their psoriasis.<\/p>\n

Similarly, anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat related conditions such as psoriatic arthritis also impact the immune system, this has a double-whammy effect on psoriasis. Many patients report that the likes of Indomethacin worsen their condition but the relief they get from the arthritis pain outweighs this.<\/p>\n

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\"\"6. Infections<\/h3>\n

Anything that requires the immune system to activate itself can affect psoriasis. This would mean that a wound could trigger an episode. Similarly, infections<\/a> such as colds and flu can do the same thing, especially if a patient decides to get flu jabs, for example. The flu jab often stimulates the flu in the body on a micro scale in order to send the immune system into overdrive to bolster itself. This then tends to have an adverse reaction in some people.<\/p>\n

Streptococcus infection or strep throat is one such infection linked to guttate psoriasis. Strep throat often is responsible for the first incidence of guttate psoriasis in young sufferers. You may experience a flare-up following tonsillitis, bronchitis, earache or a respiratory infection. It can also happen that there is an active psoriasis flare with zero strep throat or similar symptoms. If so, consider seeing your doctor and asking for a strep throat test if your psoriasis flares.<\/p>\n

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\"\"7. Allergies<\/h3>\n

More studies need to be done to determine which allergies<\/a> and to what extent they influence a worsening of the condition. There are multiple allergies in general. An allergy happens when the immune system cannot adequately respond to something that usually causes no issues for others. Common allergies are pollen, pet fur, dust or even specific foods such as nuts and seafood. It is highly likely that there is a causal link between psoriasis episodes and allergies.<\/p>\n

However, many people confuse the two conditions as if they are the same. Psoriasis patients often see the red, itchy skin and tell their doctors about their \u2018allergy\u2019. The actual cause of an allergy is not the same as the cause of psoriasis, even though an allergy can trigger the extent of your psoriasis. The latter is an autoimmune responsive disorder. Your immune system attacks itself. With an allergy, it causes a problem where other people have none.<\/p>\n

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\"\"8. Secondary Comorbidities<\/h3>\n

While we\u2019ve discussed the main comorbidities of high blood and heart disease above, there are others. As we\u2019ve previously noted, not every psoriasis sufferer will have these conditions as well, but often a patient may have at least one of these. As comorbidities and secondary comorbidities each either require medication or impact the immune system<\/a> response, they are linked to flare-ups. It is due to the conjoined action which often causes this reaction. The influx of various medications can then cause the system to temporarily malfunction, setting the stage for psoriasis and other reactive ailments. In most cases, it is not easy to simply stop the medication as it has a purpose, to mending the secondary comorbidities.<\/p>\n

Psoriasis is not believed to cause these conditions or vice versa – it is the impact on existing psoriasis or trigger that is important. If you have psoriasis, you have a greater likelihood of being diagnosed with one of these secondary comorbidities: Type 2 diabetes, Cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n

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\"\"9. Diet<\/h3>\n

Studies have shown no direct link between diet<\/a>, especially in the form of vitamins and supplements, and psoriasis. However, as certain conditions that are linked to psoriasis such as heart disease, cholesterol, and blood pressure can be improved with diet, it makes sense to see diet as an indirect trigger. Healthier eating habits which include more whole grains and less processed food, unhealthy fat, and salt, can all have an effect on improving allied comorbidities. This means having to take less medication for these and therefore minimizing flare-ups. While this is not a cure for all, a fully nutritious diet often has plenty of benefits. However, time limitations have made it easier for people to grab oily foods.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, although there is no hard scientific proof of the impact of diet on psoriasis, patients who have overhauled their diet – along with exercise – report a significant improvement in their condition. A healthier weight, for example, improves depression, high blood pressure, and psoriatic arthritis, which are all well-known comorbidities. \r\n

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