Psoriasis is an autoimmune illness that manifests in a flaky, thick, red, and itchy skin. Patches on the skin brought about by the disease crust over with a covering of silver scales. The immune system uses cells known as T cells to fight off infections. In doing so, they produce inflammation-causing chemicals. When this process goes wrong, it leads to an abnormal growth of skin cells and inflammation with this illness. The severity of psoriasis symptoms differs from individual to individual and the form of the disease. It may infect any part of the body, although it is most common on the scalp, knees, elbows, and lower back. An attack of this disease can be categorized as mild, moderate, or severe. So, what causes psoriasis? Well, several factors can predispose one to get the disease while others can trigger a flare-up. They are highlighted in detail below.
1. Skin Infections
Between 80 and 90% of people with this skin condition have a form of the disease known as plaque psoriasis. This manifests in the skin as inflamed patches that flake. The skin infections are also painful and itchy.
One of the triggers of this form of the disease is trauma (injury) to the skin. This could be intentional injury such as that caused by tattoos or accidental, like cuts and scrapes in a football game. Other accidental triggers could include the site of an injection, a burn, or scratching yourself intensely. All these can cause the autoimmune system to go into overdrive.
For people who are overweight, a condition known as inverse psoriasis may be the main culprit. This condition will usually be found where there are folds of skin. Common areas are the buttocks, genitals, and under the breasts. It is thought that sweating and constant rubbing in these areas contribute to the aggravation of the condition. Usually, inflamed lesions appear before the condition escalates.
Guttate psoriasis is more likely to appear during childhood up to young adulthood. Tiny red lesions that stand alone, rather than crusty patches define this disease. These tiny spots can spread rapidly to cover large areas of the body.
Pustular psoriasis is uncommon and is mostly found in adults. Small pus filled blisters surrounded by reddened skin are the defining marks of this condition. It has multiple triggers that range from respiratory tract infections to various medications.
2. Strep Throat
Infection The streptococcus bacteria that is often responsible for sore throats and tonsil infections can also lead to guttate psoriasis. Medical practitioners have noted this link in which a child suffering from a strep throat later develops this other type of infection after about six weeks. You should, therefore, be on the lookout for any skin infection, following strep throat.
It is important to remember that not all sore throats have symptoms, although having one could worsen your plaque psoriasis condition. In some instances, surgery to remove the tonsils can lead to a faster relief from the two conditions.
3. Severe Sunburn
For people suffering from this skin condition, excessive exposure to the sun will leave them with severe sunburn that can wreak havoc on their skin, leading to an outbreak. While it is important for individuals with the condition to get some sunlight, severe sunburn will result in a flare-up.
If you realize that moderate exposure to the sun helps with the condition, take it slow as extending that time might do the opposite. Remember to do everything in moderation and always have sunscreen on always. You do not want to make the condition worse and end up nursing severe sunburn.
4. Stress
Stress and psoriasis have a common link. Sadly, it seems to trigger this skin condition’s outbreak. It can even make the condition flare up if it is the first time or worsen its presence. Therefore, it is prudent to reduce it as much as you can. Some of the things you can do to ensure you are relaxed include yoga and meditation. Yoga has been found to help reduce stress that is caused by pain.
On the other hand, this condition can aggravate stress levels in a patient. This is due to the pain and stigma involved. The condition also affects a person’s self-esteem, which could turn to be stressful. Managing your tension levels will not only help you stop this skin condition from flaring up but also manage it.
5. Smoking
If you have this skin condition, avoid smoking as it can make the symptoms more intense. For people with dormant psoriasis, the habit will trigger the condition as tobacco increases the risk of contracting it. Also, it plays a role in the first stages of this condition’s development.
Smoking more than 10 cigarettes per day has been associated with increased extremities in males. If you wish to improve your health, follow the following guidelines:
• Quit if you do smoke
• Warn your kids against smoking if psoriasis run in your family as those genes can get triggered by the habit
• Ensure that you and your family don’t get exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke
6. Heavy Alcohol Consumption
A study carried out in 2010 showed that people suffering from this condition are also associated with heavy alcohol consumption. Heavy alcohol consumption tends to act as a trigger for most people suffering from this skin condition. Drinking more alcohol will lead to an increase in psoriasis. The possibilities of psoriasis flare-ups, mostly in men are linked to heavy drinking.
7. High Blood Pressure
Medications There are some medications that mess up with the body’s autoimmune responses and end up causing extreme psoriasis attacks. High blood pressure medications are usually beta-blockers.
If you have this skin condition and your doctor prescribes any of these high blood pressure medications, let him or her know in advance to avoid making your skin condition worse. High blood pressure and cardiovascular medicines that might worsen the situation include propranolol (Inderal), ACE inhibitors, as well as other beta blockers.
8. Vitamin D Deficiency
People with long-term plaque psoriasis are associated with low levels of vitamin D. Though it is believed that not getting enough vitamin D will not lead to this skin condition, it might reduce your body’s ability to sustain healthy skin.
In winter when you experience minimal sunlight, it is common to have a vitamin d deficiency and consequently, increased symptoms of psoriasis. For healthy skin, endure you get enough vitamin D either from sunlight, foods or as a supplement if the first two sources cannot provide enough of it.
If you are suffering from this skin condition and think that it could be caused by vitamin d deficiency, talk to your doctor before taking any supplements. This is because some supplements might interact with the other medications you might be taking.
