Expert Advice - Psoriasis - Triggers To Watch Out For

Although it is not clinically proven, a lot of psoriasis sufferers think that their symptoms can be triggered by certain foods. If you feel that nutrition might be aggravating your psoriasis, take advantage of our Psoriasis Flares & Triggers checklist. It is aimed to help you keep tabs on your flare-ups and then determine patterns that will enable you to better control your psoriasis.
Psoriasis management starts with a healthy diet. Here are some recommendations to help take control of your skin condition:

Alcohol – Too much alcohol can have a negative impact on your skin, with the risk of it triggering psoriasis and also aggravating symptoms.

Drugs – There are certain medications capable of triggering psoriasis including:
– Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or nsaids (Diclofenac, Ketoprofen, Tolmetin)
– Antimalarial medications including Malarone, Coartem, Aralen
– Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE-blockers) to treat versatile cardiac conditions: Benazepril, Lisinopril, Trandolapril
– Interferons such as Avonex Pen, Actimmune, Extavia
– Tetracycline antibiotics

Smoking – According to Every Day Health, active smokers are 80 % more likely to develop psoriasis than non-smoking people. What is more, regular smoking can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

Stress – It can increase the inflammatory response of the body, impairing skin health and aggravating pre-existing psoriasis. Try stress relieving techniques like physical exercise, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation.

Skin Injuries – Cuts, burns, excessive sunburn, scratches, and even insect bites can cause psoriasis at the site of the skin damage. Should you have any of these injuries, treat them at once (for example, by applying an antibiotic ointment) to stave off psoriasis activation.

The information mentioned above is not meant to substitute the advice of a doctor.