Top Psoriasis Triggers

Medically Reviewed by Debra Jaliman, MD on December 20, 2022
1 min read

While the underlying cause of psoriasis stems from your body's immune system, certain triggers can make symptoms worse or cause flare-ups. These psoriasis triggers include:

  • Cold and dry weather. Such weather can dry out your skin, which makes the chances of having a flare-up worse. In contrast, hot, sunny weather appears to help control the symptoms of psoriasis in most people.
  • Stress. Having psoriasis can itself cause stress, and patients often report that outbreaks of symptoms come during particularly stressful times.
  • Some medications. Certain drugs, such as lithium (a common treatment for bipolar disorder), drugs for malaria, and some beta-blockers (used to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and some heart arrhythmias), can cause flare-ups of psoriasis symptoms.
  • Infections. Certain infections, such as strep throat or tonsillitis, can result in guttate (small, salmon-pink droplets) or other types of psoriasis two to three weeks after the infection. Psoriasis symptoms may worsen in people who have HIV.
  • Trauma to the skin. In some people with psoriasis, trauma to the skin -- including cuts, bruises, burns, bumps, vaccinations, tattoos, and other skin conditions -- can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms at the site of the injury. This condition is called "Koebner phenomenon."
  • Alcohol. Using alcohol may increase the chances of psoriasis flare-ups.
  • Smoking. Some experts think that smoking can worsen psoriasis symptoms.

 

Show Sources

SOURCES:
Bruce E. Strober, MD, PhD, associate director of dermatopharmacology, department of dermatology, New York University School of Medicine; co-director, Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Center; consultant for Amgen, Biogen, Genentech, Fujisawa, and 3M.

Jeffrey M. Weinberg, MD, director, Clinical Research Center, St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center, New York City; assistant clinical professor of dermatology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons; consultant for Amgen and Genentech.

National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

American Academy of Dermatology.

American Academy of Dermatology, PsoriasisNet.

National Psoriasis Foundation.

Abel, E. ACP Medicine, April 2005.

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