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Psoriasis

Psoriasis Triggering Factors

Which factors aggravate psoriasis?

Mireia and Ivet, living with Psoriasis

The exact cause of psoriasis is not completely known. Psoriasis is believed to be caused by an interplay of genetics, the immune system, and the environment. Some genes have been found to increase the risk of psoriasis, but heredity alone does not fully explain why psoriasis occurs.

In psoriasis, the immune system becomes overactive, driving inflammation and accelerating the skin's cell turnover cycle. Usually, the skin cells called keratinocytes take 28 days to go through their life cycle – dying and being replaced by new cells. In psoriasis, this process can be up to 10/dermatology/psoriasis times faster. Because of this, skin cells build up on the surface, forming thick, raised plaques covered with scales. 
 

What other factors play a role in psoriasis?

Psoriasis risk factors include health and lifestyle habits which can increase the probability of developing psoriasis or make symptoms worse, especially in individuals with a genetic predisposition. Factors that can trigger and exacerbate flare-ups include: 

  • Smoking and alcohol use.
  • Obesity is a well-established risk factor for both onset and severity of psoriasis, contributing to its rising global prevalence. It promotes inflammation.
  • Some infections can trigger and exacerbate psoriasis.
  • Medications: certain drugs such as β blockers (for heart conditions) and lithium (for bipolar disorder) can trigger psoriasis.
  • Stress: associated with both the onset of psoriasis and flare-ups
  • Weather: psoriasis often worsens in winter and improves in summer. Dry air, less sunlight, and cold temperatures are common triggers.
  • Other skin lesions: any alteration of the skin―such as scratches, piercings, tattoos, or sunburns―can trigger psoriasis lesions to appear. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. 

It is important to remember that none of these risk factors alone is sufficient to cause psoriasis. For example, many people experience stress without developing psoriasis. However, if you already have psoriasis these triggers can increase the risk of a flare-up.

Another risk factor is the Koebner phenomenon, which refers to the appearance of new psoriatic lesions on skin that was previously healthy, after some form of skin trauma (scratches, burns, tattoos, piercings). 

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