What Causes Psoriasis to Flare Up? 5 Common Triggers

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease which causes itchy red patches with a scaly texture to appear on the body. Areas commonly affected by psoriasis include the knees, hands, elbows, lower back, scalp, nails and feet. For some individuals, psoriasis breakouts may spread to the entire body. While there is a strong genetic component to psoriasis, there are certain factors which can aggravate the condition and trigger breakouts. As for what causes psoriasis to flare up, here are a few possibilities:

What Causes Psoriasis To Flare Up

• Stress – As with other common skin problems such as eczema and rosacea, stress may bring on psoriasis or make existing breakouts worse.
• Infection – When one’s immune system is compromised, it can lead to a psoriasis flare-up. Strep throat, bronchitis and respiratory infections have all been linked to the development of new or worsening psoriasis patches.
• Injury – In what is known as the “Koebner phenomenon,” psoriasis patches may form in response to skin injury or trauma. Sunburn, vaccinations and cuts can all potentially trigger an outbreak.
• Medications – A variety of medications have been shown to cause psoriasis flare-ups in some patients. Just to name a few: Inderal (a high blood pressure medication), Indomethacin (an anti-inflammatory drug) and Quinidine (a heart medication).
• Weather – The severity and timing of psoriasis outbreaks can also be related to weather conditions. For instance, flare-ups are more likely to occur in the winter when the air is dry and skin tends to be, too.

Ultimately, the answer to “what causes psoriasis to flare up?” will vary from patient to patient. However, any individual with psoriasis should be aware of these common triggers, as this information can help them manage their condition.

Explore Psoriasis Treatment Options at Kessel Dermatology

If you are living with psoriasis and it is affecting your quality of life, the skin disease specialists at Kessel Dermatology can help you find the best course of treatment for you. We offer all the safest and most advanced treatment options for psoriasis, including:

• Biologic medications such as Otezla.
• Topical medications such as corticosteroids and retinoids
• Phototherapy treatments such as laser therapy and Psoralen with Ultraviolet A light (POVA)

Our dermatologists will consider the severity of your psoriasis and other individual factors in order to guide you to the most appropriate treatment(s) for you. We can also provide information on what causes psoriasis to flare up and help you determine what may be contributing to your flare-ups.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment, call the Kessel Dermatology office today at 609-890-2600. We look forward to helping you keep your skin condition under control so that it does not interfere with your life.