Psoriasis Skin Disorder - What Causes Flare-Ups?

One of the questions most often asked by those with a psoriasis skin disorder is what triggers it? What causes it to flare-up? Well, the answer is that there is not one single cause, but several. This article on psoriasis will briefly list those causes and hopefully provide you with a better understanding.

The psoriasis skin disorder is estimated to affect upwards of 3% of the population of the world. While the exact cause of psoriasis is still not fully known, we do know for sure that there are several factors that aid in its development.

Weather

The weather plays a big role in causing psoriasis to flare-up. Whenever the weather becomes very cold and dry, it causes psoriasis to break out much more often. If the weather is hot and sunny, managing psoriasis becomes easier.

Stress

Any time you're under severe stress or become depressed you can trigger your psoriasis. Pent up anger and anxiety have also shown to be triggers for the disorder. There have been studies done that have shown psoriasis to flare-up within 30 days of a stressful period.

Family History

While some people with a family history of the psoriasis skin disorder have never come down with it themselves, others have. In fact, about one-third of people who have it also have someone else in their family with it.

Skin Injury

What has now become know as the "Koebner Phenomenon" can also trigger and outbreak. Named after Dr. Koebner, he discovered a relationship of a skin abrasion and a psoriasis flare-up. These skin abrasions can include burns, bites, bruises, cuts, and even getting a tattoo.

Infection

Viral infections have been shown to cause an outbreak of psoriasis. Specifically, infections like strep throat and tonsillitis are big factors in guttate psoriasis. People with HIV are also more susceptible.

Drug Reactions

Many people can have a flare-up from certain medications they take. Some of these include:

• Beta-blockers
  
• ACE inhibitors
  
• Lithium
  
• Corticosteroids
  
• Progesterone
  
• Indocin

All of these factors in this article are know to cause the psoriasis skin disorder or cause it to flare-up. And although there doesn't exist a cure yet, there are many ways in treating it.