Psoriasis is not an infectious disease. It is caused primarily because of an individual s genetic structure. A primary reason why Psoriasis occurs in individuals is a trigger factor.

Stress

If a person is stressed, it can trigger Psoriasis. Flare-ups are common and can be accompanied by itching sensation as well. Once Psoriasis occurs the person can feel excessively self-conscious and embarrassed, leading to more stress. If the condition is present on the feet and hands, it can disable a person from performing daily chores. The treatment of Psoriasis can be time-consuming and expensive, thereby leading to even more stress in the patient. Some of the methods in which patients can alleviate stress include participation in support groups, attending counseling sessions and meditation and relaxation therapies. Regular exercise can also curtail stress largely.

Weather and climate

The combination of excessive cold outside and the presence of indoor heating agents inside can trigger Psoriasis. Both conditions in combination dry out the skin and can make existing Psoriasis conditions worse. Winter holidays can also entail more work around the house, which maybe curtailed because of Psoriasis. Illness during winter can debilitate the immunity of a person, making them more prone to Psoriasis. Being in the sun can dramatically help improve the condition. However, usage of the air conditioner must be avoided as it dries the skin. Using moisturizers on a regular basis also helps to curtail Psoriasis.

Injuries on the skin

Skin injuries because of acupuncture, certain vaccinations, bruises, bites, chafing of skin, burns, scraping of skin, irritation from chemicals, shaving, excessive pressure over skin, tattoos, using adhesive tapes over the skin, cuts, sunburns, skin peeling treatments, scratching and rubbing of skin can all trigger Psoriasis. This condition is referred to as Koebner effect. As many as half of the total percentage of Psoriasis patients are affected by this condition. Various skin inflictions like Herpes blisters, boils, vitiligo, dermatitis, Lichen planus, scabies etc. can result in flare-ups.

Infections

Various infections can also be a trigger factor for development of Psoriasis. Infections include step throat, which triggers Guttate type of Psoriasis. Then, infections in the upper respiratory tract, HIV, skin boils etc. can also trigger Psoriasis. An infection of thrush can make a person susceptible to Inverse kind of Psoriasis.

Medications and drugs

Patients already suffering from Psoriasis, tend to develop more flare-ups when they ingest Lithium. Medications intended to treat high blood pressure can also trigger Psoriasis. Medications such as Inderal worsen existing symptoms of Psoriasis in 25 or 30% of Psoriasis patients. Heart medications like Quinidine also trigger Psoriasis. If a person is taking medication like Indomethacin for an arthritic condition, then Psoriasis can also be triggered by its intake. However, if the patient is suffering from Psoriatic Arthritis then this medicine can curtail these symptoms. Medications to prevent malaria also cause Psoriasis flare-ups. Excessive usage of Corticosteroids or stopping the medication suddenly can also trigger Psoriasis.

Hormonal changes

Typically, once a person is beyond puberty, the overall hormonal concentrations reduce. Symptoms pertaining to Psoriasis show improvement during pregnancy when hormonal levels surge. However, once the child is born, hormonal levels reduce, again triggering Psoriasis.

Smoking

People who smoke regularly are more prone to developing Pustular Psoriasis. Chain smokers are susceptible to fatal conditions of Psoriasis as well as Plaque kind of Psoriasis. The best way to deal with this is by quitting smoking.

Alcohol

Drinking and consumption of alcohol is also a trigger factor for Psoriasis. In fact, the efficacy of treatments is hampered when alcohol is ingested.

In addition to the above, certain kinds of allergies can also trigger Psoriasis. Changing one s diet to include healthy, balanced meals can help keep Psoriasis at bay.

This article was written by Ashley Broussard, a free-lance writer currently under contract by Q-Based Healthcare. Broussard has written for a number of news journals and is presently working in the medical field.