6 Common Psoriasis Triggers & How To Keep Them From Occurring
For most people with psoriasis, symptoms come and go over time, and finding the right ways to keep flare ups from occurring is one of the biggest struggles. Many factors can trigger psoriasis flares, including weather, certain chemicals, allergies, and of course, stress. And we currently live in a world brimming with stress, right? Psoriasis sufferers often have periods of time with few or only mild symptoms, although triggers are a common occurrence and can happen when you least expect it. But what way is the right way to treat it? Naturally or medically?
Keep reading to find out the right option for you!
Understanding Psoriasis Triggers
They are also likely to have periods of time with more symptoms, and these are known as flares. Psoriasis is different for everyone. One person may find that temperature triggers a psoriasis flare while for others, the temperature may not affect their symptoms, but stress may cause a flare.
Research into possible triggers for psoriasis flares is ongoing. There is evidence to suggest that certain factors can trigger flares in many people, including:
- Injury to the skin
- Stress
- Medication
- Infection
Some triggers link to a person's overall health. Those who are overweight, regularly drink alcohol, or smoke may have more frequent or severe psoriasis flares than others. Other triggers may not have a clear scientific link to flares, but people with psoriasis report that they cause flares, such as changes in temperature, weather, and diet, which are most common.
These are all possible psoriasis flares:
- Stress
Stress can cause a person to have an outbreak of psoriasis for the first time. It can also provoke a psoriasis flare. Finding ways to manage stress can help to avoid flares. Some ways to reduce stress might include exercise and relaxation techniques like visiting a spa or resting away from the noise, including your phone.
- Smoking
Smoking is harmful to a person's overall health, and tobacco can cause a psoriasis flare. Smoking can also make medication used to treat psoriatic arthritis less effective. Smoking may increase a person's risk for developing psoriasis, but more research is needed before scientists fully understand the link.
- Alcohol
Consuming alcohol could make symptoms worse and may prevent a flare from receding. Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption is likely to help a person manage their psoriasis symptoms.
- Weight Gain
Recent research by the National Psoriasis Foundation looked at the link between psoriasis and diet. The key finding was that people who have psoriasis and are overweight are likely to be more at risk of severe symptoms. The recommendation was that a person who is overweight should reduce the number of calories in their diet so that they lose weight. This should improve symptoms of psoriasis over time.
- Diet
The foods that people eat may influence their psoriasis symptoms. According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, studies suggest that some people with psoriasis notice improvements after cutting out alcohol, gluten, and nightshade vegetables, including tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant.
People in the study also found that adding vegetables and vitamin D improved their symptoms, and some maintained that following a vegetarian, vegan, or Mediterranean diet could help.
- Weather
Some people find that certain types of weather or changes in temperature can trigger their psoriasis. There is also a suspicion that their psoriasis flares may link to a drop in humidity and temperature. Protecting skin from cold or dry weather, and using a humidifier in the home, may help to reduce flares.
Warm weather and sun exposure can also cause flares in some people.
4 Natural Treatment Options for Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. For people who do not have psoriasis, the body creates new skin cells and moves them to the surface of the skin around once a month. For people with psoriasis, this process can happen every few days. It is not clear what causes the condition, but a person's genes play a role. Psoriasis is often inherited, and it is likely that genetics combine with other triggers to cause the disease.
Here are 4 ingredients to treat it without resorting to medications, steroid creams, or mineral oil-filled creams:
- Manuka Honey – anti-inflammatory, moisturizing, healing, and repairing.
- Coconut Oil – an intense and ultra-hydrating moisturizer.
- Aloe Vera – filled with minerals and ideal for helping to calm the skin.
- Cehami Flower Extract – a natural analgesic (pain and itch relief), plus a powerful anti-inflammatory.
At Wild Naturals, helping to soothe and recover from the damaging triggers of psoriasis and even eczema, is the brand's number one focus. A full line of eczema and psoriasis products are available to help repair your skin so that you can feel confident and happy with how it looks again! And remember, once a person knows what their flare triggers are, it becomes easier for them to avoid these, and that first step is easiest when choosing natural skin care!
