E-mail: info@psoriasisaustralia.org.au    |

Triggers

Understanding your condition is the first step to help you take charge of the best decisions for your treatment.

Trigger factors above often occur at the onset of psoriasis, so please understand those and take the precautions mentioned.

Diet is not thought to be a factor, however excessive alcohol consumption can make your symptoms worse as well as interfering with some treatments.

Triggers are not just internal, external factors often flare psoriasis. These include stress, skin injury, sunburn, winter weather, medications, skin infections and hormones.

Stress

Newly flared or aggravated existing psoriasis can occur due to stress, the counter measure being relaxation and a reduction of stress in your busy life.

Skin injury

Traumatised skin can trigger psoriasis, even with sunburn, vaccinations or scratches. Early treatment reduces the impact of these occurrences

Sunburn

A small amount of sun can be beneficial, but too much almost certainly results in a flare up, so consider how much sun exposure you allow.

Winter Weather

Cold, dry weather can really affect the condition of your skin. In winter there is less moisture in the air and we spend time indoors with heating. Invest in a humidifier and spend less time outdoors on the coldest days to minimise the impact of Winter.

Medications

Certain medications are associated with triggering psoriasis, including:

  • Lithium:
  • Antimalarials: Plaquenil, Quinacrine, chloroquine and hydrochloroquine
  • Inderal
  • Quinidine
  • Indomethacin

If you are taking any of these medications, please follow this link for how you might be affected and speak to your GP or healthcare practitioner. https://www.skincancer.asn.au/page/2187/about-psoriasis

Infection

A lowered immune system is associated with psoriasis. Strep throat (streptococcus infection) can be associated with guttate psoriasis.

This can be the first time children are triggered with psoriasis.

If your psoriasis flares it is worth talking to your doctor about a strep throat test, as this often can be a factor even without symptoms.

Flare-ups can also occur following an earache, bronchitis, tonsillitis or respiratory infections.

Hormones

Hormonal changes within children as they grow can trigger psoriasis outbreaks or the first flare up.

For more information about Triggers, follow this link: https://www.skincancer.asn.au/page/2187/about-psoriasis

Copyright © Psoriasis Australia Incorporated