Psoriasis Triggers
Psoriasis is a disorder that is characterized by red, scaly and sometimes itchy growth of skin suddenly appearing in any part of the body. Many medical experts believe that the disorder may be caused by the immune system not working normally. Psoriasis can also have various triggers that may cause it to appear suddenly on the skin without any warning.
There are a variety of triggers that may lead to psoriasis in many people. The problem with the disease is that it may suddenly crop up without showing any prior symptoms or signs. Some people may experience good days when their skin clears up and some bad days when the psoriasis suddenly appears. The appearance of the associated symptoms is usually heralded by certain triggers that will jumpstart the abnormal skin growths.
Infections
One of the more common triggers of psoriasis is infection. Various studies have shown that certain infections may easily trigger psoriasis in some people. One of the most common infections that doctors have seen to trigger an outburst of psoriasis is one caused by the streptococcus bacteria. It has been common for doctors to see people having a strep throat infection to develop their first psoriasis outbreak several weeks later.
A strep throat is not the only infection that can trigger psoriasis in people. There are other known infections that may do the same thing on some patients. A thrush infection can sometimes lead to a case of severe inverse psoriasis. The human immunodeficiency virus may also trigger psoriasis outbreaks in some people. Staphylococcal skin infections such as those that cause boils may also trigger psoriasis. Other viral upper respiratory infections may also bring about psoriasis. Treating the underlying infection will usually also clear out psoriasis.
Medications
Certain medicines are also known to trigger a psoriasis outbreak on the skin. Some people may develop certain reactions to certain medications that may cause psoriasis to flare up. One of the more common examples is anti-malaria medication. Many dermatologists have observed that a considerable number of patients taking anti-malarial drugs may also experience their very first case of psoriasis after several weeks.
Beta-blockers are also known as medications that can trigger a psoriasis flare up. Beta blockers are the usual medications used to treat high blood pressure in people as well as certain heart conditions. They are known to worsen a case of psoriasis in some people. Anti-inflammatory medication such as Indomethacin is also known to worsen psoriasis in people.
Corticosteroids are often used as an effective treatment for psoriasis. The use of such medications should be properly handled and prescribed by doctors since they can also trigger the same condition that it treats. Corticosteroids are known to aggravate psoriasis if overused or if the medication is suddenly withdrawn.
Skin Injuries
Skin injuries can also trigger psoriasis to worsen. People with psoriasis may usually see their condition worsen with new skin injuries such as cuts or burns. This condition is known as the Koebner phenomenon where skin injuries would likely also bring about the development of psoriatic lesions.
Stress
Stress is another trigger of psoriasis. Scientific studies have shown that stress can aggravate the flare up of psoriasis in people. It can worsen an existing flare up and can even worsen itching. Some people may even have their very first psoriasis experience after a very stressful event in their lives.