Psoriasis flare up questions

[Celia]

I originally stumbled on this forum trying to find an answer on Google, I never did find any insight. So I'll pose the question here:
Does anyone have an idea how long it takes for a trigger to cause a flare?
I know it's going to be different depending on lots of circumstances, but generally speaking - is it a matter of hours, days, weeks?
I have a few theories about mine, which is flaring pretty heavily now, after being almost totally gone for months. But I wonder what is causing it to flare - I know, the eternal question of all psoriasis sufferers.
Personally I think mine is related to fungus. I've been gluten free for over 3 years, no change. Also alcohol free for 4 years, no change.
Thanks for any comments and or insights!!!

[Fred]

You pose a question that is probably going to get different answers as psoriasis effects people in different ways, that could be why you couldn't find any answers from Google. Good that you found us though from your searches though as Google don't like us that much (but that's another story)

I'll chip in if it helps and I'm sure others will too, but you do ask a good question.

How long for a trigger to cause a flare-up: I can sometimes feel one coming on immediately, if I get wound up about something I can feel my toes or my lips changing. My toes will start to be more painful with psoriatic arthritis and my lips will feel like they are going dry and tightening up, having said that some flare-ups have come way after something that I thought would would cause one. My Dads death for example, I thought would have caused a flare-up, but because I was busy organising things and supporting my Mum it didn't happen till about a month after.

I don't think it's Fungus related, or Gluten, or Alcohol related. It is however something that we will always try to find a reason for, but trust me you won't find the exact trigger.

I started this thread a few years ago but it didn't get many answers: What triggers psoriasis flare ups ?

Stress plays a huge influence but flare-ups can come and go at very odd times, so you are better off not trying to figure it out as that could cause a flar-up on it's own and just enjoying the good times.

[jiml]

I for one am glad you did stumble on us for whatever reason ....

But your question although looking simple is in fact quite a difficult one to answer

I can only talk of my experience and with me my psoriasis flared with stress, whilst I had it to some extent most of my life , I did notice at times of stress it flared quite quickly, but I can't put a time on it.
I have always eaten and drank whatever I want and have never looked at diet as a cause of a flare

I have got my psoriasis under control and haven't had a flare up for over Three years so I can't really help with your question

[Caroline]

Hi Celia,

A very good question, .... which I cannot answer.

As... I don't have flare up's. That is probably because I have PsA, the arthritis form of psoriasis.
I do know that there is a link between my PsA and the type of weather, e.g. in the drought of France it is mostly better.
I also do know that I sometimes have small fallback, then my feet (and sometimes fingers) start to hurt, but mostly that is due to increased activities like intensive walking. E.g. I was in London this weekend, walked a lot, some 28000 steps and now my right foot is hurting.

Also and that is like Jim and Fred are suggesting, I think stress is quite a factor. I am quite sure that the fast that the PsA came to expression with me is due to an extreme stressful situation.

Caroline

[AmandaL]

You pose a question that is probably going to get different answers as psoriasis effects people in different ways, that could be why you couldn't find any answers from Google. Good that you found us though from your searches though as Google don't like us that much (but that's another story)

I'll chip in if it helps and I'm sure others will too, but you do ask a good question.

How long for a trigger to cause a flare-up: I can sometimes feel one coming on immediately, if I get wound up about something I can feel my toes or my lips changing. My toes will start to be more painful with psoriatic arthritis and my lips will feel like they are going dry and tightening up, having said that some flare-ups have come way after something that I thought would would cause one. My Dads death for example, I thought would have caused a flare-up, but because I was busy organising things and supporting my Mum it didn't happen till about a month after.

I don't think it's Fungus related, or Gluten, or Alcohol related. It is however something that we will always try to find a reason for, but trust me you won't find the exact trigger.

I started this thread a few years ago but it didn't get many answers: What triggers psoriasis flare ups ?

Stress plays a huge influence but flare-ups can come and go at very odd times, so you are better off not trying to figure it out as that could cause a flar-up on it's own and just enjoying the good times.

I agree with Fred, I've never found the exact trigger (although sometimes certain medications makes mine worse) I know my sister gets quite bad psoriasis when shes really stressed, but mine doesn't seem to change that much during high stress situations.

[Bill]

Hi Celia. For me, triggers can affect me within a few days for arthritis and within a day for skin eruptions. The arthritis was triggered both by highly processed bread and by skim milk powder. A scalp flare appeared within twelve hours of shampooing my hair. Beware of getting too caught up with what you can and cannot eat. Psoriasis messes with your immune system, so before you start to compromise your nutrition you have to consider whether your trigger is causing your psoriasis or whether your psoriasis is causing your trigger.

Cheers,

Bill

[Fred]

you have to consider whether your trigger is causing your psoriasis or whether your psoriasis is causing your trigger.

Good point it can become a vicious circle and sometimes difficult to stop, feel down and psoriasis gets worse, psoriasis gets worse and you feel low, and on it goes.

I've given up trying to work out triggers as sometimes I get a flare up and I can never pinpoint it to anything, then sometimes I've thought "That will make me flare up" and it doesn't.

[Celia]

Thank you all for all of your insights!
I went gluten free because my body just doesn't tolerate wheat at all, yuck!  No big loss, I can find a lot of other things to eat!!
And I quit alcohol because my husband is recovering alcoholic, again, no big deal!! I'll occasionally have a drinkie-poo, I'm not a teetotaler    
I mentioned those things because my dermatologist suggested that those are things the medical field is thinking might be triggers for some. When I told him that I'm gluten and alcohol free, he kind of looked at me like "well you're messing up my theory you know"

Stress is I think the biggest, I agree. And you're right, sometimes it takes quite a while for it to appear.

I'm having a ridiculous flare this summer, which is not normal for me, mine usually gets better because I tend to be a sun-worshipper
So I'm sort of grasping at straws. 

[jiml]

Thank you all for all of your insights!
I went gluten free because my body just doesn't tolerate wheat at all, yuck!  No big loss, I can find a lot of other things to eat!!
And I quit alcohol because my husband is recovering alcoholic, again, no big deal!! I'll occasionally have a drinkie-poo, I'm not a teetotaler    
I mentioned those things because my dermatologist suggested that those are things the medical field is thinking might be triggers for some. When I told him that I'm gluten and alcohol free, he kind of looked at me like "well you're messing up my theory you know"

Stress is I think the biggest, I agree. And you're right, sometimes it takes quite a while for it to appear.

I'm having a ridiculous flare this summer, which is not normal for me, mine usually gets better because I tend to be a sun-worshipper
So I'm sort of grasping at straws. 

I think we've all done the clutching at straws thing looking for reasons and often drawing a blank ....
I also think it helps understand what's happening by talking on the forum..... And sometimes creams just stop working and you need to go up a gear
I think I remember you saying you had tried all the creams, but don't recall you ever saying you had tried methotrexate or  acetretin or any biological treatments ..... It might be time to consider these options

Sorry you spoilt your dermatologists theory, which goes to prove we are all different, and it's foolish of him to generalise
I am also a sun worshiper should I ever see it again

[Fred]

Well done for supporting your husband.  

The specialists and the studies that are trying to find the trigger are wasting their time, what triggers it for you may not trigger it for me. Their time would be better spent on trying to find what actually causes it in the first place as opposed to what makes it flare.

I was always told smoking makes psoriasis worse, yet when I gave it up (about 5 years now) nothing changed and to be honest it probably made things worse by giving up. I put weight on (which they now tell me is also bad) I had to get through the cold turkey which made me flare up, and I was a pain in the arse to live with for a while. I'm over it now but psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis is no better, and I'm a lot heavier than I was.

When you look deep into all the things that are supposedly bad for psoriasis, are the things that a lot of us enjoy. A lot of people with psoriasis smoke, drink, and eat things the professionals say are bad, but it makes them feel good which in turn must help their well-being.

As for grasping at straws: Yes you are, if there was a one suit fits all we wouldn't be here talking about it. Sorry I didn't mean that in a derogatory way, it's just my personal opinion.