What triggers psoriasis flare ups ?

[Fred]

Ever since first getting psoriasis over 30 years ago I have often tried to work out what triggers a Flare Up !

I have tried keeping a diary of foods / drinks / emotional state / health / weather / etc / etc. but I just can not get an exact answer. I have found being wound up about something doesn't help but still can't say for definite that it caused the flare up.

After more research I have found the following things seem to be the most recognised triggers. but even they can sometimes contradict each other.

Food, Drink, Tobacco : Beef, Pork, Veal, Sausage, Salami, Burgers, Margarine, Tomatoes, Tobacco, Peppers, Potatoes, Chilli, Lobster,Shrimp, Prawn, Crab, Coffee, Gluten, Yeast, Fried Food, Pizza, Vinegar, Pickles, Spices, Strawberries, Peanut Butter, And Alcohol.

Emotional State: Anger, Stress, Depression, Anxiety, Tiredness.

Drugs: Betablockers (propranolol, atenolol, etc), Antimalarial medication, Lithium, Anti-inflammatory painkillers (ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac, etc), Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) Inhibitor drugs, and some Antibiotics.

Trauma: Injury to the skin, including excessive scratching, may trigger a patch of psoriasis to develop. The development of psoriatic plaques at a site of injury is known as What is Koebner reaction ?

Weather: Cold Dry Wind is the worst for psoriasis. and although Sunlight is generally good for psoriasis you should be careful not to over do it as sunburn is a skin injury.

Hormone changes in women: Psoriasis in women tends to be worst during puberty and during the menopause. These are times when there are some major changes in female hormone levels. Some pregnant women with psoriasis find that their symptoms improve when they are pregnant, but it may flare up in the months just after having a baby. Again, this is thought to be related to changes in hormone levels.

This list is not endless and if you have some triggers to add please post them here so we can keep them together.

Oh and by the way I never did find what triggers my flare ups, and I have now given up trying to find out. I don't have so many since giving up tying to work it out! so maybe I should add Don't bother trying to work it out in the "Emotional State" list.

So what's your Trigger for a flare up ?

[Troll]

My Husband.

[mickyfinn007]

What an interesting subject, I have found that some of my patches of Psoriasis can be linked to skin injuries over the duration of my life, but also I have other area's that cannot be explained!!!!!!
Trigger factors can be one and many, but I have found that, times of extreme stress can be attributed to flare up's of the condition, which in turn, do not respond well to treatment.
If you have undergone times of stress, such as, debt, loss of a loved one, extreme trauma, etc., these can all be contributing factors to a flare up of the condition.
I have personally found that times of relaxation and time spent in the sun, have contributed to remission and much improved skin conditions.
I hope this helps somewhat,
Regards Micky.

[Paul9]

What an interesting subject, I have found that some of my patches of Psoriasis can be linked to skin injuries over the duration of my life, but also I have other area's that cannot be explained!!!!!!
Trigger factors can be one and many, but I have found that, times of extreme stress can be attributed to flare up's of the condition, which in turn, do not respond well to treatment.
If you have undergone times of stress, such as, debt, loss of a loved one, extreme trauma, etc., these can all be contributing factors to a flare up of the condition.
I have personally found that times of relaxation and time spent in the sun, have contributed to remission and much improved skin conditions.
I hope this helps somewhat,
Regards Micky.

Hi,
I too relate to these triggers.

Stress frequently causes flare ups for me. I also find that central heating in winter causes problems.

Sunny weather and a more relaxed disposition helps.

If I get a spot on my skin, it doesn't clear up quickly like normal skin. It tends to develop into a patch of Psoriatic skin, and can take years to clear, if ever. I find this type predominantly on my torso, buttocks and thighs.

Paul

[Fiftyplus]

Hello,

For me its definitely stress whether it is excitement or anxiety, and like others, then the P never clears.

My P is never very itchy except for an area at the bottom of my left leg...not sure why.

[Fiftyplus]

What an interesting subject, I have found that some of my patches of Psoriasis can be linked to skin injuries over the duration of my life, but also I have other area's that cannot be explained!!!!!!
Trigger factors can be one and many, but I have found that, times of extreme stress can be attributed to flare up's of the condition, which in turn, do not respond well to treatment.
If you have undergone times of stress, such as, debt, loss of a loved one, extreme trauma, etc., these can all be contributing factors to a flare up of the condition.
I have personally found that times of relaxation and time spent in the sun, have contributed to remission and much improved skin conditions.
I hope this helps somewhat,
Regards Micky.

Hi,
I too relate to these triggers.

Stress frequently causes flare ups for me. I also find that central heating in winter causes problems.

Sunny weather and a more relaxed disposition helps.

If I get a spot on my skin, it doesn't clear up quickly like normal skin. It tends to develop into a patch of Psoriatic skin, and can take years to clear, if ever. I find this type predominantly on my torso, buttocks and thighs.  

Paul

I never have the central heating on because its the same for me...my skins goes really tight as well.

Even in the winter I prefer to wrap up in a throw when I get home and cuddle into that.

[jiml]

It's always been stress for me as well , food has no effect neither does alcohol ...but stress in the past has caused big flare ups .
And fifty I was never itchy either , but haven't had any flare ups since starting on Fumaderm

[Fiftyplus]

It's always been stress for me as well , food has no effect neither does alcohol ...but stress in the past has caused big flare ups .
And fifty I was never itchy either , but haven't had any flare ups since starting on Fumaderm

I did ask the doctor the other day about Fumaderm but she said she cannot give it to me until I go back to a dermo clinic.  I have read lots on here about it and would love to give it ago.

[jiml]

It's always been stress for me as well , food has no effect neither does alcohol ...but stress in the past has caused big flare ups .
And fifty I was never itchy either , but haven't had any flare ups since starting on Fumaderm

I did ask the doctor the other day about Fumaderm but she said she cannot give it to me until I go back to a dermo clinic.  I have read lots on here about it and would love to give it ago.

worth a go but she's right it has to be from a dermatologist and some don't have access to it

[Kat]

I haven't found any triggers for me. I've expected a time or two during stressful situations to notice a flare but since it now seems to be confined to my ears and scalp area I haven't really been able to associate bad days with any trigger, including stress. Other than showering, that always makes my scalp worse immediately afterwards. I AM trying to go to cooler water but I so enjoy a hot shower. I don't use coconut oil on my scalp often as it's a pain to wash out so I use it behind the ears and only along the hairline, but I did find a shampoo and conditioner with coconut oil in it that does seem to help.

As for food, I haven't tried to stop eating one thing or another to see if it helps.