Triggering Factors & Homeopathic Treatment for Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition characterized by itchy, erythematous scaly eruptions that often occur on the elbows, knees, and scalp. Psoriasis can be distressing for patients because of its appearance and tendency to relapse or worsen.

Here are some triggering factors that may lead to aggravation of psoriatic lesions:

• Direct injury:

  If you're close to certain irritants (e.g., water) or if your skin comes into direct contact with tools (e.g., pumice stones), they may erode the skin, which creates an entry point for microbes leading to infection. Furthermore, psoriatic lesions can bleed during routine activities (like combing hair), resulting in blood collection at the skin's surface

   

• Certain drugs:

  Drugs known to cause psoriasis include beta-blockers (e.g., propranolol), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen), antimalarials (e.g., hydroxychloroquine), sulfonamides, and lithium.

   

• Hormonal factors:

  Hormonal fluctuations such as those experienced during pregnancy and puberty may trigger psoriasis skin disease. Psoriasis aggravates during the first trimester of pregnancy, menopause, and with estrogen-progesterone therapies.

   

• Hot and humid weather:

  This may aggravate psoriasis by increasing sweating, leading to irritation and maceration. This is especially true if you have open body areas. These include eroded skin or pustular lesions on your hands and feet secondary to a fungal infection.

   

• Alcohol intake:

  Excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the chances of gouty arthritis by altering uric acid metabolism; in fact, up to 20% of psoriatic patients suffer from gout. (Source: NIH)

   

• Skin and nail infections:

  Some bacteria and fungi (e.g., yeast) can colonize the skin and nails, complicating psoriasis and triggering worsening symptoms of this condition

   

• Stress:

  Even transient episodes of anxiety can trigger an aggravation of psoriasis, potentially through stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that leads to increased cortisol levels.

   

• Extreme temperatures:

  Extremely cold or hot weather can make psoriatic lesions more pronounced, red, and itchy. So, you should avoid direct exposure to the sun and extreme weather conditions.

   

• Sun exposure:

  Excessive sun exposure can trigger psoriasis lesions.

   

• Food allergies:

  Some psoriasis patients may be sensitive to certain foods, such as dairy products (which contains the amino acid glutamine), sugar, chocolate, and shellfish (which contains crustacean glycoprotein). Psoriatic lesions can intensify about one week after ingestion of these food items.

   

• Cigarette smoking:

  Cigarette smoking is one of the most potent and consistent risk factors for psoriasis. Nicotine, a toxic component in cigarettes, significantly increases keratinocyte proliferation. It increases epidermal growth factor levels.