Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by reddish scales or lesions. The disease is a chronic condition that usually affects patients throughout their lives. It is caused by an immune disorder that damages the skin and causes an over-proliferation of the skin cells. An abnormal increase in the number and production of skin cells causes the thick scaling seen in psoriasis, reports Family Doctor. Certain aggravating factors, or triggers, can worsen the condition.
Infections
Patients with psoriasis who also develop a bacterial or viral infection may experience a worsening of their psoriasis, reports Medline Plus, a National Institutes of Health resource. Even strep throat and other respiratory tract infections, which do not cause symptoms on the skin, can worsen a patient’s psoriasis. When a patient develops an infection, more red lesions often appear. Once the infection has been treated, the patient will notice a decrease in the psoriatic lesions.
Skin Injury
Injury to a patient’s skin is a common trigger for psoriasis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Small cuts, scrapes, insect bites and even severe sunburns can cause an increase in the number of psoriatic lesions. The wounds increase the over-proliferation of skin cells and exacerbate the psoriasis.
Medications
Certain medications can aggravate psoriasis, reports Family Doctor. Beta-blockers and anti-malarial drugs are the most common medications that can worsen lesions in patients with psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis should not take these medications. Once the patient stops taking the offending drug, the psoriasis improves.
Alcohol
Excessive amounts of alcohol can aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis, states Medline Plus. The alcohol interferes with the normal reproduction of skin tissue and enhances the development of skin rashes. Alcohol can also interfere with the metabolism and potency of the drugs used to treat psoriasis.
Stress
Patients who have severe stress may notice a worsening in their psoriasis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The stress can cause an increase in the potency of the immune system. As stress activates the immune system, diseases caused by the immune system, such as psoriasis, worsen and become more noticeable.
Cold Weather
Cold weather can be an aggravating factor for psoriasis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The weather can induce the growth of more skin cells, which in turn worsens psoriatic lesions.
Smoking
Patients who smoke may notice a worsening in their psoriasis, states Family Doctor. Chemicals in smoke can cause the patient’s skin to become irritated and trigger the development of the reddish scales often seen in psoriasis.
