Psoriasis Triggers: Food, Stress, Weather and What to Do

It is known that having a family history of psoriasis makes you more susceptible to experiencing your first outbreak. In genotype psoriasis, something needs to happen in order to trigger a visible outbreak on the skin.

Patients with subclinical psoriasis may present with minimal silvery white dandruff on the skin, or minimal scaling on the elbows and knees. They are safe, but only until their system is overwhelmed.

Once triggered, the skin will flare, and the body may or may not return to its earlier immunological state. There may also be symptoms that include an increase in heat in the body, difficulty sleeping or digestive upset.

Psoriasis can be triggered by external factors, including environmental or dietary triggers. It doesn’t need to even be three days out in the jungle; a hot water shower will already aggravate an existing psoriatic lesion.

There are common environmental triggers for psoriasis:

Psoriasis can be triggered by dietary excesses, and the liver systems may end up congested because patients are eating all too richly. This is why diet therapy is a good point of intervention and a natural and safe way to mitigate a psoriatic condition.

Diet therapy may include cutting down on sugar and dairy intake. Many of the patients who come by our clinic already are seeing a Naturopath to incorporate diet therapy to treat a psoriasis flare.

Studies suggest that certain foods can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. These foods are often high in added sugars, saturated fats, and processed ingredients, which can trigger inflammation throughout the body. Some of the common foods to avoid include:

1. Red meat, especially beef, which contains arachidonic acid, a polyunsaturated fatty acid that can aggravate psoriasis inflammation.
2. Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and other animal products can also trigger psoriasis flares.
3. Gluten, which is found in many grains and condiments, can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms, especially in individuals with specific antibodies against gluten.
4. Processed foods, because they are high in added sugars, salt and fat, can increase inflammation and worsen psoriasis symptoms.
5. Nightshade vegetables, which include tomatoes, eggplant, and potatoes, which may affect psoriasis symptoms in some individuals.
6. Allergic reactions, for example, an allergic reaction to citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges, lemons, and limes, can cause psoriasis to flare

Emotional stress can significantly contribute to the onset and exacerbation of psoriasis. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) recognizes that emotional stress can be a major trigger for psoriasis, and it is not uncommon for individuals to experience visible skin changes as a result of emotional imbalance. This can be particularly challenging for those with chronic skin conditions, as even minor emotional disturbances can lead to significant flare-ups.

There are some examples of emotional stress:

1. Work-related stress such as the constant pressure to meet deadlines, manage workload, and maintain performance can lead to significant emotional distress, which can then manifest as psoriasis flares.
2. Life transitions, such as passing of a loved one, a divorce, or a major career change can also trigger psoriasis. These events can cause significant emotional turmoil, leading to an imbalance in the body that manifests as psoriasis symptoms.
3. Managing a household, especially during times of high stress, such as during the holiday season or when dealing with family conflicts, can also contribute to emotional stress. This stress can then trigger psoriasis flares.

For most women with psoriasis, the symptoms of the condition may improve during pregnancy due to the significant increase in the hormone progesterone. Despite the positive effects of progesterone for most women, some women may experience worsening symptoms during pregnancy. This can be attributed to the complex hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy.

In this video above, Dr. Mark learns about a successful case of Psoriasis recovery that came about because Dr. Sigrid uncovered mercury toxicity from Japanese seafood. Watch to learn more!

Heavy metal toxicity is a lesser-known trigger for psoriasis, leading to a cascade of symptoms that manifest on the skin. This condition can arise from various sources, including environmental exposure, occupational hazards, and the use of unconventional remedies. 

For instance, a study at Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital found 86 cases of heavy metal poisoning in psoriasis patients, with 44 instances of mercury poisoning, 17 cases of lead poisoning, 21 cases of arsenic poisoning, and 4 instances of mixed heavy metal poisoning. These patients experienced symptoms such as dizziness, headache, insomnia, fatigue, and memory decline, accompanied by anxiety and restlessness.

If your psoriasis flaring up, these simple steps can help soothe your skin and manage discomfort.

Inverse psoriasis affects between 21 to 30 percent of people who have psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis manifests as well-demarcated, red, shiny, and smooth patches of skin. On darker skin tones, it may appear as dark purple, brown, or darker than the surrounding skin.

It primarily affects skin folds and flexural areas where skin rubs against skin, such as the armpits, groin, under the breasts, buttocks crease, and other areas with skin-to-skin contact.

Unlike other forms of psoriasis, inverse psoriasis typically does not have the thick, silvery scales. The affected areas are usually smooth and sometimes moist to the touch. The condition is exacerbated by warmth, moisture, and friction in the affected areas. Inverse psoriasis is prone to yeast and fungal infections due to the moist environment in skin folds. 

For this reason, patients often experience itching, irritation, and sometimes pain from cracks or fissures within the patches of inverse psoriasis lesions.

There are 11 main inverse psoriasis triggers to watch out for: