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Psoriasis is a specialized kind of skin that can be aggravated by plus life stresses. The following are a number of psoriasis set off to avoid when you suffer from psoriasis:
Foods
Many people with psoriasis are unsure of what foods to avoid and which foods are safe. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease and the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. It can be caused by a number of things including stress, infections, hormonal changes or certain medications. In some cases there is no known cause of the disease and it may even run in families.
Because psoriasis is related to the immune system it is important to keep your immune system strong. One way to do this is by eating a balanced diet with fresh and organic food whenever possible. The following foods are thought to trigger flares and should be avoided:
- Food with preservatives such as dyes, sulfites, nitrates and nitrites
- Artificial sweeteners
- Dairy products from animals given hormones (such as rBGH)
- Refined sugar
- Fried foods
- Deep fried foods
- Peanuts (tree nuts)
- Corn, soy and potato products not labeled non-GMO (genetically modified organisms)
The following list of “safe” foods will help you fight psoriasis:
Whole grains, including oatmeal, brown rice, whole wheat pasta and breads. Avoiding processed grains will also help reduce inflammation in your body.
Alcohol
If you drink, chances are you know someone who has suffered from the consequences of alcoholism. And even if you don’t drink, it would be hard to miss the devastating effects that alcohol can have on a person’s life.
Alcohol is a factor in many personal problems, including divorce, domestic violence, and child abuse. Some people may be able to control their drinking most of the time, but they may still experience serious problems related to alcohol use.
Drinking too much can result in serious health problems including liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease and some forms of cancer. In addition to its medical consequences, alcohol also can lead to relationship problems and legal difficulties.
Excess sun
Not only can the sun cause an outbreak of Psoriasis, but long-term exposure to sunlight can actually make existing patches of Psoriasis worse. According to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, as an individual with psoriasis spends more time in the sun or uses UV light treatments (i.e., sunlight), the activity level of T Cells increases. These cells are responsible for regulating the immune system and work to remove any damaged cells in your body.
If you have Psoriasis and spend excessive amounts of time in the sun with no protection, your immune system may begin to attack healthy skin cells in your body that it mistakes for damaged ones. This is called “cross-reactivity” and it is one reason why sunlight is a risk factor for developing Psoriasis. Another reason why sunlight can exacerbate Psoriasis is because it helps produce vitamin D in your body.
Cold, dry weather
Although there is no cure for psoriasis, there are a variety of treatments which can control the severity of the symptoms and restore your quality of life. One thing that should be avoided at all costs is cold, dry weather.
The winter months can be very difficult for people who suffer from psoriasis. The combination of cold temperatures, dry air, and lack of sunlight can exacerbate symptoms and make it more difficult to manage the disease. The following information will help you understand why cold, dry weather is harmful for people with psoriasis and what you can do to prevent or alleviate these symptoms.
Stress
Stress is a major factor in any ongoing health condition, particularly psoriasis. Whether it’s the stress of a difficult day at work or the stress of preparing for an important event, if you have psoriasis, you’re more likely to feel it on your skin.
As you might know from experience, when you are under stress, your body releases chemicals called catecholamines. These include epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline). These chemicals act on many different parts of your body including the immune system.
Stress also makes the immune system release chemicals such as interleukin-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha that trigger inflammation in your skin and other parts of your body. This is why stress can make psoriasis symptoms worse.
Psoriasis flare-ups can themselves be stressful because they make you feel self-conscious about your appearance.
Obesity
Obesity is a major risk factor for psoriasis, and being overweight or obese often makes the skin condition worse. A study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology found that weight loss can lead to marked improvement of psoriasis.
The researchers followed 753 psoriasis patients who were given either methotrexate (a drug used to treat cancer and psoriasis) or a placebo. They found that about 75% of those who lost at least 5% of their body weight experienced improvement in symptoms. Those who gained more than 5% had increased severity. The study concluded that losing weight may be a viable treatment for some people with psoriasis.
If you’re overweight, talk to your doctor about how to lose weight safely. Smaller, gradual weight loss is generally much safer than rapid weight loss. Your doctor can also refer you to a dietician or nutritionist who can help you make changes that will be easy to stick with over time. It’s important not only to lose weight but also to keep it off once you do so.
Smoking
Psoriasis and smoking linked to heart attacks
Smoking is bad for your heart, but even more so if you have psoriasis. “The effect of smoking on the risk of having a cardiac event is increased by psoriasis,” says Joel Gelfand, MD, MSCE, a professor of dermatology and epidemiology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
A 2013 study published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes found that people with psoriasis who smoked and were over age 50 had more than five times the risk of having a heart attack compared with people with psoriasis who never smoked.
The risk was even higher if patients had more severe psoriasis (which has more than 10 percent body involvement) and they were also obese. In this high-risk group, there was a sixfold increase in heart attack risk among those who smoked.
Certain medications
This is one of the main reasons why you need to avoid Certain medications if you have Psoriasis: taking chemotherapeutic drugs can cause serious problems for those already dealing with psoriasis. Chemotherapeutics are potent, and it’s not uncommon for them to have major side effects such as nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, fatigue and even hair loss. The latter is especially dangerous when combined with psoriasis, since hair loss triggers dermatologists’ recommendations that people with psoriasis use hats or wigs when possible (and dermatologists do tend to recommend that their patients wear these kinds of head coverings for protection). With the combination of chemotherapy drugs and hair loss, many people will find themselves unable to protect their skin from the sun or other sources of light.
Infections
The most common reason for psoriasis flare-ups is an infection. The immune system kicks into high gear to fight off the infection, which causes redness and swelling. This, in turn, causes skin cells to grow at a rapid pace, resulting in the appearance of red, scaly patches on the body.
If you have psoriasis and you know that you’re about to be exposed to an infection (such as strep throat or a viral infection), take extra care to avoid it. If you do get an infection, don’t make the mistake of self-medicating with over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen; these types of drugs can actually damage your liver and kidneys when taken with certain types of infections.
Scratches, bites, and skin injury
You need to avoid scratches, bites and skin injuries if you have psoriasis. The reason for this is that these are the things that can cause your psoriasis to become worse. Psoriasis plaques can itch and it is only natural to try and scratch them. This will cause more irritation, thus worsening your condition.
Injuries to the skin can arise from various sources. For example, cuts, scrapes and insect bites are common things that cause people to have skin injuries. These types of injuries are known as Koebner phenomenon in those who have psoriasis.
If you have psoriasis and you scratch or injure your skin, it is likely that your condition will get worse because Koebner phenomenon would occur at the injury site. Even though it is easier said than done, you should avoid scratching or injuring your skin as much as possible so that you do not worsen your condition unnecessarily.
Hormones
People who have psoriasis typically cannot tolerate any of the hormones that our bodies naturally produce. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone and testosterone will typically cause flare ups and can make the skin condition worse. To help with this issue, you should avoid hormones from external sources, such as birth control pills, hormone replacement therapy and even over-the-counter homeopathic remedies for PMS. Even prescription medications for acne or other skin conditions can cause issues if they are not psoriasis-friendly. Speak to a dermatologist about alternatives that won’t aggravate your condition.
Certain nutrients
It is well known that certain nutrients play an important role in the development and progression of psoriasis. It is also well known that a diet rich in the right nutrients can improve your skin and your overall health.
When it comes to food, people with psoriasis have a lot to consider: many foods contain nutrients that can aggravate their psoriasis, while other foods contain nutrients that may help them feel better. In the end, however, the ideal approach is to focus on eating a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats along with drinking plenty of water. The following is a list of nutrients to avoid and nutrients to include in your diet to help manage psoriasis symptoms.
How to prevent triggers
Psoriasis triggers include dry skin, injuries to your skin, infections, and stress. Even certain medicines can trigger psoriasis. While you can’t always avoid psoriasis triggers, you can take steps to reduce your risk.
You may need to try a few different ideas before you find what works best for you.
Dry skin
Psoriasis patches often form on the elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, palms, and feet. The skin in these areas is frequently exposed to friction and the elements. Dry skin makes itching worse and increases your chances of developing new patches of psoriasis.
To help prevent dry skin:
Moisturize your skin every day with creams or ointments that are free of fragrances or dyes. Psoriasin Deep Moisturizing Ointment is an example of a daily moisturizer for psoriasis.
Keep baths or showers short — no more than 10 minutes or so — and use warm water instead of hot. Use gentle cleansers and moisturize while your skin is still damp to lock in moisture.
If you’re in the sun a lot, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen that is at least SPF 30.