A variety of things may trigger the onset of psoriasis or make it worse. Are
there things you should try to avoid to prevent a flare-up? Is your blood pressure
medication affecting your psoriasis? Should you try sunbathing? Read on to find
out.
Can infections trigger psoriasis?
Yes. Guttate psoriasis has been shown to develop following strep throat (streptococcal
throat infection). Other infections that may trigger psoriasis include HIV and
infections caused by staphylococcal bacteria.
Can psoriasis develop at sites of injury to the skin?
Yes, it can. When psoriasis plaques develop where the skin has been injured,
it is called Koebner’s phenomenon.
Are there medications that can make psoriasis worse?
Yes, some medications may cause a flare-up of psoriasis. Examples of these include
antimalarials (e.g., chloroquine), mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium), blood pressure
medications (e.g., beta-blockers), and certain skin creams or lotions containing
skin irritants. For some people who are taking corticosteroid medication by
mouth, the psoriasis symptoms may worsen when they stop taking the medication.
Check with your doctor if you are taking any of these medications.
Does sunbathing improve psoriasis or make it worse?
It depends. A bad sunburn is a form of skin injury and can result in Koebner’s
phenomenon (see above), which causes psoriasis plaques to form. However, sunlight
and artificial UV light are also treatments for psoriasis. Many people with
psoriasis notice an improvement of their symptoms in the summer, but a few people
find that sunlight aggravates their condition. Some medications used to treat
psoriasis, such as tazarotene, can increase a person’s sensitivity to the sun.
Anyone taking psoralens for phototherapy should be careful to avoid overexposure
to sunlight.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Psoriasis-Trivia