Factors That Affect Your Psoriasis
Although psoriasis is a chronic condition and, in many cases, genetic, its symptoms can be controlled, to some extent, if some of the external factors that influence in the appearance of shoots.
If you live with psoriasis, you already know how frustrating and painful it is: redness, pimples and lesions that appear constantly and take time to disappear. Unfortunately, the immune system of people with psoriasis does not work as well as it should. However, there are other variables that can aggravate this condition. Do you have any idea what are the factors that affect your psoriasis ?
In general, the bad habits that make your psoriasis worse could be classified into six types. Get to know them and try to gradually eliminate them from your daily routine to help alleviate discomfort as much as possible, but always prioritize the prescriptions and treatment provided by the doctor.
Factors that affect your psoriasis
Next, we will see some of the factors and variables that can negatively affect this disease.
1. Stress
The first of the factors that affect your psoriasis and your life, in general, is stress. And so he points out and This study published in the Actas Dermo-Sifiliográfica in 2003. When you feel that you are at the limit of your capacity, your body is also affected.
In this sense, your immune system is ordered to defend you. Then it starts to attack and general inflammation sets in, as there is really nothing to remove.
When you get into stressful situations, take time to relax, free your mind of negative ideas, and meditate. It is inevitable to have worries and feel overwhelmed by some situations at times, but it is convenient to look and find what activities relax you. Some suggestions that we give from here are:
- Read.
- To meditate.
- Go for a walk.
- Listen to music.
- Practice any sport.
2. Certain medications
Your psoriasis can be affected when you take certain medications for other health problems. A common example is those that lower blood pressure and lithium that controls psychiatric disorders.
In this study of a case published in Hospital Pharmacy, it was concluded that psoriasis improved little by little when lithium was withdrawn from the treatment that the patient was following.
What you can do in these cases is to remind your doctor or tell him what medications you take. If you visit multiple specialists to monitor various conditions, they should all be aware of what you are treating and how.
This way, they can give you the medications that work best without altering other treatments. Remember that these adjustments can cause some delay in your controls, because several evaluations will be necessary and take into account more factors than usual. Do not despair and remember that it is a process that takes some time.
3. Infections
Because the immune system influences psoriasis and its treatment too much, you have to make sure that your defenses are always at optimal levels. Any infection can help the symptoms of psoriasis and aggravate them, as this article published in the journal Medisan points out .
As soon as you detect a possible infection or the risk of one, see your doctor. Remember that infections can be of various types. From a stomach up to one caused by certain bacteria. It is not about being afraid and limiting your life, but about controlling what happens around you.
4. Alcohol
We all enjoyed spending time with friends, having a drink and talking about any topic. The problem is that many of those drinks include alcohol, which can significantly aggravate psoriasis symptoms, as this one notes. British Journal of Dermatology publication .
Ideally, you should limit your alcohol consumption to two drinks per week, especially beer. You may think that your body can take a lot without feeling drunk, but psoriasis doesn’t need you to push yourself to the limit.
Also, alcohol can interfere with the effects of medications. If your alcohol intake is constant and in large quantities, some medications can stop working and others can become toxic.
5. Extreme weather, another factor that affects your psoriasis
It is always advisable to exercise and go for a walk for health. However, if you have psoriasis, you should do so avoiding humid air or cold. We know that sometimes the weather is unfriendly in this regard, but you can wear a light jacket.
Extremes, both a cold climate and an environment that is too dry, can damage your skin. If the weather is dry, apply a moisturizer every time your skin looks dry.
Also, try to drink the recommended two liters of water a day and consume fruit. In very cold climates, avoid showering with very hot water and try to wear a jacket that protects you.
6. Poorly cared for skin
Do you apply moisturizer whenever the weather requires it? Do you use mosquito repellent when necessary? Do you make sure not to hurt your skin by subjecting it to high temperatures in the shower and other bad care?
These three things seem very simple and unimportant, but they are the opposite. A poorly cared for cut or scratch can make your psoriasis worse. Help your immune system by keeping the skin as healthy as possible. Some good strategies can be:
- Apply sunscreen. Spending several hours in the sun causes anything from redness to small blisters. Avoid this with a good sunscreen with a minimum factor of 50. Remember to apply it every two hours.
- Avoid cuts. Be careful when waxing and going about your daily activities. Try to avoid all kinds of cuts and wounds. If you happen to have one, keep it clean to prevent infection.
Try to control the factors that affect your psoriasis
Some of these factors may require extra effort, but they can be controlled and will always be better than dealing with the discomfort of psoriasis. Take the appropriate measures and make any necessary changes in habits. You will see that in the end it is worth it and you save yourself a lot of discomfort.
