What Are the Triggers of Psoriasis?

What are the triggers of psoriasis?

While the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, researchers consider environmental, genetic, and immune system factors as playing roles in the establishment of the disease. For example, environmental factors can trigger exacerbations of the disease, including:

• cold weather,
• trauma,
• infections,
• alcohol intake, and
• some chemicals and/or drugs.

Certain genes are more commonly found in people with psoriasis, and psoriasis commonly runs in families.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease whereby one's immune system is misdirected to cause inflammation in the skin. Current treatments often take advantage of this concept by modifying immune responses to improve psoriasis. Moreover, it is also known that, occasionally, after an immunological-related event occurs (for example, recovering from strep throat, after antimalarial drugs, or cessation of steroid therapy) there can be activation of psoriasis.

Read our full medical article to learn more about psoriasis treatment and prognosis.