What’s Triggering your Eczema or Psoriasis?

If you are a long-term sufferer of eczema or psoriasis, you may notice you occasionally suffer from flare-ups. The term flare-up refers to skin condition symptoms suddenly worsening. Many of these flare-ups are caused by ‘triggers’- habits and lifestyle factors that make our skin worse. In this article, we will explore common eczema and psoriasis triggers.

Stress

Stress is a common trigger for psoriasis + eczema flare-ups. When you experience stress, your body releases hormones that can cause inflammation and worsen skin condition symptoms. Finding ways to manage stress, such as through exercise, meditation, support groups, or therapy, can help reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups. Breathing techniques can also be effective. Gratitude practices are also popular amongst skin condition sufferers. Try journaling or writing down 3 things you are grateful for just before going to bed. For more information about skin conditions and stress, see our other article-Managing Eczema + Psoriasis from Stress: Tips and Strategies.

Cold Weather

Cold weather and dry air can also trigger psoriasis + eczema flare-ups. The lack of humidity in the air can cause your skin to become dry and itchy, which can worsen psoriasis symptoms. To combat this trigger, try using a humidifier in your home to add moisture to the air. You should also make sure to moisturise your skin regularly, especially during the winter months.

Skin Injuries or Trauma

Skin injuries or trauma, such as cuts, burns, or insect bites, can trigger psoriasis flare-ups in some people. This is known as the Koebner phenomenon. Unfortunately, no one plans to get injured, so this trigger is one of the most unavoidable. However, there are steps you can take to limit the effects on your skin conditions.

It’s important to take action to prevent skin injuries and protect your skin if you are prone to psoriasis or eczema. For example, use bug repellant when necessary and wear protective clothing when working with sharp objects or participating in contact sports. If you do experience a skin injury, treat it as quickly as possible, and keep the area clean and covered to prevent infection and further irritation. Injuries tend to itch whilst healing. Take steps to soothe the itch and avoid scratching where possible, as this will make it worse. Everyday skin traumas such as vaccinations and tattoos could also cause the Koebner phenomenon.

Infections

Infections and illnesses can also trigger psoriasis and eczema flare-ups. Streptococcal infections, such as strep throat, are a common trigger for guttate psoriasis, a type of psoriasis that appears as small, red, scaly spots on the skin. Other infections, such as respiratory infections or skin infections, can also trigger psoriasis. One-third of psoriasis sufferers report that sore throats made their skin worse. It’s important to practice good hygiene and take steps to prevent infections, such as washing your hands frequently and avoiding close contact with people who are sick. If you do develop an infection, seek medical treatment promptly to prevent it from worsening and triggering psoriasis or eczema flare-ups.

Certain Medications

Some medications can trigger skin conditions or make existing skin conditions worse. These include beta-blockers, lithium, antimalarial drugs, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). If you have eczema or psoriasis and are taking any of these medications, talk to your doctor about alternative options. It’s important to never stop taking a medication without consulting your doctor first.

Other Eczema + Psoriasis Triggers

-       Alcohol- Consuming alcohol, even in small amounts, has been shown to make psoriasis worse, and make treatments less effective. For eczema sufferers, alcohol dries out the skin and dilates the blood vessels. This leads to an uncomfortable, irritated feeling. Experiment and find out what works for you. Certain amounts and certain types of drinks may affect your skin to varying degrees. In an ideal world, no alcohol at all would be best for our skin. Speak to your doctor if your alcohol consumption is a concern.

-       Your Diet/Food Allergies- Certain foods, such as dairy, eggs, and nuts, can trigger eczema or psoriasis in some people. Identifying and avoiding these trigger foods can help manage your skin condition. We recommend following the Elimination Diet to identify any potential food triggers.

-       Smoking- Smoking has been shown to double a person’s risk of getting psoriasis. For those of us already afflicted, smoking can worsen the appearance of our skin. Cigarette smoke is known to irritate eczema sufferers. We recommend not only abstaining from smoking yourself but not allowing anyone else to smoke in your home. If you are quitting (well done!), speak to your doctor before using a nicotine patch, as they can cause a reaction in some sufferers.

-       Your weight- Healthy weight loss has been shown to improve the appearance of eczema. Losing even a little weight has also been found to be effective for psoriasis sufferers. Please note, this is only the case if you are overweight. Excess fat cells release inflammatory chemicals, which play in role in psoriasis. Maintaining a healthy weight also helps lower the risk of other issues psoriasis warriors face, such as arthritis. Exercise regularly and stick to a healthy eating plan.

-       Climate- Eczema sufferers tend to get bad itching during the hot months. Take a daily antihistamine if necessary, and stick to loose cotton clothing. Ensure you drink plenty of water and wear an SPF. Avoid hot showers and baths and keep them to less than 10-15 minutes. Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can trigger flare-ups. Keeping your skin moisturised and avoiding sudden temperature changes can help reduce the effect of this trigger. Psoriasis tends to get worse in winter due to a lack of sunlight, drier air, and a greater likelihood of illness. Light therapy is a common treatment for this. Speak to your doctor if you think this is something you would like to try.

-       Scratching- Scratching can worsen eczema + psoriasis symptoms and cause flare-ups. Finding ways to manage the urge to scratch, such as through distraction or using anti-itch creams, can help reduce the risk of flare-ups. In psoriasis, severe scratching can cause injury to the skin. The flare-up this leads to is known as the Koebner phenomenon.

-       Hormones- Hormonal changes, particularly in women, can have a knock-on effect on our skin. This tends to occur during puberty, menstruation, or in menopause. For long-term female sufferers, your cycle can affect your eczema. The drop in estrogen levels which occurs before our period, and during pregnancy, causes the skin to lose water, and lose its ability to maintain moisture. Managing these changes with medication or other treatments can help reduce the risk of flare-ups.

-       Irritants + Allergens- Irritants such as soaps, detergents, and cleaning products can cause eczema + psoriasis to flare up. Avoiding these irritants or using gentle, fragrance-free products can help reduce the risk of flare-ups. Allergens such as pollen, pet dander, and dust mites can trigger eczema in some people. Identifying and avoiding these allergens can help reduce the likelihood of flare-ups.