Natural
Therapies
Therapies
| Dallas/Fort Worth Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Support Group |
This Web page is meant to serve as a resource for Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis patients looking
for alternative therapies to aid in managing their disease. The information and opinions provided are
not intended as specific medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultations with a qualified physician for diagnosis, treatment recommendations and answers to
specific questions. Every individual should consult their personal physician prior to engaging in any
therapy whether alternative or conventional. No patient should discontinue any particular therapy
without having a discussion with their physician. It is important to note that natural therapies, such
as herbal remedies or even sunlight exposure, can have an effect or be affected by pharmacological
therapies also being used. That is why it is crucial to discuss any natural therapy contemplated with
your physician.
Keep in mind that you are your own best advocate. Be informed about your disease and take control
of it. Your personal physician may be in charge of your medical care, but you ultimately are in charge
of your health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who really feel they are helpless against their
disease. Maybe this is because there is a general attitude in society that it is not the patient, but
rather the physician, who is charge of our health. Maybe it is that we have been conditioned to "take
a pill" for every ailment we encounter. This is not to devalue to work of our physicians or to ignore
the effects of modern pharmaceuticals on chronic disease. Certainly as a result of the advanced
medical science we have available our quality of life has been greatly enhanced. However, this does
not relieve us of the basic responsibility to take charge of our health. Medical science continues to
produce better pharmacological treatments and at the same time continues to make the connection
between good health and lifestyle choices (i.e., diet, nutrition, exercise, personal habits). It is only
with proper lifestyle choices, combined with a wholesome holistic nutritional approach, in tandem
with conventional medical care, that we can make a major difference in our lives.
For those of us who suffer from inflammatory immune mediated diseases, it is imperative that we do
everything within our own power to boost our immune system in a positive healthy manner. Be an
informed patient!
for alternative therapies to aid in managing their disease. The information and opinions provided are
not intended as specific medical advice, and should not be relied upon as a substitute for
consultations with a qualified physician for diagnosis, treatment recommendations and answers to
specific questions. Every individual should consult their personal physician prior to engaging in any
therapy whether alternative or conventional. No patient should discontinue any particular therapy
without having a discussion with their physician. It is important to note that natural therapies, such
as herbal remedies or even sunlight exposure, can have an effect or be affected by pharmacological
therapies also being used. That is why it is crucial to discuss any natural therapy contemplated with
your physician.
Keep in mind that you are your own best advocate. Be informed about your disease and take control
of it. Your personal physician may be in charge of your medical care, but you ultimately are in charge
of your health. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who really feel they are helpless against their
disease. Maybe this is because there is a general attitude in society that it is not the patient, but
rather the physician, who is charge of our health. Maybe it is that we have been conditioned to "take
a pill" for every ailment we encounter. This is not to devalue to work of our physicians or to ignore
the effects of modern pharmaceuticals on chronic disease. Certainly as a result of the advanced
medical science we have available our quality of life has been greatly enhanced. However, this does
not relieve us of the basic responsibility to take charge of our health. Medical science continues to
produce better pharmacological treatments and at the same time continues to make the connection
between good health and lifestyle choices (i.e., diet, nutrition, exercise, personal habits). It is only
with proper lifestyle choices, combined with a wholesome holistic nutritional approach, in tandem
with conventional medical care, that we can make a major difference in our lives.
For those of us who suffer from inflammatory immune mediated diseases, it is imperative that we do
everything within our own power to boost our immune system in a positive healthy manner. Be an
informed patient!
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
"Clearly, if disease is man made, it can also be man-prevented. It should be the function of medicine to
help people die young as late in life as possible."
-Dr. Ernst Wunder, President, American Health Foundation (1975)
help people die young as late in life as possible."
-Dr. Ernst Wunder, President, American Health Foundation (1975)
Diet and Nutrition Resources
Psoriasis and Celiac Disease and Intestinal Health Connections
The connection between Psoriasis and Celiac Disease is becoming one of the most well understood dietary connections. Celiac
disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects about 1 in 133 people in the US
population. More information specifically about Celiac disease can be obtained from www.celiac.com.
Links to various Research Articles on the Psoriasis/Celiac/Intestinal health connection:
-Celiac Disease Antibodies Correlate with Psoriasis Activity
-Notes on Psoriasis and Celiac Disease
-A connection between Psoriasis and Celiac disease suspected for some
(From the National Psoriasis Foundation's Advance Magazine July/Aug 2004)
-Rheumatic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Diseases
-Management of Celiac Disease
(Originally Published Aug. 2003)
British Journal of Dermatology - Diet and Psoriasis
(Contains a large section on Celiac Disease)
-Coeliac (Celiac) disease: the great imitator
-Interpretation of Celiac Disease Blood Test Results
-10 Facts about Celiac Disease
-Jury still out on gluten, the latest dietary villain
-Psoriasis patients at higher risk for Celiac disease
-Gluten Sensitivity: When Gluten Gets into Our Bloodstream
-High-Glycemic Foods Linked to Colon Cancer
*****************************************************************
"In With The Good, Out With The Bad"
Below is an excerpt from an article titled "In With The Good, Out With The Bad" taken from the magazine Experience Life (April
2007), a Lifetime Fitness monthly magazine. This article was written by Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. Dr. Hyman is the author of the
recent book titled, "Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan For Automatic Weight Loss." More information can be obtained about Dr.
Hyman at his web site at www.drhyman.com. The article describes, in Dr. Hyman's opinion, five foods you should eat regularly
and five foods you should avoid. Of course, there is more to healthy eating than described in this article, but I thought this was a
good concise article with valuable advice for everyone. I have excerpted the article so that it would accommodate this page.
"In With The Good" - Five Priority Foods:
1. Omega-3 Fats: Ninety-nine percent of people are deficient in omega-3 fats. Fish is really the only remaining natural source of
rich omega-3 fats in our diet. Omega-3 fats come from fish such as wild salmon, herring, sardines, black cod, swordfish, and
tuna. A new source is omega-3 eggs. Flaxseed oil is also a great source. Omega-3 fats are the basic building blocks of our
cells. They reduce inflammation, a root cause of arthritis, autoimmune disorders and a great many other diseases.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy,
kohlrabi. These veggies are all powerful sources of nutrients for health, including folate, the B vitamins, and magnesium. They
also have powerful compounds called phytonutrients, which are plant based chemicals that can activate genes that help us fight
aging and disease. They are very powerful detoxifying compounds. Eat one to two cups of these vegetables per day.
3. Nuts: Regularly eat almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and to a lesser extent, cashews. Eaten in moderation,
these nuts can help with weight loss and reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nuts are a great source of
fiber and vegetable protein.
4. Deeply Colored Fruits: Go for blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pomegranates, red grapes, and even mangoes and
papayas. These fruits are rich in a number of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging compounds.
5. Green Tea: Any green tea will do, but higher quality, whole-leaf teas tend to be the tastiest and the highest in beneficial
compounds. Green tea contains a class of compounds called catechins, which have been shown to have wide-ranging effects,
from increasing your metabolism to reducing inflammation and increasing enzymes that help prevent cancer.
"Out with the bad" - Five Foods To Avoid:
1. Most Processed Food Products: Conventional processed foods and drinks tend to be very calorie-dense and nutrient-poor.
They typically contain a lot of food additives, low quality ingredients and chemicals that interfere with our metabolism, making us
feel sluggish and they fuel food cravings. These foods contribute to a wide range of diseases and health problems including
obesity. Shop around the perimeter of the supermarket. Make a point of putting real whole foods at the center of your diet.
2. High-Fructose Corn Syrup: High-fructose corn syrup was non-existent in our food supply 30 to 40 years ago, and now it has
replaced sugar as the predominant sweetener. Not only is this corn syrup much sweeter than regular sugar, it has biological
effects, such as causing increases in fatty liver and diabetes, throwing off your whole blood-sugar metabolism and increasing
your appetite. This product should really not even be in our food supply.
3. Trans Fats: Trans fats are dangerous man-made fats that damage our tissues and metabolic processes. They activate
genes that cause heart disease, cancer and diabetes. They make you gain weight by slowing down your metabolism, and they
block the action of healthy omega-3 fats in our system. Trans fats are very inflammatory, and they raise cholesterol more than
any other type of fat.
4. Refined Sugar And Flour Products: Refined sugars and flours are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where they produce
a spike in insulin. That leads to a cascade of events that result in increased appetite, weight gain and inflammation in the body.
Regular consumption of such foods also raises our risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
5. Any Food That Gives You Trouble: Any food you are sensitive to or intolerant to will tend to create inflammation and irritation
in your body, causing symptoms that can range from mild to very serious, even life threatening. Gluten and dairy are food
categories that cause food sensitivities for a lot of people. They don't affect everybody, but everyone should take a holiday from
these foods for a while just to see how the body responds - you might just see remarkable changes in your health. Seventy-five
percent of the world's population is lactose-intolerant and Dr. Hyman quotes in the article, that from his clinical experience, that
as much as 40% of the U.S. population may have trouble with gluten.
*****************************************************************
Your Healing Diet - Deirdre Earls, RD, LD - www.yourhealingdiet.com
Deirdre Earls is an Austin, Texas based registered dietitian. Deirdre is the leader of a Psoriasis Support Group in Austin and is
herself a long time Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis patient. If you go to Deirdre's Web site (link above) you can read a
testimonial that I (David Bruce) wrote about how valuable of a resource Deirdre is regarding the positive effects of diet and
nutrition to combat inflammatory diseases like Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. My initial thought was to just cut and paste that
testimonial on this page. However, I feel compelled to make some additional comments about Deirdre's commitment to
Psoriasis patients and their struggle in general. As I stated above, there are a lot of people who for whatever reason, believe
they are helpless to do anything within their own power to manage their Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis. It is these people in
particular that Deirdre has provided hope that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. I have witnessed Deirdre in
situations where she has had to defend dietary therapies in front of skeptics who would defend otherwise for no
understandable reason. There is something special about people like Deirdre who posses the kind of determination to
persevere in such instances. There is a greater reason for their perseverance than it is just their business to do so. People
like Deirdre persevere because their commitment extends to the heart. They know they can make a difference and help people
live better lives through their own actions. While balancing both the crucial need for medical intervention and dietary guidance,
Deirdre has helped people to realize that they do have control over their disease and that there is the hope in living with
inflammatory diseases like Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
Deirdre's book, which has been adapted for the Dallas/Fort Worth market is available through amazon.com and Whole Foods
stores. The book is titled, "Your Healing Diet: Dallas Fort Worth's Quick Guide to Reversing Chronic Disease through Healing
Foods." Whole Foods has locations in Arlington, Plano, Highland Park, and Richardson. Here's a link to the Amazon site to
preview Deirdre's book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419617079/sr=8-1/qid=1155882040/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1205383-
3394233?ie=UTF8
*****************************************************************
Links to Various Articles on Natural Therapies and Psoriasis
5-21-07 - Nutrients for the Skin
5-21-07 - Vitamin E for the Skin
5-21-07 - Dead Sea Salt Treatment Introduced for Psoriasis and Eczema Sufferers
5-22-07 - Exercise Can Reverse the Aging Process
9-4-07 - Green Tea May Brew Up Healthier Skin
9-5-07 - Eating High Glycemic Foods Causes Skin Problems
9-5-07 - Glycemic Index Reference Table
*****************************************************************
Effect of Alcohol and Smoking on Psoriasis
Links to various Research Articles on Psoriasis, Alcohol and Smoking:
-Smoking tied to more severe psoriasis cases: study
-Thinking twice about alcohol and cigarettes - from January/February 2005 Psoriasis Advance
-Alcohol as a risk factor for plaque-type psoriasis.
-Alcohol intake: a risk factor for psoriasis in young and middle aged men? -from British Medical Journal
-Treatment of Psoriasis - from New England Journal of Medicine
-Smoking and psoriasis - from British Medical Journal
*****************************************************************
Psoriasis and Obesity
Links to various Research Articles on Psoriasis and Obesity:
-Impact of Obesity and Smoking on Psoriasis Presentation and Management
-Psoriasis linked to pathways of obesity
-Medical Biology: Obesity, Smoking, and Psoriasis
*****************************************************************
Psoriasis Triggers
From: Medical News Today - 01 May 2007 www.medicalnewstoday.com
Here are some of the most common factors that can trigger an outbreak:
Infections - infections such as candida albicans (known as thrush), human immunodeficiency virus (known as HIV),
staphylococcal skin infections (known as boils), streptococcal pharyngitis (known as strep throat) as well as viral upper
respiratory conditions can all trigger an outbreak. Treat the infection and the psoriasis may well lessen or even clear up.
Injury to the Skin - people with psoriasis often become aware of fresh outbreaks of their condition a week to two weeks
after their skin has been injured. This may be by severe sun burn or if the skin is cut, grazed or scratched.
Medication - some people with psoriasis can develop a reaction to certain medications and the main culprits are anti-
malarial drugs, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, Indomethacin and Lithium. If you have psoriasis, or a family history of this skin
condition, then it is wise to tell your doctor before he prescribes any of these medications. There are usually substitutes.
The Weather - those who live in a cold climate may well find this to be a trigger. Cold winter weather is often dry, and
spending much of the time indoors with the heating on can dry out the skin. A hot and sunny climate on the other hand can help
to clear the skin as long as you are not in an air conditioned environment. It is very important to keep the skin moisturized.
Stress - this is probably top of the list as a trigger. An initial outbreak may be caused by a sudden stressful situation and then
the appearance of psoriasis itself can also be very stressful. The lesions may cause those around you to stare and ask
questions. They may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. In addition, if the psoriasis is present on the hands and feet, then
everyday tasks may be difficult. This together with the itching and pain can add to the stress. It is important to seek help from a
qualified therapist if you are feeling overwhelming stress.
Other Triggers - in addition to the most common triggers listed above, there are various others such as smoking and heavy
drinking. Obviously, it would be wise to quit smoking and/or heavy drinking if you are suffering from psoriasis although there is
no guarantee that the condition would clear up. Medical studies are still in progress but it is thought that hormone levels in the
body (particularly in the case of women) are another trigger in the outbreak of psoriasis.
Psoriasis and Celiac Disease and Intestinal Health Connections
The connection between Psoriasis and Celiac Disease is becoming one of the most well understood dietary connections. Celiac
disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects about 1 in 133 people in the US
population. More information specifically about Celiac disease can be obtained from www.celiac.com.
Links to various Research Articles on the Psoriasis/Celiac/Intestinal health connection:
-Celiac Disease Antibodies Correlate with Psoriasis Activity
-Notes on Psoriasis and Celiac Disease
-A connection between Psoriasis and Celiac disease suspected for some
(From the National Psoriasis Foundation's Advance Magazine July/Aug 2004)
-Rheumatic Manifestations of Gastrointestinal Diseases
-Management of Celiac Disease
(Originally Published Aug. 2003)
British Journal of Dermatology - Diet and Psoriasis
(Contains a large section on Celiac Disease)
-Coeliac (Celiac) disease: the great imitator
-Interpretation of Celiac Disease Blood Test Results
-10 Facts about Celiac Disease
-Jury still out on gluten, the latest dietary villain
-Psoriasis patients at higher risk for Celiac disease
-Gluten Sensitivity: When Gluten Gets into Our Bloodstream
-High-Glycemic Foods Linked to Colon Cancer
*****************************************************************
"In With The Good, Out With The Bad"
Below is an excerpt from an article titled "In With The Good, Out With The Bad" taken from the magazine Experience Life (April
2007), a Lifetime Fitness monthly magazine. This article was written by Dr. Mark Hyman, M.D. Dr. Hyman is the author of the
recent book titled, "Ultrametabolism: The Simple Plan For Automatic Weight Loss." More information can be obtained about Dr.
Hyman at his web site at www.drhyman.com. The article describes, in Dr. Hyman's opinion, five foods you should eat regularly
and five foods you should avoid. Of course, there is more to healthy eating than described in this article, but I thought this was a
good concise article with valuable advice for everyone. I have excerpted the article so that it would accommodate this page.
"In With The Good" - Five Priority Foods:
1. Omega-3 Fats: Ninety-nine percent of people are deficient in omega-3 fats. Fish is really the only remaining natural source of
rich omega-3 fats in our diet. Omega-3 fats come from fish such as wild salmon, herring, sardines, black cod, swordfish, and
tuna. A new source is omega-3 eggs. Flaxseed oil is also a great source. Omega-3 fats are the basic building blocks of our
cells. They reduce inflammation, a root cause of arthritis, autoimmune disorders and a great many other diseases.
2. Cruciferous Vegetables: Cruciferous vegetables include broccoli, collard greens, kale, cabbage, brussels sprouts, bok choy,
kohlrabi. These veggies are all powerful sources of nutrients for health, including folate, the B vitamins, and magnesium. They
also have powerful compounds called phytonutrients, which are plant based chemicals that can activate genes that help us fight
aging and disease. They are very powerful detoxifying compounds. Eat one to two cups of these vegetables per day.
3. Nuts: Regularly eat almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, and to a lesser extent, cashews. Eaten in moderation,
these nuts can help with weight loss and reduce the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Nuts are a great source of
fiber and vegetable protein.
4. Deeply Colored Fruits: Go for blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, pomegranates, red grapes, and even mangoes and
papayas. These fruits are rich in a number of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-aging compounds.
5. Green Tea: Any green tea will do, but higher quality, whole-leaf teas tend to be the tastiest and the highest in beneficial
compounds. Green tea contains a class of compounds called catechins, which have been shown to have wide-ranging effects,
from increasing your metabolism to reducing inflammation and increasing enzymes that help prevent cancer.
"Out with the bad" - Five Foods To Avoid:
1. Most Processed Food Products: Conventional processed foods and drinks tend to be very calorie-dense and nutrient-poor.
They typically contain a lot of food additives, low quality ingredients and chemicals that interfere with our metabolism, making us
feel sluggish and they fuel food cravings. These foods contribute to a wide range of diseases and health problems including
obesity. Shop around the perimeter of the supermarket. Make a point of putting real whole foods at the center of your diet.
2. High-Fructose Corn Syrup: High-fructose corn syrup was non-existent in our food supply 30 to 40 years ago, and now it has
replaced sugar as the predominant sweetener. Not only is this corn syrup much sweeter than regular sugar, it has biological
effects, such as causing increases in fatty liver and diabetes, throwing off your whole blood-sugar metabolism and increasing
your appetite. This product should really not even be in our food supply.
3. Trans Fats: Trans fats are dangerous man-made fats that damage our tissues and metabolic processes. They activate
genes that cause heart disease, cancer and diabetes. They make you gain weight by slowing down your metabolism, and they
block the action of healthy omega-3 fats in our system. Trans fats are very inflammatory, and they raise cholesterol more than
any other type of fat.
4. Refined Sugar And Flour Products: Refined sugars and flours are quickly absorbed into the bloodstream, where they produce
a spike in insulin. That leads to a cascade of events that result in increased appetite, weight gain and inflammation in the body.
Regular consumption of such foods also raises our risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.
5. Any Food That Gives You Trouble: Any food you are sensitive to or intolerant to will tend to create inflammation and irritation
in your body, causing symptoms that can range from mild to very serious, even life threatening. Gluten and dairy are food
categories that cause food sensitivities for a lot of people. They don't affect everybody, but everyone should take a holiday from
these foods for a while just to see how the body responds - you might just see remarkable changes in your health. Seventy-five
percent of the world's population is lactose-intolerant and Dr. Hyman quotes in the article, that from his clinical experience, that
as much as 40% of the U.S. population may have trouble with gluten.
*****************************************************************
Your Healing Diet - Deirdre Earls, RD, LD - www.yourhealingdiet.com
Deirdre Earls is an Austin, Texas based registered dietitian. Deirdre is the leader of a Psoriasis Support Group in Austin and is
herself a long time Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis patient. If you go to Deirdre's Web site (link above) you can read a
testimonial that I (David Bruce) wrote about how valuable of a resource Deirdre is regarding the positive effects of diet and
nutrition to combat inflammatory diseases like Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis. My initial thought was to just cut and paste that
testimonial on this page. However, I feel compelled to make some additional comments about Deirdre's commitment to
Psoriasis patients and their struggle in general. As I stated above, there are a lot of people who for whatever reason, believe
they are helpless to do anything within their own power to manage their Psoriasis or Psoriatic Arthritis. It is these people in
particular that Deirdre has provided hope that there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel. I have witnessed Deirdre in
situations where she has had to defend dietary therapies in front of skeptics who would defend otherwise for no
understandable reason. There is something special about people like Deirdre who posses the kind of determination to
persevere in such instances. There is a greater reason for their perseverance than it is just their business to do so. People
like Deirdre persevere because their commitment extends to the heart. They know they can make a difference and help people
live better lives through their own actions. While balancing both the crucial need for medical intervention and dietary guidance,
Deirdre has helped people to realize that they do have control over their disease and that there is the hope in living with
inflammatory diseases like Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis.
Deirdre's book, which has been adapted for the Dallas/Fort Worth market is available through amazon.com and Whole Foods
stores. The book is titled, "Your Healing Diet: Dallas Fort Worth's Quick Guide to Reversing Chronic Disease through Healing
Foods." Whole Foods has locations in Arlington, Plano, Highland Park, and Richardson. Here's a link to the Amazon site to
preview Deirdre's book: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419617079/sr=8-1/qid=1155882040/ref=pd_bbs_1/103-1205383-
3394233?ie=UTF8
*****************************************************************
Links to Various Articles on Natural Therapies and Psoriasis
5-21-07 - Nutrients for the Skin
5-21-07 - Vitamin E for the Skin
5-21-07 - Dead Sea Salt Treatment Introduced for Psoriasis and Eczema Sufferers
5-22-07 - Exercise Can Reverse the Aging Process
9-4-07 - Green Tea May Brew Up Healthier Skin
9-5-07 - Eating High Glycemic Foods Causes Skin Problems
9-5-07 - Glycemic Index Reference Table
*****************************************************************
Effect of Alcohol and Smoking on Psoriasis
Links to various Research Articles on Psoriasis, Alcohol and Smoking:
-Smoking tied to more severe psoriasis cases: study
-Thinking twice about alcohol and cigarettes - from January/February 2005 Psoriasis Advance
-Alcohol as a risk factor for plaque-type psoriasis.
-Alcohol intake: a risk factor for psoriasis in young and middle aged men? -from British Medical Journal
-Treatment of Psoriasis - from New England Journal of Medicine
-Smoking and psoriasis - from British Medical Journal
*****************************************************************
Psoriasis and Obesity
Links to various Research Articles on Psoriasis and Obesity:
-Impact of Obesity and Smoking on Psoriasis Presentation and Management
-Psoriasis linked to pathways of obesity
-Medical Biology: Obesity, Smoking, and Psoriasis
*****************************************************************
Psoriasis Triggers
From: Medical News Today - 01 May 2007 www.medicalnewstoday.com
Here are some of the most common factors that can trigger an outbreak:
Infections - infections such as candida albicans (known as thrush), human immunodeficiency virus (known as HIV),
staphylococcal skin infections (known as boils), streptococcal pharyngitis (known as strep throat) as well as viral upper
respiratory conditions can all trigger an outbreak. Treat the infection and the psoriasis may well lessen or even clear up.
Injury to the Skin - people with psoriasis often become aware of fresh outbreaks of their condition a week to two weeks
after their skin has been injured. This may be by severe sun burn or if the skin is cut, grazed or scratched.
Medication - some people with psoriasis can develop a reaction to certain medications and the main culprits are anti-
malarial drugs, beta-blockers, corticosteroids, Indomethacin and Lithium. If you have psoriasis, or a family history of this skin
condition, then it is wise to tell your doctor before he prescribes any of these medications. There are usually substitutes.
The Weather - those who live in a cold climate may well find this to be a trigger. Cold winter weather is often dry, and
spending much of the time indoors with the heating on can dry out the skin. A hot and sunny climate on the other hand can help
to clear the skin as long as you are not in an air conditioned environment. It is very important to keep the skin moisturized.
Stress - this is probably top of the list as a trigger. An initial outbreak may be caused by a sudden stressful situation and then
the appearance of psoriasis itself can also be very stressful. The lesions may cause those around you to stare and ask
questions. They may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed. In addition, if the psoriasis is present on the hands and feet, then
everyday tasks may be difficult. This together with the itching and pain can add to the stress. It is important to seek help from a
qualified therapist if you are feeling overwhelming stress.
Other Triggers - in addition to the most common triggers listed above, there are various others such as smoking and heavy
drinking. Obviously, it would be wise to quit smoking and/or heavy drinking if you are suffering from psoriasis although there is
no guarantee that the condition would clear up. Medical studies are still in progress but it is thought that hormone levels in the
body (particularly in the case of women) are another trigger in the outbreak of psoriasis.