Five Often-Overlooked Psoriasis Triggers

Stress, bacterial infection, cuts and scrapes, obesity, and excessive consumption of alcohol are well-known triggers for psoriasis. Controlling some lesser-known psoriasis triggers, however, may offer better, more comprehensive relief.

6. Depletion of ceramides in the skin.

Ceramides are the fat-like building blocks that make up 75 percent of human skin. When the skin becomes depleted of ceramides for any reason (such as the overuse of soaps or alcohol rubs, or any of dozens of metabolic factors), psoriasis can flare up.The use of skin care products that replace ceramides reduces the severity of psoriasis and helps existing psoriasis lesions heal faster.

It isn't strictly necessary to use a "psoriasis soap," although skin care products for people who have psoriasis usually do contain ceramides that will offer some relief.

7. Celiac disease.

Many people who suffer the gluten-sensitivity syndrome known as celiac disease also have moderate to severe psoriasis. Eliminating the consumption of wheat, oat, and rye products (not an easy thing to do in most Western diets) eliminates both celiac disease and psoriasis in these people.

It is important to understand in considering celiac disease and psoriasis, gluten sensitivity is usually an all-or-nothing proposition. Reducing consumption of grains that contain gluten will not help. For some people who have psoriasis, however, eliminating gluten-containing grains and gluten products from the diet brings fast and total relief without medication.

8. Marijuana use.

Pot smokers may be less concerned about psoriasis outbreaks, but marijuana itself may aggravate psoriasis symptoms. Marijuana activates endocannabinoid receptors in the brain that in turn activate the immune system in the skin. The problem is that in psoriasis sufferers who smoke marijuana, activating the immune system is not a good thing. 

Smoking pot on a daily basis sends signals to the skin to turn off sebum production. This dries out the skin, and increases itching. As dry skin peels and flakes, psoriasis activates a vigorous repair response, which creates silvery, itchy, scaly plaques.

9. Omega-3 essential fatty acid deficiency.

Omega-3 essential fatty acids are the healthy fats found in fish and nuts. Unlike most other kinds of fats, omega-3's are used by the body to make the hormones that reduce inflammation.

Taking a balanced omega-3 supplement may reduce some of the symptoms of psoriasis, especially in the fingernails. However, there is no need to load up on omega-3 supplementation. A single capsule a day is usually enough to reduce psoriasis symptoms. Use omega-3 fatty acid supplements with caution or not at all if you have recently (in the last 3 months) had a heart attack or if you have congestive heart failure.

10. Dry air.

Constant exposure to dry air increases the number of mast cells in the skin. These cells contain histamine, the chemical that causes allergic reaction. As the skin dries out, the mast cells burst, spilling their inflammatory histamine into the fluids surrounding other, healthy skin cells.

If you live in a desert climate, it is usually helpful to run a humidifier in your home, and to use moisturizer when you go out. Just be sure your moisturizer really moistens your skin. Any moisturizer that contains alcohol (or other ingredients ending in -ol) as a first-named ingredient actually will dry out skin and make psoriasis worse.

The best natural treatments for psoriasis often involve avoiding products, rather than taking them. Eliminating these 10 triggers of psoriasis outbreaks from your life will almost always help you keep your skin clear for months rather than just weeks.