Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin cells to grow faster than usual. The scale accumulates on the skin, producing red patches that are often itchy and sometimes painful. People suffering from the condition may note periods when the symptoms are mild or absent, followed by flare-up periods where the symptoms will worsen or recur. Knowing psoriasis flare-up triggers is helpful to manage the condition better.
Psoriasis Flare-Up Triggers
There are many reasons for psoriasis outbreaks, and identifying them helps control them. Common triggers include:
- Stress: Research says that stress has been identified as an essential factor for both the development of the disease and its later exacerbations. Several biomarkers used to monitor psoriasis are characteristic of stress disorders.
- Infections: Some infections, such as streptococcal throat infections, can cause psoriasis. Therefore, hygiene and early treatment of diseases are essential.
- Weather: Psoriasis tends to get worse during cold weather and dry climates and better in warm, sunny weather. You should use humidifiers and moisturize often to combat skin dryness.
- Skin Injuries: Psoriasis is a skin disease in which new lesions may appear at the site of an injury in the Koebner response.
- Medications: Lithium, beta-blockers, etc., can cause or exacerbate psoriasis.
- Lifestyle Factors: Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption may exacerbate psoriasis. Lifestyle change can also help in the better management of this condition.
By observing the symptoms you experience, as well as the severity and duration of those symptoms, you can determine which of these potential triggers causes your psoriasis. The key to identifying your personal triggers for psoriasis is to take note of any symptoms. The severity of those symptoms, how long they occur and any changes you notice when you avoid those potential triggers.
How Long Does Psoriasis Flare-Up Last?
The length of psoriasis flares is different from one patient to the next. It depends on several factors, such as general health status, disease severity and treatment schedule. Usually, a flare-up can last for a few weeks to several months. It will also help manage expectations and develop a holistic treatment strategy.
Triggers That Affect the Length of Flare-ups
- Severity of Psoriasis: The severity of the psoriasis can also be an essential factor in the duration of the flare. Mild symptoms may disappear quickly, whereas symptoms of health psoriasis may lead to prolonged disease occurrences.
- Trigger Exposure: psoriasis flare-up triggers include stress, infections, or medications that may take longer to affect the flare-up. The identification and management of these triggers is critical in the reduction of the flare-up duration.
- Treatment Adherence: Adherence to prescribed treatments is a massive factor in the duration of a flare-up. Maintain the use of prescriptive medications and commit to phototherapy to see a reduction in the flares.
- Individual Response to Treatment: Every person is unique and reacts to therapeutic interventions differently. Some may see quick progress and recovery, while for others, it might take longer.
- Overall Health and Lifestyle: Extrinsic factors include general health and lifestyle factors, such as diet, physical exercise, smoking, and alcohol use, and their impact on the duration of flare episodes. Diet and nutrition play an essential role in the function of the immune system and may help lower the frequency or severity of flare-ups.
Typical Duration of Flare-Ups
An individual suffering from psoriasis might experience a flare-up that lasts for a few weeks if there is proper management with effective treatment and trigger avoidance. While such cases are rare, some psoriasis forms may take months before they go away.
- Short-Term Flare-Ups: These are usually for a few weeks and are exhibited in those who can easily recognize the factors. This helps to follow through with the treatment programs.
- Long-Term Flare-Ups: Once or twice a year, flare-ups may continue for several months in severe psoriasis in patients who stop treatment or those exposed to aggravating factors.
Does Psoriasis Clear up on Its Own?
Psoriasis is a long-term health problem and does not clear up by itself. Symptoms of psoriasis may sometimes go into remission, but the inherent risk of developing this skin disorder remains. The flare-ups are likely to continue without treatment. Such control requires frequent doses of medication, dietary modifications, and avoidance of triggers to manage the condition. Research says that psoriasis is not curable, but there is medication to relieve the symptoms. Knowing what triggers your symptoms to manage and prevent flare-ups is also essential.
Strategies for Psoriasis Flare Management
Psoriasis flare-ups are recurrences of signs and symptoms that require treatment and maintenance.
Here are effective strategies
- Topical Treatments: Topical creams, over-the-counter ointments or prescription medications containing corticosteroids, vitamin D analogs, or retinoids may treat inflammation and scale build-up.
- Phototherapy: UV light treatments can also treat psoriasis and are often effective in alleviating symptoms for many psoriasis sufferers.
- Systemic Medications: Where the symptoms can be mild to severe, systemic medications such as biologics in oral or injectable form are used.
- Moisturizing: Daily use of moisturizers keeps the skin hydrated and prevents dryness and scaling.
- Stress Management: Relaxation techniques, including yoga, meditation, and exercise, can help alleviate and prevent a relapse.
How Do I Know Psoriasis is Healing?
Some symptoms that can be taken as proof that the psoriasis is healing include:
- The lesions are getting smaller and their number is decreasing
- Inflamed skin and the redness are also decreasing
- The itching and discomfort are reduced.
- Both the skin and the eyes may become brighter and more even.
Visiting a dermatologist for follow-up appointments will also help verify the recovery process and determine if the current treatment is the best choice.
Conclusion
Treatment of psoriasis implies determining the factors that may cause the relapse of the disease and eliminating these factors, the patient’s compliance with therapy, and other lifestyle changes. While there is no known cure for psoriasis, the symptoms can be managed with proper treatment, so its outbursts occur less often or with less intensity, thus improving the patient’s life. Successful management of psoriasis requires identifying what sets it off, understanding the symptoms that indicate healing is taking place, and being willing to do something about it.
