Psoriasis, which affects more than seven million Americans, is an autoimmune condition characterized by a faster growth cycle of skin cells. Generally, skin cells grow and fall off after about a month. But with Coupeville psoriasis, the immature skin cells grow within a few days and fail to shed. Thus, the skin cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, resulting in inflamed and scaly skin. Although the accumulation of skin cells can happen in any section of your body, it usually attacks your elbows, scalp, palms, face, and knees.
The flaky patches of skin that form due to psoriasis may negatively affect other organs and tissues of your body. Moreover, psoriasis also puts you at a higher risk of health problems, including temporary skin color changes and psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis often causes painful, stiff, and inflamed joints. Permanent joint damage can happen if psoriasis goes undiagnosed and untreated for a long time.
Consequently, below are the potential risk factors and causes of psoriasis.
- Stress
If you have stress, that may cause psoriasis or make it worse after diagnosis. Thus, you can prevent or avoid worsening psoriasis by ensuring you are relaxed.
Some relaxation techniques that help relieve stress include yoga, meditation, and physical exercises. Other helpful tips for coping with stress may include avoiding excessive screen time, getting plenty of sleep, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and engaging in activities you enjoy.
- Cold weather
When the weather is cold, it means the air is much drier. Drier air has insufficient moisture levels, making your skin dehydrate faster and suffer from dryness. Highly dehydrated skin is more susceptible to cracking, bleeding, and infections.
Also, cold weather may cause psoriasis flare-ups because it often means you do not get adequate sunlight. The right level of the sun’s UV rays can help reduce the formation of patchy and scaly skin as it reduces the creation of skin cells and assists in the production of Vitamin D.
During the winter months, avoid triggering psoriasis by traveling to a warmer region. Also, remember to observe tips that ensure safety from the sun’s UV rays, such as limiting your exposure to direct sunlight and applying sunscreen.
- Smoking
Smoking overwhelms your body with numerous free radicals, which damage cells and cause inflammation. For example, cytokines are small proteins that help control the activity and growth of blood cells and cells of your immune system. When you smoke, toxins impair the function of cytokines, leading to a weaker immune system and inflammation.
If you smoke heavily and regularly, you are twice at risk of psoriasis than a person who does not smoke.
- Genetics
Various studies show that some types of genes are closely associated with the development of psoriasis. Therefore, if your parent, grandparent, or a close relative has a history of psoriasis, you may also be highly likely to develop the condition.
- Hormonal changes
If you are a woman, you are more prone to hormonal changes as you undergo different stages of reproduction. For instance, research indicates that many pregnant women experience worsening symptoms of psoriasis after delivery since the levels of reproductive hormones like progesterone and estrogen tend to drop significantly.
Contact an Aesthetic Rejuvenation Specialist today for diagnosis and treatment of psoriasis.
