Certain medications are
associated with triggering psoriasis
Lithium: Used to treat manic
depression and other psychiatric disorders. Lithium aggravates
psoriasis in about half of those with psoriasis who take it.
However, people can ask their physicians about alternatives to
lithium.
Antimalarials: Quinacrine,
chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine may cause a flare of psoriasis,
usually two to three weeks after the drug is taken.
Hydroxychloroquine has the lowest incidence of side effects.
Inderal: This high blood
pressure medication worsens psoriasis in about 25 percent to 30
percent of patients with psoriasis who take it. It is not known if
all high blood pressure (beta blocker) medications worsen
psoriasis, but they may have that potential. Sometimes other
medications can be substituted.
Quinidine:
This heart medication has been reported to worsen some cases of
psoriasis.
Indomethacin: This drug is
used to treat arthritis. It is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drug. It has worsened some cases of psoriasis. Other anti-inflammatories
usually can be substituted.
What are some other triggers?
Allergies: Some people suspect
that allergies trigger their psoriasis.
Diet: Changing the diet has
helped some people improve their psoriasis or avoid flares.
Weather: May make skin drier and more susceptible to a psoriasis
outbreak. Winter season is predominantly outbreak season for
Psoriasis.
Infection
Studies show that some infections can trigger
psoriasis. Dermatologists have seen people with a family history
of psoriasis get strep throat and develop their first psoriasis
lesions two weeks later. Strep throat often precedes an outbreak
of guttate psoriasis. Infections that can trigger psoriasis are:
-
Candida albicans
(thrush)
-
Human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
-
Staphylococcal skin
infections (boils)
-
Streptococcal
pharyngitis (strep throat)
-
Upper respiratory
condition
Treating the infection in many cases
lessens or clears the psoriasis.
Other
Science has not uncovered all psoriasis triggers. Hormones,
smoking, and heavy drinking appear to trigger psoriasis in some
people.
Research suggests that localized (on the palms and soles) pustular
psoriasis may be more common in people who smoke tobacco.
It is now believed that heavy drinking may trigger psoriasis in
some people. Heavy drinking also may make treatment less
effective.
