Psoriasis is a frustrating skin condition that comes and goes, staying in remission before suddenly flaring up. However, you may prevent psoriasis outbreaks by identifying and avoiding what triggers a flare.

1. Apply a moisturizer

Regularly applying a moisturizer prevents dry skin, which stops you from itching, scratching, and triggering a flare. Keeping your skin moisturized protects the skin barrier, maintains skin hydration, and protects it from bacteria and environmental irritants.

Moisturizers with added ingredients like preservatives, antibacterial agents, and fragrances can irritate sensitive skin. We can recommend products, or you can also consider purchasing moisturizers with the National Psoriasis Foundation Seal of Recognition.

Apply a moisturizer at least once or twice daily or as often as your skin needs for optimal protection. You can also optimize the moisturizer’s impact by applying it within five minutes after showering or washing your hands or face.

2. Wear a sunscreen

Sunlight is a trigger for psoriasis for many people. However, ultraviolet light (UV) is also a psoriasis treatment.

Whether sunlight is a trigger or beneficial, it’s still essential to protect yourself from skin cancer by wearing SPF 30 or higher sunscreen.

You can avoid the trigger, prevent skin cancer, and get the benefits of ultraviolet light with controlled phototherapy, a treatment we offer in the office.

3. Reduce daily stress

Stress is a trigger for nearly half of people with psoriasis. In addition to causing a flare-up, stress worsens a psoriasis outbreak in most patients.

The negative effects of stress extend beyond psoriasis. Ongoing stress raises blood pressure, increases heart rate, tenses muscles, disrupts gut health, and leads to weight gain.

Try some of the following tips to destress and find a better balance:

• Engage in exercise, yoga, or any activity you enjoy like dancing and swimming
• Set aside time for activities you enjoy
• Establish work-life boundaries, like not checking email at home
• Disconnect regularly by taking a few hours or days off
• Practice relaxation techniques like mindfulness meditation
• Build a support network of friends and family
• Take a stress management class
• Spend time outside enjoying nature

Consider talking with a counselor if you can’t reduce stress or have overwhelming anxiety.

4. Follow a well-balanced diet

Though more research is needed to verify a link between specific diets and improving psoriasis, following an anti-inflammatory diet may reduce flares in inflammatory skin conditions like psoriasis. 

Anti-inflammatory diets like the Mediterranean and DASH diets are healthy and provide balanced nutrition — an approach beneficial for everyone, whether they have psoriasis, need to lose weight, or want to stay healthy and prevent chronic diseases.

Anti-inflammatory diets suggest eating foods that fight inflammation while limiting pro-inflammatory foods.

Foods recommended for fighting inflammation include: 

• Fruits
• Vegetables
• Whole grains
• Nuts
• Beans
• Low-fat dairy
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Fish

Anti-inflammatory diets recommend limiting but not eliminating red meat. Foods to avoid because they promote inflammation include products with added sugar, refined grains (white flour and white rice), processed meats (hot dogs and canned meats), and fried foods.

Anti-inflammatory diets also recommend limiting alcohol, which is good for psoriasis. Psoriasis treatments work better, and you’re more likely to stay in remission longer when restricting alcohol.

5. Identify and avoid other triggers

Though some triggers are more common than others, numerous factors can activate a flare-up. Here are a few examples:

Skin injuries

It only takes minor injuries like a small cut, bug bite, sunburn, or skin damage from vigorous scratching to activate the immune response leading to a psoriasis outbreak.

Illnesses and infections

You may not be able to prevent all illnesses and infections, but it helps to know that they increase the risk of psoriasis flare. You may prevent a flare-up by paying extra attention to skincare.

Medications

Certain medications trigger psoriasis, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and beta-blockers. 

We can help you determine if medication may contribute to your flare-ups. In the meantime, don’t stop taking medications without consulting your prescribing healthcare provider.