What Can Cause Psoriasis to Flare Up?

Living with psoriasis can be challenging, especially when flare-ups disrupt your daily routine. At Everest Medspa in Havertown, PA, Dr. Xiaobin Li provides advanced laser treatments like PicoSure and Pico Genesis to help manage these flare-ups. Several factors can cause psoriasis to flare up, including stress, infections, and certain medications. By understanding these triggers and taking steps to manage them, you can gain control over your psoriasis between treatments.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that accelerates skin cell growth, causing red, scaly patches to form on the skin. It often affects areas like the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. This condition can significantly impact a person's quality of life, causing both physical discomfort and emotional stress. While there is no cure for psoriasis, various treatments can help manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups.

What causes psoriasis flare-ups?

Several factors can lead to psoriasis flare-ups, and identifying these triggers is essential for managing the condition and living a comfortable life. Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups include:

Stress: Both physical and emotional stress can exacerbate psoriasis symptoms due to the body's inflammatory response.
Infections: Conditions like strep throat can trigger an immune response that leads to a flare-up.
Medications: Certain medications, such as beta-blockers and lithium, can induce or worsen psoriasis.
Skin injuries: Cuts, scrapes, insect bites, and sunburns can cause new psoriasis lesions to form, known as the Koebner phenomenon.
Weather: Cold, dry weather can lead to dry skin, which may trigger a flare-up.
Alcohol and smoking: Both can worsen psoriasis symptoms and trigger flare-ups.
Hormonal changes: Fluctuations in hormones, especially during puberty or menopause, can impact psoriasis.

During your consultation, Dr. Li can help you identify potential triggers in your life and recommend lifestyle changes to help you minimize flare-ups.

How do you treat psoriasis at Everest Medspa?

At Everest Medspa, we're excited to provide treatment for psoriasis using the PicoSure and Pico Genesis, two advanced laser skin technologies that are known for delivering transformative results. PicoSure works by delivering short bursts of laser energy that break down thickened skin cells and stimulate natural healing, improving skin texture. Pico Genesis uses multiple wavelengths to target pigmentation and remodel the skin, resulting in a clearer, more even complexion. These treatments are noninvasive and effective, designed to minimize discomfort and downtime, allowing patients to quickly return to their daily activities with improved skin health.

What are some tips for psoriasis self-care?

Effective psoriasis self-care is essential for managing the condition and reducing flare-ups. Here are some tips for psoriasis self-care:

Moisturize regularly: Keeping the skin hydrated can reduce itching and scaling.
Avoid known triggers: Identifying and avoiding personal triggers, such as certain foods or stressful situations, can help minimize flare-ups.
Protect your skin: Prevent injuries and sunburn by using sunscreen and wearing protective clothing.
Use gentle skin care products: Opt for fragrance-free, gentle products to avoid irritating your skin.
Practice stress management: Techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep-breathing exercises can help reduce stress levels.
Stay healthy: Maintain a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

These simple strategies can help manage symptoms and improve overall skin health.

Hope and help for psoriasis

Living with psoriasis can be challenging, but effective treatments and proper management can make a significant difference. At Everest Medspa in Havertown, PA, Dr. Xiaobin Li and our team are dedicated to providing personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's needs. With advanced laser treatments like PicoSure and Pico Genesis, patients can achieve clearer skin and a better quality of life. If you are looking for help for psoriasis, contact Everest Medspa to explore the best treatment options for you.