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Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but for people with psoriasis, it can be a trigger for flare-ups. Here's what you need to know about how stress affects psoriasis and how to manage your symptoms.
The link between stress and psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in the body and red, scaly, itchy patches on the skin. It affects millions of people worldwide and can have a significant impact on quality of life. Although the exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, it is believed to be the result of an overactive immune system. Causing skin cells to grow abnormally and rapidly. In recent years it has been shown that psoriasis has been associated with many comorbidities including depression, anxiety, cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease.
There are many different triggers that can cause a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms, and one of those triggers is stress. Stress can existing psoriasis to worse symptoms, and can also trigger the development of new symptoms.
The link between stress and psoriasis is not fully understood, but it is thought that stress may interfere with the body's ability to fight off infection. This interference may lead to an overactive immune response, which can trigger a flare-up of psoriasis symptoms.
Types of stress that may trigger a flare-up
- Psychological stress
In addition to physical stress, psychological stress can also trigger psoriasis flare-ups. Psychological stress includes conditions like anxiety, depression, and chronic stress.
Psoriasis patients are more likely to develop anxiety and depression than people without the condition. This increased risk may be due to the visible nature of the condition and the impact it can have on the quality of life.
- Chronic stress
Chronic stress is a major trigger of psoriasis flare-ups. If you're constantly under stress, your body never has a chance to recover and this can lead to a continuous cycle of flares.
Chronic stress can have a variety of negative health effects, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and depression. In some people, stress may even develop psoriatic arthritis. It can also make it difficult to manage chronic conditions like psoriasis. The cycle of stress and flare-ups can be difficult to break, but there are treatments available that can help to lessen the impact of both stress and psoriasis.
- Trigger of psoriasis flares
Common flare-up triggers for psoriasis may include stress, skin injuries like scratches, sunburns, bug bites, and vaccinations. Other triggers include infections like ear infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or respiratory infections.
Managing stress to managing psoriasis
If you have psoriasis, it's important to find ways to manage your stress. Managing stress can help you control your psoriasis symptoms and may even help prevent flare-ups. There are many different ways to manage stress, and what works for one person may not work for another. Some popular methods of stress management include:
- Exercise
Exercise is a great way to reduce stress. It helps to release endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Exercise can also help to improve sleep, which can further reduce stress levels.
- Yoga
Yoga is a mind-body practice that combines physical poses with breathing exercises and meditation. Yoga can help to reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
- Progressive muscle relaxation
This technique involves tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in the body. Progressive muscle relaxation can help to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
- Mindfulness meditation
Mindfulness meditation involves focusing on the present moment and accepting thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness meditation can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression.
- Stress psoriasis treatments
If you have stress psoriasis, topical treatments may offer some relief. Treating psoriasis can help reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with the condition. There are many topical treatments available, including corticosteroids, retinoids, calcipotriol, and tacrolimus. Side effects from these treatments can include skin irritation, redness, dryness, and scaling.
If you’re looking for an all-in-one solution, Shankhapushpi may be able to help. This herb has been shown to have anti-stress effects, making it a great choice for those who struggle with Psoriasis flare-ups related to stress.
Shankhpushpi is an Ayurveda herb that has long been used in the Indian tradition for its many benefits. The study showed that Shankhpushpi can help to lower stress and anxiety by reducing the levels of stress hormones in the body.