Psoriasis is a form of the body’s immune system attacking the skin. An overactive immune system can cause several different diseases, including psoriatic arthritis.
This disease falls under the most common medical dermatology conditions, where the symptoms include red patches with silvery scales that may flare up at times. In severe cases, the skin thickens and becomes dry and scaly. Other possible symptoms include joint pain (arthritis) and liver inflammation.
It is also possible to experience weight loss due to fluid retention (edema). While you may only have symptoms for a short time each month, your body will continue aching.
Causes of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a common skin condition that affects approximately 2% of the adult population. It’s thought to be related to an immune response where the body’s lymph nodes attack healthy cells from the top layer of skin and mix them with skin cells.
This is known as “secondary” psoriasis and manifests itself as red, itchy patches of skin. In most people, it improves over time on its own but can cause significant social, psychological and even physical disruption.
Furthermore, genetic and environmental factors also play a role in the spreading of this skin disease.
The role of stress as a trigger is Psoriasis
Stress has been identified as an important cause of the development of psoriasis. Other factors, like genes, environment, and diet, contribute to the development of this disease. There is enough evidence based on the studies by reputed medical institutions that stress can directly trigger plaque formation in your skin.
As the stress hormones, cortisol and adrenaline are involved in the development of psoriasis. When people with psoriasis get stressed, their body produces less cortisol, which is thought to be a key part of the inflammatory process.
In other words, it can lead to psoriasis through biologic pathways—the body’s response to stress—that are similar to those used by other autoimmune diseases like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis. Stress disrupts this process, causing inflammation and scarring in your skin.
Steps to manage stress for a Psoriasis Patient
- One option is to bolster your coping abilities with self-care tools such as exercise, sleep, and healthy nutrition comprising diet plans for psoriasis patients. These stress management techniques are effective for Psoriasis patients suffering from stress and anxiety.
- When trying to manage stress for a psoriasis patient, hypnosis and biofeedback are other techniques that can be helpful. Like any type of relaxation training, the exercises typically take time and repetition before they can be effective in reducing stress.
- Counseling and systematic therapy can assist in keeping your stress levels in check. Try to attend counselling sessions on a regular basis and take advantage of mindfulness meditation, yoga and other activities that can help you relax. Physical exercise can also help prevent stress from getting out of hand.”
- Support groups create a safe and friendly environment for people to discuss their concerns and concerns. In addition, these groups can provide emotional support for people living with psoriasis, as well as information about treatment options, medications, and other important topics.
