Why Does My Psoriasis Keep Flaring? Tips for Identifying Common Triggers

Living with psoriasis can be a bit frustrating at times. One week your skin can be completely calm. The next week you could be having a full-on flare. You are left trying to pinpoint what caused your skin to act up out of nowhere. If you have been there, then you know what this unpredictability can feel like.

Understanding common psoriasis triggers

It all comes down to triggers. Triggers themselves are not what causes your flare, but they can contribute to your symptoms feeling out of control. Experiencing stress, getting sick with a cold, changes in the weather, or even certain foods can be the culprits. Getting a handle on learning what your common triggers are can help you better manage your psoriasis. It can also help you gain a better understanding of your body overall.

Using a symptom journal to track your flares

There are different ways you can identify your triggers. One thing that has helped me tremendously is having a symptom journal. Writing down and tracking my symptoms has opened my eyes to so much. It not only helps me, but I am able to then take what I have written back to share with my dermatologist. This then assists in my treatment plan.

I have noticed that when I drink certain alcohol that may have a higher sugar content, I have a flare. Or, if I am having a really rough week where I am completely stressed, it shows up as plaques on my body. Having this awareness guides my decisions on food choices. It also helps me find alternate ways to manage my stress levels.

Looking at weather shifts and routine changes

Tracking is not limited to just writing down the foods you are eating or journaling when you are stressed out. It could even be noticing how the change in weather can affect your body. When I was younger, my mom would tell my sister and me that we had winter itch. It was in the winter that our legs flared up the most. Many people do not realize cold weather or even excessive dry heat can make some symptoms worse. Recognizing and writing down when you have flares with environmental changes like the weather can be a very important part of the story your body is trying to tell.

Sometimes it takes looking beyond what we may think are obvious triggers. Flares can occur when there is even a sudden change in your routine. Insomnia, a hectic travel schedule, or even trying new body care products can be things you may overlook as contributors. Anything that shifts and disrupts your body's routine and impacts your body's stress response could be the very things that lead your body into a flare. When this happens, taking notice of any changes in your day-to-day or if that new lotion you tried was not skin-friendly for you can make all the difference in how you manage moving forward.

Taking photos of your skin during flares

Finally, a bonus tip for you when identifying your triggers: take photos. Taking photographs of your skin when you notice a flare or any changes helps you in many ways. Flares can happen at any time and end at any time. If you cannot get into your dermatologist's office right away, having photos to share with them is beyond helpful. You do not have to struggle trying to explain what your skin looked like mid-flare if you go into the office and are no longer in the flare. You will have the images to share. It is also helpful for you in noticing which parts of your body are mostly affected each time, and it can go hand in hand with your written symptom tracker.

Psoriasis flares can make anyone feel out of control when they come out of nowhere. I have found that the more I have learned about my triggers, the more intentional I become in prioritizing my health and well-being. At the end of the day, awareness is key. It is about understanding your body, prioritizing your health, and taking steps to feel more empowered to better manage your psoriasis.