Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes the skin, in some places, to become dry, scaly, and flaky.1 An autoimmune condition is when the body’s immune system attacks its cells because it does not recognise them as its own. In some cases, psoriasis can make the affected areas of the skin itchy and painful.
It is thought to be caused by the body producing and replacing skin cells too quickly.1 Usually, the skin cells are replaced every month or so, but in people with psoriasis, they are replaced weekly (or more frequently if the psoriasis is more severe). This is because the body attacks the skin cells, causing them to die. This signals the body to produce more skin cells.
Psoriasis may be genetic, so if a parent has it, there is a chance the child could inherit it, but this is not backed up well by research and no genes that link to psoriasis have been found yet.
There are many symptoms of psoriasis. The main symptom of psoriasis is dry, scaly patches of skin, however, the appearance of it will vary depending on the type of psoriasis that a person has 2:
Plaque psoriasis: this is the most common type of psoriasis, which has the following appearance:
Guttate psoriasis: this type of psoriasis causes small red sores to appear on the affected area
Inverse psoriasis: this occurs in the creases of your skin:
Pustular r psoriasis: this is when pus-filled bumps appear on the skin
There are other, much rarer forms of psoriasis which will not be discussed here.
Because psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, the triggers can vary from person to person. There has been no direct link established between alcohol and psoriasis, however, there are many reports that suggest that alcohol can increase the risk of triggering an episode of psoriasis.
Alcohol may increase the risk of triggering an episode of psoriasis for the following reasons:3
Psoriasis can have a range of triggers, and as mentioned above, this can vary from person to person as psoriasis can affect every sufferer differently.
Other triggers of psoriasis may include:4
If you are worried about a loved one’s alcohol intake, it is important to have a discussion with them to try and understand what is triggering their excess alcohol intake – they may be finding something difficult to cope with, or may be experiencing a different stressor.
It is always an idea to encourage loved ones who struggle with drinking to reach out to their doctor so that the doctor can give them medical advice on how to cut down and may be able to refer them for counseling to work through the underlying issue.
Alcoholism can be difficult to deal with, and it is important to look after yourself too. If a loved one is treating you poorly as a result of alcoholism, it is not selfish to prioritise your safety and well-being. It is also important that you seek support from a doctor or other loved ones.
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes dry, scaly, and flaky skin in some areas, and it can be itchy and painful. It is thought to be caused by the body producing and replacing skin cells too quickly. There are different types of psoriasis, including plaque psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, and pustular psoriasis. Although there is no direct link between alcohol and psoriasis, alcohol can increase the risk of triggering an episode of psoriasis. Alcohol can increase the production of inflammatory cytokines, increase the risk of infection, increase the production of keratinocytes, and cause dehydration, which can make psoriasis symptoms worse. Other triggers of psoriasis may include stress, skin injury, frequent drinking, smoking, dry and cold weather, some medications, shaving, and tattoos. If you are worried about a loved one's alcohol intake, it is important to have a discussion with them and encourage them to seek medical advice and counseling.
