Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes the immune system to produce too many white blood cells, which are then released into the skin. This leads to red patches of thickened, scaly skin. The patches can be found anywhere on the body, but most commonly appear on the elbows, knees, and scalp. This skin condition is uncomfortable, and flare-ups can be triggered by a variety of factors.

Common causes and triggers of psoriasis flare-ups are as follows:

1. Skin infection or injury

Infections or injuries that affect the skin, like eczema, chickenpox, staphylococcus (staph) infections, and scrapes, can all trigger psoriasis. Those with a family history of the condition can be particularly affected. Sunburn is another trigger that can tend to bring on psoriasis. Links have been seen between psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). There’s also a strong link between psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) like Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.

2. Weather

Psoriasis is likely to flare up in the winter months when cold weather and dry air can cause the skin to become itchy, red, and scaly. People with milder forms of psoriasis may not experience this at all, or experience flare-ups at other times of the year. Some individuals may experience worsening symptoms during any change of the seasons.

3. Stress

Being stressed, upset, or worried can make it harder to cope with the symptoms of psoriasis and can sometimes trigger a flare-up. In addition, psoriasis itself can be the cause of stress. Not only is it uncomfortable, but it is often very visible, making some individuals self-conscious about their appearance.

4. Genetics and heredity

Psoriasis is thought to be an inherited condition. So if one of your parents has psoriasis, you’re more likely to develop it yourself. In addition, there may also be a link between psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes and celiac disease, or illnesses that cause skin problems, like lupus.

The symptoms of psoriasis vary depending on where the patches appear on your body and how severe they are. While some patients only experience mild spots, other patients find that their psoriasis is a long-term and chronic problem. While psoriasis is not contagious, it can be embarrassing and painful for patients, which is why awareness of your personal triggers is important to help reduce flare-ups.