Why Psoriasis Patients Should Go Slow on Alcohol
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of scaly, itchy skin on the scalp, elbows, knees and trunk. Although the condition is not life threatening, it can be painful and extremely uncomfortable for patients who experience constant flare-ups. As a result, doctors and dermatologists recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks to prevent triggering flare-ups and reducing medication efficacy.
For many people with psoriasis, alcohol is among the most common triggers for flares.
Brendan Camp, M.D, a dermatologist from New York-based MDCS Dermatology, says that alcohol is tied to more severe symptoms in psoriasis patients. He added that psoriasis patients who drink alcohol frequently could also make their medication less effective and increase their risk of developing associated medical conditions. Ironically, psoriasis patients are more likely to be heavy alcohol drinkers partly due to the mental health effects associated with the condition.
Prior research has found that the risk of developing depression in psoriasis patients increases as the condition becomes more severe, with women, children and older people being more likely to develop depression compared to men.
A review of prior alcohol and psoriasis studies has found that while alcohol is not responsible for causing psoriasis, it can make the condition more difficult to manage. Alcohol is one of the many triggers that can cause flare-ups in people with psoriasis. Depending on the particular individual, any kind of environmental and emotional stressor can increase inflammation in the skin and cause a flare-up, Schweiger Dermatology Group dermatologist Erum Ilyas MD says.
The recent review explained that some of the chemicals produced by the body as it metabolizes alcohol can result in systemic inflammation. Additionally, these chemicals can also increase skin cell development and boost the growth of psoriasis skin scales on top of affecting the barrier of fat that keeps the outer layer of the skin protected.
The paper noted that although a sole glass of wine could not cause a significant increase in symptoms, constant drinking can increase your body’s stress burden and leave you with a higher baseline of inflammation. According to Illyas, activities such as smoking, alcohol and stressful activities in general could all compound the severity of psoriasis symptoms and make managing the condition a lot more difficult. Severe and poorly managed psoriasis can also lead to associated health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, psoriatic arthritis and liver disease, an American Journal of Clinical Dermatology review notes.
These psoriasis complications can be avoided by seeing one’s doctor and getting a recommendation to use any of the several products available on the market, such as those from Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) or other approved manufacturers.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/JUPW
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that causes patches of scaly, itchy skin on the scalp, elbows, knees and trunk. Although the condition is not life threatening, it can be painful and extremely uncomfortable for patients who experience constant flare-ups. As a result, doctors and dermatologists recommend avoiding certain foods and drinks to prevent triggering flare-ups and reducing medication efficacy.
For many people with psoriasis, alcohol is among the most common triggers for flares.
Brendan Camp, M.D, a dermatologist from New York-based MDCS Dermatology, says that alcohol is tied to more severe symptoms in psoriasis patients. He added that psoriasis patients who drink alcohol frequently could also make their medication less effective and increase their risk of developing associated medical conditions. Ironically, psoriasis patients are more likely to be heavy alcohol drinkers partly due to the mental health effects associated with the condition.
Prior research has found that the risk of developing depression in psoriasis patients increases as the condition becomes more severe, with women, children and older people being more likely to develop depression compared to men.
A review of prior alcohol and psoriasis studies has found that while alcohol is not responsible for causing psoriasis, it can make the condition more difficult to manage. Alcohol is one of the many triggers that can cause flare-ups in people with psoriasis. Depending on the particular individual, any kind of environmental and emotional stressor can increase inflammation in the skin and cause a flare-up, Schweiger Dermatology Group dermatologist Erum Ilyas MD says.
The recent review explained that some of the chemicals produced by the body as it metabolizes alcohol can result in systemic inflammation. Additionally, these chemicals can also increase skin cell development and boost the growth of psoriasis skin scales on top of affecting the barrier of fat that keeps the outer layer of the skin protected.
The paper noted that although a sole glass of wine could not cause a significant increase in symptoms, constant drinking can increase your body’s stress burden and leave you with a higher baseline of inflammation. According to Illyas, activities such as smoking, alcohol and stressful activities in general could all compound the severity of psoriasis symptoms and make managing the condition a lot more difficult. Severe and poorly managed psoriasis can also lead to associated health conditions, including cancer, heart disease, psoriatic arthritis and liver disease, an American Journal of Clinical Dermatology review notes.
These psoriasis complications can be avoided by seeing one’s doctor and getting a recommendation to use any of the several products available on the market, such as those from Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) or other approved manufacturers.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Jupiter Wellness Inc. (NASDAQ: JUPW) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/JUPW
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the BioMedWire website applicable to all content provided by BMW, wherever published or re-published: http://BMW.fm/Disclaimer
