6 Common Psoriatic Arthritis Triggers

Among the millions of people who have the chronic skin condition called psoriasis, many go on to develop an inflammatory condition of the joints called psoriatic arthritis. People who get psoriatic arthritis must have the genes that cause it. However, you must also be exposed to external factors around you known as “triggers.” Triggers of psoriatic arthritis are not the same for everyone. To successfully manage your psoriatic arthritis, it’s important to understand what triggers your flare ups. Here are 6 common triggers that you may experience.

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  1. Stress

  The chemicals your body releases when you're under stress can cause psoriatic arthritis or aggravate existing psoriatic arthritis. This disease can be particularly discouraging because chronic joint pain can cause emotional and social distress. A counselor or therapist can help you figure out coping strategies to reduce your stress levels. Some strategies to reduce stress include yoga, meditation, listening to music, or going for a walk. The support of friends and family can also make a major positive impact when facing the challenges of psoriatic arthritis. For many people, online or live support groups can offer the same benefits.
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  2. Injury to Skin

  Psoriatic arthritis can flare up when the skin is injured or traumatized. This is called the Koebner phenomenon. In people with psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis, Koebner phenomenon can be caused by an injury to the skin, vaccinations, sunburns, or even scratches. Luckily, the Koebner phenonmenon can be treated if you notice it early enough and visit your doctor.
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  3. Medications

  Certain medications you may take for other conditions can trigger psoriatic arthritis. It is important to inform the doctor treating your psoriatic arthritis about the medications you currently take or any new medications you start.
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  4. Infection

  Anything that affects your immune system can trigger psoriatic arthritis. In particular, infections can cause your immune system to go into overdrive and cause a flare up. Some examples of common infections include strep throat, ear infections, bronchitis, tonsillitis or other repiratory infections. In some cases, you may not even realize you have an infection until your psoriatic arthritis flares up. Either way, it is important to see your doctor if you suspect you have an infection.
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  5. Diet

  Poor diet can lead to weight gain and poor overall health. Weight gain can cause more stress on your joints and poor overall health can trigger flare ups. Types of food that can cause weight gain and increase inflammation are foods high in sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, and processed carbohydrates (white breads, pastas, pastries, and some cereals). It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Healthy foods that can reduce inflammation and help your overall health include green leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, olive oil, and fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines).
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  6. Alcohol and Smoking

  Alcohol and smoking may also trigger psoriatic arthritis. In fact, heavy drinking has been proven to increase flare ups of psoriatic arthritis, especially in women. This happens because smoking and drinking alcohol contribute to overall poor health and can increase inflammation throughout the body. Drinking alcohol can also interfere with medications. This means it can increase the side effects or it can lower the effectiveness of the medication you take to treat psoriatic arthritis. Alcohol and smoking may also cause your body to not respond as well to psoriatic arthritis medication. Therefore, your psoriatic arthritis is more likely to stay under control if you quit smoking and reduce the amount of alcohol you drink.