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Why me? Understanding the causes of psoriasis

At first, it might just seem like irritated skin – a bit of dryness on your elbow, redness behind your knees, or a small scaly patch that won’t go away. You try creams, change your soap, blame the weather. But when the itching doesn’t stop and the patches only get worse, frustration sets in. That’s when the question hits: “Why is this happening to me?”

Psoriasis has a way of showing up without warning and staying without explanation. While it may feel random and unfair, as though your body is working against you, there’s often more to the story: one that involves both your genes and your surroundings.

Man with psoriasis

A closer look at psoriasis

Over 125** million people worldwide live with psoriasis, making it one of the most common chronic skin conditions. Yet despite how widespread it is, it remains highly misunderstood.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells, causing them to multiply much faster than normal. Instead of renewing every few weeks, new skin cells build up in just days, leading to red, thickened patches covered in silvery scales. These plaques often itch, crack, or burn.

It’s important to know that psoriasis is not contagious: you cannot catch it or spread it by touch. It does not have a single cause, but develops through a combination of genetic factors and external triggers, which vary from person to person.

Diagnosing psoriasis

Family ties: how genes influence psoriasis

Psoriasis often runs in families. In fact, about 30% of people with the condition have a close relative who also has it. One gene in particular, HLA-Cw6, has been closely linked to cases that begin early in life.

But carrying the genes doesn’t mean you are destined to develop psoriasis. Many people with a genetic risk never experience a single flare. That’s because genes alone are not enough. Something in your environment usually needs to trigger it.

So, while you may be born with the tendency, it’s only part of the picture.

Woman and child

What triggers psoriasis to flare up?

While genetics increases the risk, psoriasis usually needs something to “wake it up,” and that something is often found in your daily life. These environmental triggers can vary widely from person to person.

Understanding your personal triggers won’t cure psoriasis, but it can help you manage flare-ups more effectively and even reduce how often they occur.

Here are some of the most common environmental triggers:

Infections

Infections such as strep throat, tonsillitis, or skin infections can trigger psoriasis by overstimulating the immune system, especially in younger people. A type called guttate psoriasis, which appears as small red spots, is often linked to strep infections.

Stress

Emotional stress is one of the most reported triggers. It doesn’t just affect your mental state; it impacts your immune system, too, which can lead to inflammation and flare-ups. Unfortunately, having psoriasis can also cause stress, creating a frustrating cycle.

Skin injuries (Koebner phenomenon)

Even small injuries such as cuts, scrapes, insect bites, or sunburn can cause new psoriasis plaques to form in those areas. This reaction, known as the Koebner phenomenon, occurs in about 25–30% of people with psoriasis.

Certain medications

Some prescription drugs are known to worsen psoriasis in certain people, including:

  • beta-blockers (used for high blood pressure);
  • lithium (used in mental health treatment); and
  • antimalarials (such as hydroxychloroquine).

*Always speak to your doctor before stopping or changing any medication.

Alcohol and smoking

Both drinking and smoking have been linked to more frequent or severe psoriasis flare-ups. They can affect immune response, skin health, and even how well treatments work.

Cold, dry weather

Winter often proves difficult for people with psoriasis. Low humidity, cold air, and less sunlight can all make symptoms worse. Many notice flare-ups during colder months and improvement in the summer.

Four steps to managing your flare-ups  

Psoriasis doesn’t follow a script. One person’s trigger may not affect someone else at all. That’s why identifying what sets your skin off can make a real difference.

Here’s how you can start decoding your personal psoriasis pattern:

1. Track your flares


Use a notebook or an app to log when flare-ups occur. Note things like stress, illness, travel, weather changes, new products, or medication.

2. Look for patterns


Review your notes after a few flares. Do certain situations keep showing up – such as cold weather, lack of sleep, or emotional stress?

3. Test one change at a time


If you suspect a trigger, adjust just one factor. Try a humidifier, tweak your routine, or simplify your skincare. Small steps make patterns easier to identify.

4. Get expert input


A dermatologist can help confirm or rule out triggers and guide you towards personalised solutions.

Skin analysis

Psoriasis relief you can reach for – every single day

You can’t always control your skin’s next flare-up, but you can prepare for it with a product that goes beyond cosmetics.

PsoriasisFAR CREAM PRO is a dermatologically tested medical device, designed to relieve the symptoms of chronic inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and neurodermatitis.

Its carefully developed formula combines Dead Sea minerals, clinically used urea, and soothing magnesium chloride, helping calm irritation, reduce redness, and support the skin’s natural repair mechanisms.

Whether you are in the middle of a flare or working to prevent one, it provides targeted relief when your skin needs it most.

PsoriasisFAR CREAM PRO

  • Clinically tested support for eczema, psoriasis, and neurodermatitis
  • Calms inflammation and soothes itching, redness, and burning
  • Deeply hydrates dry, scaly patches
  • Promotes skin repair during and between flare-ups
  • Protects the skin barrier

Get PsoriasisFAR CREAM PRO >>

The more you understand about your own body, the more power you have to respond, not just react. From tracking flare-ups to adjusting your habits, even small changes can make a real difference over time.

** Sources:

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7122924

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1590  

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/koebner-phenomenon-and-psoriasis