Winter triggers surge in psoriasis: all the information to know

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On 26/12/2024

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Trigger warning! Some of the pictures in the article may look disturbing for some people.

Why silvery-white keratin ‘psoriasis’ is called a winter disease?

- Psoriasis skin symptoms become more noticeable during the dry winter months... However, it is not epidemic;

- First, the disease is common for people in their 20s, but if it occurs at a younger age, the cause is more severe;

- It affects not only skin diseases but also systemic inflammatory diseases, joints, and cardiovascular diseases;

- When treating psoriasis, skin itchiness must be managed as well to increase satisfaction and a good quality of life;

- People should avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, plus avoid excessive skin wounds and irritation to prevent psoriasis from worsening;

- Recently, remarkable results have been shown in the treatment of psoriasis with the introduction of highly effective treatments.

Psoriasis is a representative chronic inflammatory disease. The typical symptom is a thick plate of silvery-white dead skin cells that appear on the skin, frequently occurring in the scalp, knees, elbows, and buttocks, with episodes of worsening and improving repeatedly.

Patients with psoriasis often have difficulty interacting with others and become withdrawn due to prominent skin lesions. In particular, there are many cases where people with this illness are misunderstood to be infectious or not washing well. Accordingly, most psoriasis patients experience a serious decline in quality of life, and some studies show that the quality of life is lower if psoriasis is severe or occurs at a young age (2017 study on the impact of psoriasis on quality of life).

The skin symptoms of psoriasis are usually more noticeable during the dry and cold winter months. So let us learn about psoriasis in the winter with the help of Kim Hye-Seong, a dermatology professor at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, Catholic University of Korea.

Psoriasis patients vary greatly depending on race, climate, and region of their places of residence. It is estimated that 2-3% of the world's population are patients with psoriasis. Psoriasis can occur at any age, from children to the elderly people, but it most commonly occurs for the first time in the 20s. If psoriasis starts at a young age, you are more likely to have a family history of psoriasis or have a more severe cause than if it starts in the middle age or later.

The cause of psoriasis is not yet clear, but it is reported to be due to an innate immune system imbalance. Among immune cells, Th1 and Th17 cells are activated and secrete various inflammatory substances, stimulating the proliferation of keratinocytes. In addition to environmental factors, skin trauma such as tattoos, infection, cold and dry climate, stress, and certain medications are known to be factors that worsen or cause psoriasis.

It would be a mistake to think that psoriasis is a disease limited to the skin. Psoriasis is a systemic inflammatory disease that affects various areas, including the skin, joints, and cardiovascular system. In fact, it has been revealed that psoriasis patients are much more likely to suffer from joint deformity, myocardial infarction, stroke, diabetes (type 2), inflammatory bowel disease, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, and metabolic syndrome than the general population, even though the main symptom is skin itching.

Nowadays, unlike in the past, systemic treatment is recommended even if the skin lesions of psoriasis are limited. In particular, psoriasis can cause joint deformation and affect the cardiovascular system over time, so active early intervention is needed at a preventive level.

Kim Hye-Seong, the professor of dermatology at Incheon St. Mary's Hospital of the Catholic University of Korea, said, “Psoriasis treatment has recently shown remarkable results with the introduction of biological agents,” and emphasized, “All psoriasis skin lesions can disappear with just initial treatment.” However, added, that “We must remember that, like high blood pressure or diabetes, it requires constant maintenance, management, and treatment.”

To prevent psoriasis from worsening, it is best to refrain from drinking or smoking and avoid actions that may damage or irritate the skin. Getting a tattoo can cause psoriasis in that area. It is also important to be careful with the upper layer of the skin. If it is dry, dead skin cells appear more prominent, so it is best to apply moisturizer well.

Some people adjust their diet to a plant-based diet, but it has not been proven to help with psoriasis. Rather than severely restricting food, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet. However, as psoriasis patients often have cardiovascular disease and obesity, it is best to refrain from carbohydrates, sugar, and greasy foods to control weight.

Professor Kim Hye-Seong also said, "If psoriasis is treated with biological agents in the early stages, you can live without skin lesions to the point where you forget that you are a patient." she added, "Maintain a regular lifestyle and visit a dermatology hospital. It is important to be diagnosed and treated on time”.