Jul 31, 2026

Psoriasis: What It Is, What Triggers It, and How Skincare Fits In

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition that causes skin cells to turn over far faster than normal, building up into raised, scaly plaques. It affects around 2 to 3% of the population, is not contagious, and is managed with medical treatment. Barrier-focused skincare can support comfort alongside treatment, but does not replace it.

August is Psoriasis Awareness Month, and most people still think of it as a skin problem. It isn't, not entirely. Psoriasis is an immune system working in overdrive, one that can raise the risk of conditions like diabetes and heart disease alongside the plaques most people associate it with. Around 2 to 3% of the population lives with it, and understanding what's actually happening under the skin changes how it gets managed.

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated condition that causes skin cells to turn over far faster than normal, building up into raised, scaly plaques, often on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back. It isn't contagious and isn't caused by poor hygiene. It's managed with medical treatment, and skincare that supports the skin barrier can help alongside that, though it doesn't replace it.

What Causes Psoriasis?

In psoriasis, the immune system becomes overactive and speeds up skin cell production dramatically, cells that would normally take around a month to mature and shed are pushed to the surface in just a few days. That rapid turnover doesn't leave time for cells to shed properly, so they build up into the thickened, scaly plaques associated with psoriasis. There's a strong genetic component, so it often runs in families, though not everyone with a genetic predisposition will develop it.

What Triggers a Psoriasis Flare?

Common triggers include stress, infections, certain medications, alcohol, smoking, and skin injury, cuts, scrapes, or even sunburn can trigger new plaques to form at the site, a phenomenon known as the Koebner response. Weather plays a role too, with many people finding psoriasis worsens in winter when skin is drier and gets less natural sunlight. Triggers vary considerably from person to person, which is part of why management tends to be individual rather than one-size-fits-all.

Is Psoriasis Linked to Joint Pain?

Yes, for some people. Psoriatic arthritis is a related autoimmune condition that can cause joint pain and swelling alongside skin symptoms, and it's more common in people with psoriasis than in the general population. Professor Nicola Ralph covered this connection in detail in the Irish Independent, explaining what symptoms to watch for and why early recognition matters.

Does Psoriasis Affect More Than the Skin?

Yes, in more extensive cases. Because psoriasis is driven by inflammation circulating through the body rather than a problem confined to the skin, moderate to severe psoriasis is linked to a higher risk of related conditions, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disease. It's one of the reasons dermatologists treat psoriasis as a systemic condition rather than a purely cosmetic one, and why ongoing monitoring matters even once the skin itself is under control.

How Is Psoriasis Actually Treated?

Treatment depends on severity and typically starts with topical options like corticosteroids or vitamin D analogues, moving to phototherapy or systemic treatments, including biologics, for more extensive or stubborn cases. This is medical, prescription-led treatment, not something a skincare routine can replace.

Professor Caitriona Ryan, who has published a textbook, six book chapters, and more than 70 papers on psoriasis, sums up the approach: "The key to successful psoriasis management is working with your dermatologist to find a treatment plan that's right for you. With the advent of newer targeted biologic treatments, the vast majority of patients with severe psoriasis can achieve near clearance of their disease."

What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Manage Psoriasis?

Medication is the foundation of treatment, but several everyday factors influence how active psoriasis is. Excess weight is linked to more severe disease, since fat tissue produces inflammatory compounds that can drive flares, and maintaining a healthy weight can also make biologic treatments more effective. Smoking is an independent risk factor for developing psoriasis and can worsen its cardiovascular complications, while heavy alcohol intake is associated with more severe disease. Stress is one of the most commonly reported triggers, and there's evidence that mindfulness-based approaches can ease both the psychological impact of psoriasis and its clinical severity. None of this replaces prescribed treatment, but alongside it, these changes can meaningfully affect how psoriasis behaves day to day.

Can Skincare Help Alongside Treatment?

Yes, in a supporting role. Gentle, fragrance-free cleansing and a urea-based moisturiser can reduce scaling and improve comfort between and alongside medical treatment, since psoriasis-prone skin tends to lose moisture more easily than typical skin. CLn BodyWash, La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP+ Cream Wash, and CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser are all suited to that first step, cleansing without stripping already-compromised skin. Sorato EU10 Intensive Moisturising Cream and Elave Intensive Ointment both sit in the barrier-repair category that follows, softening plaques and easing the tightness many people describe, without active ingredients that would interfere with prescribed treatment.

One Important Note: Skincare Supports Treatment, It Doesn't Replace It

A good moisturising routine can make psoriasis more comfortable day to day, but it won't clear plaques on its own or address the underlying immune activity driving the condition. Never stop or adjust a prescribed psoriasis treatment without speaking to the dermatologist or GP managing it, even if skin symptoms improve.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is psoriasis contagious?

No. Psoriasis is an immune-mediated condition, not an infection, and cannot be passed from person to person through contact.

Is psoriasis the same as eczema?

No, though they can look similar. Psoriasis plaques tend to be more clearly defined with a thicker, silvery scale, while eczema tends to be more diffusely red and itchy. A dermatologist can distinguish between the two, since treatment approaches differ.

Does diet affect psoriasis?

Diet isn't a primary driver of psoriasis, though some people report certain foods or alcohol worsening flares. There's no universal dietary fix, and any significant dietary changes are worth discussing with a GP or dermatologist rather than self-managing alone.

Can stress really trigger a flare?

Yes. Stress is one of the most commonly reported triggers for psoriasis flares, likely through its effect on immune function, though the exact mechanism isn't fully understood.

Does psoriasis run in families?

It has a genetic component and often does run in families, though having a relative with psoriasis doesn't guarantee someone else will develop it.

Will psoriasis go away permanently?

Psoriasis is a chronic condition with no permanent cure, but it can be well controlled with the right treatment. Many people experience periods of remission where symptoms improve significantly or clear for extended periods.

Can sunbeds help with psoriasis?

No, and sunbeds should never be used as a psoriasis treatment. Medical phototherapy, which some people with psoriasis are treated with, uses specific wavelengths and controlled doses under direct dermatologist supervision. A sunbed is not a substitute: it delivers uncontrolled, unfiltered UV exposure with no medical oversight, and carries a significantly increased risk of skin cancer. Anyone considering phototherapy for their psoriasis should raise it with their dermatologist, not attempt to replicate it with a sunbed.