Learn how to deal with pain caused by psoriasis

Psoriasis can cause raised red patches of painful, itchy, even blistered skin. And even when it seems to recede, it can come back unexpectedly. We'll teach you more and give you some pain management tips.

• A psoriasis flare-up can be caused by stress, smoking, a current cold or infection, trauma, surgery, cold weather, or conditions that weaken the immune system like alcoholism, HIV, and arthritis. Medicines such as oral prednisone and drugs for high blood pressure like beta-blockers can also make it worse.
• Up to 40 percent of patients with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis, which affects both the skin and the joints. It causes irreversible erosive damage to the joints. If you have persistent joint pain, especially in the small joints such as the hands, wrists, elbows, ankles, or knees, it's important to see your dermatologist or a rheumatologist to prevent the progression to psoriatic arthritis.
• Psoriasis is tough to live with, both because of its visibility and its discomfort. It can lead to infection and cause feelings of anxiety, low self-esteem, and depression. Patients with psoriasis also have a greater incidence of high blood pressure, elevated blood fats including cholesterol and triglycerides, diabetes, and obesity. This puts them at higher risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.
• Make sure your primary care physician regularly monitors you for the development and treatment of other conditions. Your doctor can also offer treatment plans.

Psoriasis, like many other ailments, can be brought on by stress. Stress and pain can stir each other up, and cause one another. Pain itself is stressful, but other factors contribute as well: work, family, bills, major events, and so on.

Stress tightens muscles, speeds up breathing, increases heart rate and blood pressure, and makes pain worse. Tracking stressors and your body's responses can help you learn to get a handle on them, which translates to better pain control. In your stress log keep track of the following:

• The date and time
• The stressor
• Your physical reaction
• Your emotional reaction
• The solution

Psoriasis is a difficult condition to deal with, but there are lots of ways to reduce the impact it has on your health and your life. Use these pointers and be sure to speak with your doctor.