Trigger factors in psoriasis

It is generally agreed that for psoriasis symptoms to manifest themselves there must be a genetic susceptibility (either inherited or spontaneous) along with an external trigger factor. These trigger factors are numerous and varied and science is gradually revealing the pathophysiological mechanisms that make them occur. Some patients will be very clear on what they feel triggers their psoriasis or what makes it feel worse. Others feel that their psoriasis has ‘a life of its own’ and that it improves and worsens randomly with no easily identifiable trigger factors. Thus, as with so many things about psoriasis, the story is never totally straightforward. Trigger factors will impact upon people in different ways and to different extents.