Direct trauma, such as a cut or a wound, can trigger psoriasis. This happens due to the Koebner phenomenon—a reaction that causes new psoriasis plaques to form whenever you experience a skin infection or injury.
To help prevent such injuries, maintaining a healthy skin should be a must. If there is a need to perform activities that increases your risk of skin injury, extra precautions should be taken, including:
- Applying sunscreen (SPF 30 or above, with no added scents, chemicals or strong preservatives).
- Wearing a hat when spending extended periods under the sun.
- Applying a bug repellent -containing 20 percent or less of diethyltoluamide (DEET)- before going to areas where insects are present.
- Wearing long sleeves and gloves when gardening.
Remember, by minimizing the risk of skin injuries, you could be one step closer to preventing psoriasis outbreaks.
References
- Healthline. [Internet]. Psoriasis prevention. Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis-prevention#medications-to-avoid. Accessed: 2/07/2018.
- Everyday Health. [Internet] How to handle bug bites if you have psoriasis. Available at. https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/living-with/how-handle-bug-bites-you-have-psoriasis/. Accessed: 25/07/2018.