While there’s no specific way to prevent psoriasis from developing or flare-ups from occurring, lifestyle changes, such as eating a nutritious diet and not smoking, may reduce your risk of both.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the body’s immune system becomes overactive, causing an overproduction of skin cells that leads to psoriasis symptoms.

People likely develop psoriasis due to a combination of genetics and environmental factors.

If other members of your family have psoriasis, you may have an increased risk of developing it. This is due to specific inherited genes that can cause psoriasis. However, not all people with these genes develop psoriasis.

Research suggests that other factors in your environment, such as exposure to cigarette smoke among other triggers, may cause changes to these genes, triggering psoriasis.

While you can’t change the genes you are born with, you may be able to reduce your risk of developing psoriasis by reducing certain factors that can increase your risk. This may include:

  • avoiding infections like strep throat
  • avoiding skin injury, such as burns
  • avoiding UV light
  • quitting smoking, if you smoke, and avoiding secondhand cigarette smoke
  • maintaining a moderate weight or losing weight if you have overweight or obesity

If you already have psoriasis, symptoms tend to appear in cycles. You may have a period where your symptoms appear or worsen, known as a flare-up, followed by periods where symptoms improve or go away entirely, known as remission.

During remission, the best way to prevent symptoms is to avoid known triggers.

Psoriasis triggers vary from person to person. So it’s important to identify the specific factors that make your symptoms worse and that help relieve them.

Common triggers for psoriasis flare-ups can include:

  • too much sun exposure
  • cold temperatures
  • stress
  • scratches, bug bites, or other injuries to your skin
  • certain medications, including some that treat high blood pressure

Learn more about common psoriasis triggers.

Here are some things you can do to prevent psoriasis flare-ups:

The body tends to have an inflammatory reaction to stress. This response can cause a psoriasis flare-up.

Here are a few methods to try:

  • Yoga: Yoga promotes relaxation of the mind and body, helping to relieve and manage stress.
  • Meditation and relaxation techniques: Meditating, repeating a mantra, or doing deep breathing exercises can help reduce stress.
  • Therapy: You may feel more relaxed after speaking with a therapist about your condition and any other factors that may be causing stress in your life. They may also provide management strategies to help you process and cope with stressors.

Certain medications can interfere with the body’s autoimmune response and cause inflammation, which can trigger psoriasis. These medications include:

  • lithium, which is used to treat mental disorders such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia
  • antimalarial drugs, such as chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), which are used to prevent malaria
  • inderal (Hemangeol), which is used to treat high blood pressure
  • indomethacin (Indocin), which is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat arthritis

Make sure you speak with a doctor about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you’re taking. Your doctor may switch you to another medication or change your dosage if they suspect your medication is causing psoriasis outbreaks.

Never stop taking a prescribed medication without talking with your doctor first, even if you believe your medication is triggering a flare-up. Some medications can cause severe side effects when stopped abruptly.

A doctor can guide you on whether you need to reduce your dosage over time or switch to a new medication before stopping.

Injuries to the skin can trigger psoriasis in some people. This is known as the Koebner phenomenon. Common skin injuries that trigger psoriasis include sunburns and scratches.

Taking good care of your skin can help prevent these types of injuries. When doing activities that may cause skin injury, you can take extra precautions, including:

  • using sunscreen and wearing a hat when spending time outside
  • wearing long sleeves and gloves when gardening
  • applying bug spray before spending time outdoors
  • using caution when engaging in outdoor activities

Call your doctor right away if you notice psoriasis symptoms after a skin injury. When it’s caught early, the Koebner phenomenon can be treated effectively.

Illnesses and infections can trigger a psoriasis flare-up. Infections put physical stress on the immune system, causing an inflammatory reaction.

Strep throat, in particular, commonly triggers the development of guttate psoriasis, especially in children. However, psoriasis flare-ups may occur after:

It’s important to seek treatment right away if you suspect you have an infection. If you have a skin injury, such as a cut or wound, make sure to clean it properly and keep it covered to prevent infection.

Other ways to prevent an infection may include:

  • washing your hands often throughout the day
  • avoiding sharing food, drinks, or eating utensils with other people
  • limiting exposure to people who are sick, especially children
  • masking when in crowded locations indoors, especially during flu season

Overweight and obesity may increase the risk of and worsen psoriasis symptoms. Eating nutritious, balanced meals and getting regular exercise may help prevent and treat these health conditions and improve psoriasis.

Certain foods seem to help reduce inflammation and the occurrence of flare-ups, while in some people, others may increase inflammation in the body, which can potentially trigger psoriasis symptoms.

  • fatty fish, such as salmon and tuna
  • seeds, such as flaxseeds and pumpkin seeds
  • nuts, especially walnuts and almonds
  • green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and kale

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, there’s no specific list of foods that trigger psoriasis. Triggers can vary from person to person, so if you notice a specific food causes symptoms, you may want to avoid it for a time and let your doctor know.

Foods that may cause inflammation in some people include:

  • red meat
  • dairy
  • high fat foods
  • processed foods
  • refined sugars
  • nightshades, such as tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers
  • citrus fruits

You may also benefit from vitamins or supplements if your diet lacks certain nutrients. Consult with a doctor or a nutritionist before adding vitamins or supplements to your diet, as they may interact with certain medications.

You may also be able to choose anti-inflammatory foods when dining out.

Managing overweight and obesity

Like psoriasis, overweight and obesity tend to develop based on a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treating these conditions may involve:

If getting to a moderate weight is difficult, it’s best to talk with a doctor or nutritionist to find a plan that works for you.

Learn about the possible link between psoriasis and body weight.

Identifying and minimizing exposure to your triggers can help reduce or prevent psoriasis flare-ups. Talk with a doctor if you need help identifying your triggers or want suggestions on how to reduce your outbreaks.

Read about how to manage psoriasis symptoms.