Maintaining good hygiene is crucial for overall health and wellness. However, it has nothing to do with the development of psoriasis, , tells the OnlyMyHealth team.

She describes psoriasis as an immune system illness unrelated to cleanliness and triggered by skin damage, alcohol consumption, obesity, certain drugs, hormonal imbalance, stress, and infections.

She adds that the condition can also result from a mix of hereditary and environmental factors.

About 2% of the population in the United States is affected by psoriasis, according to StatPearls Publishing.

While psoriasis usually affects the skin and causes red, scaly patches, it isn't just a skin problem. It is an autoimmune disease that can affect the entire body and reduce patients' quality of life. In some cases, psoriasis can cause joint pain, also called psoriatic arthritis, increase the risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD), and lead to stress due to the appearance of the skin lesions.

In general, psoriasis occurs due to an overactive immune system, which causes skin cells to regenerate too quickly, leading to the buildup of scales and inflamed patches.

Another myth highlighted by Dr Kamalani is that psoriasis is contagious and can spread from person to person through close contact. “It [psoriasis] is not infectious, which means you cannot get the condition if you touch, hug, kiss, or share food with someone who has psoriasis,” she clarifies.

What causes psoriasis is anything that affects the immune system. This is why you may develop a flare after an ear infection, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or respiratory illness.

In fact, the weather may also cause a flare. “Cold weather can typically trigger psoriasis flares owing to less sunshine and humidity, hotter and drier indoor air, stress, and sickness. Because of the increased humidity and natural sunshine, warm weather may frequently help with psoriasis,” Dr Kamalani shares.

Psoriasis cannot be completely cured, although it may be treated. The therapy aims to relieve skin discomfort and inflammation, eliminate extra dead skin cells, and prevent abnormal skin development.

Dr Kamalani shares that light therapy, oral, topical, and injectable drugs are among the most prevalent psoriasis treatments. 

This is untrue. Psoriasis does not affect everyone the same way; while it is a skin condition that can affect anyone, the severity of symptoms, appearance of lesions, and areas affected can vary from person to person, even depending on skin tone and individual triggers. 

While psoriasis isn’t preventable, nor is it curable, the number of flare-ups can definitely be reduced. Dr Kamalani says, “Psoriasis is linked to metabolic and cardiovascular comorbidities that can be improved with lifestyle modifications such as weight loss. Diet, exercise, weight loss, smoking cessation, and alcohol abstinence are examples of lifestyle therapies that may be useful in the treatment of psoriasis.”

The best foods for people with psoriasis include fish, lean protein, or plant-based proteins like tempeh or tofu; fruits and veggies; legumes (beans and lentils); nuts and seeds; olive oil; and small portions of low-fat dairy and whole grains.

We have come a long way from when psoriasis was medically recognised as a distinct disease. However, we continue to fall prey to myths and misconceptions about the condition. While not everyone develops psoriasis, anyone can get it at any given point in time. Therefore, vigilance is key, and being aware of what psoriasis is, how it is caused or triggered, the symptoms it can cause, and treatment options is extremely crucial.