Psoriasis is a common skin disorder that cannot be cured, but can be treated. Often, this treatment is safe, easy and effective. However, the aggressive treatment of severe psoriasis can sometimes be nearly as harsh as psoriasis itself. Some treatments that are effective for some people do not work for others, so it may take some time to find a treatment that is right for you. Nevertheless, there are many strategies you can employ to deal with the condition and its treatment on a day to day basis.

1. Identify and avoid your triggers. The onset of psoriasis is believed to require a trigger. Triggers may also lead to flare-ups and exacerbations. People with psoriasis can help prevent flare-ups by identifying and avoiding triggers that cause or worsen psoriasis. These may be different for every individual. For example, one person may regularly experience a flare-up of psoriasis whenever he or she gets a sunburn, but another may be unaffected by sunburns. Possible triggers may include:

• Skin injury. These may include cuts, abrasions or sunburns.
  
  
• Emotional stress. Some people experiencing emotional stress may have a flare-up of their psoriasis.
  
  
• Infection. A viral or bacterial infection may trigger a psoriasis flare-up in some people.
  
  
• Certain drugs. These may include antimalarial drugs, beta blockers, which are used to treat high blood pressure, lithium, and the prolonged use of steroids.
  
  
• Climate. Conditions such as a lack of sunlight and dry weather may trigger a flare-up in some people.
  
  
• Obesity. People who become obese may experience psoriasis.
  
  
• Hormonal factors. These may include hypocalcemia, or not enough calcium in the blood, and the hormonal factors involved in pregnancy.
  
  
• Alcohol and smoking. Indulgence in these substances may trigger psoriasis in some people.