Psoriasis and Alcohol: What's the Link?

Date: Dec-11-2016 Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes your immune system to overproduce skin cells. Symptoms of psoriasis include thickened, red, scaly and itchy skin patches.

The exact cause of why people have psoriasis is unknown, although genetic factors appear to play a role. A person with psoriasis will find that it is worse at some times than others and that certain triggers can cause it to flare up.

The condition arises when skin cells reproduce too quickly. Skin cells normally reproduce every 28 to 30 days, but in plaque psoriasis, an overactive immune system means that they reproduce every 3 to 4 days. As they rise to the skin's surface, the skin is unable to shed them quickly enough.

This causes the visible skin to appear thick and red and feel itchy.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, psoriasis affects about 2 to 3 percent of the population. It is most likely to affect people between the ages of 20 to 30 years and 50 to 60 years. It affects males and females equally. Around 30 percent of people with psoriasis also have psoriatic arthritis.

Contents of this article:

Causes and triggers for psoriasis

How does drinking alcohol affect psoriasis?

Are any types of alcohol "better" for people with psoriasis?

Causes and triggers for psoriasis

Psoriasis may flare up with different triggers.

Psoriasis has been linked to metabolic syndrome, which combines obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease.

A person with psoriasis can find that their condition varies. Psoriasis tends to flare up in response to certain triggers.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, the following have been linked to worsening psoriasis:

Stress can cause it to appear for the first time or to worsen

Injury to skin, due, for example, to sunburn, scratches or a vaccination

Certain medications

Infection, and especially strep throat in children

Some people find that dietary factors, the weather, and allergies can make their condition worse.

How does drinking alcohol affect psoriasis?

A number of skin problems have been linked to excess alcohol use, largely because of the damage caused by alcohol to various organ systems.

Examples include:

Spider angiomata, in which small, dilated blood vessels cluster near to the skin

Palmar erythema, which is a reddening of the skin on the palms of the hands

Pruritis, which causes the skin to feel itchy

Bacterial and fungal skin infections are also more common among people who drink large amounts of alcohol. Causes of bacterial infection in such patients include Group A streptococci, Corynebacterium, and Staphylococcus aureus.

It has also been suggested that excessive alcohol consumption may aggravate the symptoms of psoriasis.

The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism note that alcohol can have a "detrimental effect" on psoriasis, especially among males.

While research has not confirmed a link between alcohol and psoriasis, there is evidence that people that consume alcohol have a greater likelihood of having psoriasis than the general population.

A study of 82,869 women over a period of 14 years showed that women who consume more than 2 to 3 alcoholic beverages in a week are more likely to experience the onset of psoriasis.

Alcohol consumption may affect people in different ways.

Consuming "non-light beer" also appeared to aggravate the risk in females.

Men who consume more than 100 grams per day of alcohol consumption were more likely to have a new case of psoriasis or to experience a worsening of the symptoms.

Studies have noted that when psoriasis emerges in people who drink large amounts of alcohol, it tends to affect the backs of the hands and the fingers. This is similar to symptoms experienced by people with HIV.

For this reason, experts believe there may be a link between alcohol, immune dysfunction, and psoriasis.

Alcohol may also increase the production of inflammatory cytokines and cell cycle activators, say the NIAAA. This could then cause the skin cells to regenerate excessively.

People who consume excessive amounts of alcohol may also be less likely to adhere to their treatment plan, and this, too, can lead to a more severe progression of the disease. Alcohol consumption may also decrease the body's ability to process medications effectively.

In women of child-bearing age, the medications used for psoriasis may have hazardous side effects when consumed with alcohol.

Alcohol consumption also leads to dehydration and vitamin deficiency. This includes vitamins B, E and A. Good hydration and a sufficient supply of vitamins are needed for healthy skin, regardless of whether a person has psoriasis or not. For someone with psoriasis, a lack of hydration and essential vitamins further reduces the chance of healthy skin.

Finally, apart from potentially reducing the body's immune function, regular alcohol consumption can have a detrimental effect on other organs, such as the liver, and this, too, can impact the immune system, weakening its ability to cope with further problems.

Are any types of alcohol "better" for people with psoriasis?

There is no evidence that any type of alcohol is better for people with psoriasis.

Alcohol consumption affects individuals differently. Factors such as body mass, weight, gender, eating habits, and drinking habits will influence how alcohol affects the body.

Some people with psoriasis experience an "outbreak" after drinking, while for others, there is no change.

The bottom line

Scientists have not confirmed that consuming alcohol leads to psoriasis, but there is sufficient evidence to say that alcohol can trigger new psoriasis diagnosis or exacerbate a current condition.

In a systematic review of 23 studies, published in 2013, 18 studies found a link between alcohol consumption and psoriasis, while five did not.

The authors conclude:

"Alcohol consumption seems to be greater in psoriasis patients than in the general population. However, there is not enough evidence to establish whether alcohol consumption is indeed a risk factor for psoriasis."

Even if there is no direct link between psoriasis and alcohol, both alcohol and drug treatments, such as methotrexate put extra strain on the liver. Chronic use of both alcohol and medication can lead to long-term liver damage.

For people with psoriasis, the best advice appears to be to go easy on the alcohol.

Written by Jenny Fitzgerald

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.