Most researchers agree that the immune system is somehow mistakenly triggered, leading to psoriasis. But there are other triggers—things that set off your psoriasis—that are within your control.

Psoriasis triggers you can control

What may cause one person’s psoriasis to become active, may not affect your own. There are, however, certain common psoriasis triggers. They include:

• Stress
• Cold weather
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Injury to the skin (such as vaccinations, sunburns and scratches)
• Certain medications (including lithium, commonly prescribed for bipolar disorder; certain high blood pressure medications, such as beta blockers, antimalarial drugs, and iodides)