There is nothing better than to end a long, hard day with a wine…or maybe two. It never did anyone any harm. In fact recent studies suggest that a glass or 2 of alcohol each day may even be beneficial for our health.
But what if you have psoriasis?
It is believed that there may be a correlation between psoriasis and alcohol. Many studies have been carried out to determine how strong the correlation is.
Alcohol can trigger an outbreak of psoriasis
The actual cause of psoriasis is still not known. What is known, however, is that certain factors can trigger outbreaks or worsen symptoms. Alcohol is one such factor.
It is suggested that the deficiency of vitamins A and E caused by excessive amounts of alcohol may be the problem. Both of these vitamins are antioxidants which means that they prevent damage to the cells caused by oxidation, which occurs naturally during metabolism. Vitamin A is the base of many psoriasis therapies, so it stands to reason that it is important for the body to have sufficient levels to help control psoriasis.
Psoriasis often causes stress
Looking at it from another angle, suffering from psoriasis is known to create stress. In order to relieve this stress many psoriasis sufferers will increase their alcohol consumption, thus creating a vicious cycle. The more you drink the more susceptible to psoriasis outbreaks and worsening symptoms you are and the worse your psoriasis becomes the more stress you will experience.
Although at this point in time studies are inconclusive, it would appear that there is no harm in the psoriasis sufferer having a drink or two each evening along with the rest of us. The problems arise when the one or two becomes more.
The psoriasis and alcohol combination is more likely to become a problem when the amount of alcohol consumed becomes excessive. The secret is to find another, healthier, less damaging to the body way to control the stress levels associated with psoriasis.