Improving your health through maintaining a good weight and avoiding certain bad habits is not specific to psoriasis but it can make it easier to cope with the condition and reduce its impact on your quality of life. A healthy lifestyle can also help to reduce the risk of developing other conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Ideally, all of us should:

• • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Not smoke
  • Drink alcohol in moderation, or not at all
  • Manage our stress

Things which can be particularly bad for psoriasis patients include:

Stress: Emotional stress has been linked to the development of psoriasis and may be a factor in flare-ups¹⁸ and itching. Most of us can’t avoid stress completely, but there are a number of ways to manage it more effectively.¹⁹ If you are suffering from stress ask your doctor for advice on ways to help you cope with it.

Weight:²⁰ Many people with psoriasis live a sedentary lifestyle and have an increased risk of gaining excess weight. Being overweight can make it difficult to treat plaques in the creases or folds of the skin.

Smoking:^13,20,21 Studies suggest that smokers have an increased risk of developing psoriasis. Smoking, particularly for a long time and being a heavy smoker, greatly increases the risk of heart disease. Smoking can also impact on how well some medications work.⁴ Quitting is not easy but your doctor can help and support you.

Alcohol: There is evidence that excessive alcohol consumption can increase the risk of psoriasis.¹² Some medications for psoriasis can also interact with alcohol. You need to talk to your doctor or pharmacist about any possible interactions.

High Cholesterol: Many people with chronic diseases have high levels of cholesterol in their blood, and people with psoriasis are no exception.⁴