Dr. Ellie Explains Psoriasis Triggers and Stress-Induced Flare-Ups

Dry, flaky patches are spreading across your fingers and causing severe pain. This distressing outbreak demands immediate attention. Dr. Ellie reveals the specific condition behind these symptoms and the triggers worsening your case.

One reader reports suffering mild psoriasis for years before the pandemic escalated their condition to a painful, widespread crisis. Another asks how to manage constant constipation despite a fiber-rich diet and ample water intake.

Dr. Ellie explains that psoriasis is an inflammatory disease causing scaly, itchy skin that flares in waves. Stress acts as a proven catalyst for these painful spells, and the psychological strain of lockdowns heavily impacted many patients.

Common triggers include specific medications, hormonal shifts like menopause, alcohol consumption, and skin damage from injuries or piercings. Medical-grade moisturizers, known as emollients, serve as the first line of defense for patients.

Doctors also prescribe vitamin D-based creams to boost skin health. If these measures fail, steroid creams become the next essential step. These potent medicines reduce inflammation and mellow severe symptoms when used alongside emollients.

Steroid creams require at least a month of consistent use to show results. They come in varying strengths, so GPs will typically offer a more potent alternative if the current dose proves ineffective.

Specific prescription treatments exist for stubborn cases. If skin shows no improvement after three to four months of GP-prescribed therapy, requesting a referral to a dermatologist specializing in psoriasis is entirely reasonable.

Constipation means difficulty or discomfort during bowel movements, often accompanied by infrequency. Normal habits vary wildly between individuals; some open their bowels two or three times daily, while others do so every few days.

Both patterns can be entirely normal. What truly matters is that motions remain comfortable, pain-free, and soft enough to pass without straining. Insufficient dietary fiber remains the most common cause of constipation in Western populations.

Adults need about 30 grams of fiber daily, yet most consume roughly half that amount. Soluble fiber, found in fruit and dried fruit, works alongside insoluble fiber from bran, nuts, and seeds to promote healthy gut bacteria and regular bowel movements.

Eating a broad range of cereals, legumes, dried fruits, and seeds achieves the right balance. However, increasing fiber intake gradually prevents bloating and discomfort from excess gas.

When diet is genuinely excellent but symptoms persist, other underlying causes require closer investigation.

Severe constipation is a distressing symptom that can stem from various underlying causes, ranging from irritable bowel syndrome to diverticulosis. In diverticulosis, small pouches develop in the colon's lining, effectively narrowing the passageway and obstructing the natural movement of stool.

The condition is also frequently triggered by medication side effects, particularly certain painkillers and iron supplements, or by metabolic issues such as an under-active thyroid, where the hormone-producing gland fails to function correctly.

While these are common explanations, it is vital to recognize that in rare instances, persistent constipation may signal cancer. This serious possibility underscores the critical need to consult a GP immediately if symptoms are long-standing or refuse to improve.

To ensure the consultation is as effective as possible, patients are urged to prepare a detailed food and symptom diary in advance. This simple step can provide the medical team with the clearest picture of the patient's condition, facilitating a faster and more accurate diagnosis.

Given the potential risks to community health and the possibility of life-threatening conditions, seeking timely medical advice is not just a recommendation but a necessity for those suffering from unexplained digestive distress.