The Link Between Psoriasis and Environmental Allergies

Allergies don’t cause psoriasis, but you may be more likely to have psoriasis if you have environmental allergies.

Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause red, scaly, itchy, or painful patches on your skin when your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells. Experts don’t fully understand the exact cause, but certain triggers can cause psoriasis flare-ups (periods when symptoms appear or worsen).

An environmental allergy is also an inflammatory condition. It occurs when your immune system overreacts to ordinarily harmless substances like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. This reaction can cause allergy symptoms like itching, sneezing, and rashes.

Studies suggest that about 20-30% of people with psoriasis also have allergic rhinitis (inflammation of the nasal passageways from allergens such as pollen, pet dander, or dust mites).

Researchers haven’t found proof that one condition causes the other. The connection is likely because psoriasis and environmental allergies share similar immune system pathways.

Your immune system protects your body from harmful invaders like bacteria, viruses, and other germs by creating inflammation. Inflammation helps your body fight infections and heal injuries. It also causes irritation, swelling, or redness.

When your immune system overreacts, inflammation can trigger conditions such as psoriasis and environmental allergies.

Temporary and sudden stress causes your body to enter fight-or-flight mode. This can reduce your immune system’s ability to respond effectively. Chronic (long-term) stress can cause your immune system to become overstimulated, causing inflammation and increasing your risk of psoriasis or allergy flare-ups.

The relationship among stress, psoriasis, and allergies creates a cycle: Stress may worsen symptoms of either condition, and experiencing these symptoms can cause more stress.

Managing psoriasis and environmental allergies often requires different treatment strategies. However, both conditions may benefit from identifying triggers, reducing inflammation, and managing stress. 

Psoriasis

Treating psoriasis involves reducing inflammation, slowing skin cell growth, and managing flare-ups. Treatment and management options include:

• Biologics: Medications like Stelara (ustekinumab) and Cosentyx (secukinumab) target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation. 
• Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors: In people with psoriatic arthritis (psoriasis associated with joint inflammation), medications like Xeljanz (tofacitinib) and Rinvoq (upadacitinib) block enzymes that contribute to inflammation.
• Lifestyle changes: Avoiding triggers, reducing alcohol use, avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy weight for you, and exercising regularly can help.
• Light therapy: Controlled ultraviolet (UV) light helps slow skin cell growth to improve your skin’s appearance.
• Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitors: Otezla (apremilast) helps reduce inflammation by targeting an enzyme that affects inflammation.
• Steroids: Prescription topical (on-the-skin) steroid creams can help reduce redness and scaling. Examples include Clobex (clobetasol propionate), Dovonex (calcipotriene), and Tazorac (tazarotene).
• Stress management: Techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing can help lower stress and reduce flare-ups.

Environmental Allergies

Managing allergies involves reducing exposure to allergens, relieving symptoms, or improving your body’s response to an allergen. Options include:

• Antihistamines: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines include Zyrtec (cetirizine), Claritin (loratadine), and Allegra (fexofenadine).
• Nasal sprays: OTC or prescription nose sprays help relieve nasal symptoms and reduce inflammation. Examples include Flonase (fluticasone propionate), Astepro (azelastine hydrochloride), and NasalCrom (cromolyn sodium).
• Avoidance strategies: Minimize your contact with allergens by using air purifiers, cleaning regularly, and avoiding triggers.
• Immunotherapy: Allergy shots or sublingual (under-the-tongue) tablets can help your body build tolerance to specific allergens. 
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs): These oral medications help block chemicals your body releases during an allergic reaction. LTRAs include Singulair (montelukast) and Accolate (zafirlukast).
• Stress management: Practicing relaxation techniques can help reduce your body’s immune response and associated symptoms.

For psoriasis, it’s important to contact a provider if you notice:

• Joint pain or swelling, which could indicate psoriatic arthritis
• Painful, inflamed patches of skin that don’t respond to treatments
• Significant discomfort that affects your quality of life

For allergies, you may want to seek medical attention if you experience these symptoms, especially if they do not resolve with treatment:

• Coughing
• Itching
• Rashes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Sneezing
• Watery or red eyes

Seek emergency care right away if you experience:

• Difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness
• Swelling of your face, lips, or throat

A primary care provider can help you manage symptoms and determine if you need specialized care. They may refer you to a dermatologist (a skin condition specialist) for psoriasis or an allergist (an allergy specialist) for allergies. The correct diagnosis helps you manage one or both conditions. 

Psoriasis and allergies occur when your immune system overreacts, resulting in symptoms such as itching, redness, and discomfort. There is no scientific evidence that one causes the other, but due to similar triggers and immune system pathways, you may be more likely to have one if you have the other.

Managing each condition separately is important. See a healthcare provider if your symptoms do not improve, worsen, or become difficult to manage in your daily life. Seek emergency medical care if you have trouble breathing, chest tightness, or facial swelling.