The Link Between Psoriasis And COVID

The Risk of COVID-19 On People With Psoriasis

The coronavirus has affected millions of people worldwide, challenging even the healthiest individuals with strong immune systems. So, if you have a compromised immune system, it’s only logical to worry that you might have an increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 virus.

If you have a psoriatic disease or any chronic health condition, you may be more vulnerable to the virus and may fall severely ill. The infection risk gets higher if you’re 65 or older since you’ll have a weaker immune system. But aside from your physical health, you also have to observe your mental well-being.

Being on guard at all times can be stressful and draining. In this pandemic, COVID-related stress is not uncommon among households. The inability to go out anytime and anywhere you want to, the limited interaction with other people and the environment, and the risk of catching the virus all contribute to stress. Add to that the uncertainty of public regulations – like the on and off enforcement of lockdowns – and you’ll find dealing with stress on an everyday basis. 

As an individual suffering from chronic skin conditions like psoriasis, you know that stress is one of the common flare-up triggers. Exercise and meditation are the best practises to reduce stress and keep your skin healthy. Combining these with a healthy diet can boost your immunity which helps reduce the risk of getting severely infected by the virus.

Aside from stress, what else is there between psoriasis and COVID? Are there reports or studies directly linking them? What are the recommendations for managing psoriasis and COVID?

What Studies Say About Psoriasis and COVID-19

Cases of psoriasis exacerbation have been reported on COVID-positive patients with a history of the skin condition

There was a reported case wherein a 71-year-old woman with no skin lesions but with a history of psoriasis was diagnosed with COVID-19. The patient experienced a flare-up of symptoms after receiving hydroxychloroquine for COVID treatment. The use of hydroxychloroquine is one of the possible causes of the flare-up. But it’s likelier that the stress of knowing she contracted the virus has increased her stress levels which is a known psoriasis trigger. 

COVID-19 patients have been found to have increased plasma concentrations of cytokines, which are present during psoriasis flare-ups. This has led experts to conclude that the virus may be an entity that triggers psoriasis in people with skin problems, especially when COVID-19 forces the body into a state of hyperinflammation. A similar case of lesions fell in line with this theory when a 38-year old man with a history of plaque psoriasis experienced flare-ups after contracting the virus. 

But in a broader study on the relationship between psoriasis and COVID-19, it was concluded that psoriatic arthritis wasn’t among the risk factors affecting the frequency of coronavirus infection. Further studies are needed on psoriasis and COVID-19. Initial findings show that getting infected with coronavirus leads to the production of cytokines which is responsible for triggering psoriasis symptoms. 

While the risk of catching COVID-19 isn’t necessarily higher for individuals with psoriasis, it’s always for the best to take precautionary measures and guard your health.

Coronavirus Vaccines and Psoriasis

Getting vaccinated is recommended to individuals with psoriasis-prone skin

One medical institution reported 14 cases who experienced psoriasis flare-ups after getting vaccinated. Nine of them had a history of mild psoriasis and had not been receiving treatment for their symptoms. A similar case involved a 51-year-old patient diagnosed with psoriasis who had plaques after getting vaccinated. These are mild cases but are worth considering as part of the effort of experts to study the interaction between psoriasis and COVID-19.

On the other hand, many people experienced no difference in their psoriasis symptoms after vaccination. Research on psoriasis patients who had taken their vaccine found that 60% of them did not experience flare-ups and only had manageable side effects post-vaccination.

Experts from the Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance (PAPAA) and the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) recommend psoriasis patients to be immunised against COVID-19 as there’s no widely proven evidence linking psoriasis flares with COVID vaccines. Vaccination may or may not trigger flare-ups of any autoimmune condition, including psoriasis. To be on the safe side, check with your doctor first to know if you’re eligible to be vaccinated.

What Else Can You Do?

While more evidence is needed to establish a direct link between psoriasis and COVID-19, it’s always better to be on guard and do everything to protect yourself against the virus.

So, what can you do? Here’s a list of precautionary measures to practise to minimise the risk of contracting COVID-19.

Practise social distancing

Avoid going outside as much as possible. Wear a mask if you absolutely need to go out. Limit the time you’re exposed to other people and public spaces and maintain social distancing.

Avoid touching your face

Your hands are the likeliest to come in contact with the virus, so don’t touch your face, mouth, or nose when you go out. 

Don’t touch surfaces in public spaces. 

The virus can live on surfaces for days. Since you can’t use alcohol-based sanitizers, it’s best to just avoid touching things directly with your hands.

Maintain proper hygiene and frequently wash your hands.

Washing hands with psoriasis may be difficult because most soaps have chemicals that can trigger flare-ups. Sanitising with alcohol-based sanitizers is also not an option. Use hypoallergenic foaming soaps and avoid those with antibacterial formulas. Rinse well with water to remove all soap residues. 

Stay healthy physically and mentally

Boost your immune system through proper diet and exercise. Manage your stress which is a known trigger for flare-ups. 

Regularly moisturise your skin

Moisturise your skin frequently using petroleum-based creams that are safe on sensitive skin. Medovie products are a good bet because they’re made from natural components and TCM botanicals.

Look out for strange dermatologic symptoms

If you notice any unusual changes in your skin, contact your doctor for further instructions.

Medovie – The Best Option for Helping Those With Skin Conditions

Medovie products are recommended for keeping the skin healthy

Always keeping your guard up and protecting yourself from the virus can take a toll on your mental health. Additionally, you have to keep your skin healthy to minimise the onset of flare-ups. But juggling too many things can result in anxiety and stress which are known to trigger psoriasis flare-ups. 

To keep your skin healthy, use products from Medovie that are easy on psoriasis-prone skin. Our range of products is designed to leave the skin feeling smooth, nourished, and moisturised. They soothe irritation and improve skin texture and appearance so that you won’t get more stressed than you already are. 

Medovie products are made from botanicals naturally found in nature, so you can rest assured that you’re using creams, lotions, and shampoos that are gentle on sensitive skin. Our patented 3HX™ Formula is present in all our products and is made to support healthy skin production inside and out. Check out the reviews from popular channels and the testimonials from individuals who have trusted Medovie products in dealing with their chronic skin problems.