Psoriasis and tobacco, a link?

Psoriasis and tobacco

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease affecting the skin of the body or scalp. This genetic disease is characterized by the appearance of redness, scales and itching. Several factors trigger an outbreak of psoriasis such as stress, a favorable genetic background or emotional shock.

Other causes exist and can worsen an individual's psoriasis. This will not surprise you, tobacco has many negative effects on our health. But, did you know that smoking also makes your psoriasis worse? The proportion of smokers suffering from psoriasis (50%) is higher than the general population (22%).

Here is new information on psoriasis that we will detail to understand the effects of tobacco on psoriasis and analyze how to find alternatives to this major problem.

The effects of tobacco on the skin

Without expectation, tobacco is a serious health hazard. When we think of the devastating effects of tobacco on our health, we think directly of the lungs, the risks of cardiovascular disease or even cancer.
However, tobacco also affects our skin and this is not insignificant. According to several studies carried out by scientists, there are several effects of the latter on the skin which we will detail below.

Slowdown in skin healing

Smokers have slower skin healing than non-smokers. Tobacco smoke affects many of our cells and tissues. Indeed, several substances of the latter and in particular, carbon monoxide reduce the oxygenation of tissues and poor blood microcirculation.
In 2003, a study was carried out proving that, out of 228 wounds, the infection rate in smokers was 12% compared to 2% in non-smokers.

Other studies have shown that people who smoke at least one pack per day have three times the risk of tissue necrosis than non-smokers.
These healing disorders present serious operational risks subsequently during surgical operations.

Aging of the skin

Aging of the skin is the main effect of tobacco on the skin. The action of smoking will act to accelerate the aging of the smoker's skin. On average, smokers are 4,7 times more likely to notice older, marked skin with:

appearance of early wrinkles,
dry skin,
alteration of elastic tissues,
and grayish complexion.

We recommend taking a vitamin K treatment to regenerate skin damaged by tobacco in particular.

This acceleration is due to the reduction in blood flow to the skin cells. Oxygen and essential nutrients present in the tissues of the epidermis are therefore lacking.

Psoriasis and tobacco, the associated risks

Smokers with psoriasis are more likely to worsen their condition. Researchers from the University of Vancouver and Boston have carried out a study on more than 79 women showing that nicotine as well as the various and numerous toxic substances contained in cigarettes double the risk of developing inflammatory reactions and skin rashes such as psoriasis. The treatment of psoriasis is therefore more difficult subsequently.

Scalp psoriasis, also affected

Hair is in fact damaged by tobacco. In addition, the latter retain in memory, for a certain period of time, everything we ingest. Nicotine or other substance may be identified in smokers' hair.

Certain nutrients are essential for hair to give it shine and vitality. These nutrients are partly amino acids, vitamin B and trace elements. However, smoking deprives them of releasing their active ingredients and causes hair to gray more quickly for smokers. Hair loss is also a consequence of smoking.
Thus, due to the lack of the nutrients mentioned above and hair loss, the scalp is subject to psoriasis. Tobacco is also the enemy of nails and teeth.

Beer yeast can also act on your hair making it silkier and younger.

Stress and cigarettes

Stress and psoriasis have become the best enemies. Indeed, the immune system reacts in the event of stress to defend itself. But stress is not the only factor involved in psoriasis flare-ups or the onset of this disease.

On the other hand, to combat stress, some people opt for cigarettes, creating a vicious circle. Is this illusory? In the meantime, smokers suffering from psoriasis are more resistant to treatment than non-smokers also suffering from this inflammatory disease.

Think about essential oils which help reduce stress, soothe the nervous system and digestive system.

Counteract these harmful effects

Apply specific creams

In people with psoriasis, treatment against this disease and the effects of tobacco is based on the use of natural treatments in order to rebuild the epidermis and above all to hydrate the skin because, in fact, tobacco significantly dries out the skin.

LM Natura offers effective natural care. The use of the Rich Restructuring Cream contributes to good hydration and a good way to eliminate redness, scales and itching in cases of psoriasis (gout psoriasis, red patches on the elbows, skin folds, for example).

Other treatments can relieve this skin disease, such as corticosteroid treatments. Cortisone acts as an anti-inflammatory. It is in fact prescribed against this chronic disease (psoriasis plaques) to calm severe pain and inflammation. When using Rich Restructuring Cream, the doses applied must be reduced very gradually throughout the treatment period.

This cream has a high content of essential fatty acids (Carapa Procera oil, shea, see cream ingredients) and helps regenerate the epidermis.

Smokers can also get eczema. Other creams based on natural ingredients (100% organic) help moisturize the skin.

Pay attention to the sun

Prolonged exposure to the sun is, of course, not recommended for the skin. Like cigarettes, the sun's rays dry out the skin.
In addition, smoking and exposure to the sun are harmful to the epidermis and increase the negative effects on the skin.

So, avoid exposing yourself too much to the sun if you are a smoker.

Stop smoking

Unfortunately, quitting smoking is the smoker's eternal battle but also the most effective way to combat the effects of tobacco on the skin. However, what about cannabis? Is it a natural alternative to smoking?
Quitting smoking will better nourish your skin, hydrate it better and make it more toned.
Obviously, there are many ways to counter and start to stop: sport, meditation to remove sometimes permanent stress (try our Detox & Zen capsules), or patches, cures etc.