What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin problem that many people have. It’s a disease that lasts a long time and makes your skin red, itchy, and scaly.
You usually see it on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp. Sadly, there is no complete cure for psoriasis right now, but there are treatments to control the symptoms.
Blood Pressure Medicines and Psoriasis
Some scientists from Ewha Woman’s University have found an interesting link. They believe that medicines for high blood pressure might increase the chance of getting psoriasis.
The scientists looked at data from 13 studies. They found that several types of medicines used to control high blood pressure may increase the risk of psoriasis.
These medicines include ones called angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.
How Does It Happen?
The scientists have some ideas about why these medicines could increase the risk of psoriasis.
They think these medicines might change the way the immune system works or might affect the skin’s defense mechanism.
This might make the skin more prone to inflammation and skin problems.
The scientists say that if you are taking these high blood pressure medicines, you should be checked for signs of psoriasis.
Understanding and Managing Psoriasis
Psoriasis tends to come and go. You might have symptoms for a few weeks or months, and then they might get better or go away completely.
Psoriasis is believed to be caused by problems with the immune system. Triggers, or things that might start a flare-up, can include infections, stress, and cold weather.
There are several ways to treat psoriasis. The goal is to remove the scaly patches and stop skin cells from growing too quickly. Treatments can include creams, light therapy, and medication.
High Blood Pressure Medicines
Medicines used to treat high blood pressure, also known as antihypertensive drugs, come in many types:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors: These help relax blood vessels and lower blood pressure.
- Beta-blockers: These slow down the heart rate and reduce the force of the heart’s contractions.
- Calcium-channel blockers: These help relax blood vessels and decrease the amount of calcium entering the heart and blood vessel walls.
- Diuretics: These help the body get rid of extra salt and water.
- Renin inhibitors: These block the production of renin, a hormone that helps control blood pressure.
- Alpha-blockers: These help relax blood vessels and reduce the resistance to blood flow.
Different people respond differently to these drugs, and sometimes it takes some trial and error to find the right one or the right combination.
These drugs can have side effects. You should always talk to your healthcare provider before starting or changing any medicines.
It’s also important to live a healthy lifestyle. Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and manage stress to help control high blood pressure and overall health.
More Information
If you are interested in high blood pressure, read about how fasting might help reverse high blood pressure and how olive oil might reduce blood pressure.
If you are interested in skin health, read about how eating fish might increase the risk of skin cancer, and how Vitamin B3 might help prevent skin cancers.
If you care about skin health, please read studies about eating fish linked to higher risk of skin cancer, and Vitamin B3 could help prevent skin cancers.
For more information about blood pressure, please see recent studies that early time-restricted eating could help improve blood pressure, and results showing plant-based foods could benefit people with high blood pressure.
This research was published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology by Hye Sun Gwak and her team.
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