Psoriasis is a long-term skin disease that affects millions of people around the world.
It is not contagious, which means it cannot spread from one person to another through touch.
The condition develops when the immune system becomes overactive and speeds up the growth of skin cells.
Normally, new skin cells take several weeks to replace old ones. In people with psoriasis, this process happens in only a few days. As a result, skin cells build up on the surface instead of falling away naturally.
This buildup creates thick, red patches covered with silvery-white scales. These patches are often itchy, painful, or sore and commonly appear on the knees, elbows, scalp, lower back, and trunk. Some people have only a few small patches, while others have widespread skin changes.
In more severe cases, psoriasis can also affect the fingernails, toenails, and joints, leading to a condition called psoriatic arthritis.
Although there is currently no cure for psoriasis, many treatments can successfully control symptoms and reduce flare-ups. Scientists are also continuing to study what causes the disease and which factors may trigger it.
A new study from Ewha Woman’s University has found evidence that some medicines commonly used to treat high blood pressure may increase the risk of developing psoriasis. The findings were published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology.
The researchers reviewed data from 13 previous studies involving people who were taking medicines to lower blood pressure. After combining and analyzing the results, they found that several commonly prescribed types of blood pressure drugs were linked to a higher risk of psoriasis. These included ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, calcium-channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics.
The researchers believe these medicines may affect the body’s immune system or change the skin’s natural protective barrier. Since psoriasis is an immune-related disease, these changes could make inflammation more likely and possibly trigger psoriasis in some people who are already vulnerable.
The study does not prove that blood pressure medicines directly cause psoriasis. Instead, it shows there is an association between the two. Many people take these medicines for years without ever developing skin problems. More research is needed to understand why some people appear to be affected while others do not.
Even so, the findings are important because they remind doctors to watch for possible skin changes in patients taking blood pressure medicines.
If psoriasis develops soon after starting a new medicine, doctors may consider whether another treatment would be more suitable. However, patients should never stop taking their blood pressure medicine without speaking to their doctor first, because uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, and other serious health problems.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is one of the most common long-term health conditions worldwide. It often causes no symptoms, which is why it is sometimes called the “silent killer.” Over many years, high blood pressure can damage blood vessels and place extra strain on the heart and other organs. Medicines are often needed when healthy lifestyle changes alone are not enough to control blood pressure.
Different blood pressure medicines work in different ways. ACE inhibitors help relax blood vessels so blood flows more easily. Beta-blockers slow the heart rate and reduce the force of each heartbeat. Calcium-channel blockers relax blood vessels by preventing calcium from entering muscle cells. Thiazide diuretics help the body remove excess salt and water through urine, lowering blood pressure.
Doctors choose blood pressure medicines based on a person’s age, overall health, other medical conditions, and possible side effects. Sometimes several medicines are needed to achieve good blood pressure control.
Lifestyle choices also remain an important part of treatment. Eating a healthy diet, reducing salt intake, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, getting enough sleep, and managing stress can all help lower blood pressure and improve overall health.
For psoriasis, treatment depends on how severe the condition is. Mild cases are often treated with medicated creams or ointments. More severe cases may require light therapy or medicines taken by mouth or by injection that help calm the immune system. While these treatments cannot cure psoriasis, they often greatly improve symptoms and quality of life.
The study was led by Hye Sun Gwak and published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The findings add to growing evidence that doctors should consider both the benefits and possible side effects of long-term medicines.
Future research will help determine why some blood pressure medicines appear to increase psoriasis risk and whether certain patients are more likely to be affected than others.
If you care about blood pressure, please read studies about how diets could help lower high blood pressure, and 3 grams of omega-3s a day keep high blood pressure at bay.
For more health information, please see recent studies that beetroot juice could help reduce blood pressure, and results showing cinnamon could help lower high blood pressure.
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