Does smoking actually make my psoriasis worse?
I read the AAD on smoking. It links quitting to real changes in psoriasis itself, not just general health. Evidence
- Fewer flares.
- Less psoriasis on the palms and soles.
- More remissions - periods with little or no psoriasis.
- Lower risk of heart, blood vessel, liver, and gum disease.
- Lower risk of an autoimmune disease like Crohn's disease.
Why this matters
- Sources cited, not yet graded
The AAD adds one caution I would not skip. A nicotine patch can make psoriasis flare, and it says to ask a dermatologist before using one.
Considerations
- Depends on you
I looked for a percentage or a timeline for how much quitting changes flares or remissions, and the source gives neither.
Questions for your dermatologist
I've smoked for ___ years - would quitting now still help my skin?
Saving keeps this on your device and needs JavaScript, which is off in this browser.If I want to quit with a nicotine patch or gum, which is safer for my skin?
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Does drinking alcohol affect my psoriasis treatment?
I read the AAD here too, and it names a specific threshold rather than a general "drink less" rule. Evidence
- More than 2 drinks a day for men, or more than 1 a day for women, is the line it names.
- Above that line, treatment may stop working, work less well, or lead to fewer remissions.
- Staying under it is linked to a lower risk of psoriatic arthritis in women.
- Staying under it is also linked to a lower risk of fatty liver disease and liver damage from some psoriasis medications.
Why this matters
- Sources cited, not yet graded
Whether diet or drinking makes psoriasis worse is one of the questions readers ask most, and this is the part of it with a number attached. Some medications, like methotrexate, carry their own separate, stricter alcohol warning.
Considerations
- Depends on you
I could not find how much a given amount of drinking, above or below that line, changes outcomes for one person.
Questions for your dermatologist
I'm on ___ - does this alcohol limit apply the same way for me?
Saving keeps this on your device and needs JavaScript, which is off in this browser.Where does having a drink most nights put me against this line?
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Evidence behind this page
Sources
Each evidence badge opens the source and its limits. The full list stays available here.
- American Academy of DermatologyPatient education · Patient education, tier 5Independent source
- Published
- SteadySkin last checked
What this source can and cannot tell you
What this source supports
Supports that quitting smoking is linked to fewer flares and less palmoplantar psoriasis. Supports that it is linked to more remissions. Supports that quitting also lowers the risk of heart, blood vessel, liver, and gum disease. Supports that it lowers the risk of an autoimmune disease like Crohn's disease. Supports the caution that a nicotine patch can make psoriasis flare, and to ask a dermatologist before using one. Supports that limiting alcohol is linked to treatment working better and lasting longer. Supports that it is linked to a lower risk of psoriatic arthritis in women. Supports that it is linked to a lower risk of fatty liver disease and liver damage from some psoriasis medications. Supports a named threshold: more than 2 drinks a day for men, or more than 1 for women. Supports that above that threshold, treatment may stop working, work less well, or lead to fewer remissions.
What it does not support
Does not give a percentage or timeline for one person. The page shows no visible byline or update date. The site copyright year, 2026, is used here.
Claim-specific review for this source is still in progress. Only the source-level evidence and limits are shown here.