It is still not known what causes psoriasis. Some individuals are genetically predisposed-30% of patients have family members who are also afflicted. There are also many environmental triggers than can lead to psoriasis-illness, stress, diet, and poor lifestyle habits are some of the most common.

Smoking has been linked to psoriasis. It has not been definitively proved to cause the condition, but it may be especially harmful to those who are predisposed to have psoriasis. Studies have shown that the more cigarettes a person smokes, the more likely they are to develop psoriasis. Individuals who smoke are 60 percent more at risk of developing psoriasis than non-smokers.

Smoking cigarettes may also aggravate existing skin conditions in patients. Psoriasis sufferers who smoke are more likely to be afflicted with severe symptoms than those who do not smoke. Cigarettes contain a variety of harmful substances that are highly inflammatory to the immune system. Because smoking negatively affects the immune system, and psoriasis stems from an already faulty immune system, patients who smoke are doubly harming themselves.

A type of psoriasis that is more common in smokers is known as palmoplantar pustular psoriasis, and it is localized on the palms and soles. It is a painful condition in which pus-filled bubbles affect the hands and feet of the psoriasis sufferer. The link between palmoplantar pustular psoriasis and smoking has not yet been fully explored.

Smoking cigarettes also affects the body's ability to heal and adjust, which can impede the progress of psoriasis treatments. The actual smoke itself may cause respiratory infections, which are also known to be triggers of psoriasis. In addition, skin lesions exposed to cigarette smoke may become inflamed and lead to a best male enchancement psoriasis flare up.