Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disorder that can produce itchy, scaly, discolored patches on skin. Drinking alcohol may make the condition worse and trigger flares, which are then harder to treat.

While the specific cause of psoriasis isn’t known, drinking alcohol has a noticeable effect on the condition.

If you have psoriasis, consuming alcohol can:

  • impact how well psoriasis treatment works
  • create additional oxidative stress and inflammation
  • increase the harmful and serious side effects of some psoriasis medications, especially in pregnant people
  • increase the odds of developing liver disease

Let’s take a closer look at the ways in which alcohol affects psoriasis.

Ways that alcohol can negatively affect psoriasis include:

  • causing dangerous interactions with some psoriasis drugs such as methotrexate
  • increasing a person’s risk of liver damage and disease
  • increasing the severity of psoriasis symptoms
  • making psoriasis flares more frequent

Research has shown that people living with psoriasis are twice as likely to develop nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as people who do not have the condition. If you have NAFLD, you are at risk of the condition progressing into a more serious liver disease, such as cirrhosis.

Many times, depression, a condition that research suggests is intimately connected to psoriasis, can lead to alcohol misuse. Individuals with psoriasis have a greater risk of dying from alcohol-related causes than people who do not have psoriasis.

When to see a professional

Anyone who drinks alcohol and lives with psoriasis should speak with a healthcare professional. They can determine whether there’s a safe amount of alcohol that can be consumed without it affecting the condition or its treatment.

If you feel depressed and are drinking excessively, you should contact a healthcare professional immediately, whether or not it is psoriasis-related. Treatment plans can help with both conditions.

Research around psoriasis and alcohol mainly focuses on the amount of the beverage consumed and not the specific type. Any type of alcoholic drink can be consumed to excess, which can worsen psoriasis.

The type also does not matter when it comes to alcohol being mixed with psoriasis medications and treatment. Some medications have warnings urging users to avoid drinking alcohol of any kind while taking them.

There are three primary ways to treat psoriasis flares (and prevent new ones):

  • topical treatments, such as corticosteroids, vitamin D analogues, tar, and salicylic acid products
  • light therapy (also known as phototherapy), which uses artificial or natural ultraviolet light
  • medications that are injected or taken orally, including:
    • retinoids
    • cyclosporine
    • methotrexate
    • apremilast
    • biologics that suppress the immune system

Healthcare professionals may recommend focusing on one treatment at a time or combining treatments. Keep in mind that finding the best treatment or combination may take some time; don’t be discouraged if the first treatment you try doesn’t work perfectly.

There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but several effective treatments are available. These treatments may help manage or reduce flare-ups, minimize the appearance of psoriasis on the skin, and even send psoriasis into remission.

Decreasing or eliminating alcohol consumption can help lessen the severity of psoriasis. It may also make treatment more effective.

People living with psoriasis should speak with a healthcare professional about their alcohol intake.