On the rare occasion that I get sick it is almost always a result of alcohol consumption and sleep deprivation.  It just so happens that these are also the main instigators of my psoriasis flare-ups.

Coincidence?  Not at all.  Consuming large amounts of alcohol and not sleeping are some of the best ways to weaken the body, opening it up to infection as well as psoriasis outbreaks.

Alcohol has the same basic effect on the body as poison.  Thus, when this hostile invader is coursing through the bloodstream, the body strains to get rid of it.  Much like any person, when the body is required to do multiple jobs at the same time, it eventually becomes exhausted and gives up.

When alcohol is consumed over a longer period of time, it negatively affects the way food is metabolized, thus causing deficiencies in a variety of basic nutrients.  Some of these, in particular folic acid and vitamin D, are particular vital to keep psoriasis under control.

The success of any psoriasis treatments depends on the body healing itself.  Exfoliants, moisturizers and UV therapy, for example, only give the skin a nudge in the right direction.  The body still has to do most of the work as old skin cells need to be replaced with new, more healthy cells.  Unfortunately, the weaker the body is from outside influences such as alcohol, the less able it will be to effectively replace these cells.