Smoking raises psoriasis risk significantly while alcohol shows a smaller effect

Millions of people wonder if their habits cause their skin to flare. A massive review looked at over 25 million participants to answer this. The data shows a clear link between smoking and psoriasis. People who smoke face a much higher risk of developing this skin condition than those who never smoke. The risk is about 67 percent higher for current smokers. This finding holds true even after accounting for other factors. The study also looked at people who used to smoke. Former smokers still faced a higher risk than those who never smoked. This suggests quitting helps, but the risk does not drop to normal levels immediately. The review also examined alcohol use. Drinking alcohol was linked to a smaller increase in risk. When researchers adjusted for possible errors in the data, the link to alcohol became even weaker. The evidence for alcohol is not as strong as it is for smoking. Public health experts say stopping smoking is the most important step for prevention. Reducing alcohol intake may also help, but the proof is not as solid.