Rachel Nall MSN CRNA

As a result, Dr. Sutherland says she sometimes tells patients with bladder control issues to drink more. “It sounds counterproductive, but when you drink enough, your urine isn’t as concentrated,” she stresses.3. …but do recognize when you’re drinking enough.While you should drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, drinking to excess can certainly affect your bladder control. How do you walk that fine line?“I tell my patients to look at their pee color. If it’s light yellow or clear, they don’t need to drink more,” W. Stuart Reynolds, MD, MPH, associate professor in the department of urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SELF. “If their urine is dark yellow or orange, they need to drink more.”Remember, hydration doesn’t just come from your water bottle. Soups, juices, and even certain foods (like some water-rich fruits and veggies) contribute to your daily fluid intake as well, which can help your goals feel more realistic.4. Space out your beverages.“There’s no point in guzzling,” Dr. Sutherland says. Spreading out your drinks throughout the day is the best way to stay hydrated and be kind to your bladder. She recommends having a full glass of water or another beverage with each meal, and then sipping the rest of your fluids throughout the day.This can help you avoid getting into a cycle of “catching up” all at once because you’ve been busy or generally avoiding fluids, which Dr. Sutherland says is common. Glugging a ton of water at once will only make your bladder fill up more quickly. The result? You’ll probably end up making multiple trips to the bathroom, usually right around when (or after) you’ve gone to sleep.If you do wake up a million times a night to pee, Dr. Sutherland suggests scaling back on when you take your last sips in the evenings. You may have to experiment to figure out the best timing, but the Cleveland Clinic says pausing all drinks at least two hours before bed is a good rule of thumb to start with.5. Be honest about your coffee habit.Caffeine is a mild diuretic, meaning it prompts the kidneys to make urine faster, Dr. Sutherland explains. “The bladder is then the holding tank, and when the bladder gets full faster, it’s going to tell you to go to the bathroom more,” she adds. Even caffeine-free versions of your favorite energizing beverages, like coffee, tea, and certain fizzy drinks, can act as a bladder irritant for some people, per the Mayo Clinic, so that’s worth noting as well.To that point: Remember that coffee isn’t the only caffeinated drink out there. Many teas and packaged drinks can also be full of the stuff, and therefore affect your bladder. Dr. Sutherland stresses enjoying these in moderation for those whose bladders seem to be especially sensitive. The only way to know if that’s you is to experiment a bit. Pay attention to how you feel after drinking caffeine, and then try to scale back from there as needed.

Peeing yourself at inopportune times (or really any time) can, understandably, be upsetting and anxiety-inducing. If you have stress urinary incontinence (SUI), seemingly harmless activities—like laughing during dinner with friends, having sex, or sneaking in a quick workout—can be potential triggers for a dreaded dribble (or gush) of urine. In these moments, weakened or damaged urinary muscles put excess pressure on the abdomen and bladder, which causes the sphincter muscles—circular muscles in the urethra that control the passage of urine—to open briefly, allowing a bit of pee to trickle out. With SUI, pressure is caused by “forceful” activities like sneezing, coughing, laughing, or exercising. Unfortunately, you can’t exactly predict when a case of the giggles or climbing a few stairs may trigger leakage—and that can impact how you live your life or even start to make you feel anxious about when your next “accident” will strike.That said, SUI isn’t something you just have to live with—and you deserve to feel at ease in your own body. Here’s what you should know if you’re dealing with this, and what you can do take back control of your life (and your bladder). 1. More people experience SUI than you might think.About one in three people with vaginas experience SUI at some point in their lives, according to the Urology Care Foundation, and it can happen at any age. SUI occurs when the pelvic floor muscles—a hammock-like group of muscles that support the bladder, rectum, and uterus—become stretched, damaged, or weakened, or when your urethra—the tube that transports urine from the bladder out of the body—can’t fully close, or both.One reason people with vaginas are more likely to have this issue is that their urethras are much shorter compared to people with penises. (People with penises can still experience SUI, but it’s much less common.) Having a shorter urethra generally translates to having less muscle power, which means any damage or weakness in the area can make it more difficult to control your urine flow, according to the Office of Research on Women’s Health (ORWH). Another big reason people with vaginas are more susceptible to SUI: pregnancy and childbirth. Having a baby can weaken the pelvic floor muscles responsible for holding organs in place, like the bladder, and can press on or injure the nerves that signal the activity to release urine.2 For older people, menopause may also be a culprit, as hormonal changes are thought to affect the pelvic muscles, which can lead to incontinence, per ORWH. In any case, “incontinence is not ‘normal,’ or ‘just a part of aging,’ or a ‘par for the course if you have babies,’” Dr. Reynolds stresses. “It’s very common—probably more common than most people think—but too many people suffer in silence about it.”2. SUI doesn’t just affect people who’ve given birth, though.“Childbirth is simply one contributor or risk factor,” Miranda Harvey, DPT, OCS, director of education at The Academy of Pelvic Health Physical Therapy, tells SELF. Less obvious risk factors include chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), allergies, and constipation, which can all cause repeated and forceful coughing or straining that can weaken those pelvic muscles over time, she says.

Another scenario is your poison ivy rash could appear to spread. This is actually because your skin may absorb the oil at different times on varying parts of the skin that came in contact with the plant, so the rash may appear at different times, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).A poison ivy rash doesn’t usually cause long-term symptoms or skin damage, but you may notice some areas of hyperpigmentation or slightly darker skin where the rash formed. 2 Because poison ivy can cause intense itching and blistering, you’re also more vulnerable to a possible skin infection if you scratch the area incessantly and introduce bacteria, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you notice pus oozing from the blisters, warmth in the area, or a fever, it’s time to call your doctor.Back to topHow do I know I’m dealing with poison ivy rash symptoms and not something else?A poison ivy rash can look like a lot of other skin issues, which makes it tough to know exactly what you need to treat. Some other skin symptoms that may look like a reaction to poison ivy include:Reactions to similar plants that contain urushiol, such as poison oak. This means the treatment would generally be the same.Pemphigus is a rare group of autoimmune disorders that causes blisters to appear on the skin and mucous membranes in the nose, mouth, eyes, throat, and genitals.Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a viral infection that causes a very painful rash.Allergic reactions to medications can start as a rash with spots that spread and merge.If you’ve been outside and working with plants (like pulling weeds or hiking), this may be a clue that your rash is due to poison ivy, oak, sumac, or another type of plant your skin may not have agreed with.Back to topWhat are the best treatments and home remedies for a poison ivy rash?If you know you have come in contact with poison ivy, the first thing you should do is to wash any affected areas with soap and water. The leaves have a plant oil that likes to stick to your skin and spread if not properly washed off, per the Mayo Clinic. If a rash develops, over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream can be helpful with the itching and inflammation, Dr. Flamm says. Applying calamine lotion, that chalky pink paste you likely used on bug bites as a kid, may also help to reduce itching and discomfort.“Cool compresses, colloidal oatmeal baths, and oral antihistamines can also be helpful for the itchiness associated with the rash,” Dr. Flamm adds. Just note that while taking antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl) may help, applying topical antihistamine creams can actually make your rash worse.1While most people can treat poison ivy at home, there are some times when you may not be most people. If your rash involves your face or a significant portion of your body, is affecting your daily life because it’s extremely itchy or painful, or just seems to be getting worse, it’s time to ask a pro for help. “Your doctor can prescribe you stronger topical or oral medications to help with the rash and itch,” Dr. Flamm explains.

There’s nothing more invigorating than opening your window on a spring day and breathing in the fresh air—unless you have spring allergies, that is. In that case, taking a whiff of those budding blooms may only lead to sneezing and wheezing.Allergies, including seasonal allergies, occur when your immune system mistakenly sees typically harmless substances (like pollen) as a threat. This sets off an attack that leads to an allergic reaction, which can affect your nasal passages, skin, airways, eyes, and digestive system. These reactions can range from mild to severe and vary by person, according to the Mayo Clinic. While you can’t cure allergies, you can learn to control them. Here’s how to conquer your spring allergies when pollen season hits full swing.What are the most common spring allergens?Tree pollen is the most common spring allergen, according to a 2021 allergy report from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA).1 Even if you don’t live by a forest, tree pollen is more likely to affect you because the pollen grains are very small. We’re talking about the tiniest of pinches containing thousands of grains, which are even smaller than ragweed pollen grains, the main fall allergy offender. The wind can carry tree pollen for several miles, making spring allergies especially hard to avoid.There are lots of different tree types that release pollen associated with spring allergies, including:AshAspenBirchCedarElmHickoryOakOlivePecanPoplarWillowGrass pollens can also trigger spring allergies for many people, but it depends on where you live. In the northern U.S., grass allergies are at their worst in the late spring and early summer. In the south, grasses may release pollen all year long, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Weed pollen is typically more of late summer or early fall allergen, so you might be spared in the spring.Back to topWhat do spring allergy symptoms feel like?Spring allergy symptoms are the result of a complex set of reactions that occur in the body. Researchers tend to break these reactions down into an early phase and a late phase.According to a 2020 study published in the journal Asthma, Allergy, and Clinical Immunology, in the early phase, an allergen (like pollen) enters your body. There are specific receptors on your cells called antigen-specific immunoglobulin e (IgE) receptors. These IgE receptors trigger a rapid response in the body that involves the release of histamines and other substances that quickly trigger symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes.2 Think of these symptoms as those that occur seemingly the minute you step outside on a nice spring day.The late-stage effects are when your body takes hours to respond to allergen exposure. The cells release other substances that cause inflammation in the body. This inflammation then leads to tissue swelling, which can spur nasal congestion and, in some people, asthma symptoms, such as shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Uncontrolled asthma can be dangerous, so it’s important to talk with your doctor or allergist if you experience those symptoms.To sum it up, common spring allergy symptoms can include the following:Dark circles under your eyes (known as “allergy shiners”)Itchy eyes and noseRunny noseSneezingStuffy noseWatery eyes“Some people also have really bad fatigue, which can be the major symptom of their seasonal allergies,” Gary Stadtmauer, MD, FACP, an allergist in private practice in New York City, tells SELF. “Those people need to come in to see an allergist and, in my experience, typically need allergy shots.”

One of those great ideas was walking around with a weighted vest towards the end of her rehab, which she says drastically improved her gait and balance. Kicking soccer balls and shooting basketballs was also a huge help with her coordination, she says.“Through all this, I’ve realized that surviving a stroke is an opportunity to find yourself in courage, strength, and determination to overcome the odds,” she says. Now that she’s on the other side, she wants to share the strength she found with others through the Young Empowered Stroke Survivors Foundation.2. I found the strength to set some boundaries in my personal life.At the young age of 41, Kati W. had not one but two strokes. A self-professed workaholic and mother of three, Kati worked an entire week with intermittent stroke symptoms before finally seeking care at the emergency room. “I’m telling you, nothing phased me—I just kept working and never complained,” Kati explains. “I did go numb on my left side for a week, but I continued to work through it.”Although Kati’s face never drooped (a common stroke symptom), there were plenty of other signs she did ignore. “My typing got worse on my left hand, and I kept dropping things,” she describes. “I forgot to wear shoes to work twice that week, and I brushed it off as no big deal. I never thought of or considered a stroke.”By the time Kati was diagnosed, the ischemic stroke (her first one) had converted to a hemorrhagic one, thus she had significant bleeding in her brain. As a result of both strokes, she lost function on her left side. In just a few weeks, Kati says her life completely changed. At age 41, she couldn’t walk, drive, or work. Losing that kind of independence at such a young age was jarring, she says. “I’m wheeling into rehab with no function and mobility on my entire left side, looking around and seeing nobody my age.”With time to reflect, Kati realized she was placing great demands on her body and mind, which led to uncontrolled high blood pressure—a key component of what her doctors say caused her stroke. “What I learned is that I worked too much and overloaded my stress levels and kept saying ‘it doesn’t bother me,’ but physically, it really affected my health,” she says.Post-stroke, Kati is grateful for her family and friends and intends to set boundaries for the benefit of her physical and mental health in the future. Right now, she’s not able to work, but she’s practicing those boundary-setting skills with her friends and family. “I’ve learned to be kind and patient with myself, ask for help when I need it and set some boundaries. For example, I found that the fewer visitors I had, the better, so I would leave nice notes on my door that said I appreciated people’s time but was not ready to visit.”3. I committed myself to rehabilitation, regular exercise, and therapy.Christie S., 43, experienced an aneurysm rupture in 2014. An aneurysm is a bulge in the blood vessels in the brain and when it ruptures, it causes a hemorrhagic stroke. “My memory was completely wiped out,” she says. “I had to learn how to walk and talk again, and basically restart my life.”

After her diagnosis, Kristen received a pamphlet from her doctor’s office explaining how to manage hidradenitis suppurativa at every stage, which she says was invaluable. “That was probably the most helpful thing I’d ever seen in the years I’d researched what I could possibly have,” Kristin says. Knowing that she had stage two helped Kristin better understand her physician assistant’s recommendations. 3. How is hidradenitis suppurativa treated?Your doctor may recommend a combination of prescription medications (such as topical antibiotics and steroid injections), changes to your skin-care regimen (like using an antiseptic wash when showering such as chlorhexidine 4% or benzoyl peroxide), and potentially surgery to remove the bumps, according to the Mayo Clinic.Kristin was relieved to learn she didn’t need more surgery. After some trial and error, she found a winning combination that helps reduce her hidradenitis suppurativa flare-ups: She washes her thighs with antibacterial soap and wears underwear that extends to the middle of her thighs, reducing friction and sweating, both of which can worsen flares. “Between the shorts and the soap, I have been in control of my condition ever since,” she says. “If I go one day and I wear regular underwear, sweat a lot, or have a lot of friction, it’s game over.”It’s important to remember that you’re dealing with a complex condition, so it may take some time to find a treatment plan that works for you. Ask your doctor how long you should try a particular treatment before concluding it isn’t working and moving on to something else.4. Does laser hair removal make sense for me?Teresa K., 32, was diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa in 2017; she says laser hair removal has brought her great relief. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), having less hair on areas with H.S. can reduce the number of lumps you have. Laser hair removal is generally more effective for mild cases and can require at least three laser treatments, given once every four to six weeks. It’s also worth noting that people with dark skin have a greater risk of hyperpigmentation from certain types of lasers. The procedure also can be less effective for people with light hair, according to the Mayo Clinic.5. Can hidradenitis suppurativa affect my mental health?Dealing with chronic pain and recurring lesions can definitely take a toll on your mental health. Indeed, people with hidradenitis are more likely to experience depression and generalized anxiety, according to a 2021 study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology4.“If you are struggling to cope with H.S., let your doctor know,” Kelsey Flood, MD, a clinical instructor in dermatology at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, tells SELF. “We want to help take care of you as a whole person, not just your skin.” Your dermatologist can refer you to a therapist who is experienced working with people who have chronic conditions, or they can refer you to a psychiatrist if you are interested in pursuing medications such as antidepressants.6. What are some misconceptions about hidradenitis suppurativa?Because H.S. looks similar to an infection, people sometimes think it’s contagious or the result of poor hygiene. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Hidradenitis suppurativa is an inflammatory medical condition—it is not an infection,” Dr. Mayo says. It occurs when hair follicles become blocked, and experts aren’t sure why this happens in the first place. It could be related to genetics, hormones, excess weight, or smoking cigarettes, according to the Mayo Clinic. The bottom line? H.S. is not contagious so you don’t need to worry about giving it to a friend, family member, or partner.7. How can I connect with others who have hidradenitis suppurativa?Getting diagnosed with H.S. can feel isolating, but remember: You’re not alone. Dr. Flood recommends checking out the HS Foundation to find a support group and an HS patient card, which explains what the condition is to those who are unfamiliar with it (For example, it can be useful if you need medical care while traveling.) Dr. Flood also recommends Hope for HS, a nonprofit advocacy group, to anyone looking for support.Sources:BMJ, Hidradenitis Suppurativa: A Common and Burdensome, Yet Under-Recognised, Inflammatory Skin DiseaseDermatology, Delayed Diagnosis of Hidradenitis Suppurativa and Its Effect on Patients and Healthcare SystemStatPearls, Hidradenitis SuppurativaJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology, Comorbidity Screening in Hidradenitis SuppurativaRelated:

Type 2 diabetes is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the U.S. (a whopping 10.5% of the population has it1)—yet it is woefully misunderstood by most people. There are all kinds of misconceptions about what causes type 2 diabetes. Because of this, you might think you did something wrong if you get a type 2 diabetes diagnosis. But the truth is, the condition is the result of a combination of factors, some of which can be outside of your control. Ultimately, type 2 diabetes occurs when your body doesn’t use insulin properly. The good news is, that there are lots of ways to change that. Keep reading to learn what really causes type 2 diabetes—and what you can do to prevent it.What is type 2 diabetes?In a nutshell, type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that occurs when your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin (or doesn’t use it efficiently), which results in too much glucose (or sugar) circulating in your blood, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Over time, high blood sugar levels can cause problems with your immune, nervous, and circulatory systems. Worth noting: If your body has started having problems producing insulin and using glucose, but your blood sugar hasn’t yet risen to a concerning level, then you may be diagnosed with prediabetes.So, what’s the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes? Type 1 diabetes also occurs when there is too much glucose in the blood, but it’s an autoimmune condition, meaning the body attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.What causes type 2 diabetes?Experts don’t know exactly what causes type 2 diabetes, but there are several factors at play—some are within your control (think: getting enough exercise) while others are outside of your control (like genetics). Here are some possible causes:Insulin resistanceThe main culprit of type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t use insulin efficiently, which leads to high blood sugar. Glucose is what your body uses for energy. But it has a lock on it, meaning it can’t get into your cells on its own; it needs insulin to do that (think of insulin as a key that opens the lock so glucose can enter).Insulin resistance is when your key (insulin) doesn’t work as well as it should. Sometimes it unlocks, and sometimes you have to go through a series of acrobatic hand movements to get the lock to open. Since glucose isn’t getting into your cells consistently, it means there is extra circulating in your blood, increasing your blood glucose, or blood sugar, which may lead to type 2 diabetes.There’s another thing that happens with insulin resistance. Your body can’t make enough insulin to compensate for the extra glucose. As a result, more glucose ends up circulating in your blood, which can damage your cells and lead to complications that affect your eyes, kidneys, and nerves, according to a 2019 study published in the journal Nature.2Excess body fatSo, what causes insulin resistance in the first place? The answer is complicated, and it doesn’t just happen overnight. But one of the main factors is excess body fat, which can cause inflammation throughout your body. That inflammation may then trigger a chain reaction that ultimately leads to insulin resistance and eventually type 2 diabetes, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease.3It’s important to note that not all people with type 2 diabetes are considered clinically overweight, and not all people who carry excess weight have type 2 diabetes.Your genes and how you grew upInheriting certain genes can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes. If you have one parent with type 2 diabetes, your risk increases by 40%, according to a 2015 study published in the journal Genes. If both parents have it, that risk jumps to 70%. And compared to the general population, you have a three-fold increased risk if you have a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes.4

Back to topHow long do penile yeast infections last?This depends on how advanced the yeast infection is, how fast you treat it, and how well it responds to medication. If you treat the infection with over-the-counter meds, you’ll usually apply these for one to three weeks.2 Ideally, this will be enough to make the yeast infection go away for good. If that doesn’t do the trick, you’ll need to see your doctor for next steps and an updated timeline. You’ll most likely need to take a single dose of oral antifungal medication, or if symptoms are severe, two single doses, three days apart, according to the Mayo Clinic.Back to topAre penile yeast infections contagious?Practically speaking, yes, you can pass a yeast infection to another person through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, but it’s not really the same thing as an STI like gonorrhea or chlamydia. That’s because everyone naturally has Candida living on their bodies. With a transmitted yeast infection, though, it really comes down to how your body reacts to someone else’s overgrowth of yeast, according to Planned Parenthood.If you keep getting penile yeast infections and you aren’t sure why, it may be a good idea to talk to your partner about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. A doctor can test both you and your partner for the presence of yeast and recommend treatments to help if they confirm that you’re passing an infection back and forth (which can turn into a vicious cycle quickly when left untreated).So, do you have to wait until the yeast infection is gone to have sex? Generally, that is the safest option, but it really depends on the underlying cause of your infection and your doctor’s advice. They will likely give you the green light once your physical symptoms have gone away.Back to topCan you tell the difference between a penile yeast infection vs. a UTI vs. an STI?A penile yeast infection can closely resemble other health problems, including a urinary tract infection (UTI) or various STIs, but there are a few key differences. For one, they are all caused by different things (fungus, bacteria, and viruses are all in the mix here), and so they each have varying treatments.While a penile yeast infection will usually cause intense itching and white spots on the skin of the penis, a urinary tract infection will not. A UTI may also present with a few extra symptoms like fever and a near-constant urge to pee even if not much comes out, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK).An STI may be a little more difficult to differentiate, since a number of sexually transmitted infections can cause symptoms that overlap with those of a penile yeast infection, like pain while urinating or having sex, inflamed skin, and discharge. When in doubt, see your doctor who can perform a physical exam and order any needed testing—you’ll likely need prescribed treatment regardless of your diagnosis.Back to topHow can I prevent a penile yeast infection?Since hot, humid conditions encourage yeast to thrive, it’s especially important to wash the penis (and foreskin, if you have it) with mild soap, especially after exercise and in the summer when the skin tends to be sweatier. Also, try to make sure the area under your foreskin is dry to halt eager yeast growth in its tracks.2 (A gentle pat down with a towel is all you need here!) Wearing breathable athletic wear may also be helpful during workouts and the warmer months, and change out of those clothes immediately after getting sweaty. It may also help to use some antifungal spray or powder on your genital area in the morning if you’re going to be working outside in hot weather. And since certain health conditions can increase your risk for a penile yeast infection, taking steps to manage your condition, such as keeping your blood sugar levels in check in the case of diabetes, is crucial for your overall health (and for trying to keep the yeast overlords at bay).With that said, penile yeast infections can just happen sometimes. Thankfully, there are lots of effective medication options, some of which you can even get at your local pharmacy. Because complications can be even more of a pain to deal with, getting on top of treatment as quickly as possible is the best way to get your life (and penis) back to baseline.Back to topSources:International Journal of Preventive Medicine, Penile Inflammatory Skin Disorders and the Preventive Role of CircumcisionStatPearls, BalanitisInternational Journal of Dermatology, Urologic Dermatology: A Comprehensive Foray Into the Noninfectious Etiologies of BalanitisRelated:

If you use medical equipment like a wheelchair, orthotics, or braces due to multiple sclerosis, stroke, or an injury, it’s a good idea to check to make they still fit well and don’t look too worn down. If they do, they may be more likely to cause skin irritation and breakdown that triggers your spasticity.FatigueWhether it’s muscle fatigue or generally feeling wiped out, that so-tired-you-can’t-lift-your-head feeling can play a factor in spasticity. Fatigue is also closely connected with stress and illness, two other factors that can increase your spasticity risks, according to a 2013 study published in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.4 While we don’t know exactly why fatigue can trigger spasticity for some people, one 2015 study published in Physiotherapy Canada theorized that people may perceive the increased muscle stiffness from fatigue as a worsening of spasticity symptoms.4Stress and anxietySpeaking of stress, emotional stress, anxiety, depression, or overall changes in your mental health have a close connection to your physical health. If you have a sudden spike in your stress levels (say, your in-laws decide to stop by unannounced), this could be a trigger for your spasticity, possibly due to the increased muscle tension associated with high-stress situations.Fractured bonesIf you have a spinal cord injury or other condition that affects your ability to sense your extremities, a fracture (broken bone) can happen without you knowing it. An event as simple as hitting your foot against a door could lead to an undetected injury, Dr. Cabahug explains, which can then trigger spasticity. Again, any kind of irritation or change to the body can trigger spasms.Relapse or worsening of an underlying conditionSometimes increased spasticity can be a side effect from a condition progressing. For example, if you have MS and go through a period where your symptoms come back or become more intense, spasticity can flare, too. Spasticity can also become more pronounced after a recurrence, such as having another stroke.Pregnancy-related changesAs if pregnancy doesn’t come with enough curveballs, hormonal swings—not to mention the fatigue associated with pregnancy and overall body changes—can make spasticity worse.1 You can also experience spasticity in the postpartum period. As your hormones adjust to new levels, this can trigger muscle spasms, even if you didn’t have problems during your pregnancy.Menstrual cycle changesThis one seems to hit people with MS who were assigned female at birth especially hard. An estimated 69% of people assigned female at birth with relapsing-remitting MS noted their spasticity worsened immediately before and sometimes during their menstrual cycle, according to an article in the American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.5 Like pregnancy, the reason this happens likely has something to do with the change in hormone levels setting off the spasms.High humidity and extreme temperaturesWhile scorching hot days are no fun for anyone, people with certain nervous system disorders and spinal cord injuries may experience temperature dysregulation. This means your body may not recognize when it’s hot or cold. When it’s drafty, your nerves may not tell you to put on your Snuggie (is that still a thing?), and when it’s hot, you may not realize a sweater is a bit overkill. In the meantime, the temperature changes can wreak havoc on your body—triggering muscle spasms—without you even noticing.6 Why temperature changes trigger spasticity for some people isn’t entirely understood by experts, but it may have something to do with those hyperactive nerves.What causes sudden spasticity?Spasticity can come on so fast that you’re left reeling in pain, wondering exactly what happened. It’s usually due to one of three causes: Something has triggered your muscle spasms, your condition is progressing, or you have a condition that has gone undiagnosed or untreated.

Those who work with their hands are most likely to have the condition, such as farmers, manual laborers, massage therapists, and environmental services professionals.Why do flare-ups happen?Many of the potential causes for hand psoriasis are also triggers for the condition, but there are a few other things that can cause a flare-up. Pay special attention to seasonal changes, household work, laundry detergent, and stress, as these can all make hand psoriasis worse. (Seriously, does stress make anything better?) Another thing to consider is whether your nightly glass of wine has anything to do with psoriasis flare-ups. According to one 2019 study published in the journal Psoriasis, drinking alcohol has been linked to flare-ups in general, not just on the hands.4 On the physical stress side, some people experience psoriasis on their hands due to their occupation. Appropriately called occupational contact psoriasis, it causes flare-ups due to constant mechanical pressure on the skin from working with the hands as well as working with irritants. Drivers, cashiers, construction workers, dentists, and even pharmacists are at risk (due to frequent handling of bottle caps with a twisting motion), according to a 2020 study published in Occupational Dermatology.5 In this case, your job is causing the problem (but you probably knew that already).It’s tough when your livelihood is causing your hand psoriasis symptoms. Talk to your doctor or workplace if there may be adjustments that could reduce your flare-ups. Examples include protective gloves, padding tools, or re-assignment to a different job duty.If you have both eczema and psoriasis on the hands, your doctor may recommend allergy testing to help identify what could worsen your symptoms. Avoiding these allergens may help to minimize psoriasis flare-ups.How is hand psoriasis diagnosed?It would be really easy if doctors could take a skin sample and know without question what kind of skin issue you were dealing with. Of course, it’s unfortunately not that simple if you potentially have psoriasis on your hands.“While biopsies can help confirm psoriasis on other parts of the body, it’s not a good test when we are trying to differentiate it on the hands and feet,” Dr. Rosmarin explains. It’s really important to look at the symptoms, he says.That’s not to say that a doctor may not recommend taking a biopsy if they want to try another diagnostic option. There aren’t a lot of studies about the differences between eczema and palmar psoriasis under a microscope, but a smaller 2015 study published in The Journal of Dermatology found there were some key differences. These include white-to-gray scales for those with palmar psoriasis or brown-orange dots for those with hand eczema.6What are hand psoriasis treatments?You probably already know that psoriasis on the hands can be challenging to treat. While that can feel a little disheartening, know that there are still lots of options to try.“There are some treatments, such as certain topical creams or ointments, that can help with both psoriasis and eczema,” Dr. Rosmarin says. “The immune system is too active in the skin, so we have medicines that can tell the immune system to calm down.”You’ll likely try topicals first.Typically, the first-line treatment for psoriasis plaques on the hands is topical corticosteroids, which come in the form of anti-inflammatory creams, ointments, or gels. Sometimes, a doctor may recommend applying this with occlusion—this means wearing gloves or wrapping the hands, ideally to allow the medication to better penetrate. Other times, your dermatologist will recommend combining this medication with calcipotriene, an ointment that helps to slow skin cell growth.