How to treat psoriasis and the 11 foods that can help soothe flare ups
PEOPLE with psoriasis know the struggle of finding a treatment that works for them, all too well.
The condition causes red and crusty patches with silvery scales to flare-up on the skin.
In more serious cases it can have a crushing impact on a sufferer’s life.
Roughly two per cent of the population - both men and women - are affected by psoriasis.
Prominent figures that deal with the skin problem are model Cara Delevingne and singer Cyndi Lauper.
TV personality Kim Kardashian has also described psoriasis as her “big flaw”, always “hoping for a cure”.
Sadly, there is no cure for psoriasis.
Patients have to learn to deal with the condition by finding a treatment that works for them.
But some have also found that modifying their diet helps.
The NHS does not make specific diet recommendations for people with psoriasis, other than advising a balanced, healthy diet with regular exercise which it would recommend for everyone. It says this can also relieve stress, which may improve psoriasis symptoms.
But it says some foods may help to reduce inflammation in the body - which may help psoriasis because it is an inflammatory condition.
Will keeping an eye on your foods help relieve your psoriasis? Maybe, but there is no proof.
Read on to find out psoriasis treatments and food tweaks.
Foods that increase vitamin D include cheese, eggs and tuna.
Foods to avoid
Gluten
“In a small number of cases, eliminating gluten can lead to improvements. However, following a gluten-free diet, which is very restrictive, is a major commitment. It’s not a step you should take unnecessarily.”
The foundation says it can take several months for the effects of cutting gluten to become clear, and warns those that have seen a difference may have already had a gluten intolerance.
Nightshades
Nightshade foods are thought to be behind flare ups of conditions including psoriasis and eczema.
They include tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and aubergine, as well as cigarettes (tobacco).
While there haven’t been any large trials proving that night-shade foods, which are high in a compound called alkaloids, cause skin flare ups, some people claim to see an improvement when they don’t eat them.
A small survey of psoriasis patients' dietary habits, published in the journal Dermatology and Therapy, found more than half of respondents reported skin improvements after reducing their intake of nightshade vegetables.
They aren’t necessary to completely cut out, but you could talk to your doctor about trialling a period whereby you watch what happens to your symptoms when you eliminate and then eat these foods.
Alcohol
Again, it’s not proven that alcohol is the sole explanation for the complex condition psoriasis.
But the Psoriasis Association says “there are plausible arguments for why drinking might affect psoriasis (alcohol is dehydrating, and therefore could dry skin out even more)”.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
said that “patients with psoriasis and alcohol overconsumption tend to have more severe inflammation”.
The association says: “Some people might find that alcohol does worsen their condition, but if an individual does not find this, and it is safe to combine alcohol with whatever treatment they are undergoing, then moderate alcohol consumption can be one of life’s pleasures.”
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun news desk?
Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too.
Click here to upload yours.