According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriasis is the most common autoimmune disease in the U.S. Psoriasis manifests itself on the skin. Normal skin cells mature and shed in 28 to 30 days. In contrast, the skin of psoriasis patients matures in three to four days. Instead of shedding, the dead skin cells pile up on the skin's surface. The resultant sores are known as psoriasis lesions and are usually red with a coating of silvery white scales. Certain vitamins may play a role in alleviating the symptoms of psoriasis.
Vitamin D
According to Patient UK, a health information website provided by general practitioners and nurses, many psoriasis treatments contain analogs of vitamin D. A form of psoriasis known as chronic plaque psoriasis may particularly benefit from vitamin D. A 2009 review article published on the website Clinical Evidence notes that derivatives of Vitamin D may improve psoriasis severity scores more effectively than placebo at three to eight weeks. Vitamin D preparations for psoriasis include calcitriol, tacalcitol and calcipotriol. According to a 1998 article published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, tacalcitol have become first-line psoriasis treatment.
Vitamin A
According to Dr. Nicholas Lowe, clinical professor of dermatology at the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine, vitamin A may be helpful for psoriasis. In a interview published on the website MotherNature.com, Lowe notes, however, that taking a simple vitamin A supplement will not make any difference to psoriasis suffers. According to the doctor, prescription-strength preparations are necessary. The oral prescription drug soriatane, a derivative of vitamin A, may help certain forms of psoriasis including pustular, erythrodermic and plaque psoriasis.
B Vitamins
Vitamin B9, commonly known as folic acid, is necessary for healthy skin. It may even help improve psoriasis, according to the author of an article published in 2003 in "Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients." Alan R. Gaby describes seven patients with long-standing psoriasis, who after receiving 20 milligrams of folic acid four times per day, showed marked improvements in their psoriasis after three to six months of treatment. A 2001 article published in the medical journal "Dermatology" notes that a cream containing vitamin B12 and avocado oil may be an effective long-term treatment for psoriasis.
References
- National Psorasis Foundation: Causes of Psoriasis and Triggers
- Patient UK: Vitamin D Analogues for Psoriasis
- Clincal Evidence: Vitamin D Derivatives (Topical)
- "Journal of Dermatological Treatment;" The Emergence of Vitamin D as a First-Line Treatment for Psoriasis; J. Berth-Jones; 1998
- MotherNature.com: Psoraisis
