If you're struggling with psoriasis, your outbreaks might be sporadic and relatively mild, or chronic and debilitating. To manage your condition, you'll need to be aware of conditions that can help to relieve it, as well as triggers that can make it worse. Although changes in your diet may not improve your skin condition directly, dietary decisions may help you head off some of the other, serious conditions that are linked with it.
About Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin disorder that starts with small, red bumps and develops into a scaly rash --- most commonly on the scalp, elbows, knees, lower back and groin, but sometimes over much of the body. The cause may be a combination of genetics and a problem with your immune system, which prompts skin cells to reproduce much more rapidly than normal. The most common form of psoriasis, according to the Cleveland Clinic, produces silvery patches of scaly skin that can cause itching, swelling, cracking and pain.
Diet for Prevention
Though psoriasis is incurable, treatments such as medications and ointments can greatly reduce even severe symptoms. But the National Psoriasis Foundation warns that psoriasis is linked to several conditions that may be affected by your diet, including psoriatic arthritis, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, cancer, obesity and Crohn's disease. To reduce your risks, you should strive to maintain a healthy weight with a diet that includes a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains but is low in saturated fat, sugar, salt and cholesterol.
Diet and Other Triggers
Some psoriasis patients feel that certain foods trigger or worsen their symptoms. So far, however, scientific research does not support that idea, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation. You do want to make sure you're cautious about drinking alcohol, though, which can hinder the effectiveness of some psoriasis medications. Factors that definitely can trigger or worsen your symptoms include emotional stress, infection, skin injuries, certain medications and too much sun --- although moderate exposure to sunlight can be therapeutic.
Tips and Cautions
Your doctor can advise you about ways to relieve your symptoms, including daily baths, coal tar shampoos, stress relief, medications and moisturizers. The Cleveland Clinic cautions against assuming that certain vitamins in topical preparations would also be effective as dietary supplements for psoriasis. For example, your doctor may prescribe a special vitamin D3 ointment, but vitamin D in foods and vitamins won't help your psoriasis. Similarly, retinoid drugs related to vitamin A may help your symptoms, but vitamin A-rich foods or supplements will have no effect on them.
References
- Cleveland Clinic: Psoriasis: An Overview
- Mayo Clinic: Psoriasis: Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- American Academy of Dermatology: Psoriasis
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Causes of Psoriasis and Triggers
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Health Conditions Associated With Psoriasis
- National Psoriasis Foundation: Healthy Eating
