Vitamin K is needed for the normal clotting of blood. It is found in a variety of natural and fortified foods, so deficiency symptoms are considered relatively rare. Some symptoms of vitamin K deficiency, such as petechiae, affect the skin and can be mistaken for psoriasis, which is a completely different but somewhat similar-looking skin disorder. Taking vitamin K supplements or using vitamin K-enriched creams has not proved to help with psoriasis, although petechiae and excessive bruising of the skin are greatly helped. Consult your dermatologist if you have developed a skin condition.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is used by your body as a cofactor for an enzyme that catalyzes glutamic acid into gamma-carboxyglutamic acid, which is essential for the initiation of coagulation and efficient blood clotting, according to the book “Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism." Blood clotting is necessary for healing injuries to blood vessels. Vitamin K is also important for bone mineralization, growth and development. Adults need between 90 and 120 micrograms daily, depending on gender, pregnancy and lactation. Vitamin K is widespread in foods, and it is made by friendly bacteria in your large intestine. Deficiency is rare but leads to excessive bleeding, which causes a variety of skin symptoms.
Skin Symptoms
In addition to heavy nosebleeds and menstruation, increased clotting times and elevated red blood cells in your urine, vitamin K deficiency eventually becomes noticeable because of how it affects your skin. When blood leaks into your skin from small surface arteries, it causes a variety of different looking “bruises,” which can be called hematomas, ecchymosis or petechiae, depending on their size and appearance. According to the “Textbook for Functional Medicine,” petechiae are small red and purple spots on the body caused by minor hemorrhaging of broken capillaries. Petechiae can occur from mild physical trauma and usually disappear in a few days, but can last for much longer periods of time in those with vitamin K deficiency. Petechiae are sometimes mistaken for vasculitis, allergic reactions or even psoriasis. Dermatologists are best qualified to diagnose your skin condition.
Psoriasis
In contrast to petechia, psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease that appears on the skin, often close to joints such as your elbows and knees. It develops when your immune system sends faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of epidermal cells, which usually causes the formation of red and silvery-white scaly plaques, according to “Functional Biochemistry in Health and Disease." Psoriasis is often accompanied by achy joints, which is called psoriatic arthritis. The exact causes of psoriasis are not well understood, but genetics, stress and toxic reactions are all thought to be factors. Psoriasis is usually treated with topical steroid creams or natural creams that contain vitamins D and E.
Recommendations
If you are diagnosed with psoriasis, taking vitamin K supplements or applying vitamin K-enriched cream is unlikely to yield any positive results, although it shouldn’t irritate your condition either. Creams with vitamins A, C, D or E are more likely to help with your symptoms because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, although you should consult your doctor prior to use. If you have petechia instead, and it lasts for more than a week, then consider eating vitamin K-rich foods such as spinach, kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, avocado and eggs.
References
- “Advanced Nutrition and Human Metabolism”; Sareen Gropper et al.; 2009
- “Textbook for Functional Medicine”; David S. Jones; 2005
- “Functional Biochemistry in Health and Disease”; Eric Newsholme et al.; 2010
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