Psoriasis and Nutrition

peggymenard

Anyone interested in discussing how nutrition can help alleviate outbreaks of psoriasis?

sophiathedss

I have psoriais...since 19 years old. ( I am in the 40's now) I have kept it under control by cutting out sugar, wheat and fish oils. Nothing worked before as well as this formula, for me. Of course when I stopped drinking alcohol, it alleviated a lot of the hot spots. I also have inverse psoriasis, pretty painful stuff...still working on a solution. ( I do have a derm/doc...have been through the meds, creams and uv treatments in the beginning when it covered 80% of my body) How about scalp psoriasis? Mine is terrible. I use castor oil and dermarest with salicylic acid, over the counter with ok results.

thanks for bringing this subject up...interested to see others responses


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exacerbe

It's all speculation but diary, foods high in fat, caffeine, alcohol, and processed flours/sugars can cause psoriasis to flare up.

xxcheetaraxx

Mine seems to flare in times of high stress - don't know how coincidental it is that my diet does too.

peggymenard

I ran into a diet designed by Deirdre Earls, MBA, RD,LD herself a psoriasis sufferer. It is 1400 C so I modified to 1200 C. She claims that she has kept her flare ups under control and 90% remission by using a dietary approach. You might want to read the article and review the diet found on site dermaharmony. I have suffered from plaque psoriasis on my legs and scalp for a very long time...I have tried everything except diet and I am firmly convinced that what goes into your gut effects your skin. I am interested to start a friends group that would like to experiment with food types that seem to have caused their flareups.

exacerbe

You should be eating more than 1200 calories a day. A huge chunk of your immune system starts in the stomach/intestines. Food plays a big role in many things. Give things a try... see if it works.. if not... try something else. Just try to eat cleanly... don't expect to see results in a week or so... it takes awhile to see a significant difference.. so don't get discouraged.

Seeing a nutritionist wouldn't be a bad thing either.

peggymenard

Some of the foods that I know bring on my flareups are:

Gluten
Distilled vinegar
Wheat products
Distilled alcohol
Beer
Processed wheat flour
White flour

peggymenard

Exerbe, how is your info backed up? I'm not being flip...I am an honest 75 year old woman.

exacerbe

Exerbe, how is your info backed up? I'm not being flip...I am an honest 75 year old woman.

Considering I have Crohn's disease, I've done tons of research and consulting with doctors. It is proven information that roughly 80% of your immune system is in your gut. Psorasis is an immune disorder. I have it too.. but I think it's part of Crohn's. Most of your list of things that cause flareups contain gluten, except vinegar and distilled alcohol.

All I'm saying is that just give it a try if it works, it works. If not, try something else or consult doctors/nutritionists.

omma_to_3

I don't have flare ups. It's constant. It slowly covers more of my body each year, but at least it's a small percentage so far (so minor). I've never understood the flare ups because mine just doesn't work that way.

The worst is my scalp. The only thing I've found that helps is this awesome foam called Luxiq. Works well - doesn't eliminate it for me (nothing does LOL) but improves it and REALLY helps with the itching. It's expensive though.

peggymenard

I have been researching psoriasis for many years and have worked with dematologist for a long time. I too have a sensitivity to gluten but not full blown CD. I have a friend who does suffer from it and I empathize with you for dealing with this. You could say I am doing a little research on these A I diseases. I would have argued the diet/homopathic approach before but not anymore. You are right..it starts with what goes into the gut.

reneelee

Mine seems to flare in times of high stress - don't know how coincidental it is that my diet does too.

My Dad hasd it for years when living and working in Phoenix, he retired to Sonoita 50 miles outside Tucson. No stress there only one flashing red light for the whole town. His went away.

peggymenard

Mine seems to flare in times of high stress - don't know how coincidental it is that my diet does too.

Stress is one of the factors that seems to cause the flares. Would you mind if I looked at your food diary? Also, there seems to be a correlation between stress and eating.

peggymenard

Mine seems to flare in times of high stress - don't know how coincidental it is that my diet does too.

My Dad hasd it for years when living and working in Phoenix, he retired to Sonoita 50 miles outside Tucson. No stress there only one flashing red light for the whole town. His went away.

That is very interesting...he really made the great escape. LOL

runnercheryl

I've never noticed mine being triggered by anything, but I seem to get it in a new place every two years, it lasts a year and then I get a year-long break.

It started on my scalp when I was 18. 19 was a break year. At 20 it went to my toe nails, and 21 was a break. At 22 it was its worst, horrifically bad on my heels to the point where I spent most of the year walking on my tiptoes, bleeding constantly and in agony putting on or taking off my shoes. I eventually found a cream that reduced the effects a little, and made it bearable until the end of the year. At 23, another rest, and this year it's been...one little finger nail. Just one. Best yet! That's recovered now, so I should be on a year's break now.

omma_to_3

The local University Hospital was doing a study about Psoriasis triggered by injury. I meant to join, but never got around to it. Mine started on a scar on the back of my head where I fell and split it open in college. It's under my hair on the back of my head so I assume that's why mine is worst on my scalp.

pinthin87

I don't personally have psoriasis but my cousin does and she has been told more than a few times that her diet is contributing to her condition. She eats poorly most of the time...not big on vegetables. So I would say if you have a dietary plan that could improve the health of your skin then stick to it...isn't it worth it? I have also read that the Candida diet is a good one to go on if you are suffering from psoriasis...restrictive diet but maybe worth a try. I did the 10 day candida sugar free detox and it really helped me with my cystic acne which is also a skin condition, but not necessarily auto-immune like psoriasis.

aclowe01

I've Noticed a difference when eating 'Night Shade' vegetables. Peppers, white potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes and anything that ripens overnight. The correlation between arthritis and night shades have shown increased inflammation.

Since eliminating them I have seen a marked decrease in my skin lesions and have really bad flare-up when eating hot peppers, usually within 2-3 hours, but I truly believe diet is involved to a larger degree.

jiffner25

Hi all

I am 36 and have had psoriasis since 17, so over half my life. I have quite a few large scales on my body and legs, but the worst place is definitely on my scalp.
Over the years I have tried cutting out selective foods and seen minor improvements, but then work related stress causes it to flare back up again.
I have been told diet changes can take months to show any improvements and I don’t know if I could go without the 2 most likely offenders (sugar and gluten) for months.
However considering all the doctor prescribed lotions and potions haven’t lead to any great improvement, I am keen to share information and perhaps try a new approach.

I am interested in joining a Psoriasis & Nutrition friends group, if anyone sets one up.
J

Jillian130

I've had psoriasis since I was 3 and stress palys a big part on flare ups for me. As does dry skin, therefore I need to apply lotion every day after I shower. In the summer I don't have very much either due to the fact that some sun helps too. BUT, the biggest difference has been my diet. I completely cleaned up my diet but eating strictly clean foods, meaning as close to their natural state as possible. No processed foods, nothing in a box or a can. Plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean meats such as chicken, turkey, fish and lean beef. I bake or grill everything and drink lots of water. My skin has never been this soft or so clear. I'm lucky if I can find one spot of psoriasis anymore. Following the Eat Clean Diet by Tosca Reno and reading her book Eat Clean Diet Recharged has changed my life. And, I've never been healthier.

bjnorvell

I have psoriasis as well along with psoriatic arthritis, and mine usually flares up bad during times of stress and the winter when my skin is the driest.

sophiathedss

I have psoriasis as well along with psoriatic arthritis, and mine usually flares up bad during times of stress and the winter when my skin is the driest.

ditto!


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xSCiNTILLATEx79

I've had it since I was 15. Coincidently it flared up the worst Ive ever had within a few weeks of me taking up smoking. I think it made it comeout in me. and notice when I quit (yes still smoking) or cut back alot, it descreases along with excercise and eating healthy. I get nervous around winter time. As soon as the climate turns cold, I wonder what it will be this year. It began as very large circles all over my forearms and calves. After seeing a derm. It cleared up then came back on joints, ankle bones, knees, elbows, knuckles fingers. Most of it is gone now. One patch on two of my knuckles and 3 tiny little patches on fingers ( of course super visible place) :grumble:

Last winter though it went nuts, as soon as the cold weather hit was like I had chicken pox. I was covered even had little patches on my face which had never happened before. I cried for days. Finally went back to Dr. Told her to get rid of it. she gave 2 diff. steroid creams I'd never used to alternate...very slowely took them away. NOTHING will get these off my hands though..hmm same hand I smoke with :indifferent:

I think its in remission in most people who have it until they do one particular thing that makes it come out of hiding. or thats my theory at least, why they cant cure it. I have arthritis in my knees know too and pretty sure its coming in on my hands. Im only 32 - feels like its eating my knees alive.may be in all my leg why they ache all the time.

brneydgrlie

Psoriasis and eczema are both said to be triggered in many cases by yeast overgrowth in the body (candida). So it makes sense that a lot of people find relief by removing wheat, dairy, and sugar from the diet, since these are known to feed yeast. As far as topical relief, I used to make a friend soap that he loved and swore made it go away - it was glycerine soap (can find in craft stores), with rosemary and cocoa butter added in. Rosemary extract added to commercial shampoo also helps get rid of psoriasis on the scalp, as well as relieve bad cases of dandruff.

Alisa792

I'm glad to see so many ideas about psoriasis -- especially scalp psoriasis, which I've probably had since my teens or twenties. I say "probably" because in the beginning I didn't know what it was. I assumed it was from the buildup of hair products I've used over the years, since back then I was straightening my hair and the flareup was very small. Then in my thirties I went natural and cut my hair very short, and I had no flareup. I recently moved from Ohio to Louisiana and now the flareup is constant and it's on the back and sides of my head. My hair is shoulder-length, still natural and thick now and I'm 50. I'm thinking stress and hormonal changes as well as diet have a trigger effect on this flareup. The zinc shampoo and dandruff shampoo don't work--though the dandruff shampoo is nice and tingly. I use a topical ointment that is expensive and unfortunely doesn't work either. I'm using a natural product that has neem in it and it's alright, but it stinks so bad I don't use it much. So who knows how well it works.
I'm going to try eating natural whole foods gradually eliminating the processed ones. I think that will probably work the best. I have a brother with psoriasis on his scalp, and his legs. He also has gout (not sure if that's related to psoriatic arthritis, but I know gout is a form of arthritis). He's using a prescription and seems to be alright. His flareups are not as bad as they've been. I want to avoid medicine, so I'm trying some of the food suggestions I've read so far here. Thank you.