Psoriasis is estimated to affect two in 100 people in the UK.
While it’s a physiological ailment, many patients say that it has a significant impact on their lives and, thus, mental health.
So, what is psoriasis, how is it treated and which foods help ease its symptoms?
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a non-contagious skin condition that causes flaky patches of skin that can sometimes be itchy or sore, according to the NHS. These flaky skin patches then form scales on the body.
The colour of the skin patches differs; they can be pink, red, purple or dark brown. Similarly, the scales formed from flaky skin can be white, silvery, or grey.
The ailment impacts men and women equally and, while it can start at any age, adults aged between 20 and 30 and those between 50 and 60 are often more susceptible.
Patients have reported that their psoriasis either started or became worse after a trigger event in their lives, such a skin injury, the use of certain medicines or throat infections.
The condition has also been linked to an increased production of skin cells. While a healthy body will make and replace skin cells every three to four weeks, those with psoriasis do this in three to seven days, causing a build-up of skin cells. This build-up creates the flaky patches.
Health experts still don’t understand what causes the increased production of cells. However, some think it might be linked to a problem with the immune system.
The immune system, which is the body’s defence against infections and diseases, can start to attack healthy parts of the body by mistake when it is ailed.
Psoriasis has been seen to run in families, although the link between genetics and the skin condition remains unclear.
How is psoriasis treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments that can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches.
Topical treatments using creams and ointments are a common medical approach.
If these fail to help, or a patient has severe psoriasis, phototherapy, where types of UV light are exposed to the skin, may be used.
In very severe cases that don’t respond to topical treatments or phototherapy, oral or injected medicines are used.
Lifestyle changes, such as your diet, are generally recommended as an everyday method of improving your symptoms.
Which foods help ease psoriasis symptoms?
Many psoriasis experts suggest that adopting an anti-inflammatory diet will help ease the symptoms of psoriasis.
While no diet will cure the condition, certain foods are known to help reduce inflammation. And having a balanced and healthy diet will support the overall wellbeing of your immune system, which also helps.
America’s National Psoriasis Foundation shares that some anti-inflammatory foods that may help are olive oil, green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, nuts such as almonds and walnuts, fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and tuna, and fruits such as berries, cherries and oranges.
Some studies have shown that the byproducts of an acid named arachidonic acid may also increase psoriasis patches. These acids are found in red meat, especially beef, and eggs.
Those who suffer from psoriasis may also want to check if they have a gluten allergy as this will trigger an autoimmune response that may worsen psoriasis symptoms.
People who are allergic to gluten should avoid grains, pasta, beer, certain processed foods and sauces, and baked goods that contain grains.
It is also said to be wise to generally avoid processed foods, canned fruits and vegetables, and foods high in sugar, salt or fat as they can cause chronic inflammation in the body.
Lastly, alcohol is thought to be a psoriasis trigger because of the way it negatively impacts the immune system. Thus, psoriasis patients are advised to avoid it or at least consume it very sparingly.
