Psoriasis is a condition mainly affecting the skin but it can also take a social, emotional, and psychological toll on the individual. Luckily there are several things you can do to control psoriasis and prevent it.
What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and autoimmune condition affecting the skin, joints, or both. It causes a rapid buildup of skin cells in certain areas and this build-up of cells causes scaling on the skin’s surface. Inflammation and redness around these scales are fairly common. Psoriasis can also cause pitted nails and pain and inflammation in the joints.
The psoriatic scales are typically whitish-silver colored and may develop in thick, red patches. These scales can be small or large and cover large areas of the back, elbows, knees, legs, feet, scalp, face, and hands. Sometimes the red patches can crack and bleed.
Plaque psoriasis is one of 5 types of psoriasis and the most common type of psoriasis accounting for around 80% of cases. Each type of psoriasis can occur in cycles of weeks or months with a stage of remission where symptoms subside.
Common Symptoms of Psoriasis
Common symptoms are scaling, cracked skin, itching and burning, red patches of skin, pitted nails, and inflamed joints.
Complications of psoriasis can include psoriatic arthritis, mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, and other autoimmune conditions such as celiac disease, IBS, or Crohn’s disease.
5 Most Common Types of Psoriasis
Plaque Psoriasis
This is the most common type. It typically appears on the elbows, knees, lower back, and even the scalp. Red, inflamed patches that cover areas of the skin. These patches are often covered with whitish-silver scales or plaques. 80 percent of cases are this.
Guttate Psoriasis
This type is more common in young adults and children. It consists of small pink spots on the arms or legs.
Pustular Psoriasis
Pustular psoriasis consists of white, pus-filled blisters and broad areas of red, inflamed skin. The stomach is a common area for this type but it can also occur on hands and feet. This type isn’t very common.
Inverse Psoriasis
Inverse psoriasis affects skin folds such as under the breasts or butt. It is characterized by smooth patches of red, inflamed skin. This type can be triggered by fungal infections.
Erythrodermic Psoriasis
Erythrodermic is a very rare form. It can cover your entire body and look like sunburnt skin. It is a peeling rash that can itch and burn intensely.
Common Triggers and Risk Factors of Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition affecting the skin. This means that the immune system is weakened and misfiring, attacking healthy cells such as the skin instead of the true invaders. Lifestyle plays a major role in most autoimmune conditions. Let’s take a look at what can trigger or cause psoriasis.
Genetics
There is a very small genetic component to psoriasis, around 2 -3%. However, your lifestyle can either emphasize this gene or make it irrelevant.
Certain Drugs and Medications
Some blood pressure and antimalarial medications contain chloroquine which can weaken your immune response and restrict blood flow. Some drugs are Ace 2 Inhibitors which can also restrict blood flow and weaken your immune response.
Food
Foods such as gluten and gluten-free flours, nightshades, dairy, sugar, and white flour can trigger psoriasis if there is a sensitivity. If you are consuming foods that your body has a sensitivity to, this can cause a leaky gut.
With a leaky gut condition, your gut is not properly working to absorb things and remove toxins from your bloodstream. So it goes to a backup mechanism which is to push those toxins out through your skin.
BMI
Obesity and being overweight can also be major culprits in triggering psoriasis due to inflammation and metabolic disorders that are caused by obesity.
Sun Exposure
This is just as important for psoriasis sufferers. However, overexposure to the sun can make psoriasis worse.
Weak Immune System
A weakened immune system and lack of key nutrients can also make psoriasis worse.
7 Natural Remedies for Psoriasis
Many autoimmune conditions like psoriasis are treated with steroids, NSAIDs, and immune-suppressing drugs. Although these medications are successful at relieving pain, rashes, and swelling, they come with great risks to your immune system and overall health. They also do nothing to improve the underlying condition.
Here are some natural remedies you can use to control or reverse psoriasis.
Genetics
The key to addressing genetic causes of psoriasis is fixing your lifestyle.
Natural Moisture
The last thing you want to do is use skin moisturizers with inflammation-causing ingredients, chemicals, and toxins. Aim for products with the least amount of ingredients and chemical additives such as shea butter, cocoa butter, and coconut oil. These types of moisturizers may also offer some relief! Take a look at the Livingood Daily Market for Dr. Livingood-approved skincare.
Sun Exposure
Too much sun exposure can make psoriasis worse. A moderate amount may make it better. UV light therapy would also work. 20 minutes of whole-body exposure to light or the sun can provide much-needed nutrients to your body and help control inflammation.
Gut Detox
Skin or joint issues are a sign that you are inflamed and need to address your gut. Sometimes a whole gut reset is necessary to remove toxins, change eating habits and remove inflammation. The Livingood Daily Lifestyle breaks it down into a 21+ day protocol that will help you eliminate triggers, cleanse your gut and reduce inflammation.
Strengthen Immunity
Vitamin D, Zinc, and fatty acids are key nutrients for strengthening your immune system. The Livingood Daily Vitamin D combines vitamin D3 with healthy fats, magnesium, zinc, vitamin A, and K2 for an ultra-absorbing, immune-boosting super formula.
Avoid Drugs and Medications
Avoid harmful medications such as blood pressure medications and shots by building better health and consuming the nutrients your body needs for optimum health. Unlike drugs that can actually restrict your blood flow, the nutrients and herbs in Livingood Daily Healthy Blood Pressure Support address your problem to promote healthy blood pressure and blood sugar. And with Livingood Daily Vitamin D, you can build natural immunity without injections.
Reduce Inflammation
The most important thing you can do to reduce inflammation is to avoid sugar and remove food triggers such as gluten, gluten-free flour, dairy, nightshades, and white flour from your diet. Replace these toxic foods with greens and healthy fats! The Livingood Daily Challenge offers meal plans, recipe guides, and shopping lists to help you build better habits around food.
Another way to reduce inflammation is to get rid of the over-the-counter pain relief and NSAIDS and opt for nutrients that can reduce pain and inflammation. Livingood Daily Omegas + Turmeric combines high-quality sources of fatty acids and highly purified and absorbable curcumin (turmeric) to help your body fight inflammation, support cardiovascular functions, healthy joints, and a healthy inflammatory response.
Summary
Psoriasis is so much more than a skin condition. It can affect everything from your joints to your sleep, and mental health. By avoiding food triggers, and reducing inflammation in all areas of your life, you can reverse your condition and avoid any complications.
