Psoriatic Skin Causes – Mainstream and Alternative Viewpoints
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I started sharing my personal experience with psoriatic skin in the article “Psoriasis – The Year My Face Exploded“. In this article, we’re digging into potential causes of psoriasis.
When I went for my checkup in 2015, the doctor noted that my plaque psoriasis could lead to psoriatic arthritis. (Psoriatic arthritis is where the psoriasis attacks your joints.) This is not a path I want to take.
It bothered me that she was so matter of fact about something that was screwing up my life. I guess one develops a level of personal detachment over time.
Given than it was my health on the line, I have a more urgent and vested interest. One of the first things I tried to figure out was possible psoriasis causes. I figured if I can eliminate the cause, eventually my skin should clear.
Psoriatic Skin Causes – Mainstream and Alternative Viewpoints
Browsing around on mainstream medical sites, they seem to trivialise how psoriasis can throw a monkey wrench into your life. Scaling skin is no joke.
When my face was at its worst, I scared small children. I also got plenty of rude stares from people with no manners. It made me really uncomfortable to go out in public or record videos for online.
My skin would crack, bleed and ooze. Just the slightest bump to an affected elbow would send pain shooting up my arm. I couldn’t sleep at night because shifting in bed would break open the skin on my torso and start it bleeding again.
Psoriasis can be a major life disrupter, and mine was small potatoes compared to some cases.
The Mainstream Point of View
Here’s WebMD’s take on psoriasis causes:
A variety of factors — ranging from emotional stress and trauma to streptococcal infection — can cause an episode of psoriasis. Recent research indicates that some abnormality in the immune system is the key cause of psoriasis.
As many as 80% of people having flare-ups report a recent emotional trauma, such as a new job or the death of a loved one. Most doctors believe such external stressors serve as triggers for an inherited defect in immune function.
Injured skin and certain drugs can aggravate psoriasis, including certain types of blood pressure medications (like beta-blockers), the anti-malarial medication hydroxychloroquine, and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, etc.).
Psoriasis tends to run in families, but it may be skip generations; a grandfather and his grandson may be affected, but the child’s mother never develops the disease. Although psoriasis may be stressful and embarrassing, most outbreaks are relatively harmless. With appropriate treatment, symptoms generally subside within a few months.
That sounds nice and simple, but from what I’ve seen, many people with moderate to severe psoriasis suffer for years.
I did have frequent strep throat infections as a teenager (with accompanying antibiotics). A number of sources link strep throat to psoriasis.
I certainly have had plenty of stress in my life, including my mom’s death, wrapping up our homeschooling years, and simply trying to find enough hours in the day to get everything done.
I didn’t take any prescription meds except thyroid medication, and rarely use OTC medications.
I’m not familiar with any family members who had psoriasis, although several family members have dealt with moderate to severe acne. My mom developed a weird skin condition the last decade of her life.
Alternative Point of View
Contrast this with potential psoriatic skin triggers listed in “Healing Psoriasis The Natural Alternative “, which looks at a broader picture involving gut health:
- Antibiotics
- Alcohol and caffeine
- Chemicals in processed foods
- Enzyme deficiencies
- Prescription corticosteroids (such as Prednisone)
- A Diet High in Refined Carbohydrates (candy, sweets, soda, white flour products)
- Prescription hormones (such as birth control pills and hormone replacement therapy)
- Mold and fungal mycotoxins (from stored grain, fruit and refined carbs)
- Chronic constipation
- Improper elimination
- Insufficient daily intake of water
- Foods high in saturated fats (don’t know that I agree with this one, as our brain is made up mostly of saturated fat)
- Nightshades – particularly tomatoes
- Smoking
- Negative emotions
- Depression
- Spinal misalignments
- Hereditary factors
Energetic Point of View
In the book, “How to Heal Psoriasis from the Inside Out: An Energetic Perspective” the author touches on some physical causes such as:
- Having an acidic environment in the body
- Toxins and Heavy Metals
- Improper elimination/constipation
- Candida overgrowth
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She also relates her own experience, where she found a connection between emotional/spiritual issues and her psoriasis. This is the primary focus of the book.
Particularly interesting to me was where she correlated reflexology points with areas of the body where psoriasis developed. In my case, my psoriasis first showed up on my elbows. The author notes:
The inside of the elbows is a need to draw people or situations near to you, or to cling on. The outside of the elbow represents pushing people away.
She also notes that psoriasis on the front of the body relates to anxiety about what’s ahead. I have an abundance of this at the current time. I’ve also been a rather private person most of my life. I think that at times I struggle with the push to share more online.
Addressing Possible Psoriasis Causes
I cleared my skin with a combination of diet and lifestyle changes, as well as herbal remedies. It’s been eight years now, and my skin is still clear, other than a brief flare up on my hands in 2019.
For those dealing with psoriasis or other chronic health conditions – do any of these triggers sound familiar? I’d be grateful if you’d be willing to share your experience so that we can all learn together.
Other posts in the series:
- Psoriasis – The Year My Face Exploded
- Toxic Skin
- My Anti-Candida, Anti-Psoriasis Diet
- Candida
- Alternative Psoriasis Treatments
- Topical Psoriasis Treatments
- Psoriasis on my Hands
Get the Book – Psoriasis Healing
Now available in kindle or print, “Psoriasis Healing – From Curse to Blessing“. Released in 2020, this book shares my story and other tips for healing.
More Support
If you need support or ideas for dealing with chronic illness, check out our membership website, Bona Cresco. We have private forums (members only, not on social media) where we can discuss natural health options.
This article is written by Laurie Neverman. Laurie is a lifelong learner with a passion for natural remedies and holistic healing. She’s successfully improved her eyesight and cleared her psoriasis.
Originally posted in 2016, last updated in 2024.