7 Foods To Curb Your Psoriasis Flare-Ups

April 3, 2015

Do you suffer from psoriasis like Kim Kardashian and millions of others Americans? An autoimmune condition that primarily affects the skin, psoriasis can be annoying, stressful as well as embarrassing. The main symptoms include itchy red patches with silvery scales that can surface on your elbows, knees, scalp, back, face, feet and even palms.

Though the main cause of psoriasis is still unknown, some things are known to trigger its symptoms. Cutting out certain foods from your diet may provide relief to some extent. Here are seven foods you should avoid to lose that nasty itch.

1. Alcohol
Go easy on that glass of wine. Alcohol suppresses the functioning of the immune system, which could lead to inflammation. It even dehydrates your skin and makes it dry, worsening the symptoms. Here are five conditioning foods to combat dry skin.

2. Tomatoes
Nightshade vegetables—tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant and potatoes—may exacerbate psoriasis symptoms. Solanine, a chemical compound present in them is known to aggravate pain in some people. If you notice a link between these veggies and your psoriasis symptoms, cut them out. Here are five everyday foods to get clean and clear skin.

3. Citrus Fruits
Do you like to start your day with a grapefruit, orange or a glass of lemon juice? If yes, then that might be giving you that early morning itch! Citrus fruits like grapefruit, oranges and lemons are a common allergen. Nix these fruits from your diet to see if your skin improves.

4. Junk Food
Everyone knows that junk food is full of saturated fats, salt, trans fats, refined sugar and starch. The fried varieties are especially high in calories and can cause obesity. Excess weight contributes to increased inflammation in the body, which can worsen your psoriasis. Here’s how you can make healthy choices.

5. Gluten
Gluten, a protein found in our everyday staples such as bread, pasta, rye and barley, may be associated with aggravated psoriasis symptoms. But before you eliminate gluten from your diet, ask your doctor to screen you for existing gluten intolerance. (Related Article: Is The Gluten-Free Diet Right For You?)

6. Dairy
Dairy products, including milk, yogurt, cheese and butter, contain arachidonic acid, which is a known inflammatory trigger in the body. The protein casein present in milk products can further worsen symptoms. (Related Article: The Best Dairy-Free Option For Cooking & Baking)

7. Refined Sugar
Processed refined sugar is the worst offender for psoriasis triggers. Excessive consumption of sugar not only causes inflammation, but can also make you gain those extra pounds. Read how to prevent your sugar cravings naturally here.