Beyond Skin Deep: A Functional Medicine Approach to Psoriasis
Lasting relief from psoriasis requires an approach that looks beyond the skin to identify and address the complex internal triggers of inflammation. At SouthPark Functional Medicine, Dr. Mahtani conducts a deep investigation into the root causes of your condition, creating a strategic path toward calming inflammation and achieving long-term skin health.
What Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition characterized by patches of itching, scaling skin, and discolored rashes. These symptoms may also be accompanied by dryness, bleeding, and burning, and tend to come and go in periods of flares. Psoriasis can affect any part of the body, though it most commonly forms on the elbows, arms, scalp, and nails.
This chronic condition is thought to be an immune disorder that causes skin cells to grow at an abnormal, rapid pace. Other potential causes and risk factors linked to psoriasis include smoking, heavy alcohol use, and certain medications.
Dr. Mahtani’s methodology for functional medicine for psoriasis focuses on identifying key triggers like gut dysbiosis, hidden food sensitivities, and systemic inflammation. Her goal is to create a personalized plan designed to modulate your immune response, reduce flare-ups, and restore your skin’s health from the inside out.
What Are The Symptoms of Psoriasis ?
Psoriasis symptoms will vary from one person to the next based on the type and severity of the condition. Below are some of the most common signs and symptoms of psoriasis.
Scaling
Scaling is the most common symptom of plaque psoriasis. You may have red, raised, thickened patches of scales, or scaling skin. Scales may be silvery-white in color, itch and burn, and be located on the elbows, scalp, knees, trunk, palms and soles of the feet.
Dryness and Cracking
The rapid turnover of skin cells in psoriasis can lead to thick and roughened patches of skin that eventually become dry and cracked. Patches of dry and cracked skin can develop on any part of the body and may also itch and bleed.
Nail Changes
Psoriasis that affects the fingernails and toenails—known as nail psoriasis—can lead to nails that are pitted, thick and ridged. Your nails may become discolored, and loosen and separate from the nail bed. In severe cases, the nails may even crumble.
Rash
Rashes that vary in color can develop in any type of psoriasis; however, this symptom is highly common in those with inverse psoriasis. Inverse psoriasis develops in the skin folds of the breasts, groin and buttocks. Rashes may be smooth, discolored and itchy.
Dandruff
Psoriasis on the scalp can lead to the development of flaking skin that strongly resembles dandruff. The dandruff that occurs with psoriasis may look more scaly and silvery than traditional dandruff and patches of inflamed skin can extend past the hairline to your forehead, neck and ears.
Joint Pain
Psoriasis is closely linked to a condition called psoriatic arthritis, which is characterized by swelling, inflammation, and pain in the joints, and affects only people with psoriasis. If you have both conditions, you may experience joint pain in the extremities, lower back and spine.
Psoriasis Explained
In psoriasis, the immune system becomes overactive and produces new skin cells at an extremely fast and abnormal pace. This causes layers of skin cells to build on top of one another before old cells can slough off, which leads to the development of thickened, rough patches of skin that have a scale-like appearance.
Anyone can get psoriasis, though it is more common in adults than in children. The exact cause of psoriasis is unknown, though it is suspected to be triggered by certain genetic and/or environmental factors. Smoking, heavy alcohol use, obesity, stress, poor nutrition, certain medications and a family history of psoriasis are all known risk factors for this condition.
At SouthPark Functional Medicine in Charlotte, North Carolina, our psoriasis doctor helps patients uncover and address the underlying triggers driving their condition. For instance, if obesity and certain medications are contributing to psoriasis, treatment may focus on losing excess weight and discontinuing or changing medications.
Functional medicine treatments for psoriasis focus on addressing the root causes of your condition so you can reduce or prevent flares, as well as the severity of your symptoms. When not well treated or managed, psoriasis can lead to poor quality sleep, depression, and a wide range of other serious health conditions that can affect your overall wellness and quality of life.
Here are some of the many benefits of psoriasis treatment using functional medicine protocols.
Better Gut Health
Imbalances in good vs bad gut bacteria may contribute to or worsen psoriasis, due to how certain bacteria in the gut can increase inflammation and toxin production. Psoriasis treatment involves reducing the number of bad bacteria in the gut and increasing good bacteria. This is achieved through diet changes and nutritional supplementation. For example, a diet high in probiotics (such as kimchi, Greek yogurt, and kefir) will increase the amount of good bacteria needed in the gut.
Reduction in Systemic Inflammation
An overactive immune system in psoriasis can lead to systemic, body-wide inflammation that often increases your risk for psoriatic arthritis and other autoimmune conditions. Functional medicine treatment for psoriasis usually focuses on reducing inflammation, such as through regular exercise and a diet that includes anti-inflammatory foods. Broccoli, leafy greens, blueberries, and fatty fish are some of the many anti-inflammatory foods that may reduce psoriasis symptoms.
Lower Stress and Stress Management
Chronic stress increases your body’s production and release of the stress hormone cortisol—another driver of inflammation. Learning how to effectively reduce and manage stress can go a long way toward improving your symptoms and reducing psoriasis flares.
Improved Sleep Quality
Symptoms of psoriasis including itching and burning skin and joint pain can interfere with a comfortable night’s sleep and lead to insomnia and other sleep disturbances. Psoriasis treatment can help you sleep better at night so you can feel more energetic, alert, and productive during the day.
Why Choose SouthPark Functional Medicine?
Because a complex condition like psoriasis requires a sophisticated expert. Dr. Sarita Mahtani’s unique dual expertise as a board-certified MD and an IFM Certified Practitioner allows her to move beyond symptom management. She utilizes a precise, evidence-based methodology to identify the complex root causes of the immune dysfunction and inflammation that drive psoriasis and creates a personalized plan for lasting results.
Choose expertise. Choose a true partner. Choose a new standard of care.
Psoriasis- Frequently Asked Questions
Knowing more about psoriasis can help you take better control of your condition and health. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about this chronic condition.
How Common Is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis affects an estimated 7.5 million U.S. adults aged 20 years and older, which represents about 3% of this population, according to a study published in JAMA Dermatology. Anyone can get psoriasis, though it is most common in people who are non-Hispanic White. Psoriasis affects both men and women equally and is more prevalent in adults than in children.
Which Lifestyle Behaviors Can Treat Psoriasis?
Certain healthy behaviors can help you manage psoriasis and reduce its symptoms. Exercising regularly, reducing your alcohol intake and not smoking are some of the many lifestyle behaviors that can treat psoriasis. Modifying your diet to include more probiotics, anti-inflammatory foods and foods high in vitamin D is also essential to managing psoriasis. If you want to learn more about natural and at-home treatments for psoriasis, Dr. Mahtani, our medical doctor at SouthPark Functional Medicine, can work with you to identify certain lifestyle changes that can improve your condition.
Which Factors Can Make Psoriasis Worse?
Many of the factors that trigger psoriasis can also make your condition worse, such as continuing to smoke, staying inactive and using medications that are known to cause symptoms. Stress, infections and weight gain are other factors that may worsen psoriasis. If you need help managing your condition and reducing your symptoms, Dr. Mahtani can help you identify and modify factors that may be worsening your condition.
Is Psoriasis Contagious?
No, psoriasis is not contagious. Psoriasis is thought to be an autoimmune condition that occurs when infection-fighting cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells. Psoriasis does not spread and you cannot get it when coming into close contact with someone who has scaly patches of skin. While psoriasis is not contagious, it is important to keep in mind that it does run in families and may be genetic.
How Does Psoriasis Affect Pregnancy?
If you have psoriasis, the condition itself will not be a threat to your baby during pregnancy. However, some conventional treatments and medications used to treat psoriasis, such as methotrexate, may harm you and/or your unborn baby. If you are pregnant and want psoriasis treatments that are safe to use during pregnancy, contact SouthPark Functional Medicine in Charlotte, NC to make an appointment. Our psoriasis doctor can talk to you in greater detail about your options and develop a treatment plan that is safe for both you and your baby.