Overload
Psoriasis
Category: Illness or disabilities
Type
Involuntary
Introduction and description
Psoriasis is characterized by patches of abnormal skin, which are typically red, itchy, and scaly. They may vary in severity from small and localized to complete body coverage.
The disease affects around 2–4% of the population. Men and women are affected with equal frequency and the disease may begin at any age. The psoriasis itself is not contagious, the pathogen causing it may be.
It is NOT, repeat NOT an autoimmune disease, it always has a cause.
The tag autoimmune is a recently introduced medical term meaning ‘I cannot be bothered to investigate further because it is easier and more lucrative for me to hand out pharmaceuticals’. Given that pharmaceuticals are a major cause of psoriasis, this is irony added to irony.
Symptoms
There are five main types of psoriasis: plaque, guttate, inverse, pustular, and erythrodermic.
- Plaque psoriasis, also known as psoriasis vulgaris, makes up about 90% of cases. It typically presents with red patches with white scales on top. Areas of the body most commonly affected are the back of the forearms, shins, around the belly button, and the scalp.
- Guttate psoriasis has drop-shaped lesions.
- Pustular psoriasis presents with small non-infectious pus-filled blisters.
- Inverse psoriasis forms red patches in skin folds
- Erythrodermic psoriasis occurs when the rash becomes very widespread, and can develop from any of the other types.
Fingernails and toenails are affected in most people at some point in time. This may include pits in the nails or changes in nail colour.
Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of psoriatic arthritis, lymphomas, cardiovascular disease, Crohn's disease, and depression. Psoriatic arthritis affects up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis.
The diagnosis of psoriasis, however, is not as straightforward as it may appear. Doctors themselves have difficulty in separating out the various types of skin disease and on further examination, some of the separation is arbitrary. One part of the body may show signs of 'ezcema', another dermatitis, another psoriasis .... and in fact all the while the person is actually suffering from candidiasis. And below is a mild case of candidiasis, for you to see the problem:
Causes
The problem with classifying diseases by symptom is that the same symptoms can be caused by a number of different pathogens - fungi, bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, toxins, nanoparticles, radiation, etc sometimes combinations of these.
There are an almost infinite number of combinations of symptoms which could be given a name without ever identifying the cause.
All the pathogens are lurking inside the body. Sometimes they erupt, sometimes they don't. So whether we get a skin eruption or not is actually pot luck. It may even mean our immune system is so good all the pathogens are desperate to escape by whatever is the easiest route - the skin!
Let us suppose, for example, that due to the administration of antibiotics, a person's intestinal flora has been completely disrupted so that it has caused an overgrowth of candida in their gut, which has damaged the intestinal wall and caused the fungi to leak out into the blood stream. From there it can go anywhere. In one person it may attack their heart with no symptoms until they get heart disease; in another their joints, causing arthritis, but again with no skin effects. But as we have seen, psoriasis is associated with arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and Crohn's disease. Psoriatic arthritis affects up to 30% of individuals with psoriasis.
So we should be looking for the pathogen when a person gets a skin eruption.
The causes of skin diseases are covered in full under the generic heading of skin diseases. But in order to demonstrate the point we have included some [only some] of the pathogens implicated under each category.
The role of Stress
Stress can trigger psoriasis because it weakens the immune system. But stress per se is NOT a cause. Whatever pathogen is attacking you may be being held at bay by the immune system when you are relaxed and content, but when you are cold [in Winter], over worked, tired or generally ‘run down’ the psoriasis will flare up, because the immune system collapses when we do not take care of ourselves.
Kim Kardiashan has psoriasis
Vaccines
A vaccine consists of an excipient, adjuvant and the pathogen against which immunity is sought. The adjuvant tells the immune system to fight everything in the vaccine, thus it will also learn to fight the excipient and the adjuvant. Some excipients closely resemble the proteins in the skin and if the match is close enough, the immune system wiil start to attack the skin. This is the only case where psoriasis is an auto-immune disease, but it has been caused by the vaccine.
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory disease with multiple known triggers. We report the case of a patient whose psoriasis was triggered by tetanus and diphtheria immunization (Td vaccine). PMID: 23050604
There are also cases where the virus in the vaccine is a latent one [lies low in the body after vaccination and is thus not defeated] and at times of low immunity re-emerges.
Viruses
This is but one example, other viruses are also implicated - see references below. Many of the viruses can only have been received via vaccination and these are also latent viruses.
To identify the reservoir of human papillomavirus (HPV), we examined 335 sera from different groups of patients for the presence of HPV5 antibodies …. The prevalence of antibodies reacting with HPV5 virus-like particles was found to be significantly higher in psoriatic patients (24.5%) than in other groups (2-5%), including patients with atopic dermatitis and renal transplant recipients. PMID: 9540967
Bacteria
Bacteria as a whole are implicated in causing psoriasis, for example
Peripheral blood samples from 20 patients with psoriasis, seven guttate, six chronic plaque and seven chronic plaque with associated guttate flare and from 16 control subjects were studied for the presence of bacteria ….. Ribosomal bacterial DNA was detected in the blood of all 20 patients with psoriasis, but in none of the controls. Streptococci were detected in six of seven patients with guttate psoriasis, but none had staphylococci. In contrast, staphylococci were identified in 9 of 13 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis, whilst only 2 demonstrated streptococci. In three psoriasis patients, species other than streptococci and staphylococci were identified. These findings suggest that psoriasis is associated with bacteraemia, with distinct taxonomic groups present in guttate and chronic plaque psoriatic subtypes. PMID: 20607546
But we again come across the problem of intestinal flora imbalance, as many of the bacteria implicated are also to be found in the intestine. It appears that the use of antibiotics or laxatives have completely imbalanced the flora, leading to damage of the intestinal wall after which any number of pathogens can then escape into the blood stream.
Recent advances have improved our understanding of the link between psoriasis and cell-wall-deficient bacteria (CWDB) infections. In the present study we assessed the prevalence of CWDB infection in patients with psoriasis. CWDB were isolated from 74.2% of psoriasis patients …. CWDB infection may be a virtual triggering factor in psoriasis by regulating T-cell activation. PMID: 20137493
Cindi Lauper has psoriasis
Pharmaceuticals
Using the eHealthme website which summarises the Adverse Drug reports of doctors in the USA, submitted to the FDA and SEDA, the pharmaceuticals implicated in causing psoriasis can be found by following this LINK.
In 2016, eHealthme completely reordered their site. This meant that every link we had provided to their data no longer worked. The links to eHealthme take you to their site but not the relevant section. Thus you can use the link, but you will need to search under ‘symptoms’ and then use the section ‘drugs causing symptoms’ to get the information.
As might be expected, the biggest class of drug implicated in causing psoriasis is the immunosuppressants - which, since they suppress the immune system are guaranteed to ensure all the pathogens in your body can have a field day.
One immunosuppressant stands out. Etanercept (trade name Enbrel) is a TNF inhibitor. On Apr, 17, 2016: 175,035 people were reported to have side effects when taking Enbrel and among them, 8,686 people (4.96%) had Psoriasis.
Aspirin has a poor record, as do Statins. Pain killers and NSAIDs are also implicated. The benzodiazepines [like vallium], anti-depressants and anti-anxiety drugs, anti-hypertensives, osteoporosis treatments, mineral and vitamin supplements [which act as poisons if you overdose], diuretics, epilepsy treatments, menopause treatments, plus many many more classes of drug are implicated in causing psoriasis. And as we have seen antibiotics are also implicated.
What may not be realised is that the stents used in heart disease treatments are covered with an immunosuppressant to stop them being rejected, as such I am afraid, if you have a stent, the risk of getting psoriasis is high if any of the other pathogens are present [and indeed may have been the cause of the heart failure].
Overall, as we can see, pharmaceuticals are probably one of the biggest causes of psoriasis.
Fungal infection
In the elderly in particular there is a strong correlation between having fungal infections and skin diseases in general
The aim of the study was to assess the most frequent skin diseases in people over 60 years old among residents of a public nursing home …. A total of 30.5% of respondents (n=61) had been treated due to skin diseases, most frequently for 6-10 years (26.2%). Fungal infection, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis were the most frequent dermatological diseases among the study elderly. PMID: 26677319
The assumption is often that the fungus is on the person's skin, but one of the major culprits is Candida and this occurs in the intestine, leading one to suspect that the same route - antibiotics, destruction of intestine wall, candida in the blood stream and then fungal infection and psoriasis- is present.
Toxins and heavy metals
Toxins such as insecticides and pesticides can cause psoriasis as can heavy metals. With metals such as mercury, perhaps leaking from a dental filling, the cause is simply mercury poisoning, or lead poisoning, nickel poisoning or whatever heavy metal is alien to the body. But it appears from the papers [see below] that imbalances of metals we need in trace amounts can also cause a psoriatic reaction.
The key problem here appears to be imbalances caused by other pharmaceuticals or the use of supplements. For reasons we are unable to understand, the general public, even tough it has probably never had such good access to fresh food, appear to believe they need vitamin and mineral supplements, when in fact their diet gives them a perfectly adequate supply. And here we havetheconsequences from the ehealthmeweb site
On Apr, 25, 2016: 11,231 people reported to have side effects when taking Magnesium. Among them, 43 people (0.38%) have Psoriasis.
Treatment
Find the cause. Is it a fungi like Candida? Is it a virus, or bacteria? Heavy metals can be chelated, other pathogens fought with food and plants.
Sleep is a great healer. Warmth is a great healer. If the cause is intestinal imbalance, this must be tackled with some priority.
Those with stents or transplanted organs will always have a battle on their hands, but those without need to review the pharmaceuticals they take and have taken.
Psoriasis can be cured if you find the pathogen. In other words by knowing the cause, you can fight the cause and there are a great many foods that help a great deal with skin problems – including such pleasant fruits as lemons and limes [which also help with eczema].
The observations provide more details.
References and further reading
An exceptionally important section that is pertinent to this section is that on Anaphylaxis. The reason will become clear if one follows the LINK. The description uses the work of the Nobel prize winner Dr Charles Richet- Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis associated with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Arnett FC, Reveille JD, Duvic M. Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 1991 Feb;17(1):59-78. Review. PMID: 2041889
- Hepatitis C virus infection: prevalence in psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Taglione E, Vatteroni ML, Martini P, Galluzzo E, Lombardini F, Delle Sedie A, Bendinelli M, Pasero G, Bencivelli W, Riente L. J Rheumatol. 1999 Feb;26(2):370-2. PMID: 9972971
- Human papilloma virus infection and psoriasis: Did human papilloma virus infection trigger psoriasis? Jain SP, Gulhane S, Pandey N, Bisne E. Indian J Sex Transm Dis. 2015 Jul-Dec;36(2):201-3. doi: 10.4103/0253-7184.167178. PMID: 26692619
- Epstein-Barr virus and human herpesvirus type 6 infection in patients with psoriasis. Neimann AL, Hodinka RL, Joshi YB, Elkan M, Van Voorhees AS, Gelfand JM. Eur J Dermatol. 2006 Sep-Oct;16(5):548-52. PMID: 17101477
- Varicella zoster virus-associated generalized pustular psoriasis in a baby with heterozygous IL36RN mutation. Sugiura K, Uchiyama R, Okuyama R, Akiyama M. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2014 Nov;71(5):e216-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2014.07.015. Epub 2014 Oct 15. No abstract available. PMID: 25438000
- Incidence of Candida in psoriasis--a study on the fungal flora of psoriatic patients. Waldman A, Gilhar A, Duek L, Berdicevsky I. Mycoses. 2001 May;44(3-4):77-81. PMID: 11413927
- Evaluation of candidal colonization and specific humoral responses against Candida albicans in patients with psoriasis. Taheri Sarvtin M, Shokohi T, Hajheydari Z, Yazdani J, Hedayati MT. Int J Dermatol. 2014 Dec;53(12):e555-60. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12562. PMID: 25427068
- [The role of various Candida species in oral candidiasis etiology in psoriasis and eczema patients]. Sakharuk NA. Stomatologiia (Mosk). 2013;92(4):31-3. Russian. PMID: 23994853
- Mercury poisoning: a case of a complex neuropsychiatric illness. Huang X, Law S, Li D, Yu X, Li B. Am J Psychiatry. 2014 Dec 1;171(12):1253-6. doi: 10.1176/appi.ajp.2013.12101266. PMID: 25756767
- Allergic contact dermatitis in psoriasis patients: typical, delayed, and non-interacting. Quaranta M, Eyerich S, Knapp B, Nasorri F, Scarponi C, Mattii M, Garzorz N, Harlfinger AT, Jaeger T, Grosber M, Pennino D, Mempel M, Schnopp C, Theis FJ, Albanesi C, Cavani A, Schmidt-Weber CB, Ring J, Eyerich K. PLoS One. 2014 Jul 24;9(7):e101814. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0101814. eCollection 2014. PMID: 25058585
- Dramatic exacerbation of palmoplantar pustulosis following strongly positive nickel patch testing. Ito T, Mori T, Fujiyama T, Tokura Y. Int J Dermatol. 2014 May;53(5):e327-9. doi: 10.1111/ijd.12242. Epub 2014 Feb 14. PMID: 24673108
- Zinc and copper levels in Iranian patients with psoriasis: a case control study. Ala S, Shokrzadeh M, Golpour M, Salehifar E, Alami M, Ahmadi A. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2013 Jun;153(1-3):22-7. doi: 10.1007/s12011-013-9643-6. Epub 2013 Mar 14. PMID: 23483426
- Enhanced ferritin/iron ratio in psoriasis. Rashmi R, Yuti AM, Basavaraj KH. Indian J Med Res. 2012 May;135(5):662-5. PMID: 22771596
- Cobalt-based dental alloy, allergy to cobalt, and palmoplantar pustulosis. Pigatto PD, Guzzi G. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2012 Feb;113(2):153-4;. doi: 10.1016/j.tripleo.2011.05.048. Epub 2012 Jan 20. PMID: 22669109
- Personal experiences of the psoriasis and its relation to the stressful life events. Sarilar M, Koić E, Dervinja F. Coll Antropol. 2011 Sep;35 Suppl 2:241-3. PMID: 22220444
Related observations
Healing observations
- A low-fat diet supplemented with dietary fish oil (Max-EPA) results in improvement of psoriasis 015618
- A pilot study assessing the effect of prolonged administration of high daily doses of vitamin D on the clinical course of vitiligo and psoriasis 012054
- Alison Chester Lambert - The psoriasis diet 014138
- Antipsoriatic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic effects of an extract of red propolis 021339
- Association of 25-hydroxyvitamin D with metabolic syndrome in patients with psoriasis: a case-control study 012055
- Autoimmune diseases heavy metals and bacteria 006526
- Bugs as drugs, Part 1, Insects the the 'new' alternative medicine for the 21st century? 021341
- Dr Duke's list of anti-psoriasis activity for Carrots 012422
- Dr Duke's list of anti-psoriasis activity for Celery 012423
- Dr Duke's list of anti-psoriasis activity for Grapes 012421
- Dr Duke's list of anti-psoriasis activity for Tea 012424
- Dr Duke's list of Biological activities of Coumarin 018558
- Dr Duke's list of chemicals and activity for the Shallot 017969
- Dr Duke's list of Chemicals in Plants with Antipsoriatic Activity 019352
- Dr Duke's list of Plants with Antipsoriatic Activity 018422
- Dr Duke's list of Skin disease activity for the Dog Rose 018095
- Dr Duke’s list of Chemicals and their Biological Activities in: Cucurbita pepo L. (Cucurbitaceae) -- Zucchini 027494
- Effect of narrowband ultraviolet B therapy on inflammatory markers and body fat composition in moderate to severe psoriasis 015619
- EFT and Psoriasis 006213
- Fish oil, evening primrose oil, linoleic acid and psoriasis 012002
- Healing by AVOIDING Humira 026334
- Histidine deficiency, filaggrin and psoriasis 019127
- Incidence of Candida in psoriasis--a study on the fungal flora of psoriatic patients 021024
- Inhibitory effect of a propolis on di-n-propyl disulfide or n-hexyl salycilate-induced skin irritation, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in mice 021340
- Malnutrition and skin disease in Far East prisoners-of-war in World War II. 027371
- Mechanism of action and clinical benefits of colloidal oatmeal for dermatologic practice 021338
- Medical Nutrition Therapy as a Potential Complementary Treatment for Psoriasis – Five Case Reports FULL PAPER 017214
- Medical nutrition therapy as a potential complementary treatment for psoriasis--five case reports 017212
- Metagenomic testing as a means of identifying the pathogens causing Psoriasis 026772
- Plant extracts for the topical management of psoriasis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. 020994
- Plants for use with skin diseases 010325
- Psoriasis and nutrition 012060
- Reasoning for seasoning 005551
- Sauna health benefits and risks 006718
- Sulphur, psoriasis, dermatitis and spas 006682
- Systematic review of UV-based therapy for psoriasis. 027424
- The Evidence for Using Hypnosis with Skin Disorders 012307
- The Healing Power of Sleep 026790
- Vitamin D deficiency, Psoriasis and Obesity 012056
- Vitamin D status in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis 012057
- Vitiligo, Psoriasis and Vitamin D 010132