The incidence of psoriasis is very high, and its symptoms are relatively obvious. In addition to using medication for proper treatment, dietary therapy can also be chosen to improve the body's immune system. What are the dietary therapies for psoriasis?
Symptoms of Psoriasis
Common symptoms: papules, abnormal fish scales, pigment abnormalities, cysts, scaly papules on the skin, pustules.
1. Characteristics of skin rashes
Initially, it appears as inflammatory red papules, about the size of millet or mung beans. Later, they gradually enlarge or merge into brownish-red plaques with clear borders. There is an inflammatory red halo around them, and the base is significantly infiltrated. The surface is covered with multiple layers of dry grayish-white or silvery-white scales. When gently scraped off, a layer of shiny translucent film of pale red color gradually appears, which is called the membrane phenomenon. When the film is scraped off, small bleeding points appear, which is called the punctate bleeding phenomenon. White scales, shiny film, and punctate bleeding are important features for diagnosing psoriasis, known as the triad. Morphology of skin lesions: droplet-shaped, coin-shaped, map-shaped, ring-shaped, belt-shaped, generalized, seborrheic dermatitis-like, eczema-like, oyster shell-like, lichen planus-like, chronic hypertrophic, wart-like, etc.
2. Common sites of occurrence
The scalp and extensor sides of the limbs are more common, with symmetrical distribution. Nails and mucous membranes of the fingers (toes) can also be affected. In a few cases, it can be seen in skin folds such as the axilla and groin, but it rarely occurs on the palms and soles.
3. Course of the disease
Chronic course with repeated episodes. Most patients have more severe symptoms in winter and milder symptoms in summer, while a few patients have more severe symptoms in summer and milder symptoms in winter. The course of the disease is generally divided into three stages: 1) Progressive stage: new rashes continue to appear, old rashes continue to enlarge, thick scales, obvious inflammation, significant itching, increased skin sensitivity, and the possibility of isomorphic reaction; 2) Stationary stage: no new rashes, old rashes do not regress; 3) Regression stage: inflammation subsides, scales decrease, papules shrink and become flat, light-colored halo appears around them, and temporary pigment reduction or deposition remains.
Dietary Therapy for Psoriasis
1. Cold Mixed Pork Skin Jelly
200g of pork skin, wash and remove fat, add 500ml of water, simmer on low heat for more than 1.5 hours, add carrot cubes, green pea cubes, dried tofu cubes, and appropriate seasoning, let it cool and solidify, then cut into pieces and eat. This dish has the effect of nourishing yin and yang, and moisturizing the skin. It is suitable for psoriasis patients with blood deficiency and wind dryness.
2. Spicy Tofu with Red Oil
400g of tofu, 50g of carrot, cut into square cubes, blanch in boiling water, then heat 30ml of sesame oil, add 3g of safflower, and turn off the heat. After it cools down, remove the residue and pour it over the tofu, add appropriate seasonings, and serve. This dish has the functions of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, and tonifying the middle and invigorating the spleen. It is suitable for psoriasis patients with stasis blocking the meridians and blood.
3. Chestnut Porridge
Cook 50g of chestnuts and 100g of japonica rice together to make porridge. Chestnuts have the good effects of nourishing the stomach and invigorating the spleen, nourishing the kidneys and strengthening the muscles, and promoting blood circulation and stopping bleeding. It is especially suitable for elderly psoriasis patients with waist and leg pain, joint pain, etc.
4. Carrot Porridge
Stir-fry carrots with vegetable oil, add 100g of japonica rice and water to cook porridge. Carrots contain carotene, which can be converted into vitamin A in the human body. It is suitable for psoriasis patients with dry skin and cracked lips.
5. Chrysanthemum Porridge
60g of chrysanthemum, 100g of japonica rice, first decoct the chrysanthemum to make a soup, then cook it together to make porridge. It has the effects of dispersing wind-heat, clearing liver fire, and improving vision. It has good therapeutic effects on wind-heat type cold, irritability, dry throat, red and swollen eyes, etc. It also has good preventive and therapeutic effects for psoriasis patients with cardiovascular diseases.
Prevention Methods for Psoriasis
1. Psychological factors: Daily life factors such as high work pressure, poor rest, excessive mental stress leading to emotional instability, excessive worries and anger, inability to properly adjust and maintain skin, irregular diet, overeating or consuming too much greasy and wind-inducing food, excessive alcohol and tea consumption, and external factors causing colds, fever, and tonsillitis leading to low immune function and lack of resistance, can all contribute to the occurrence and excessive recurrence of psoriasis. Mental tension, irritability, and depression are the leading psychological factors, accounting for about 18.6% of the total incidence of psoriasis in China.
2. Prevention of infection: Local infections are an important cause of psoriasis. In particular, complications such as tonsillitis and bronchitis after a cold need to be actively treated to shorten the duration of the disease. For patients with recurrent tonsillitis that is closely related to psoriasis, tonsillectomy should be considered, which is particularly important for adolescent patients.
3. Dampness and coldness: Many cases of psoriasis are caused by wind and cold invasion. Living in a damp environment and cold weather can trigger or worsen the disease. Therefore, patients should try to avoid excessive stimulation of the skin by extreme cold or heat, and keep the living environment well-ventilated and dry.
4. Allergic factors: Allergic reactions to certain foods, medications, or substances that come into contact with the skin can often induce psoriasis. After each recurrence, patients need to carefully recall what they have eaten or come into contact with recently, so as to identify the substances that make the skin itchy and subsequently develop erythema. They should try to avoid contact with such substances in the future. For example, certain seafood, beef and mutton, spicy foods, and other substances.
