Kim Kardashian has been very candid about her struggles with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis—a type of arthritis that develops in almost a third of those who have psoriasis. She’s shared pictures of her face and legs covered in outbreaks. I’m grateful for her candor, because it hits close to home. I don’t suffer from psoriatic arthritis—knock on wood—but I know all about psoriasis. I’ve been dealing with psoriasis for decades at this point. And it may be a cliché, but there is comfort in knowing that I’m not alone. It’s also helpful to learn how others deal with the condition and what has helped them. For Kim, a plant-based diet has helped tremendously.
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That a very famous woman known throughout the world for her beauty has shared images of herself covered in patches of irritated skin that few to none would call beautiful does a lot to spread awareness of this condition. Now, Kim isn’t a doctor, and what’s worked for her may not work for you or me, but it seems to me that including more plants in your diet isn’t a bad thing, even if it doesn’t ease the symptoms of psoriasis. Check out Kim’s journey with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis—including how practicing a plant-based diet with cheat days has helped her.
What is psoriasis?
According to the Mayo Clinic, “Psoriasis is a skin disease that causes a rash with itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp.” It’s a chronic disease that can be painful.
How did Kim discover that she had psoriasis?
“When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up. I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs,” Kim shares in an article on Poosh, her sister Kourtney’s website.
Is there a cure?
Nope. There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but there are treatments that can help manage symptoms. You can also try lifestyle changes, which is what Kim did when she switched to a plant-based diet.
A neighbor helped her out with the first flare-up.
When her psoriasis first appeared, a neighbor who was a dermatologist told her to visit his office, where he gave her a shot of cortisone. The cortisone made the flare-up subside, and for five years Kim was seemingly psoriasis-free.
That’s the thing about psoriasis, though—it can go away and come back.
“The condition tends to go through cycles, flaring for a few weeks or months, then subsiding for a while,” explains the Mayo Clinic. That’s what happened to Kim. Her psoriasis came back big time!
Kim attributed her second bout with psoriasis to a dress she wore.
“At the time, I wasn’t sure it was psoriasis. I was living in New York—I will never forget it, since it was our DASH store opening in November. I was wearing this glitzy sequin dress from our store to the opening and I came home afterward and was itching. It seemed like it came out of nowhere, but I thought that my skin was just sensitive toward the dress’s material, so I didn’t think too much about it,” she writes.
When she got home, her mom knew better.
When Kim headed back to Los Angeles, mom Kris Jenner took one look at her leg and told Kim that it was psoriasis. Kris was not wrong and was able to identify it because Kris has first-hand knowledge of psoriasis.
What causes psoriasis?
Since it’s an autoimmune disease, no one really knows what causes it or how to cure it, but researchers believe that genetics play a role in who gets it. “I am the only child my mom passed down her autoimmune issue to. Lucky me, lol,” Kim jokes.
How does Kim treat her psoriasis?
“I live a healthy life and try to eat as plant based as possible and drink sea moss smoothies. With all the stress in life, I try to make sure I take time for myself so that I am centered and keep my stress to a minimum,” Kim shares.
Being pregnant kept her psoriasis away.
“When I got pregnant both times, it fully went away. That was amazing, but then it came back again,” she writes. When it came back, it was with a vengeance and “was extremely bad.” That’s when she started trying all kinds of natural ways to treat it.
How has following a plant-based diet helped her?
“It’s made me more mindful about how what I put in my body affects me, not just psoriasis but also my mood, my stress levels, my energy, everything,” she shares in a follow-up interview with Poosh. She does have treat days when she enjoys things like pizza and donuts, though. She says she tries "to eat as many anti-inflammatory and antioxidant foods as possible," which makes sense since psoriasis is an inflammation caused by the immune system malfunctioning.
What else does she do to treat her psoriasis?
“I’ve found that putting ointment or cream on the bad areas and then wrapping them in Saran Wrap helps. But obviously, that can only be done in certain areas,” Kim shares as one of her DIY treatment tips.
Her best tip for dealing with psoriasis has nothing to do with food, though.
“If you have psoriasis, you can’t let it ruin your life or get the best of you. You have to do what you can to make sure you are comfortable but not let it take over,” she reveals. She is absolutely right; you can’t let it become the focus of your every day.
What does she do to cover up her flare-ups?
Sometimes she leaves it alone and lets it show. When she doesn’t "want it to be a distraction," she covers it up with body makeup. I personally love that she doesn’t always hide or cover it up, because it means she’s not ashamed of it, and that helps destigmatize having psoriasis.
What’s Kim’s advice for others with psoriasis?
“You have to get to a place where you just feel comfortable and own it. Be able to realize it’s a part of you,” she says. That’s the thing with chronic illness—you have to come to peace with it being a part of your life.
