The Gut-Skin Axis: Foods That Trigger Your Psoriasis Flare-Ups

Psoriasis diet

As a Clinical Nutritionist working daily with autoimmune patients, I hear the same story constantly: “Doctor, I apply all the creams, use the medicated shampoos, but the plaque always comes back with a vengeance.”

Here is the truth that conventional dermatology sometimes overlooks: Your skin is a mirror of your gut.

Psoriasis is not just a “skin disease”; it is a systemic inflammatory condition. Imagine your body is a house on fire. Topical treatments (like soaps and creams) are the firefighters putting out the fire on the roof (the skin). But if you keep pouring gasoline on the fire in the basement (your gut) through what you eat, the firefighters will never be able to finish their job.

Today I want to talk to you about the psoriasis diet. Not as a “miracle cure”—because in autoimmunity, the word “cure” is delicate—but as the most powerful tool you have to turn down the volume on inflammation and ensure effective treatments like Dermabon work at 100%.

We Are What We Eat: The Direct Connection Between Digestion and Plaques

To understand why certain items are inflammatory skin foods, we must talk about the concept of “Intestinal Permeability” (or Leaky Gut).

Your gut has a lining that should be like a very fine mesh net, allowing only digested nutrients to pass into the bloodstream. However, in many patients with psoriasis and gut health eczema issues, this mesh is broken or has holes due to stress, antibiotics, and poor diet.

When you have a leaky gut, undigested food particles, bacteria, and toxins “escape” into the blood. Your immune system, which is already hypersensitive, detects these invaders and launches a full-scale attack. The result? Systemic inflammation that, due to genetic predisposition, manifests on your skin as red plaques and scaling.

A correct psoriasis diet seeks to repair this intestinal barrier so that the immune system stops being on constant “red alert.”

The 3 White Enemies: Sugar, Refined Flours, and Dairy

If you want to see real changes in your skin, we must start by eliminating the most potent pro-inflammatory agents. in my practice, I call them “The 3 White Enemies.”

1. Refined Sugar

Sugar is fuel for inflammation. When you consume excess sugar, your insulin levels spike, activating enzymes that destroy collagen and increase inflammatory cytokines. If you have psoriasis, sugar is like throwing wood on the fire.

2. Refined Flours (Gluten)

There is a very strong connection between gluten and psoriasis. You don’t need to be Celiac (severely allergic) to have a sensitivity.

Gluten contains a protein called gliadin, which in many people increases intestinal permeability. Furthermore, the molecular structure of gluten is similar to certain skin tissues, which can cause “molecular mimicry,” where your body attacks your skin by mistake while trying to attack the gluten.

• Recommendation: Try a gluten-free diet for 4 weeks and observe your plaques.

3. Dairy (Casein)

Cow’s milk contains casein and a protein called A1 beta-casein, which are highly inflammatory for the adult human digestive tract. Additionally, dairy contains growth factors (IGF-1) designed to grow a calf, but in humans, they can stimulate the excessive proliferation of skin cells (keratinocytes), worsening psoriatic plaque.

The Nightshade Debate: Should I Quit Tomatoes and Eggplants?

This is one of the most controversial topics in autoimmune nutrition. You have probably read about nightshades and skin and wonder if your salad is the culprit.

Nightshades (Solanaceae) include:

• Tomatoes
• Potatoes (white)
• Eggplants
• Peppers (bell peppers, chili peppers, paprika, cayenne)

These vegetables contain chemical compounds called alkaloids (like solanine), which act as the plant’s natural pesticides. In healthy people, nothing happens. But in people with active autoimmunity, these alkaloids can irritate the intestinal lining and increase the inflammatory response.

Should you quit them all? Not necessarily.

As a specialist, I suggest an elimination psoriasis diet. Remove nightshades for 30 days. Then, reintroduce them one by one (e.g., only tomato for one week). If you notice your plaques getting redder or itching more, then yes, for you, they are a trigger and should be avoided.

Healing Foods: Omega-3, Turmeric, and Probiotics

We’ve talked about what to remove. Now, what should we put on the plate to put out the fire? An effective psoriasis diet must be rich in nutrients that calm the immune system.

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

These are the most potent natural anti-inflammatories. They help reduce the production of substances that cause inflammation (leukotrienes).

• Sources: Wild salmon, sardines, mackerel, flaxseeds, walnuts, and chia seeds.

2. Turmeric and Ginger

Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has been shown in studies to block the NF-kB factor, a molecule that travels to the nucleus of your cells and turns on genes related to inflammation. It is natural medicine for your skin.

• Tip: Always consume it with a pinch of black pepper to improve absorption.

3. Probiotics and Prebiotics

To repair gut health eczema and psoriasis, we need good bacteria.

• Fermented foods: Sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir (water or coconut), and kombucha.
  These bacteria help seal the gut and train your immune system to be more tolerant and less reactive.

Scientific Evidence: Various medical studies have correlated obesity and the Western diet with the severity of psoriasis, suggesting that weight loss and an anti-inflammatory diet significantly improve response to treatments. You can read more about the diet-inflammation relationship in this medical study from the Journal of Dermatology.

Dermabon + Diet: The Winning Combo for Long-Term Remission

My patients often ask me: “If I follow the perfect diet, can I stop using my topical treatment?” The honest answer is: Not immediately, and perhaps not entirely.

Psoriasis is chronic. The psoriasis diet lowers internal inflammation, making flare-ups less frequent and less aggressive. But the plaque that is already there—that thick, stubborn crust—needs external help to dissolve.

This is where Dermabon comes in.

Its formulation with 2% coal tar works from the outside:

1. Slows down excessive cell production (antimitotic effect).
2. Thins existing plaque.
3. Relieves itching immediately.

The magic happens when you combine both worlds.

• Your diet: Stops pouring gasoline on the internal fire.
• Dermabon: Puts out the external fire and repairs the skin.

By attacking the problem on both fronts, you achieve much longer and more sustainable remission periods (clear skin). Many of our users have managed to get back to their normal lives thanks to this holistic approach. Read recovery testimonials and discover how others have managed to control their skin by combining healthy habits with the right treatment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does intermittent fasting help with psoriasis?

Yes, it can be very beneficial. Intermittent fasting allows the digestive system to “rest” and activates autophagy (cellular cleaning), which can reduce systemic inflammation and improve skin response.

Should I take Vitamin supplements for skin?

Vitamin D is crucial. Most patients with psoriasis have a Vitamin D deficiency. Supplementing (under medical supervision) and taking moderate sunbaths helps regulate the immune system.

Does alcohol affect my flare-ups?

Definitely. Alcohol is a very aggressive inflammatory skin food. It dehydrates, burdens the liver (which is the toxin filter), and increases histamine, provoking more itching and redness. Reducing it is vital.

How long does the diet take to show effects on my skin?

Skin takes about 28 days to regenerate, and the gut can take months to repair. Generally, patients notice a decrease in itching within 2-3 weeks, but the visible reduction of plaques with diet + Dermabon consolidates between 2 and 3 months of consistency.

Conclusion

Don’t get overwhelmed trying to change your whole life in one day. The psoriasis diet shouldn’t be a prison, but an act of self-love.

Start with small changes: swap white bread for sweet potatoes, reduce sugar in your coffee, increase your fish intake. Watch how your skin reacts. Your body is wise, and if you give it the right nutrients and the proper topical treatment like Dermabon, it has an incredible capacity to heal.