When I was 20 years old, away at school, I had no idea that my life was about to be turned upside down. It all started with a chronic infection in an obstructed salivary gland, which led to round after round of antibiotics. The infection eventually cleared up, but soon after, something even more troubling began to happen—psoriasis plaques started appearing on my face, knees, and elbows.
At the time, I’d never even heard of psoriasis. There were no commercials for it on TV, no support groups, and no one I knew had ever mentioned it. I was young, away from home, and faced with this mysterious, embarrassing condition. I felt utterly alone.
When I finally saw a dermatologist, the diagnosis was delivered almost casually, as if it were no big deal. Psoriasis, they said. “It just happens.” And then came the prescription—a topical steroid cream that was supposed to make it all better. But it didn’t.
Sure, the cream provided some temporary relief, but the plaques never truly went away. Instead, they would fade slightly only to return, sometimes even worse than before. And the side effects? They were brutal. My skin became thin, fragile, and prone to irritation. Every time I applied the cream, I felt like I was putting a band-aid on a gaping wound, knowing deep down that it was doing nothing to address the real problem.
The Science Behind the Medications
Topical steroids, like the one I was prescribed, are designed to reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system’s response in the skin. While this can temporarily reduce the redness and scaling associated with psoriasis, it does nothing to address the underlying cause. In fact, these medications often mask the symptoms while the real issue—often tied to gut health—continues to worsen beneath the surface.
The same can be said for immunosuppressants, another option I knew was available. These medications work by dampening the immune system as a whole, making it less likely to attack the body’s own tissues. But at what cost? Side effects of immunosuppressants can include an increased risk of infections, higher chances of developing certain cancers, potential liver and kidney damage, hypertension, and even the worsening of autoimmune conditions. To me, these medications felt like trading one set of problems for another, potentially even more dangerous set.
The Hidden Cause: Leaky Gut and Food Triggers
What I didn’t know then, but have come to understand now, is that psoriasis is often linked to a condition known as leaky gut. In simple terms, leaky gut occurs when the lining of the intestines becomes permeable, allowing toxins, undigested food particles, and bacteria to leak into the bloodstream. This triggers an immune response, leading to systemic inflammation, which can manifest as psoriasis, among other autoimmune conditions.
The foods we eat have everything to do with this process. Certain foods, like those from the nightshade family—tomatoes, peppers, potatoes—can exacerbate leaky gut in susceptible individuals, leading to flare-ups of psoriasis. It wasn’t until I eliminated nightshades from my diet that I began to see real improvement. This small, seemingly insignificant change gave me back a sense of control that I hadn’t felt in years.
A Journey of Desperation and Determination
Back then, the internet wasn’t what it is today. Researching psoriasis was like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Amazon was still mostly selling books, so I ordered every obscure title I could find, each promising a cure. One book advocated for an apple fast, another suggested a diet of nothing but chicken and vegetables, and yet another claimed that psoriasis was purely a psychological issue. I tried them all, desperate for relief, but each approach led to nothing but frustration. Cream after cream, book after book—none of them worked. I shudder to think how much I spent on medications, copays, and the next “wonder” topical.
The emotional toll was immense. Here I was, a young adult, trying to navigate college life while feeling like my body was betraying me. I felt hopeless, frustrated, and embarrassed. My friends didn’t understand what I was going through, and I didn’t know how to explain it. I was constantly searching for something, anything, that would make a difference.
Finding Hope Through Understanding
It wasn’t until I made the connection between my diet and my symptoms that I began to feel a glimmer of hope. Discovering that nightshades were a trigger for me was a turning point. I finally understood that what I was putting into my body, not just what I was putting on it, had everything to do with my worsening condition.
Eliminating nightshades and focusing on nutrition was just the tip of the iceberg. But it made a big enough difference that I continued my search, which eventually brought me to where I am today.
Now that I understand what happens biologically in the gut, I’ve been able to ease and even eliminate symptoms and flare-ups for myself. It’s all about lifestyle, nutrition, and incorporating primal strategies into our modern lives. There’s a reason no one had heard of psoriasis 30 years ago, and now it’s talked about on prime-time TV.
For the first time in years, I felt like I had some control over my health. This newfound understanding propelled me forward and set me on the path to where I am today—in a position to help others find relief naturally, without relying on steroids, immunosuppressants, or other dangerous medications.
If you’re struggling with psoriasis or any other autoimmune condition, I want you to know that there is hope. It might not be an easy journey, but it’s one worth taking. The key is to look beyond the surface and address the root cause of the issue. For me, that meant healing my gut, understanding my food triggers, and making lifestyle changes that support my overall health.
Side Effects of Topical Steroids:
- Thinning of the skin
- Increased susceptibility to irritation
- Stretch marks
- Delayed wound healing
- Skin discoloration
Side Effects of Immunosuppressants:
- Increased risk of infections
- Higher likelihood of developing certain cancers
- Potential liver and kidney damage
- Hypertension
- Worsening of autoimmune conditions