Psoriasis Is More Than a Skin Condition — Here’s What’s Really Happening Inside the Body
Most people think psoriasis is “just a skin rash,” but science tells us it’s actually a whole-body immune condition. The red, flaky patches you see on the skin are the surface signs of a deeper process happening inside the immune system.
What Triggers Psoriasis?
People with psoriasis have an overactive immune response. Their immune system sends out signals—especially molecules called interleukins that trigger the skin to grow too fast. Normally, skin cells take about 30 days to mature. In psoriasis, this happens in just 3–5 days, leading to the build-up of thick plaques. Inside the immune system, certain cells become overactive and release signals that cause inflammation. These include:
Key immune signals involved include:
IL-17 — drives inflammation
IL-23 — keeps the inflammatory cycle going
TNF-alpha — another major inflammation trigger
Think of IL-17 and IL-23 as the “Fire Starters” of psoriasis
Think of psoriasis like a fire in the skin.
IL-23 lights the match by activating certain immune cells.
IL-17 keeps the fire burning by driving redness, swelling, and fast skin growth.
Psoriasis can impact sleep, confidence, relationships, and emotional wellbeing. But new research is offering real hope, thanks to treatments that go deeper than the skin.
Th17 cells
Dendritic cells
Cytokines (like IL-23 and IL-17)
These signals tell the skin to grow quickly and become inflamed which leads to plaques, itching, and soreness.
Naturopathic treatments assist in turning down an overactive immune response.
Targeting topical applications, oral supplementation along with diet and lifestyle changes the aim is to
· Reduce redness and scaling
Slow rapid skin turnover
Improve skin barrier strength
Reduce flares
Improve quality of life
Healing takes time and whilst psoriasis is a life-long issue and no cure has been found as yet, patients can manage their symptoms.
Reference:
Tokuyama, M. and Mabuchi, T. (2020). New Treatment Addressing the Pathogenesis of Psoriasis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(20), p.7488. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms21207488.