Psoriasis is a skin disease that’s uncomfortable at best and extremely painful at its worst. With so many potential triggers or causes, it can be hard for those living with it to figure out how to get rid of it. This woman, however, was able to figure it out. Now, after two years of having painful patches covering 90% of her body, she is officially psoriasis free. This is what she discovered was causing her problem.
What Is Psoriasis?
With about two percent of Americans living with the condition, psoriasis is a very common problem. It is a condition that makes the body produce new skin cells very quickly – in days instead of the usual weeks. These extra skin cells then pile up on the skin’s surface leaving thick, scaly patches. These patches are itchy and often even painful. This illness also can cause mental health trauma due to its visible nature and the misconceptions surrounding it. (1)
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. This means that the T-cells of the immune system attack healthy cells. In this case, something goes wrong with the immune system which causes the T-cells to attack skin cells. Usually, something happens that first triggers this. This can be medications, stress, a skin injury such as a bad sunburn or a cut, an infection, heavy drinking, tobacco smoking, and even certain weather conditions.
Psoriasis can be hereditary, however, it is not contagious. Unfortunately, it does tend to be a life-long disease where the person simply learns to manage symptoms as well as avoid their potential triggers. Triggers are the same as those that can cause psoriasis in the first place. These are highly individualized and can take time to figure out. Usually, symptoms can be managed by a healthy lifestyle and a proper psoriasis skin routine.
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Woman Clears Her Psoriasis With Just One Change
A young woman on TikTok, who goes by @itsrosieandharry on the platform, has been sharing her psoriasis experience online. Recently, she claimed that, after spending two years with psoriasis plaques covering 90% of her body, she has completely cleared it up. She did this by discovering what the root of her problem was: birth control pills.
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“I feel like I can finally say I know the root cause of my flare-up was in fact the birth control pill,” she said. “If I can express any message to you if you’re suffering with something similar, is to not give up. I’m literally living proof that it will get better. There is a light at the end of that dark tunnel I promise you.” (2)
According to her, going off of the birth control pill is what helped her finally get on the path toward healing. It is not clear what other remedies, such as lifestyle habits and skincare routines, she has done as well to aid her healing. You can learn more about her experience on her Youtube channel.
Oral Contraceptives and Psoriasis
Hormones and hormonal fluctuations certainly have a role to play in psoriasis. Oral contraceptives, aka the birth control pill, do affect hormone levels and types in the body. Oral contraceptives can actually be beneficial for skin conditions in the majority of people who have been prescribed them for this reason— and this includes psoriasis. However, in a smaller percentage of people, they can have a negative effect. This young woman found that her being on the birth control pill made her psoriasis worse and potentially even triggered it. As already mentioned, however, psoriasis causes and treatments are highly personal. For some women, the birth control pill is actually used to improve psoriasis flare-ups and symptoms. (3)
For many skin conditions treated using the birth control pill, which pill you use depends on the problem you are having. Different pills use different hormones and different levels of those hormones. Typically, for certain skin problems, for example with acne, estrogens reduce acne while androgens aggravate it. (4)
According to DermNet, oral contraceptives can sometimes cause:
- Acne
- Melasma
- Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis
- Spider telangiectasis
- Pyogenic granuloma
- Porphyria cutanea tarda
- Erythema nodosum
- Acanthosis nigricans
If you are suffering from psoriasis or any skin condition, and you are on hormonal birth control, talk to your doctor. Perhaps they will want to change which pill you are on, or they may wish to try changing your birth control method and plan. Either way, always be sure to advocate for yourself and explore your options for the best treatment options possible.
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Sources
- “PSORIASIS: CAUSES.” AAD
- “Woman Clears Psoriasis Covering 90% Of Body After “Discovering Root Cause.” Thought Nova. Anna T. November 13, 2022.
- “Psoriasis and hormones.” Medical News Today. Jenna Fletcher. February 23, 2021.
- “Oral contraceptives and the skin.” Derm Net NZ