Managing Life With Psoriasis
- Singer and songwriter LeAnn Rimes showed off her beautiful skin in an Instagram post despite battling psoriasis, leaving people wondering how she has gotten such clear skin.
- Psoriasis is a rare skin condition that causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin that does not have a cure.
- Over the years, Rimes tried several different treatment options to clear up her psoriasis including steroid creams, diet changes, injections and moisturizers.
- Experts say avoiding foods that cause inflammation, like fried food, can help manage symptoms. And biologic injection medications are available to target the immune system.
- However, biologics can lead to concerning symptoms, so your doctor will help you determine the best treatment plan for you.
- SurvivorNet doctors say treatment options are available “where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
In new Instagram posts dedicated to her husband, actor Eddie Cibrian, Rimes shared photos and videos of the couple having some fun in Hawaii as well as snaps of the two of them over the years.
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Rimes, 40, shares many posts showing off her skin, which can leave many others with psoriasis wondering, how does she manage her condition and get what seems to be such clear skin?
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Understanding Psoriasis
Psoriasis, like what LeAnn Rimes has, is a rare skin condition that causes red, itchy patches to develop on the skin that does not have a cure. The most commonly affected areas are the lower back, elbows, knees, legs, soles of feet, scalp, face, and palms.
Research outlined in JAMA Dermatology says only about 3.2% of the U.S. population has psoriasis.
It is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's immune system becomes overactive and attacks normal tissues. Symptoms of psoriasis can be managed through various treatments.
Dr. Saakshi Khattri, a dermatologist/rheumatologist at Mount Sinai Health System, tells SurvivorNet. "It is a chronic condition, which can ebb and flow. You can have good days and bad days."
Dr. Saakshi notes that while anyone can develop psoriasis, the disease is more common in people between the ages of 30 and 50. Researchers believe genetics, as well as environmental factors, may play a role in the development of psoriasis.
Treatment for Psoriasis
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- Beginning of Psoriasis: Early Stages
If you are suffering from psoriasis, a dermatologist can help determine the treatment plan best for you.
How LeAnn Manages Her Psoriasis
LeAnn Rimes was diagnosed with psoriasis at 2 years old and, when she turned 6 years old, about 80% of her body was covered in "painful red spots," according to an article she wrote for Glamour Magazine.
Steroid Creams
Over the years, Rimes tried several different treatment options to clear up her psoriasis, including steroid creams.
Steroid creams or topicals are a common option to treat psoriasis. Topicals are often recommended for newly diagnosed psoriasis patients. These work by applying the cream on your affected skin to reduce inflammation.
The creams used can also be non-steroidal.
Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, adds that topical treatments are often a convenient option for patients.
"The majority of patients with psoriasis overall are managed with topicals only," Dr. Han explains.
"And I would say part of this is from convenience, and you could argue certainly patients with milder forms of psoriasis, it's justifiable to just treat topically."
Food
Throughout Rimes’ journey, she also began focusing on her diet to minimize triggering the condition. Healthline reported she "eliminated gluten and all fried food from her diet."
SurvivorNet experts say certain foods and drinks can trigger autoimmune conditions and cause inflammation.
Some examples of foods that cause inflammation include white bread and pastries, fried foods like French fires, sodas and other sugary drinks, red meat and processed meats and margarine, according to Harvard Health Publishing.
These types of foods can cause insulin (a hormone that controls our blood sugar) to spike in our bodies, which can contribute to inflammation.
Conversely, examples of anti-inflammatory foods include fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and fish.
Injections for Psoriasis
Rimes has also said she tried an "injection regimen" to manage her symptoms. She has not said what type of injections she uses, but SurvivorNet experts have some insight on what injection options are available to treat psoriasis.
The following medications can target specific parts of the immune system, or work as an immunosuppressant that inhibits fast-dividing cells.
- Methotrexate which is an FDA approved drug that works as an immunosuppressant that inhibits fast dividing cells. It’s often delivered as one dose or divided into three dosages over a 24-hour period. The side effects may include fatigue, nausea and headaches.
- Biologics target specific parts of the immune system and is given by injection or IV transfusion. This form of treatment can last as long as the medication is working but side effects include increased risk of infection, fever, cough or flu-like symptoms.
Biologic medications are typically prescribed after first-line treatment for psoriasis fails. Although they're considered to be safe, patients should still be monitored regularly as they carry a risk of suppressing the immune system and causing infections.
Furthermore, investigational studies should be carried out to determine their long-term safety.
There are three main categories of biologics used to treat psoriasis:
- Injections that target and block TNF, a pro-inflammatory molecule that the body may be producing too much of when a person has psoriasis (includes drugs like Humira, Cimzia, and Enbrel)
- Injections that target and block IL-17, another pro-inflammatory molecule that could trigger psoriasis symptoms (includes drugs like Cosentyx, Taltz, and Siliq)
- Injections that target IL-12 or IL-23, which are also proteins linked to psoriasis symptoms (examples of these drugs include Tremfya and Ilumya)
Even though biologics have proven to be very effective in treating patients with moderate-to-severe psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, the biggest concern remains with the increased risk that patients can develop serious infections while being on the medication (including Tuberculosis).
Other side effects can include the following:
- Allergic reactions on the skin as a result of the injection
- Headaches
- Flu-like symptoms (like fever, chills, cough, sore throat, fatigue, and runny nose)
- Urinary tract infections
- Upper respiratory tract infections
It’s important to talk to your doctor about your specific circumstances and what treatment may best best for you.
Sunshine and Saltwater
Rimes also shared that she's incorporated time outside to help manage her symptoms.
"Saltwater and sunshine mother nature's gifts to us truly, truly help me. I've been in a place before many times and gone on vacation and come back and been completely clear," she said to Prevention, a health news resource.
While saltwater can help with easing skin conditions, according to SurvivorNet experts, for some, the sun will exacerbate symptoms.
However, phototherapy, or light therapy, is a treatment option for psoriasis. It’s generally used when topical medications are not working. Phototherapy exposes the skin to ultraviolet light to slow down the excess growth of skin cells.
"It's a limited spectrum of the sunlight, which we use. Patients generally have to come to a place that does phototherapy. There's a phototherapy box. You go there. It's generally three times a week in the very beginning until your psoriasis is in control. And beyond that we can space it apart to once a week or twice a week as maintenance," Dr. Saakshi Khattri, explained to SurvivorNet.
WATCH: There is good news for people out there suffering from plaque psoriasis.
Moisturizers
Rimes added she also used some natural remedies such as coconut oil, which can be moisturizing, according to Cleveland Clinic.
"I use raw coconut oil which I love, I also love a little bit of any kind of carrier oil with a bit of essential oil in it," Rimes said.
Moisturizers can be very effective in treating dryness caused by the disease and promoting healing of the skin. SurvivorNet experts say the best moisturizer to buy will have the following characteristics:
- Heavy textures like oils, ointments, or creams
- Doesn't include any fragrance to avoid irritation
What to Know About Psoriasis Treatment Options
Psoriasis treatments can offer relief from flare-ups or may get rid of your symptoms completely.
However, it’s important to understand there's no cure and some approaches may bring on serious side effects. That's why choosing the most effective and safest course will be an important collaboration between you and your healthcare provider.
Keep in mind that it may take time to find the best treatment for your psoriasis.
"I have patients who come in after having been to many other medical practices and not really getting much hope or really good treatments for their psoriasis," Dr. George Han, a dermatologist at Northwell Health/Lenox Hill Hospital, explains to SurvivorNet.
"And we'll give the patient a systemic medicine that these days are very effective. We have treatments where over half of the patients who have moderate to severe psoriasis are getting 100% clear."
If you have psoriasis, it is important to ask your doctor what treatment options will work best for you.
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