Psoriasis Action Month: A Whole-Body Approach to Managing Psoriasis

Paula Gallagher on 09/12/2026

August marks Psoriasis Action Month, a time to increase understanding of a disease that goes beyond the surface.

Psoriasis is a long-term inflammatory disease where your skin cells grow faster than usual. The resulting raised, scaly patches can be itchy, burned, cracked, and painful. Most commonly occurring on the elbows, knees, scalp, and lower back, scalp psoriasis management is a common issue, but it can occur almost anywhere on the body.

Psoriasis is more than just a skin condition. The inflammation that accompanies the disease can impact the whole body, and individuals with psoriasis are at higher risk for a variety of other health issues. Approximately 30 percent of those with psoriasis will also develop psoriatic arthritis, which causes joint pain, swelling, and stiffness.

There is currently no cure for psoriasis, but treatment has improved significantly. Conventional medicines can be very effective, and in addition, nutrition, stress management, proper supplementation, and good skin care can be helpful.

Holistic psoriasis management isn't about choosing between conventional and natural approaches. The best plan for a lot of people is to have the right medications as well as to do what they can to improve their health.

What causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis occurs when the immune system becomes overactive and sets off an inflammatory response that causes an increased rate of skin cell production.

Normally, skin cells are replaced slowly over time. With psoriasis, this occurs rapidly, which causes skin cells to pile up on the surface of the skin, leading to the formation of plaques and scales.

Although genetics plays a major role, environmental and lifestyle factors may contribute to the onset of psoriasis as well as what triggers flares.

Common triggers can include:

Stress
Infections
Skin injuries
Smoking
Alcohol
Certain medications
Weather changes
Individual dietary triggers

Triggers are highly individualized, which is why a symptom diary may be useful for identifying possible triggers.

Conventional Psoriasis Treatments

The treatment for psoriasis varies depending on its severity, location, joint involvement, and quality of life impact.

For mild plaque psoriasis management, treatment often begins with topical medications. These could be steroids, synthetic vitamin D medications, retinoids, and others that reduce swelling or reduce how fast skin cells reproduce.

If your psoriasis is more widespread, your doctor might suggest phototherapy, typically narrowband UVB, which, unlike a tanning bed, is precisely calibrated to deliver ultraviolet light to slow down skin-cell growth and reduce inflammation.

Moderate-to-severe psoriasis management may require medications that work throughout the body. Other options are methotrexate, cyclosporine, apremilast, oral retinoids, or one of the newer systemic drugs.

The introduction of biologic agents has revolutionized the treatment of psoriasis. Biologics block certain aspects of the immune system that cause psoriasis and can provide marked relief for those with moderate-to-severe psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis.

In cases where medications are required for treatment, however, natural methods should not be seen as substitutes, but rather as additional steps in a holistic program aimed at improving skin condition, diet, and general health.

Can Diet Make a Difference?

There isn't a single "psoriasis diet," and no food or diet has been shown to help with psoriasis.

Yet, since psoriasis is an inflammatory disease, diets known to promote good metabolic and cardiovascular health might be especially important.

Eat a Mediterranean-style diet to start. Focus on:

Vegetables and fruits
Beans and lentils
Nuts and seeds
Whole grains
Extra-virgin olive oil
Fish and Other Sources of Omega-3 Fats
Minimally processed foods

Meanwhile, a reduction in highly processed food, added sugar, and heavy alcohol use can be good for general health and help isolate personal dietary triggers.

Body weight may also play a role. Because excess fat can promote inflammation throughout the body, managing weight may help control psoriasis symptoms for those who are overweight or obese.

What About Gluten?

Although avoiding gluten is recommended by some for people with psoriasis, it’s not needed for all patients.

Psoriasis has been linked to celiac disease; therefore, a person who has celiac disease or a confirmed gluten sensitivity might benefit from cutting out gluten. For those without these conditions, there’s no evidence that removing gluten on a regular basis helps psoriasis.

Talk to a practitioner about your symptoms and the appropriate testing for you before starting a restrictive diet.

Omega-3's and Psoriasis

EPA and DHA from fish and algae help the body maintain a normal inflammatory response.

Omega-3 supplementation has therefore become a subject of study for researchers investigating psoriasis. The findings have been inconsistent: Some trials showed benefits for symptoms; others did not find a significant decrease in severity of psoriasis.

However, the consumption of foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, sardines, trout, walnuts, chia seeds and flaxseed on a regular basis is a healthy decision, and may also bring cardiovascular health benefits to psoriasis patients.

For those not eating fatty fish on a regular basis, an omega-3 supplement may be a worthwhile addition. P athway Ultra Omega-3 Mini Fish Oil delivers higher amounts of EPA and DHA in more manageable softgels. EPA and DHA contribute to cardiovascular function and a healthy inflammatory response, which makes them a valuable component of any overall health strategy.

However, omega-3 supplements are not a psoriasis treatment, and people on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications should consult a health care provider before taking them.

Natural Topical Support

One of the easiest things you can do to support psoriasis-prone skin is the hardest to ignore: keep it moisturized.

Dry skin may also increase itching, cracking, and irritation. Using thick creams and ointments that are free from fragrances is usually better than using heavily scented lotions.

There are also a lot of natural body care products at Village Green Apothecary, so you can search for simpler formulas that are made with dry or sensitive skin in mind.

When you're shopping for a moisturizer, try to find one that's:

Fragrance-free
For sensitive or very dry skin
It's rich enough to help reduce moisture loss
Free of known skin irritants

Even though a colloidal oatmeal bath won't affect the immune mechanism itself, it can help soothe dryness and itchiness.

Remember that "natural" doesn't automatically mean gentle. Essential oils and highly fragranced botanical products can irritate sensitive skin and potentially make symptoms worse.

Don't Forget the Gut

There is a growing interest in studying the role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of immune-mediated diseases, such as psoriasis.

The relationship between the intestinal microbiome and psoriasis is being investigated by scientists.

For now, there isn't enough evidence to recommend a specific probiotic strain as a treatment for psoriasis.

Alternatively, a more evidence-based way of addressing this issue is to bolster the microbiome generally through a diverse, high-fiber diet that includes vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, nuts, seeds, and any fermented foods your stomach can tolerate.

If you’re seeking extra digestive support, Village Green also has probiotics on the shelf, one of which is Pathway 100 Billion Probiotic, which includes 12 strains of probiotics plus prebiotics.

Probiotics may help with digestive and microbiome health. Just keep in mind that they aren’t yet considered a treatment option for psoriasis.

Stress Is More Important Than It Sounds

One of the most common triggers of psoriasis that people report is stress. The disease itself can be stressful.

It can be a vicious circle:

Stress causes flare-ups; flare-ups cause more stress, which may cause more inflammation.

However, regular exercise, sufficient sleep, spending time in the outdoors, meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, and other stress management techniques shouldn’t replace medical treatment. They may be an important part of your overall psoriasis strategy.

Watch for Joint Symptoms

The most critical message of Psoriasis Action Month is about something other than the skin.

Roughly 1 in 3 people who have psoriasis will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis.

Talk to your doctor if you experience:

Persistent joint pain
Morning stiffness
Swollen fingers or toes
Heel pain
Joint swelling
Nail pitting or separation
Frequent unexplained tiredness and joint discomfort

It is important to diagnose and treat psoriatic arthritis early on, since inflammation over time can lead to permanent damage in the joints.

A Personalized Approach to Psoriasis

The thing about psoriasis is that it’s complicated. What can trigger a flare in one individual may have no impact on someone else.

Which is why treatment can’t just consist of a pill, a supplement, or a specific diet.

A holistic approach can involve appropriate medical treatment, anti-inflammatory foods, repairing nutritional deficits, regular exercise, stress reduction, quality sleep, gentle skin care, and the right supplementation.

And again, this is where Village Green Apothecary’s integrative approach can come in handy. Our pharmacists and nutritionists can look over your medications, supplements, diet, and potential drug-nutrient or herb-drug interactions to assist you in developing a plan to complement your conventional psoriasis treatment.

But above all, psoriasis supplements should never take the place of proven treatment for the condition. If you’re on prescription psoriasis treatments, especially oral systemic medications or injectable biologics, be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements or herbs.

The Bottom Line

Psoriasis can appear on the skin, but it’s actually a systemic inflammatory disease.

Topical therapies, phototherapy, systemic medications, and biologics can all offer good control of symptoms. Nutritional and lifestyle strategies can also help support health and manage the extra cardiac and metabolic risks related to psoriasis.

There may be a role for natural options, such as a Mediterranean-style diet, foods high in omega-3 fatty acids, stress reduction, gentle skin care, and specific nutritional supplements alongside conventional care, but they shouldn't be presented as help with.

So this Psoriasis Action Month, take a moment to look past the plaques. Because taking care of your skin is also about taking care of your immune system, your joints, and your whole body.

At Village Green Apothecary, we offer nutritional counseling by our pharmacists, nutritionists, and practitioners. We can evaluate your diet, medications, lab work, and supplements and help design a wellness plan that complements your current medical treatments.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is plaque Psoriasis treatment?

The most common type is plaque psoriasis. Treatment typically begins with what’s applied to the skin. For mild psoriasis, this may involve topical corticosteroids, prescription vitamin D derivatives, or retinoids, which slow down skin-cell growth. When plaques are more extensive, phototherapy or systemic medication, including biologic agents, may be used. The severity and distribution of plaques determine the best treatment option.

Can Psoriasis treatment cause hair loss?

That depends on the treatment, but scalp psoriasis, as well as excessive scratching or picking at the plaques, can cause temporary hair loss. Some treatments and stress around a flare may contribute too. Hair will grow back again in most cases when the scalp returns to normal. However, if the loss of hair continues, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Can laser treatment help with Psoriasis?

Currently, there’s no help with for psoriasis, so no laser treatment will eliminate it permanently. Excimer laser is a form of phototherapy that targets specific lesions with ultraviolet light. It may clear the plaques for a period of time. Flares can return, as psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated disease. Your dermatologist can advise you on whether laser therapy is right for you.

Can Psoriasis Clear Without Treatment?

We get asked all the time if psoriasis will just go away. It’s chronic, so plaques will subside between flare-ups but are likely to come back without a proactive treatment strategy. With the right treatment and lifestyle support, many people reach long stretches of clearer skin.

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