Is Vitamin E Useful for Treating Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a condition characterized by patches and scales that develop on the skin. These can also affect the scalp, nails, or joints, and can be itchy and painful. The patches can be red or pink, but may also appear purple on darker skin, while scales can be white, silvery, or even gray.
Psoriasis is a chronic, long-term condition, and the symptoms can be different for everyone. Some people may have periods of remission when they're not experiencing any symptoms, followed by flare-ups when their usual symptoms can return and be quite intense.
For some, psoriasis may be only a skin condition, but for others, it may also present with pain, tenderness, and swelling in their joints that may need additional treatment. This is called psoriatic arthritis.
The article will look at the evidence for vitamin E as potential treatment or additional supplement for psoriasis and its effectiveness.
Can vitamin E treat psoriasis?
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamin, which means your body can store it in its tissues and use it later when necessary. Your body uses vitamin E for multiple purposes, including supporting immune function and protecting against oxidative stress. This helps maintain healthy skin, eyes, and joints.
In a 2021 study on chronic inflammatory diseases, researchers found that participants with vitiligo, psoriasis, or atopic dermatitis had lower levels of vitamin E than the participants in the control group who didn't have these conditions.
They also discovered that supplementation with vitamin E showed significant improvement of oxidative stress markers in the participants with psoriasis and vitiligo.
Researchers suspect this might be due to vitamin E's effect on antioxidant formation and lipid metabolism. However, more investigation is necessary on the exact mechanism of vitamin E levels in inflammatory skin diseases before this can be offered and recommended as a treatment.
A 2024 study also concluded that higher antioxidant intake, particularly higher vitamin E levels, was associated with a lower likelihood of psoriasis. More research is still necessary to explore how targeted dietary interventions could help manage the condition.
Research underscored the importance of nutrition and vitamin E intake for the management of psoriasis, but vitamin E supplementation is not currently a treatment method for the condition.
While current research has shown some of its benefits, vitamin E is still not recommended as a long-term treatment.
What are the treatment methods for psoriasis?
Many topical treatments for psoriasis are available over the counter. These include:
Coal tar shampoos, creams, ointments, or bath solutions: Coal tar can reduce redness, itching, and swelling. However, coal tar can also irritate the skin, so it's important to test it out first by applying it on a small patch of skin before covering any other areas affected by psoriasis.
Hydrocortisone creams and ointments: These can reduce inflammation and itchiness. Ointments can be more soothing than creams on dry or cracked skin.
Moisturizer: A daily moisturiser can seal in hydration and soothe the skin. It's important to choose a product that's appropriate for your skin and fragrance-free.
Scale softeners: These can help reduce swelling and remove the scales. Try products with ingredients like salicylic acid, lactic acid, or urea to soften and remove the scales. Salicylic acid can sometimes be irritating on the skin, so use it according to instructions.
Anti-itch products: Look out for products that contain the following ingredients to soothe the itch that may come with psoriasis:
calamine
camphor
hydrocortisone
menthol
Other treatments for psoriasis include phototherapy or systemic treatments. Healthcare professionals usually prescribe these for moderate to severe psoriasis and for psoriatic arthritis.
Reach out to a healthcare professional or dermatologist if you need more information about treatment methods for psoriasis and what would be most suitable for you.
Takeaway
Studies suggest a correlation between vitamin E levels and psoriasis. However, more research is necessary to investigate whether vitamin E can be a useful complementary therapy for the treatment of psoriasis.
Plenty of treatments for psoriasis include topical therapies such as ointments and moisturisers that contain targeted ingredients such as coal tar or salicylic acid. Reach out to a dermatologist if you have questions or concerns about the condition.
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