Last Updated on 21st November 2019 by Caroline Haye
Psoriasis and vitiligo share a number of characteristics in common. Both are chronic skin disorders with a genetic component and no cure. (Although various helpful therapies do exist for them.) They are both categorised as inflammatory autoimmune conditions. And research points to a close relationship between the two. To suggest they have exactly the same cause and same solution would be too simplistic. But what are the chances that, given their close relationship, what works for one may also help the other?
I am not a doctor, nor a medical researcher. So I can’t offer much in the way of a scientific answer to that question. But I am a “vitiligo survivor” and my own experience has been one of reversing and managing my vitiligo using nutrition as a safe and natural therapy. I am not alone in doing this. Many people with vitiligo and / or psoriasis have done the same. And the evidence for this is quite compelling, even if it is mainly anecdotal.
Therapies that can work for both vitiligo and psoriasis
This interesting article about nutrition for psoriasis could just as easily have been written for vitiligo. In fact, it is remarkable how well it matches my own experience. Added to that, the Five a Day green food supplement I took (and still do every day) is a formulation that I know has helped a lot of psoriasis sufferers keep their condition under control too.
The other part of my own self-help vitiligo therapy was UV exposure. This consisted of sunbathing when possible and narrowband UVB phototherapy when the weather was dull. This is also a tried and tested therapy for psoriasis with plenty of clinical and anecdotal evidence to back it up.
The beauty of both nutritional and UV therapy for vitiligo and for psoriasis is that they are very safe options (as long as you make sure you exercise your common sense and stick to the relevant instructions and guidelines for each). They do not involve drugs or invasive clinical procedures. And they can only improve your overall health. In my opinion, and my personal experience, they will also very likely have a hugely positive effect on your skin condition too.
