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Is Egg Good for Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin. Because eggs contain an ingredient called arachidonic acid that has been shown to be a trigger for psoriasis symptoms, they would generally not be recommended. Other psoriasis triggers include red meat, dairy, sugar, gluten, alcohol, and nightshades (potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and certain spices).
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that affects the skin. Because eggs contain an ingredient called arachidonic acid that has been shown to be a trigger for psoriasis symptoms, they would generally not be recommended. Other psoriasis triggers include red meat, dairy, sugar, gluten, alcohol, and nightshades (potatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and certain spices).

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition. Symptoms of psoriasis include red, thick, scaly, and flaky skin. 

Eggs contain a polyunsaturated fatty acid called arachidonic acid that has been shown to be a trigger for psoriasis symptoms, so they would generally not be considered good for psoriasis. 

In addition to eggs, other foods may also trigger or worsen psoriasis symptoms, such as: 

  • Red meat
  • Dairy
  • Gluten (a protein found in wheat, rye, barley, and many prepared foods), in people who have gluten sensitivity
  • Simple sugars
  • Alcohol
  • Nightshades, such as white potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant, bell peppers, and spices including cayenne and paprika

What Does Psoriasis Look Like?

Psoriasis commonly affects the scalp, elbows, and knees. Symptoms of psoriasis may include:

  • Patches of skin that are:
    • Thick, dry, red, or dark
    • With silvery-white scales that itch or burn
  • Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds
  • Rashes on the:
    • Scalp
    • In skin folds (armpits, groin, or under the breasts)
    • Genitals
  • Nail changes 
    • Pitting
    • Thickness
    • Ridges
    • Crumbling
    • Changes in color 
  • Emotional effects
  • Psoriatic arthritis
    • Occurs in some patients
    • Stiff, swollen, painful joints

What Causes Psoriasis?

Psoriasis is caused by an overactive immune system, but the reason the immune system becomes triggered in some people is unknown. 

Risk factors that may increase the chances of developing psoriasis include:

  • Family history of psoriasis
  • Some types of infections, such as strep
  • Certain medicines
  • Smoking
  • Obesity

Triggers for psoriasis flares include:

  • Stress
  • Skin injury, including scratches, sunburns, bug bites, and vaccinations 
  • Illness, such as ear infection, bronchitis, tonsillitis, or respiratory infection
  • Weather, especially cold weather 
  • Allergies
  • Certain foods
  • Alcohol 
  • Environmental factors 

How Is Psoriasis Usually Treated?

There is no cure for psoriasis, but treatments can relieve the symptoms. Treatment for psoriasis includes: 

  • Topical treatments, such as creams and ointments
    • Prescription topical treatments
      • Steroids
      • Anthralin
      • Calcipotriene (Dovonex) 
      • Calcipotriene and betamethasone (Taclonex)
      • Tazarotene (Tazorac)
      • Calcitriol (Vectical)
  • Over-the-counter (OTC) topical treatments
    • Salicylic Acid
    • Coal Tar
    • Moisturizers
    • Bath solutions such as oil, oatmeal, Epsom salts, or Dead Sea salts
    • Scale lifters (keratolytics) with an active ingredient of salicylic acid, lactic acid, urea, or phenol 
    • Anti-itch treatments such as calamine, hydrocortisone, camphor, diphenhydramine hydrochloride (HCl), benzocaine, and menthol (may increase irritation and dryness)
    • Aloe vera, jojoba, zinc pyrithione, capsaicin and others may also help moisturize, soothe, remove scale, or relieve itching 
    • Castederm for inverse psoriasis to help dry moist plaques in the folds of the body 
    • Coverings (occlusion) applied over topical treatments such as plastic wrap, cellophane, waterproof dressing, cotton socks or a nylon suit
  • Phototherapy (light therapy)
    • Ultraviolet light B (UVB): broad band and narrow band
    • Psoralen + UVA (PUVA) 
  • Systemic treatments
    • Biologics and biosimilars
      • Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) inhibitors 
      • Interleukin 12 and 23 (IL-12, IL-23) inhibitors 
      • Interleukin 17 (IL-17) inhibitors 
      • Interleukin 23 (IL-23) inhibitors 
      • T-cell inhibitors 
    • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) 
    • Traditional oral systemics
      • Acitretin (Soriatane)
      • Cyclosporine
      • Methotrexate
      • Off-label systemics, including hydroxyurea (Hydrea), isotretinoin, mycophenolate mofetil, sulfasalazine, and 6-Thioguanine 
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)

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References
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/psoriasis-the-basics?search=psoriasis&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1

https://www.psoriasis.org/

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/bjd.15059

https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/psoriasis/insider/diet/psoriasis-what-should-eat

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7432353/

https://www.onegreenplanet.org/natural-health/managing-psoriasis-with-a-plant-based-diet/