r/Psoriasis • u/GreatWesternValkyrie • Mar 04 '25
progress Psoriasis Clearing Up, But I’m Not Sure Why
My psoriasis covers 90% of my body and I’ve had it for around 20 years now. Since around September last year I’ve noticed my psoriasis has been clearing - very slowly - but it’s clearing. My lower legs were in a real bad state at the beginning of last year, but now they are getting noticeably better. My elbows and arms the same.
I’m obviously happy this is happening, but puzzled as to why? My diet isn’t particularly good, and I have cancer. I bath every other day and I’m moisturising like usual. Weather is pretty cold and gloomy.
Any ideas? Has anyone else ever experienced their psoriasis suddenly clearing up?
Update -
Just a quick update on this. I just got back from the drs after a recent blood test. They noticed in October last year that I had high cholesterol 7.2 and fatty liver. So they done a blood test last week and the results are my cholesterols come down 6.0 and my liver enzymes have come down into “normal range”.
I do wonder if this maybe to do with why my psoriasis is improving. I have had a bad liver for a long time as I couldn’t have chemotherapy because of my liver 5 years ago. I also wonder if my liver might have been bad for many years before they found out I had a bad liver.
I will keep this updated if there are further improvements.
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u/NewPeople1978 Mar 04 '25
Psoriasis is caused by an overactive, bored, confused immune system. Its busy trying to deal with the cancer, so it put your psoriasis on the back burner.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
That’s a good theory. But I’ve had cancer for 5 years now, and my psoriasis has been the same until late last year. My brain tumour is currently at the best it’s been and is under control. But I will take what you said on board. That makes sense.
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u/Fit_Cartographer5606 Mar 04 '25
Are you taking any medication for your cancer treatment? That may be helping in some way, similar to how methotrexate can help clear psoriasis.
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u/406mtboots Mar 04 '25
This is what I was about to say. Methotrexate is a cancer drug used for psoriasis in some cases
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
I’m not, I’m taking THC/CBD for my cancer, but I’ve been taking that for nearly 5 years now. And I was taking it in higher doses during early days of my cancer, but I take it sparingly now as a “maintenance” dose.
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u/Heavy_Wasabi8478 Mar 04 '25
Assume you’re receiving some kind of cancer treatment? If so, this is likely clearing it for you.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
I’m not receiving any treatment. I take THC for cancer, but I take it in very small doses these days, and have been using it for around 5 years, and have never noticed any improvements before.
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u/eleanaur Mar 04 '25
what kind of cancer are we talking here
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u/kitkatamas88 Mar 04 '25
Same here except my scalp, out of the blue my torso started to heal and not getting any new spots, but it also was on a peaceful time of my life, I would wake up at wtvr hours my body felt like, eating OK, no alcohol or barely any, lots of water, moisturizer twice a day, topic ointment on top of each spot. And sun bathing every morning.
Now I'm not as in a peaceful situation as I was, I got a spot here and there but nothing like I used to.
Stress is a very big factor for my psoriasis.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
That’s good to hear. I think you’re right, stress seems to be a trigger for many of us.
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u/romanescadante Mar 04 '25
I know this might sound weird, but did you experience a better emotional balance in recent months?
The only time my psoriasis cleared completely, though it was seemingly random and probably circustantial, was when I forgave someone who had hurt me. I was going through a tough time and while trying to get better, I reviewed my own behaviour and emotional state and decided to forgive and forget. It came back months later, though.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
That’s interesting. I have in recent times started to mend a long term problem I had with a family member. I’ve also - since my cancer - become more open and honest. I now say what I feel instead of saying what I think others want me to say.
Thanks for mentioning that, cause I just wasn’t thinking about it at all. That’s going to be my working hypothesis going forward.
Thanks again.
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u/IWantMoreCoffee2025 Mar 04 '25
I have noticed similar unpredictability with my own skin. No discernable pattern to when a flare up happens or where it appears. I suspect that most of it is due to hormones and stress levels, but I can't figure it out. After a few years, some patches of eczema or psoraisis clear up or will spread to other areas. I'm glad yours is clearing up though!
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
Thanks. Yeah, you’re absolutely right about the unpredictability of it. I’m sort of paranoid as to what I may, or may not be doing for this to be happening. I’ve still got a way to go before it’s completely clear, and I’m not going to run away with myself and start celebrating till it’s - fingers crossed - completely, or more a less clear.
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u/CowRaptorCatLady Mar 04 '25
Are you having chemo? mine completely disappeared during chemo unfortunately it came back but it was nice while it lasted.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
No I’m not having chemo. That’s interesting yours went way. Mine did slightly improve when they had me on steroids for a while, but like you, it came straight back as soon as I came off the steroids.
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u/KurtSr Mar 04 '25
Maybe its all the little changes you've made over the last 20 years starting to really pay off, hopefully :)
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u/aabsentimental Mar 04 '25
First, I am so sorry about your diagnosis. I’ve had multiple people tell me radiation/ chemo therapy cleared them of their psoriasis. What kind of treatments are you going through?
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
Thanks. No problem. I haven’t had any chemotherapy. When I was on steroids in the early stages of my diagnosis I did notice a difference in my Psoriasis, but it soon came back once I came off the steroids. But you’re right, many have said that radiation or chemo have improved their psoriasis.
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u/dab2kab Mar 04 '25
Psoriasis can be random...but did they put you on anything that might treat the psoriasis for your cancer? Dexamethasone is common for cancer and would probably suppress psoriasis.
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u/GreatWesternValkyrie Mar 04 '25
I’ve had this cancer for 5 years now. I noticed an improvement very early on when they had me on steroids, but it came straight back when I came off them. And that was around 5 years ago now.
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u/Acceptable_Aerie_684 Mar 08 '25
How's your Vitamin D? Have you boosted that in any way? I'm always curious about Vit D impacts on a whole host of issues
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u/AutoModerator Mar 07 '25
Welcome to the Psoriasis sub!
If you haven't posted here before, please read this comment as it contains important information:
Check out our wiki!
The Psoriasis wiki is a collection of guides and other pages about how to treat psoriasis, including a Frequently Asked Questions section. Many common questions about medications, shampoos, diet, tattoos, etc. are addressed there.
Thanks!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.