Psoriasis, a skin condition affecting nearly two million individuals in the UK, leaves sufferers with unbearably itchy skin, inflamed red patches, and a significant blow to their self-esteem.
Alarmingly, the prevalence of psoriasis in the UK has surged by nearly ten percent over the past decade. Despite this increase, public awareness and understanding of the condition remain insufficient.
Research indicates that psoriasis can have a profound impact on mental health.
Approximately 40 percent of those affected by psoriasis report avoiding dating, social gatherings, or even simple acts like shaking hands due to anxiety over their visible symptoms. A survey conducted in 2024 highlights this stigma, revealing that over half of the population would feel uneasy dating someone with psoriasis, and over a third would be reluctant to shake hands or share a meal with them. This hesitation often stems from the mistaken belief that psoriasis is contagious.
Beyond the social challenges, psoriasis can also lead to severe health complications. About one-third of those with the condition may develop psoriatic arthritis, a painful inflammation of the joints.
In 2019, the reality TV star Kim Kardashian revealed she had been diagnosed with it, leading to severe pain in her hands that meant she was unable ‘even to pick up a toothbrush’. She also posted pictures of red patches on her face and leg.
Those with longer memories will recall Michael Gambon’s depiction of The Singing Detective in the mid-80s, alongside Joanne Whalley as Nurse Mills, and his psoriatic arthropathy condition that made such an impact on screens in the mid-1980s.
Among other more long-term health worries for psoriasis patients is the fact they are nearly 50 per cent more likely to suffer a heart attack or stroke. Yet research has found that the NHS is routinely failing to effectively treat it, with some sufferers waiting up to 15 years for a diagnosis.
Reality television star Kim Kardashian revealed she had been diagnosed with psoriasis seven years ago
And even when patients do get seen, it appears they often get the wrong treatment.
Last month, Dr Ellie Cannon, The Mail on Sunday’s resident GP columnist, wrote that she was worried the Health Service was failing to get the right drugs to patients. We received countless letters from psoriasis sufferers who had struggled for years – some even for decades.
One 85-year-old said he first developed the scaly patches in 2000, which spread to cover his scalp, lower back and bottom. However, he has never been offered prescription drugs on the NHS.
Another, a 79-year-old who developed psoriasis in his teens, said his body was ‘covered’ in patches, and he had never found a treatment that worked. And a 69-year-old woman, who sufferers with psoriasis on her scalp and elbows, said the creams provided by her GP had only made things worse.
Now experts claim that lifestyle factors are a common trigger for the condition, meaning simple changes, especially around diet, could drastically improve symptoms.
Prof Christopher Griffiths, a dermatologist at King’s College London and one of the world’s leading psoriasis experts, says: ‘I’ve been researching psoriasis most of my career and it’s clear that lifestyle changes, in combination with the drugs we have today, can lead to impressive improvements.’
So what is psoriasis – and what can be done to tackle it?
Psoriasis is triggered when the immune system overreacts, sending inflammation signals that cause skin cells to grow too fast. This rapid cell growth leads to red, scaly patches of skin that are often itchy and bleed when scratched.
Experts say that certain people are genetically predisposed to psoriasis, meaning it runs in their family. However, they add, those who carry the psoriasis gene do not always develop the condition.
Instead it seems that, for most people, psoriasis is ‘triggered’.
‘Genetics plays an important role but there is much more to it,’ says Prof Griffiths. ‘We know that the psoriasis is normally set off by something.’
Studies show that one of the main triggers is age. This is because, later in life, the immune system becomes increasingly dysfunctional, raising the risk of autoimmune conditions, of which psoriasis is one.
Likewise, certain medicines typically given to older patients, such as blood pressure tablets, have been shown in clinical trials to increase the risk. Britain’s ageing population may therefore in large part explain the rise in cases. Experts say the increase is also likely, in large part, due to psoriasis patients living longer.
The painful condition left red, blotchy marks on Ms Kardashian’s legs when flare-ups struck
Research shows the inflammation triggered by the disease can, over time, damage blood vessels, raising the risk of deadly heart disease. But in recent years, treatment advances for these heart problems means fewer patients are dying.
However, other triggers are unrelated to age. Studies have linked strep A – also known as strep throat – a bacterial infection that mainly affects children, to psoriasis. Studies show that those who get strep A early in life are around seven times more likely to develop the condition.
That said, the majority of psoriasis triggers appear to be lifestyle factors, meaning behavioural changes can either prevent psoriasis or, crucially, reduce its severity.
Exposure to sunlight has emerged as one of the strongest indicators of whether a patient will develop the condition or not. People who live in the upper northern hemisphere are significantly more likely to develop psoriasis, making Europeans more prone than those in the Middle East or Asia.
Even within the UK, the impact of sunlight can be seen. According to research, those living in Scotland are roughly 30 per cent more likely to get psoriasis than people in the south of England. It is still unclear why sunlight has such a profound impact.
Some expert argue this may be because the condition is linked to low vitamin D levels – the nutrient gained from the sun.
However, others claim it may be because people living in colder climates are more at risk of viruses.
Nonetheless, Prof Griffiths adds, for many, exposure to direct sunlight does appear to help. ‘Many patients report their psoriasis lesions becomes less pronounced and itchy in the summer,’ he says. ‘This is because sunlight seems to dampen down the inflammatory cells that cause psoriasis. However, we do see a phenomenon in some female patients, where sunlight can actually make their psoriasis worse.’
Stress is also believed to be one of the most common triggers, with a 2025 Chinese study finding that about 60 per cent of patients reported stressful events setting off their symptoms.
‘A lot of my patients experienced stressful life events, like the death of a loved one, prior to their psoriasis occurring,’ says Prof Griffiths. ‘It makes sense scientifically. Stress interacts with the immune system, and can trigger changes in the skin that make it more susceptible to inflammation.
‘Stress relief techniques such as talking therapy and exercise are proven to help. That’s why many psoriasis clinics now include a psychology team.’
The number of Britons living with psoriasis has risen nearly ten per cent in the past decade. Pictured: File photo
Evidence also shows that excessive alcohol consumption and smoking increase problems. According to the Psoriasis Association, smoking is closely linked to psoriasis that forms on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. ‘In my experience, patients who drink and smoke tend to have psoriasis that is harder to control – particularly with alcohol,’ says Prof Griffiths.
Diet, however, is one of the most important factors. Studies show patients who are obese are twice as likely to get psoriasis. Research suggests this is because fat cells produce inflammatory chemicals in the body.
And there is now evidence that losing weight can reverse the condition. Last year, a review of 14 medical studies, published by researchers at the University of Oxford, found weight loss improved the quality of life of sufferers and reduced symptoms. They also found that greater weight loss was generally linked with greater improvement, and that people who started with a more severe condition often saw larger benefits.
Weight-loss injections are being considered as a potential treatment. In February, a medical trial involving Mounjaro concluded that around a third of psoriasis patients given the jab saw the scabs completely disappear.
Experts also argue that how frequently a patient eats is significant. ‘We’ve found that people who regularly snack are more likely to get psoriasis,’ says Prof Griffiths. ‘Meanwhile intermittent fasting [going extended periods of the day without eating] seems to improve symptoms.
‘It’s not entirely clear why, but it’s possible it’s linked to something called autophagy. This is where the body clears damaged or inflamed cells. And there’s research that shows that autophagy occurs after a period of fasting. This would explain why constant snacking is bad – it stops the body from clearing these inflamed and damaged cells.’
Moreover, specific foods have been highlighted. According to a 2017 survey by the National Psoriasis Foundation, around a third of patients who cut out red meat and pork saw a full clearance or major improvement.
There is growing evidence that diets high in ultra-processed foods, such as ready-meals, sugary snacks, pizza and crisps, raise the risk of psoriasis. These foods – also linked to cancer, heart disease and dementia – tend to be high in sugar and salt, which have an inflammatory effect on the body.
Patients who cut down on their sugar or fat intake, such as Stephanie Trotter, left, often report their symptoms improve.
‘It’s why I always recommend the Mediterranean diet to my patients,’ says Prof Griffiths. The diet is high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and oily fish.
Most NHS patients with psoriasis are initially offered steroid creams to reduce inflammation. If these fail, they may get biologics – injections that stop the body producing certain inflammatory cells.
These drugs, such as adalimumab, infliximab and secukinumab, have been shown to reduce patches by up to 75 per cent, but they really need a lifestyle overhaul too.
‘We have these amazing treatments that didn’t exist a few decades ago,’ says Prof Griffiths. ‘But they work best when combined with these lifestyle adaptations, such as changing your diet. It’s crucial that patients take charge of their health.’
Stephanie was cured after quitting sugar
Stephanie Trotter and her husband were building their new home when she first noticed the red, scaly patches that had begun to pockmark her body.
The 76-year-old charity executive, pictured left, from the Isle of Wight, says the itchy areas, which also oozed pus, initially appeared under her breasts and in her belly button.
Stephanie Trotter, 76, was ‘constantly itchy and had nasty oozing red spots all over my body’ – but cutting sugar helped ease the symptoms
However, the areas – which first arose in 2016 – quickly spread across Stephanie’s body, including her scalp and mouth.
‘It was vile,’ Stephanie says. ‘I was constantly itchy, and had these nasty, oozing red spots all over my body. I’d never had a skin problem before and it made me feel unclean.’
Stephanie’s doctor was quick to diagnose psoriasis. However, despite the severity of her symptoms, her GP was unable to help and sent her to a dermatologist who was unable to offer any solutions either.
‘I spent a fortune on all these creams,’ she says. ‘But only the cream for my scalp seemed to help, and that only provided temporary relief. I was desperate.’
Then everything changed when Stephanie read in a book that cutting out sugar helps ease psoriasis symptoms for some people.
‘Around the time my symptoms began, I’d been eating a lot of jam and toast, because there was nothing else in the house because of the building works,’ she says. ‘Looking back, I felt like this was the trigger. So overnight I cut out sugar as much as possible.’
Along with jam, Stephanie banned some of her daily sugar-containing staples, including orange juice and red wine. Incredibly, she says the red patches began to shrink within days. And within two months, all of them were gone.
‘Ten years on, I’m healthier than ever,’ Stephanie says. ‘Now I try to tell as many psoriasis patients as possible about the benefits of cutting out sugar. It might not work for them, but it’s worth a try.’
Cruz Beckham Responds to Comments on Age Difference with Jackie Apostel
Cruz Beckham recently responded to a critical comment about the age difference between him and his girlfriend, Jackie Apostel, with a humorous reference to his mother’s well-known dietary habits.
The 21-year-old musician confirmed his relationship with 30-year-old DJ Jackie Apostel on Instagram in October 2024, after they were first seen together at Glastonbury. Despite their ten-year age difference, their relationship has been flourishing.
This weekend, however, the couple became the subject of negative remarks on Cruz’s latest TikTok video, with some focusing on their age gap.
The youngest son of David and Victoria was ever the doting boyfriend as he filmed himself whipping up pancakes for Jackie, writing in the caption: ‘She wants crepe, she got em’.
One viewer commented on the affectionate video with a sarcastic note about their age difference, saying, “I love when a son cooks for his mum.”
Cruz quickly replied with a witty comeback, referencing his mother Victoria Beckham’s selective eating habits: “U think VB is eating a Nutella crepe, no chance daley.”
Cruz Beckham has hit back at a troll’s snide comment about his age-gap with girlfriend Jackie Apostel by making a quip about his mother’s famously limited diet
The youngest son of David and Victoria was ever the doting boyfriend as he filmed himself whipping up pancakes for Jackie, writing in the caption: ‘She wants crepe, she got em’
One user responded with a sardonic remark alluding to the pair’s age-gap, as they wrote: ‘I love when a son cooks for his mum’. However, Cruz didn’t hesitate to use his quick wit to clap back, replying: ‘u think VB is eating a Nutella crepe, no chance daley’
Victoria famously has very restricted eating habits, with husband David previously revealing that she has eaten the same meal every single day for 25 years – grilled fish and steamed vegetables.
The fashion designer, 51, was even known in the past to not even allow herself to indulge on her birthday, having a cake made entirely of watermelon and decorated with just strawberries and blueberries.
The mother-of-four has also said she won’t eat food cooked in oil, butter or sauces and doesn’t eat red meat or dairy, admitting: ‘To most restaurants I’m probably their worst nightmare.’
Responding to David’s confession to Vogue Australia, Victoria insisted that while the footballer made her tastes ‘sound boring’, she fills her diet with ‘healthy fat’ and regularly does detoxes where she abstains from drinking alcohol.
She said: ‘I mean, talk about making me sound boring! No. What he meant is that he’s never met anyone who is more disciplined with the way that they eat.
‘I eat lots of healthy fat: fish, avocado, nuts, that sort of thing. I do drink alcohol, unless I have a reason not to.
‘I’ll detox from anything for three to six months where I won’t drink. I’m quite extreme in anything I do, whether it’s eating or working out or drinking or not drinking.’
During her Netflix documentary, the Spice Girl bravely revealed that her ‘odd’ dietary habits were due to her having battled an eating disorder since childhood, explaining how she began to control her weight in an ‘incredibly unhealthy way’.
Victoria famously has very restricted eating habits, with husband David previously revealing that she has eaten the same meal every single day for 25 years – grilled fish and steamed vegetables
During her Netflix documentary, the Spice Girl bravely revealed that her ‘odd’ dietary habits were due to her having battled an eating disorder since childhood, explaining how she began to control her weight in an ‘incredibly unhealthy way’
Meanwhile, other fans taking to comments on Cruz’s TikTok instead poked fun at his estranged older brother Brooklyn.
The eldest Beckham offspring, 27, frequently posts videos of his culinary creations on social media, and even had a short-lived Facebook series, Cookin’ with Brooklyn.
However, the aspiring chef’s efforts have been met with mockery, with his recipes branded ‘out of touch’ due to the pricey ingredients, or ’embarrassingly’ simple – such as when he made a sandwich during a live cooking segment on the Today show.
And fans continued to blast his efforts as they reacted to Cruz’s own cooking video, taking to the comments to quip: ‘Wait – a Beckham that can actually cook’.
‘The Beckham cooking content the people actually want’; ‘Best chef of the Beckhams!’; ‘Now photograph some elephants’.
‘You’re really talented, can you make a grilled cheese next’; ‘already a better cook than the older sibling’; ‘This is the Beckham chef that we love’.
‘I guess you’re the chef in the family’; ‘Giving Brooklyn a run for his money ✌’;’No cloud 23 sauce’.
‘the Beckham’s are brewing a chef! who knew?!’; ‘stay tuned for the photography book’; ‘The new cookery king’.
It’s not the first time Cruz has poked fun of Brooklyn’s cooking as he shared a video of himself whipping up a bowl of soup last month.
He took to TikTok to document himself making a cheesy potato soup finished off with a topping of bacon bits and poked fun at himself as he captioned the clip: ‘wanna see the best cooking video ever? Don’t watch this then.’
He later insisted in the comments that while the soup looked ‘gross’ it was still ‘decent’ and joking warned family friend and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to ‘watch out’.
The eldest Beckham offspring, 27, frequently posts videos of his culinary creations on social media, and even had a short-lived Facebook series, Cookin’ with Brooklyn
And fans continued to blast his efforts as they reacted to Cruz’s own cooking video, taking to the comments to quip: ‘Wait – a Beckham that can actually cook’
It comes after Cruz struggled to hold back tears last month while performing a song widely thought to be about his older brother’s continuing family estrangement.
The ambitious young musician and his band The Breakers were performing to a full house at London’s Courtyard Theatre in the heart of trendy Hoxton, a stop on his debut tour.
But he lost his characteristically cool composure while performing the group’s new single, Loneliest Boy – understood to be filled with barely veiled references to his wayward brother’s continued absence.
With brother Romeo and supportive parents David and Victoria Beckham watching from the audience, Cruz, faltered over the song’s plaintive lyrics, prompting band-member Dan Ewins to drape a reassuring arm across his shoulders.
Emotions appeared to run high as the tearful singer wiped his eyes with a baggy shirt-sleeve while delivering the track’s chorus, which features the telling lyrics, ‘Loneliest boy, mama don’t talk too much, it’s breaking her heart.’
Looking on from their seats at the tiny east London venue, his family members were visibly moved by the performance, with Romeo seen wiping away a tear as he looked up at the stage.
One concert-goer told The Mirror: ‘At one point during the song, he seemed overcome with emotion as his bandmate put his arm around his shoulder and affectionately ruffled his hair.’
Fans have been left convinced that the song is about Brooklyn’s widening estrangement from his family.
Additional lyrics read: ‘It shows in the small things that you don’t do, I guess in the end that it’s you, yourself, and you. Tell me how do you live, when you’ve got nobody to lose?
‘Loneliest boy, place all your bets on him, To find something bad in somebody good, he always does, Loneliest boy, I hope that you’re listening, Don’t push all your friends away, when we’re tryna show you love.’
Elsewhere, the chorus reads: ‘So tell me you’re scared, and that you need someone to hold. Cause you’re in the room but really, does it even show?
‘But, why can’t they see that you’re a million miles away, They’ll never know, when you look so close.’