Unlocking Psoriasis: How Skin Sodium Levels Might Hold the Key to Severity and Treatment

By SWA

The study by Maifeld et al. (2021) found that people with moderate to severe psoriasis (a skin condition causing red, itchy, and scaly patches) have higher levels of sodium (Na+) in their skin. This is important because increased sodium levels in the skin seem to boost the activity of certain immune cells, specifically ones that release a molecule called IL-17, which plays a key role in causing psoriasis symptoms.

Key Findings:

  1. Increased Sodium in Skin: The study discovered that the more severe the psoriasis, the higher the sodium levels in the skin. This was observed using a special imaging technique called sodium magnetic resonance imaging (23Na-MRI) and confirmed with other methods in both humans and mice.

  2. Connection to Immune Response: The elevated sodium levels appear to stimulate the immune system in a way that worsens psoriasis. Specifically, it increases IL-17 production, which is known to drive inflammation in psoriasis. (Interleukin‑17A (IL‑17A), also known as CTLA‑8, is a 15‑20 kDa glycosylated cytokine that plays an important role in anti‑microbial and chronic inflammation.)

  3. Comparison with Other Skin Conditions: Interestingly, the study also showed that this increase in skin sodium is different from what is seen in other conditions like allergic contact dermatitis, suggesting a unique mechanism in psoriasis.

Implications for Treatment:

  • Low-Salt Diets: One possible treatment approach might be to reduce salt intake in the diet, which could lower skin sodium levels and potentially ease psoriasis symptoms. However, sticking to a low-salt diet can be challenging for many people.

  • Medications to Reduce Sodium: Another approach might involve using medications that help reduce sodium levels in the body. These are commonly used to manage high blood pressure and could potentially be repurposed to treat psoriasis.

    Low salt however, there is a significant contradiction:

    Is salt water bad for psoriasis?
    A swim in the ocean or other bodies of salt water may directly benefit psoriasis symptoms. The benefits of saltwater baths for people with psoriasis are so well-established , in fact, that the treatment has its own name: balneotherapy.
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/psoriasis-and-swimming

    Why Has Progress in Psoriasis Treatment Been Slow?
    https://swaresearch.blogspot.com/2024/08/saltwater-therapy-for-psoriasis.html

    Limitations and Future Questions:

  • The study didn't determine exactly why sodium levels are higher in the skin of people with psoriasis. It also couldn't prove whether high sodium is a cause or just a result of psoriasis.

  • More research is needed to confirm if lowering skin sodium can actually reduce the severity of psoriasis. Scientists also need to explore whether other factors, like minor skin injuries, might also play a role in where and how psoriasis develops on the skin.

In summary, this study suggests that skin sodium levels are linked to psoriasis severity, offering a new potential target for treatment. However, more research is needed to understand this connection fully and to develop effective treatments.

Reference: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8740904/  

Adding salt to foods and risk of psoriasis: A prospective cohort study
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0896841124000933

Triggers for the onset and recurrence of psoriasis: a review and update
https://biosignaling.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12964-023-01381-0

DECREASED CALCIUM SENSING RECEPTOR EXPRESSION CONTROLS CALCIUM SIGNALING AND CELL-TO-CELL ADHESION DEFECTS IN AGED SKIN
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8526647/

Arthritis and Rheumatic Diseases:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/arthritis-and-rheumatic-diseases

Overview of Autoimmune Diseases:
https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/autoimmune-diseases

Please note: The content on this blog is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical diagnoses or treatment. The information shared is based on frequently asked questions and is sourced from reputable scientific studies.

 © 2000-2025 Sieglinde W. Alexander. All writings by Sieglinde W. Alexander have a fife year copy right.
Library of Congress Card Number: LCN 00-192742

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