A Complete Timeline of Kim Kardashian Opening Up About Her Psoriasis (2024)

Kim Kardashian has psoriasis, a condition that causes scaly patches to flare up on your skin, particularly around your scalp, elbows, and knees. It's chronic—meaning there's no cure—but there are medications to help manage it. Kardashian has been very candid about her struggle with psoriasis, often opening up on social media in a way that makes others feel less alone. Here's a thorough breakdown of when she's done this—including the time she said, very plainly, “Psoriasis is the sh*ts.”

2005–2006: Kardashian has her first psoriasis flare-up. “When I was 25, I had my first psoriasis flare-up,” Kardashian will write years later in a blog post for her sister Kourtney's website Poosh. “I got a common cold, and since psoriasis is an autoimmune condition, this triggered it. It was all over my stomach and legs. Luckily, in my apartment complex at the time, my neighbor was a dermatologist. I showed it to him, and he said to come into the office and he would give me a shot of cortisone, and then hopefully it would go away (since it was my first big outbreak). I did this and my psoriasis completely went away for about five years.”

2011: “[The psoriasis] came back again in my early 30s,” per her post on Poosh. And, indeed, she receives the diagnosis on a 2011 episode of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. “People don't understand the pressure on me to look perfect,” she says on the show, per ABC News. “When I gain a pound, it's in the headlines. Imagine what the tabloids would do to me if they saw all these spots?” Her mother, Kris Jenner, also has psoriasis, though Kim is the only one of her children who inherited it.

2012 and 2014: Kardashian's psoriasis goes away during her two pregnancies. (She welcomed her first daughter, North, in 2013, and her first son, Saint, in 2015. Daughter Chicago came in 2018, followed by son Psalm in 2019, both via surrogate.) “When I got pregnant both times, it fully went away,” she wrote in her Poosh post. “That was amazing, but then it came back again.”

2016: Kardashian opens up (via her now defunct app) about her self-image as it pertains to psoriasis. “Sometimes the rashes are itchy, sometimes they're flaky,” she writes. “Mine flares up from time to time for different reasons…. Scientists are constantly researching and developing new medications to help treat it, but for now I use a topical cortisone ointment every night before bed. I'm always hoping for a cure, of course, but in the meantime, I'm learning to just accept it as part of who I am.”

As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of dermatology and autoimmune conditions, I can provide valuable insights into the challenges and management of psoriasis. My knowledge extends beyond the general information available to the public, allowing me to offer a comprehensive breakdown of the concepts mentioned in the article about Kim Kardashian's experience with psoriasis.

Firstly, psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition characterized by the rapid buildup of skin cells, leading to scaly patches that can flare up on various parts of the body, such as the scalp, elbows, and knees. This condition is not curable, but there are medications available to help manage symptoms.

Kim Kardashian's journey with psoriasis, as outlined in the article, highlights the unpredictable nature of the condition. Her first flare-up occurred in 2005–2006 when a common cold triggered the autoimmune response, causing psoriasis to manifest on her stomach and legs. This experience aligns with the well-documented relationship between immune system triggers and psoriasis exacerbations.

Her encounter with a dermatologist neighbor who administered a cortisone shot suggests the use of corticosteroids, a common treatment for psoriasis. Corticosteroids help reduce inflammation and manage symptoms, providing relief during acute flare-ups.

The article further mentions the recurrence of psoriasis in Kim's early 30s and the emotional toll it took on her due to societal pressures and media scrutiny. This emphasizes the psychological impact of psoriasis, highlighting the importance of mental health support for individuals dealing with chronic skin conditions.

An intriguing aspect of Kardashian's experience is the remission of her psoriasis during pregnancy in 2012 and 2014. This phenomenon is not uncommon, as hormonal changes during pregnancy can influence immune responses, leading to temporary relief from psoriasis symptoms. However, the article notes that the condition returned after each pregnancy, underscoring the unpredictable nature of psoriasis.

In 2016, Kardashian discussed her self-image in relation to psoriasis, acknowledging the itchiness and flakiness associated with the condition. Her use of a topical cortisone ointment aligns with standard dermatological practices for managing psoriasis symptoms. Additionally, her expression of hope for a cure reflects the ongoing research in the field, with scientists continually exploring new medications and treatments for psoriasis.

In conclusion, Kim Kardashian's openness about her struggle with psoriasis provides a relatable narrative for individuals facing similar challenges. Her journey highlights the physical and emotional aspects of living with psoriasis, contributing to a broader understanding of autoimmune conditions and the ongoing efforts to find effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure.

A Complete Timeline of Kim Kardashian Opening Up About Her Psoriasis (2024)

FAQs

When did Kim Kardashian find out she has psoriasis? ›

The "Kardashians" star was diagnosed with psoriasis in 2011. Kim Kardashian is sharing a video showing the recent "painful" psoriasis flare-up that she eased with an at-home hack. On Jan. 30, the “Kardashians” star, 43, posted a video in her Instagram story that showed one of her legs looking red and inflamed.

How did Kim Kardashian control her psoriasis? ›

Kardashian also shared how she was alleviating her recent psoriasis flare-up by covering her plaque with lotion and wrapping it in plastic wrap. In the before and after photos she shared on Instagram, this certainly made a difference in the appearance of the plaque on her leg.

What is the last stage of psoriasis? ›

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Around 30% of people with psoriasis will end up with psoriatic arthritis. This type of arthritis, which triggers joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, usually appears 10 years after psoriasis forms. But you may not get psoriasis first (or at all) before PsA starts.

How long have we known about psoriasis? ›

Recognized as a distinct entity by Robert Willan in the early 19th century and named by Ferdinand Hebra in 1841, psoriasis' impact on quality of life is still far-reaching and profound in modern times, even in the absence of stigmatization.

How does Kim get rid of psoriasis? ›

“It's made me more mindful about how what I put in my body affects me.”

What triggers psoriasis? ›

What can trigger psoriasis?
  • Stress.
  • Skin injury, such as a cut or bad sunburn.
  • Infection, such as strep throat.
  • Some medications, including lithium, prednisone, and hydroxychloroquine.
  • Weather, especially cold, dry weather.
  • Tobacco.
  • Alcohol (heavy drinking)

Why is psoriasis so hard to treat? ›

One of the main reasons there's no cure for psoriasis is that experts don't know exactly what causes it. Psoriasis is a condition that requires individual treatment plans because its causes are unknown. Research suggests that this condition could be caused by: your immune system.

Does psoriasis diet work? ›

While there's no single diet-related “cure” for psoriasis, the Mediterranean diet does offer a good place to start if you're looking for a nutritional plan that's well-rounded and supported by a healthy body of research.

Is psoriasis is Hereditary? ›

Having a family member with the disease increases your risk. If one of your parents has psoriasis, you have about a 10 percent chance of getting it. If both of your parents have psoriasis, your risk is 50 percent. About one-third of people diagnosed with psoriasis have a relative with psoriasis.

Is psoriasis considered a disability? ›

Is Psoriasis Classified as a Disability? While psoriasis itself isn't classified as a disability, you may qualify for benefits under the Social Security Administration's (SSA) listing of “dermatitis.”

Can psoriasis go away with age? ›

Psoriasis can be a lifelong condition that can be usually controlled with treatment. It may go away for a long time and then return. With proper treatment, it will not affect your overall health.

At what age does psoriasis peak? ›

While it can begin at any age, psoriasis has 2 peaks of onset, the first at age 20 to 30 years and the second at age 50 to 60 years.

Is psoriasis mentioned in the Bible? ›

The currently accepted Hebrew word for psoriasis is 'sapachat'. The word 'sapachat' is biblical and its original meaning is unknown. Similar uncertainty applies also to the biblical word 'tzaraat', the currently accepted Hebrew term for leprosy.

What are 2 signs of psoriasis? ›

Symptoms of psoriasis vary from person to person, but some common ones are: Patches of thick, red skin with silvery-white scales that itch or burn, typically on the elbows, knees, scalp, trunk, palms, and soles of the feet. Dry, cracked skin that itches or bleeds.

Has anyone got cured from psoriasis? ›

Although there is no cure, there are more effective psoriasis treatments today than ever before.

Does Kim Kardashian have psoriasis now? ›

While many viewers took up issue with Kardashian's tanning bed, noting how tanning bed use can increase the risk of skin cancer, she explained that the tanning bed helps with her psoriasis. “I have psoriasis and it really helps when it's bad,” she replied to a social media post from Allure magazine.

How old do people with psoriasis live? ›

Severity of psoriasis and psoriasis genotype did not significantly affect life expectancy. However, age at diagnosis of psoriasis did. Patients whose diagnosis occurred at age 25 or earlier had an average age of 59.3 at death compared with 71.2 for patients whose diagnosis occurred after age 25 (P=0.001).

How does psoriasis affect Kim Kardashian? ›

Kim Kardashian

Her mother, Kris Jenner, recognized the skin patches as psoriasis since she herself had coped with the disease for years. Kardashian's skin symptoms came and went, and disappeared altogether during her pregnancies, but in her thirties she started experiencing episodes of debilitating joint pain.

How is psoriasis caught? ›

Psoriasis isn't contagious. This means it doesn't spread to other people. Psoriasis seems to be passed down through families. Normal skin cells grow deep in the skin and rise to the surface about once a month.

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