What Kim Kardashian Has Shared About Psoriatic Arthritis

Kim Kardashian’s Journey with Psoriatic Arthritis

Kim Kardashian is widely known for her reality TV fame and her successful shapewear brand, SKIMS. However, she has also been a vocal advocate for individuals living with psoriatic arthritis, an autoimmune condition that affects both the skin and joints. Her personal journey with this condition has been marked by challenges, resilience, and a commitment to raising awareness.

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory condition that often coexists with psoriasis, a skin disorder characterized by red, scaly patches. While psoriasis primarily affects the skin, psoriatic arthritis can lead to joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. According to the Johns Hopkins Arthritis Center, about 7.5 million Americans have psoriasis, and approximately one-third of them may develop psoriatic arthritis.

Kardashian first experienced a flare-up at age 25, triggered by a common cold. She described the outbreak as covering her stomach and legs, and after receiving a cortisone shot from a dermatologist, the symptoms subsided temporarily. However, the condition resurfaced later in her early 30s during a store opening event in New York, leading to a memorable moment on Keeping Up With the Kardashians when she was diagnosed with psoriasis.

Her mother, Kris Jenner, also suffers from psoriasis, but Kardashian’s experience with the condition has been different. While Jenner used tanning salons to manage her symptoms, Kardashian found that UV exposure only worsened her flare-ups. This difference in treatment responses added to her feelings of helplessness, as she felt like the only child who inherited the condition from her mother.

Over the years, Kardashian has tried numerous treatments for her psoriatic arthritis, including holistic approaches like drinking tar tea, using special herbs, and following a celery juice diet. She even consulted a medical medium on Keeping Up With the Kardashians. She also experimented with seaweed-based skincare products, which are believed to help reduce inflammation.

One of the most effective treatments for her has been applying a prescription topical cream and wrapping it with Saran wrap before bed. Although she prefers to avoid medications, she has found that steroids can make a significant difference during severe flare-ups.

Kardashian notes that she always has one main flare-up on her right leg, which she has learned to live with without constant use of creams or medication. The condition eventually progressed to psoriatic arthritis, with joint pain starting around the time she experienced difficulty moving her hands after waking up one night.

After a series of blood tests and some false positives for other conditions, she was officially diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. This diagnosis came a decade after her initial psoriasis symptoms, marking a significant turning point in her health journey.

Diet has also played a role in managing her symptoms. Kardashian shifted to a plant-based diet, influenced by documentaries she watched during the pandemic. She believes this change has made her more mindful of how her food choices affect not just her psoriasis but also her mood, stress levels, and energy.

Despite her efforts, her psoriatic arthritis flared up before the 2022 Met Gala, prompting her to return to a meat-heavy diet. The flare-up led to painful joint issues, requiring her to consult a rheumatologist and resume steroid treatment. After realizing the impact of her dietary choices, she returned to a plant-based lifestyle, which helped calm her symptoms.

Kardashian also believes she may have passed her autoimmune condition to one of her sons, who has vitiligo, a mild form of an autoimmune disease. She sees this as a continuation of the hereditary aspect of her own condition.

Throughout her journey, Kardashian has spoken openly about her experiences to help others. She hopes her story can inspire those with autoimmune diseases to find confidence and hope. As she wrote in a Poosh essay, she wants people to feel empowered to embrace their conditions and recognize them as part of their identity.