- Kim Kardashian stated on a podcast that she uses Saran Wrap to help her psoriasis.
- She learned of the remedy from a dermatologist after other home remedies failed.
- Experts say occlusion therapies like Saran Wrap help psoriasis medications work better.
- Occlusion therapy also helps to soften plaques and reduce inflammation.
- Some other effective home remedies include colloidal oatmeal baths and sunlight.
While Kim Kardashian is known for being carefully styled and groomed in her work as a reality star, model, businesswoman, and actress, she recently revealed that her life isn’t always perfect — especially when it comes to her skin.
The 43-year-old star of FX’s “American Horror Story: Delicate” spoke on the July 16, 2024, episode of the SHE MD podcast about her experience living with psoriasis, a skin disorder in which the immune system speeds up skin cell growth leading to the formation of plaques and scales on the skin.
The National Psoriasis Foundation notes that this autoimmune condition can also cause symptoms like itching, burning, and stinging.
The shapewear mogul told hosts Mary Alice Haney and Dr. Thaïs Aliabadi and their guest, rheumatologist Dr. Daniel Wallace, that she initially thought she was having a reaction to a new dress that she was wearing.
Then, her mother, Kris Jenner, who also has the condition, looked at her legs and exclaimed, “Oh my God, you have psoriasis?”
Kardashian further stated that a cortisone injection helped keep symptoms at bay for a while, but they returned five years later and haven’t abated since.
Speaking of how miserable psoriasis makes her, the reality star said, “One day I’ll just have an itch attack, and I’ll scratch it, and it’ll all start bleeding, and I just can’t take it.”
As for keeping her symptoms under control, she said, “I’ll do anything,” noting that she has tried numerous home remedies that have been recommended to her, including tar tea, herbs, a celery juice cleanse, and various creams and soaps.
However, the remedy that she said works best is something that most people likely already have in their kitchens: Saran Wrap.
The actress said she was given the idea by her dermatologist, Dr. Harold Lancer of Beverly Hills, who told her to apply a prescription cream to the rash, followed by “putting Saran Wrap around it and sleeping on it.”
While she said the unconventional method made her “[sound] like the Tin Man,” Kardashian added that it does work to take away the rash.
Does Saran Wrap really work for psoriasis relief?
When asked about using Saran Wrap to help relieve itchy, painful psoriasis symptoms, Dr. Amy Huang, board-certified dermatologist with Medical Offices of Manhattan and contributor to Labfinder, confirmed that it does indeed work.
“Yes, we also use occlusion therapy for many other dermatologic conditions, including eczema,” she added.
Huang explained why it works. It helps any psoriasis medications that are used under the plastic wrap work better.
“Applying medication under occlusion increases penetration of the medication into the skin, especially in areas where the psoriasis can be quite thick,” she said.
Dr. Anju Methil, a dermatologist and medical consultant with ClinicSpots, added that occusion therapy also helps loosen scales, soften plaques, and reduce inflammation.
She did say, however, that there is limited research dealing with Saran Wrap specifically.
“[B]ut occlusive dressings have shown promise,” she said.
Other home remedies that may help treat psoriasis symptoms
Methil said that one thing she advises is using fragrance-free moisturizers.
“Regular use can significantly improve skin comfort during flare-ups,” she said.
Another measure she suggested is using colloidal oatmeal baths, which have anti-inflammatory and anti-itching properties.
Additionally, Methil discussed using controlled sunlight exposure.
“Sunlight can be beneficial for some psoriasis patients, but discuss appropriate amounts with your doctor to avoid sunburn,” she advised.
Caylee Clay, RDN CDN CYT — who is a dietitian-nutritionist specializing in psoriasis and other autoimmune diseases as well as the author of “Gain Control Over Your Psoriasis: A Science Based Treatment Plan using Lifestyle and Intuitive Eating” and the founder of Autoimmune Eats — said one remedy that she applies to her own psoriasis is to rub on a “glob” of Vicks Vaporub with a bit of apple cider vinegar and then wrap with Saran Wrap.
“This works because the menthol in Vicks is naturally antimicrobial and is known to accelerate wound healing,” she said. “Apple cider vinegar, with the mother, is both naturally antibacterial due to its acidity, plus it’s also a probiotic.”
According to Clay, psoriasis plaques have an altered microbiome. Combining these two products may help restore it to balance.
“Another popular home remedy for psoriasis is taking a bath with Epsom salt,” she added. You can also add a splash of apple cider vinegar or several drops of tea tree oil to your bath.
After soaking, Clay advises lightly rubbing your psoriasis patches with a washcloth to remove any thickened skin gently. Then, moisturize well.
Finally, she suggests that applying walnut oil, which is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, can help soothe your skin.
“A few minutes after applying it, add a moisturizer,” she concluded, “as walnut oil alone can be drying.”
Takeaway
In a recent interview, Kim Kardashian revealed that she uses Saran Wrap to help manage her psoriasis symptoms.
Experts say using occlusive therapies like Saran Wrap over your psoriasis medication can improve the treatment’s effectiveness by aiding its penetration into your skin.
Other popular home remedies recommended by psoriasis experts include fragrance-free moisturizers, colloidal oatmeal baths, sunlight exposure, Vicks VapoRub and vinegar, Epsom salt soaks, and walnut oil.
