Would it be dangerous for a person with psoriasis to take a Swine Flu (H1N1) shot?

You should ask your doctor whether taking the Swine Flu vaccine would clash with your current psoriasis medications, especially if you are taking immunosuppressants such as Humira or Enbrel.  Immunosuppressants can be very effective at clearing up moderate to severe psoriasis since they inhibit the body’s defenses from over-reacting (thus preventing scaling, irritation and swelling), but this inhibition can make the body vulnerable to other infections.

If you’re pressed for time try calling a nurse / medical professional hot-line if your insurance company provided you with one (I know Blue Cross does this).  You can also call the National Psoriasis Foundation at 503-244-7404 or 800-723-9166 (phone numbers from their website).

Any medication, including supplements, could potentially react badly when another medication is thrown into the mix.  A vaccination is not a medication per se, but it is designed to change some of the body’s fundamental chemistry and can cause minor side effects while the immune system is acclimating to the shot.

Would the Swine Flu itself cause your psoriasis to flare up?

Anything that detracts from your immune system can potentially lead to a psoriasis flare-up.  Holistic therapies that seek to make the body better equipped to fight off psoriasis using natural means depend on the immune system doing its natural job.  Thus, a slight handicapped, or preoccupied defense system in the body might give the psoriasis disease the opening it needs to break out again.

Some of the more notorious psoriasis agitators:

• Retroviruses such as HIV, which break down the immune system.
• Bacteria such as strep throat (streptococcus pyogenes)
• Fungi, in particular Malassezia, which is best known for causing itching and dandruff.