The Diet That Healed My Palmoplantar Pustulosis: What I Ate, What I Removed, and What Actually Worked

8/29/2015

When I was at my worst with palmoplantar pustulosis, I was eating exactly what most people eat. Bread, pasta, dairy, sugar. A completely normal Western diet. I had no idea that what I was putting in my body every single day was fuelling the very condition that was making my life miserable.
Nobody told me there was a connection. Not my doctor, not my dermatologist. I had to find it myself.

The gut connection nobody explained to me

The turning point came when I started researching the link between gut health and autoimmune disease. What I found changed everything. When the gut lining is damaged, by processed food, sugar, gluten, stress, the immune system goes into a permanent state of low-grade alert. For people with PPP, that alert shows up on the skin. The pustules, the cracks, the inflammation, they are symptoms of something happening much deeper in the body.
This is why treating PPP only with creams and medication rarely works long-term. You are treating the symptom, not the cause.

The first change I made — and why it got worse before it got better

The first thing I removed was gluten. And I want to be honest with you about what happened next: it got worse before it got better.
This is something nobody warns you about, and it is the reason so many people give up too early. When you remove gluten after years of eating it, the body goes through an adjustment period. My skin flared. I felt discouraged. I almost stopped.

I am very glad I did not.
Within a few weeks the flare settled, and for the first time I started to notice a real difference. The cycles of pustules began to change. The frequency reduced. Something was shifting.

What a typical day looked like after I changed my diet

Out went the bread, pasta, processed foods, refined sugar, and most dairy. In came vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, green juices, and foods that actively supported gut repair rather than damaging it further.
It was not complicated, but it required consistency. The gut does not heal overnight. I gave it time, and it responded.

What I want you to take from this

If you have been living with PPP and nobody has talked to you about diet and gut health, you are not alone. Most patients are never told about this connection. But the evidence, and my own 15 years of being symptom-free, suggests it is one of the most important places to start.
The complete dietary protocol I followed, including specific foods, supplements, and a step-by-step plan, is in my book, available on Amazon as paperback, eBook, and audiobook.
Åsa Kärrman

30 Comments

wendy chapman

1/1/2017 06:40:43 pm

Hello I have bought your 'how to treat PPP 'book but find the chart of food very difficult to read. Is this available anywhere?

Åsa link

1/1/2017 07:45:54 pm

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for getting a copy of my book!

Send me an email to [email protected] and I will email you the chart as a .pdf where you can zoom in and out.

Hopefully that will make it easier and clearer to read,

Thank you,

Åsa

Laurie Macdonald

6/28/2021 06:43:17 pm

I too have just received my new edition hoping the chart would be more readable. Could you please send me an email with the chart? I have been suffering since March 2017. Just about to start PUVA (38 treatments 1st time)for the second time bur this time with with Acetretin . Completely fed up.
Thank you,
Laurie

Åsa

6/28/2021 09:28:15 pm

Hi Laurie,

Please send me an email to [email protected] and I will send you a copy of the chart. You could also download here on the website directly by typing in your email address here on this page under healing diets. Then you will get it instantly :)
Kind Regards,
Åsa

Mila

7/31/2017 04:46:42 am

My mom was diagnosed with ppp recently she got blisters filled with puss on her hands nothing on feet. She has a strong back pain and doctors told her it's related to ppp. Do you have back pain how you cope up.

Åsa Well-Healed link

8/14/2017 06:06:15 pm

Hi Mila,

I'm sorry to hear about your Mother.

I had a bit of a back pain (not too bad) when I was suffering from PPP. But I did have a very painful jaw and a pain in the joint of my index finger.

It is very common and I would recommend you reading my blog post about the issue by copying the link below and paste it to your browser, where I write about the issue.

http://www.well-healed.com/-palmoplantar-pustulosis-blog/palmoplantar-pustulosis-and-arthritis

There are ways to reverse this disease naturally, and I hope your Mother gets better soon,

All the best,

Åsa

Boke Kaan

8/21/2017 02:30:27 pm

Hi Asa,

I am suffering of PPP from 2008. It started right after my femoral fracture recovery period. I bought your book and just started to read. I have two simple questions for you:

1. Did you recognize any post affects of implants like inter modular rode or metals in the body what ignites the PPP?

2. I did not come to that point but what I understood, you are also advising some natural animal products. I recently watched another documentary named "What the health" which takes the healthy living to the next step and strongly recommending to cut all animal related products. I have just shift to vegan last 20 days and really looking for a progress in the quality of my health. What do you think on vegan life style and the cure?

Best Regards,

Kaan

Åsa Well-Healed link

8/21/2017 09:12:15 pm

Hi Kaan,

Thanks for finding and contacting me, and for getting my book :)

Suffering from PPP since 2008 is a very long time and I feel your pain.

To answer your questions, I haven't had an experience with implants myself so I can't really answer that. But when I was suffering with palmoplantar pustulosis, I did have a wisdom tooth extracted and my tonsils taken out. After both those intervention my PPP outbreaks got so bad, a day after I had my tooth taken out, hundreds of new blisters occurred on the palm of my hand and the sole of my foot and same thing happened when I got my tonsils taken out. My conclusion is when you do have any type of surgery it will affect the already poor immune system and will more likely worsen your PPP while the body is focusing on healing the part where you had your surgical intervention.

When it comes to diets you will have to find something that works for you. My general stand on diets is to eat local traditional food, but exclude the type of foods I list in my book which is bad for you such as gluten, sugar, processed food etc... I think a vegan diet is great as long as it's a varied diet which contains all the vitamins and minerals your body need. The focus should be on improving and boost your immune system by removing everything that is bad for your body (sugar, gluten, processed food, less alcohol) and add everything that is good for you (loads of fruit and veg). One of my readers went all vegan during his healing process to eventually transfer to only eat raw food. He is now clear from his PPP and other health issues he had.
Do read my whole book where I write a lot more on the subject :)

Kaan, I wish you all the best on your healing journey, please do keep in contact and let me know how you're getting on.

All the best,

Åsa

Furqan Sehgal

4/2/2018 10:42:55 am

Hi Asa,
i am suffering a ppp on my hand and my feet sole in 2017.
so i need a proper diet plan to recover ppp. and i am a smoker may that y i suffer this problem.

Åsa Well-Healed link

4/25/2018 06:22:10 pm

Hi Furqan,

I'm sorry for the late reply but I have missed your comment somehow, my apologies.

I'm sorry to hear your suffering from PPP.

During my healing process I did not have a "diet plan" as such. I just removed all the things that were bad for me and added things that would improve my immune system such as real food (not processed) vitamin supplements etc. I highly recommend you watch some of the really good documentaries on Netflix such as Fat, sick and Nearly Dead, Food Matters, Forks over knives etc... to get inspired.

Smoking is not the cause of PPP nor the trigger even though smokers are at a higher risk receiving this disease (I write about this in my book).

Åsa

Paula Dunbar

5/19/2018 01:58:01 am

Im recently diagnosed with pp but they first thought it was dyshidroctic eczema but now on anti fungal creams and tablets so i will let u know

Well Healed - Åsa link

5/20/2018 07:19:29 pm

Hi Paula,

I'm sorry to hear you've been diagnosed with PPP, but at least now you know what you're suffering from. I'm interested how come your doctor prescribes you antifungal cream? PPP is not a fungal disease. I personally did not have any success with any creams or lotions. I found that creams can help to soften the outbreak areas for a while, but only for a short time until next outbreak. But do let me know how you are getting on and if you see any progress and healing.
All the best,
Åsa

Mona

3/25/2019 08:59:56 pm

Hello Åsa.
I've suffered from PPP for about two years. Somehow i got the idea that it actually were caused from yeast/candida in the gut, and i got my doc to give me anti-fungal tablets for some few weeks. He wasn't any willing to give me for a longer treatment, not even when i told him a longer treatment should be tried, because stopping to soon could make it all come back, and then maybe even stronger.

I then had PPP on my hands for a year, tried "everything", including anti-fungal cream on my palms, but with no effect. But when the doc gave me the receipt of anti-fungal tablets, the PPP disappeared in less than two days from my hands and i haven't got it back there. I used the anti-fungal tablets only for a week or two, then stopped.

But sadly, after som months, a got PPP again, now on the palms of the feet. I'm quite sure it would be cured, again, if i got more weeks of anti-fungal tablets. But i hope to be able to cure it naturally instead of eating tablets.

I've seen my way of living and eating has not been good for my health, and i think that has caused problems in the gut/candida overgrowth in the gut. Means that, just eating pills will just cure the symptoms, but the problems will come back soon as i stop eating pills, if i don't change my way of living/eating. The whole body need to be treated, not just the symptom, that is the PPP:

I've got you book and read it, and found very much good information i trying. I'm not any good to follow a diet, and i can't stop smoking, but i've stopped eating peanuts every day and drinking two glass of wine every day, and trying to totally avvoid sugar and saturated fat. And i'm eating quite much veggies and fruits. And at lest the PPP hasn't got worse. And i see that if i eat some sugar, i'll get an outbreak very quick after.

The reason i'm trying to avoid fat too, is from youtube where people tell they've been cured from candida when avoiding fat.
In addition to that, i will start eating sink, among other vitamin and minerals, to see if sink-deficiency may be the underlaying reason. I'll tell you later how that went out.

Saikiran

6/4/2018 09:27:06 pm

Im suffering from peeling of finger tips from 2 yrs im using clobetasol propionate and salicyclic acid cream.. but of no use .. later came to know by doctors that its palmapostular psoriaisis.. pls help

Well-Healed Åsa link

6/19/2018 06:29:03 pm

Hi Saikiran,

Thank you for contacting me.

I'm sorry to hear you are sick.

What you need to do is to improve your immune system. The way to do that is to remove all the things in your life causing damage to yourself and add all the things that is good for you and your immune system. I recommend you have a look read through my blog post and blog comments to get some tips. In my book I write more in detail how the immune system works and what you need to do to heal.

I'm wishing health and the strength you need to heal.

Kind Regards,

Åsa

Doreen link

7/31/2018 12:07:47 pm

Hi Asa!
Just received your book. I have a few questions... I’m going to do the gluten free and follow what “not” to eat for the 2 months you talk about in your book. Is it okay to eat sweet potatoes , avocados, green tea and , beans, for this 2 months?
So happy to find your book! I’ve been suffering with PPP since 2009. Hope to hear from you soon! Thank you!

Åsa Well-Healed link

8/3/2018 08:56:38 pm

Hi Doreen, I sent you a PM but I repeat my reply here for other readers that might have the same questions:

Hi Doreen,

First of all I'm sorry to hear you suffered with PPP since 2009, that is a very long time. That means you've got PPP a year before I did.

To answer your question, Yes....sweet potatoes , avocados, green tea and beans are good for you, eat as much as you can/want :) but preferably drink red tea if you can. (Rooibos red tea)

Just get back to me if you have any more questions and I will try to respond as quickly as I can :)

All the best and luck during your healing process,

Kind Regards

Åsa

MOLY RAPHAEL

8/2/2018 09:14:01 am

i am also suffering PPP . . pls. guide me what i need to do

Åsa Well-Healed link

8/2/2018 09:46:53 am

Hi Moly,

I'm sorry to hear you are suffering with PPP.

For guidance, please have a read through my blog posts on this website. For a more in-depth knowledge how to heal naturally, I highly recommend you ordering my book. The link to the book is on the top of this page.

All the best,

Åsa

Colleen M link

1/4/2019 10:39:30 pm

I have been diagnosed with PPP. The dermatologist prescribed Mometasone Furoate. USP 0.1%. What are you're thoughts on this drug. I have been using it on & off for 4 months but afraid of the side effects. Could you please send me link to you're book.

Åsa WEll-Healed link

1/7/2019 03:38:29 pm

Hi Colleen,

Thanks for your comment,

I was prescribed a stronger glucocorticoids called Dermovat 0,5%. In my experience this cream did nothing to help or clear/sooth my outbreaks. I stopped using it after 6 weeks before I had any side effects.

My book is available on Amazon and other digital outlets. The below link will take you to my Amazon page where book is available to buy as adigital or as a hard copy.

https://www.amazon.com/How-Treat-PPP-Naturally-Palmoplantar/dp/1518879357

All the best,

Åsa

Åsa Well-Healed

3/25/2019 09:25:28 pm

Hi Mona,

Thank you for your comment.

It defiantly sounds like your PPP is triggered by Candida. Like you write, please do stay off the sugar if you really want to treat the cause instead of the symptoms. No sweets, no sugary drinks, biscuits, ice cream etc... And preferably no alcohol during the healing period. And if you can try to stay off gluten too.

Please let me know how you get on!

Hang in there and stay strong and positive,

Åsa

Mona

3/25/2019 10:39:32 pm

Thank you Åsa, for your reply. Yes, i'll try as best as i can, and let you know how it goes.

Just one question; Do i have to avoid fruit like banana that contain much sugar, or can i eat fruit in it's natural form/raw as long as i avoid all other kind of sugar ?

Best regards, Mona

Åsa Well-Healed

3/26/2019 08:50:42 am

Hi Mona,

I would avoid really sweet fruit whilst you're having candida.

Bananas are actually really good for you (the good bacteria in the gut feeds on the starch) ......as long as they are green :)

https://www.mahayahealth.com/blogs/2018/2/25/cold-potatoes-and-green-bananas-for-your-guts

zakir ahmed

11/17/2019 03:59:21 pm

Hello Asa
Reading your blog and finding communities and forums with PPP has been a god send for me. I've had PPP for a few months and didn't even bother with it until the pustules starting to gather taking up more surface area on my left hand mainly and blotches on my right palm.

I have immediately stopped eating all processed foods and introduced more nutritious foods. As someone from the Indian Subcontinent our diet is generally very very poor.

I am using supplements as well to boost my immune system like zinc, vitamin D+K2. Black seed capsules and bathing in diluted apple cider vinegar, glass of 99.9% pure aloe vera drink and gut flora boosting vitamins.

It's only been a few days since I started doing this and I hope it helps to restore some balance and the spread of PPP.

Were you using any particular types of moisturisers on a daily basis that really helped you? I generally have dry skin anyway and still trying to figure out what might be best.

#freefromPPP

Kind regards

Åsa link

11/21/2019 08:42:48 pm

Hi Zakir

Thank you for your comment and I'm sorry to hear your PPP is spreading 😢.

But good you're making changes to your diet, that's the first step and I'm sure you'll see improvements.

What I used to do to keep my foot and hand moisturised was:
1. Apply silver cream on to the outbreak areas
2. Having baths with Epsom salt (magnesium)
3. Putting on duoderm plasters (God sent)

#freefromPPP (I love the hashtag 😀)

Kind Regards

Åsa

crystal

9/4/2020 04:25:09 pm

I am from the USA and I am struggling really hard . I've been diagnosed with a metal allergy and I believe I have PPP. I know it's rare but I can't find any cases in the US. I am having a terrible life since the condition occurred. I need someone to help me. I've lost jobs , friends ..it affects the way I think, feel, participate in life. I don't know how much more I can take. Please does anyone know of someone in the states that can help me?

Åsa

9/4/2020 04:53:35 pm

Hi Crystal,
Please join our support group on Facebook for help and support.
We have many members from the US and the rest of the world who's in the same boat as you. It's a private members only group, just copy the link below and it will take you to the "join" page. You are very welcome to join. Kind Regards, Åsa
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PalmoplantarPustulosisSupport

Anna

11/13/2024 10:20:49 pm

Hi Åsa,

I bought your book, and thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge. 🙏🏻
I wonder if it’s possible to buy the food chart somewhere?

Åsa

11/13/2024 10:35:43 pm

Hi Anna,

Just send me an email at [email protected] and I will send you a .pdf of the food chart 🙂

Åsa

Patient Perspectives on Palmoplantar Pustulosis

Written by Åsa Kärrman — patient advocate, author, and founder of the PPP Global Support Group

The Diet That Healed My Palmoplantar Pustulosis: What I Ate, What I Removed, and What Actually Worked

The gut connection nobody explained to me

The first change I made — and why it got worse before it got better

What a typical day looked like after I changed my diet

What I want you to take from this

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