Palmoplantar Pustulosis Natural Treatment
When I was diagnosed with palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP), I was handed a list of medications with side effects that frightened me more than the disease itself. Biologics, methotrexate, cyclosporine, each came with risks I was not willing to take. So I made a choice that my doctors did not fully support at the time: I would try to heal naturally.
That was over 15 years ago. Today, I am completely symptom-free.
I am not a doctor, and I cannot tell you that natural treatment will work for everyone. But I can share exactly what I did, what helped, what didn't, and what I wish someone had told me from the beginning.
That was over 15 years ago. Today, I am completely symptom-free.
I am not a doctor, and I cannot tell you that natural treatment will work for everyone. But I can share exactly what I did, what helped, what didn't, and what I wish someone had told me from the beginning.
Why I Chose Natural Treatment Over BiologicsClick
Biologic drugs have changed lives for many PPP patients, and I do not dismiss them. For some people, they are the right choice. But when I looked at the list of potential side effects, increased infection risk, liver damage, long-term immune suppression, I felt in my gut that I needed to try another way first.
I believed that my body was not malfunctioning randomly. PPP was a signal. Something was driving the inflammation, and I wanted to find and address that root cause rather than suppress the immune system entirely.
That belief turned out to be the right one for me.
I believed that my body was not malfunctioning randomly. PPP was a signal. Something was driving the inflammation, and I wanted to find and address that root cause rather than suppress the immune system entirely.
That belief turned out to be the right one for me.
The 6 Natural Approaches That Helped Me Heal
1. Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Food was the single most powerful lever I had. Within weeks of changing my diet, I noticed a reduction in the frequency and severity of flare-ups.
What I added:
What I added:
- Real non processed meat, chicken and fish
- Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, rocket)
- Fermented foods to support gut health (sauerkraut, kefir, natural yogurt)
- Colourful vegetables and berries, rich in antioxidants
- Healthy fats: coconut oil, avocado, nuts and seeds
- Gluten, a major trigger for me personally
- Refined sugar
- Processed foods
- Dairy, I reintroduced it later in small amounts
- Alcohol
- Fast food and vegetable oils
2. Healing the Gut
I came to understand that the skin and the gut are deeply connected. In autoimmune conditions like PPP, a disrupted gut microbiome can drive systemic inflammation. I focused on rebuilding mine through:
Over several months, as my gut health improved, my skin began to follow.
- High-quality probiotics (multi-strain)
- Prebiotic foods (garlic, onion, leeks, asparagus)
- Bone broth to support the gut lining
Over several months, as my gut health improved, my skin began to follow.
3. Targeted Supplements
After extensive research, I added these supplements.
- Vitamin D3, deficiency is extremely common in PPP patients
- Vitamin K2, works together with D3
- Zinc, important for skin healing and immune function
- Magnesium, helps regulate inflammation and stress response
4. Stress Management
Stress was my most consistent trigger. After a stressful week at work, a flare would follow almost without fail. Learning to manage my stress response was not optional, it was essential.
What helped me:
What helped me:
- Daily walks in nature (even 20 minutes made a difference)
- Yoga and gentle stretching
- Mindfulness and breathing exercises
- Setting clearer boundaries at work and in relationships
- Prioritising sleep, 7 to 9 hours consistently
5. Quitting Smoking
Research shows that up to 95% of PPP patients are current or former smokers.
If you smoke and have PPP, this is the single most evidence-backed lifestyle change you can make.
If you smoke and have PPP, this is the single most evidence-backed lifestyle change you can make.
6. Gentle Skincare
Harsh creams and steroid ointments gave me temporary relief but never addressed the underlying cause. I switched to a minimal, gentle approach:
- Pure coconut oil or shea butter on cracked skin
- Fragrance-free, soap-free cleansers
- Wearing soft cotton socks and avoiding tight footwear during flare-ups
- Protecting my hands from harsh detergents with gloves
- Hydrocolloid plasters, to ease the pain
What Did NOT Work for Me
Being honest about this matters. Not every natural approach I tried was effective:
- Coal tar creams, gave minor relief but were messy and smelled terrible
- Elimination diets that were too extreme, I became malnourished and more stressed
- Certain herbal supplements, no noticeable effect
The Timeline: What to Expect
I want to be honest: this did not happen in a week, or even a month. Here is the rough timeline of my recovery:
- Weeks 1–4: Diet changes in place, first signs of reduced inflammation
- Weeks 5-6: Fewer flare-ups, skin beginning to heal between outbreaks
- Month 2: Significant improvement, longer periods without pustules
- Month 3 onwards: What felt like genuine remission beginning
- Year 1+: Stable, symptom-free, with occasional very mild reactions to stress
Healing is not linear. There will be setbacks.
But with each flare, you will learn more about your own triggers, and each piece of knowledge moves you forward
