Decoding Psoriasis on Twitter: What People are Really Saying About Treatments

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness June 2025 • 4 min read.

"A deep dive into social media reveals surprising trends and concerns about psoriasis treatments, offering valuable insights for patients and healthcare professionals alike."

In today's digital age, social media platforms like Twitter have become invaluable sources of information and support for individuals managing various health conditions. Psoriasis, a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the skin, is no exception. Patients often turn to online communities to share their experiences, seek advice, and discuss potential treatments.

Understanding these online conversations can provide valuable insights for both patients and healthcare professionals. By analyzing the discussions surrounding psoriasis treatments on Twitter, we can gain a better understanding of patient preferences, concerns, and unmet needs.

This article delves into a recent study that examined tweets related to psoriasis treatments, uncovering surprising trends and highlighting the importance of social media in shaping patient perceptions and behaviors.

The Twitter Psoriasis Landscape: A Snapshot of Trending Treatments

Person with psoriasis surrounded by social media tweets and healing elements.

A comprehensive analysis of over 5,000 tweets from December 2016 revealed a wide range of topics related to psoriasis treatments. The study, conducted by researchers in Ireland, focused on English-language tweets and categorized them based on the type of treatment discussed. Dietary interventions emerged as the most popular topic, followed closely by topical therapies.

The study identified several key themes within these discussions. Patients frequently shared advice, discussed treatment side effects and inconveniences, and expressed their opinions on treatment effectiveness. The analysis also revealed a strong interest in alternative therapies and a willingness to explore unconventional approaches.

Dietary Interventions: Fruits, vegetables, plants, vitamins, herbal remedies, and spices were commonly mentioned.
Topical Therapies: Oils (coconut, hemp/cannabis, tea tree), corticosteroids, Vitamin D derivatives, and coal tar were popular choices.
Systemic and Biologic Therapies: Piclidenosine, methotrexate, ixekizumab, and secukinumab were among the most discussed options.
Alternative Therapies: Homeopathy, Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda were also mentioned.
Ultraviolet Therapy: Both natural and artificial UV therapy were discussed.

Interestingly, the study found that dietary interventions were discussed as frequently as topical therapies, despite the fact that topical treatments are generally considered the standard of care for mild to moderate psoriasis. This suggests that patients may be actively seeking alternative solutions and prioritizing treatments they perceive as safer or more natural.

Listening to the Online Conversation: Implications for Patients and Clinicians

The insights gleaned from this Twitter analysis underscore the importance of open communication and shared decision-making between patients and healthcare providers. By understanding the beliefs, preferences, and concerns expressed in online communities, clinicians can better tailor treatment plans and address potential misconceptions. The study also highlights the value of social media as a source of peer support and information for individuals managing psoriasis. As patients increasingly turn to online platforms for guidance, it is crucial to ensure that they have access to accurate and reliable information.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What types of treatments for psoriasis are most discussed on Twitter, according to the study?

The study analyzing Twitter conversations about psoriasis treatments revealed that Dietary Interventions and Topical Therapies were the most frequently discussed. Within Dietary Interventions, people often mentioned fruits, vegetables, plants, vitamins, herbal remedies, and spices. Regarding Topical Therapies, popular choices included oils (coconut, hemp/cannabis, tea tree), corticosteroids, Vitamin D derivatives, and coal tar. The study also found mentions of Systemic and Biologic Therapies, such as Piclidenosine, methotrexate, ixekizumab, and secukinumab, and Alternative Therapies like Homeopathy, Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda, as well as Ultraviolet Therapy.

Why is it significant that dietary interventions are discussed as frequently as topical therapies for psoriasis on Twitter?

The frequency with which Dietary Interventions are discussed, relative to Topical Therapies, is noteworthy because topical treatments are generally considered the standard of care for mild to moderate psoriasis. This suggests a strong interest among patients in exploring alternative solutions. It indicates a preference for treatments perceived as safer, more natural, or potentially offering fewer side effects. Patients are actively seeking information and sharing experiences related to dietary changes, potentially reflecting a desire for holistic approaches or a dissatisfaction with the limitations of conventional treatments.

How can healthcare professionals benefit from understanding online conversations about psoriasis treatments?

Healthcare professionals can gain valuable insights from observing online discussions, like those on Twitter, about psoriasis treatments. This understanding helps them to better tailor treatment plans by considering patients' beliefs, preferences, and concerns. Clinicians can address potential misconceptions and improve communication with patients. It also aids in shared decision-making. By staying informed about the information patients access and the support they seek online, healthcare professionals can provide more comprehensive and patient-centered care.

What are some examples of Systemic and Biologic Therapies mentioned in the Twitter analysis of psoriasis treatments?

The Twitter analysis specifically mentioned several Systemic and Biologic Therapies. These included Piclidenosine, Methotrexate, Ixekizumab, and Secukinumab. These types of treatments are typically used for moderate to severe psoriasis cases and work by targeting the immune system in various ways. The discussion of these treatments online indicates the level of interest and the experiences, both positive and negative, patients have when using them to manage their condition.

Besides the treatments themselves, what other aspects of psoriasis management are people discussing on Twitter?

Besides discussing specific treatments like Dietary Interventions, Topical Therapies, and Systemic/Biologic Therapies, people on Twitter share a range of experiences related to psoriasis management. These include advice on managing side effects and the inconveniences associated with treatments. Patients also share their opinions on treatment effectiveness. There's a strong emphasis on emotional challenges related to living with psoriasis. The willingness to explore Alternative Therapies and unconventional approaches, such as Homeopathy, Chinese medicine, and Ayurveda, also indicates the comprehensive scope of online discussions.