Environmental exposure to barium, a heavy metal found in drinking water and industrial waste, may contribute to the development of psoriasis by disrupting potassium channel signaling. Recent evidence has turned attention toward environmental pollutants as potential triggers for psoriasis, highlighting barium as a leading environmental correlate of psoriasis. The review discusses how barium may alter potassium signaling, potentially triggering inflammasome activation, and draws parallels to drug-induced psoriasis. Therapeutic targeting of potassium channels is under investigation, showing promise in reducing inflammation and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores in preclinical and early clinical studies. Longitudinal and mechanistic research is needed to confirm whether barium exposure plays a direct role in psoriasis pathogenesis and to explore whether limiting exposure could reduce disease risk.

Source: Frontiers in Medicine