Info On Psoriasis

Arthritis Psoriasis

What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis, also called arthritis psoriasis, is an illness or chronic disease characterized by inflammation of the skin and joints. It is a skin condition that affects 2% of the Caucasian population in the United States. Symptoms of psoriasis are patches of skin that are raised, scaly, and red. About ten percent of people with psoriasis also develop inflammatory arthritis. When the two diseases are present it is called arthritis psoriasis.

Arthritis and Psoriasis at the Same Time

Psoriasis and arthritis usually don't appear at the same time. In around 80% of the cases of psoriatic arthritis, the psoriasis occurs first. Arthritis happens first in around 15% of the time between the two conditions. But varies for each individual, but they can appear years apart. The diagnosis of psoriasis arthritis is hard to do sometimes. The reason for this is the arthritis shows up sometime as much as 20 years before the psoriasis. It affects patients in the reverse as well, psoriasis first then 20 years later the onset of arthritis.

Men and Women are Both at Risk

Most of the time arthritis psoriasis typically begins when a person is between forty and sixty, with both men and women are both at risk. The exact cause of arthritis psoriasis is still unknown. There is no cure but many different treatments are present.

Areas Affected Psoriatic Arthritis

Some of the more commonly affected areas with psoriasis are the knees, elbows, and scalp. The joints most commonly affected with psoriatic arthritis are the ankles, knees, wrists, and hips. These joints become painful and can be swollen, red, and hot.

Medical Treatments

The list of medications exist to control the inflammation goes on and on. There are some good some not so good with lots of side effects to deal with sometime worse than the disease. Your doctor may recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), immunosuppressant medications, or TNF-alpha inhibitors. For severe cases of psoriatic arthritis, immunosupressent medications or TNF-alpha inhibitors may be prescribed. Both are effective but can cause many damaging side effects.

Corticosteroids NSAIDs for Short Term Use

Corticosteroids are useful for more mild cases of arthritis psoriasis. These are taken orally or injected into the joint. They can have serious side effects and are not prescribed long term use. NSAIDs are another drug that should be used only on a short term basis. These can be over-the-counter, like advil, ibuprophin or something special prescribed by your doctor. DMARDs can take months to work, but they can limit joint damage. They may be prescribed with a pain reliever.

Work With Your Doctor to Find the Best Course of Treatment

Arthritis psoriasis is a painful condition that can affect your quality of life. Although there are a many different types of treatments, many of them contain side effects. Because of this, discuss all of your options with your doctor. New and more effective treatments are always being developed.

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