Arthritis psoriasis is also called psoriatic arthritis and is a condition in which both the joints and the skin become inflamed. The psoriasis causes the skin to become red, raised, scaly, and patchy. It is estimated that ten percent of people with psoriasis will also develop inflammatory arthritis. This results in a diagnosis of arthritis psoriasis.
The 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%. The time between the two conditions varies for each individual, but they can appear years apart.
Arthritis psoriasis typically begins when a person is between forty and sixty. 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.
Psoriasis can happen anywhere on the body, but the elbows, knees, and scalp are some of the most commonly affected areas. The arthritis causes joints inflammation. The joints become red, swollen, hot, and painful. The most common joints to be affected by arthritis psoriasis are the knees, ankles, wrists, and hip.
Discuss with your doctor the best medications to control your condition. Common drugs for arthritis psoriasis include corticosteroids, immunosuppressant medications, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying ant-irheumatic drugs (DMARDs), or TNF-alpha inhibitors. Immunosuppressant medications are prescribed for severe cases, as are TNF-alpha inhibitors. Due to the side effects these can cause, they are only prescribed if the arthritis psoriasis is too severe to respond to other medications.
Corticosteroids are injected into the joint or may be taken orally. They aren't prescribed long-term and are good for mild cases of psoriatic arthritis. NSAIDs are also best for short-term usage. They may be over-the-counter such as ibuprofen or prescription. These help reduce pain and swelling. DMARDs are some of the most effective medications at limiting joint damage. They dont, however, work fast and are usually prescribed with a pain killer.
Arthritis psoriasis is a painful condition that can affect your quality of life. Although there are a variety 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.
