Arthritis psoriasis, also known as psoriatic arthritis, is a disease with both inflammation of the joints and the skin. Psoriasis is characterized by raised, patchy areas of skin that are red and scaly. Inflammatory arthritis develops in around ten percent of the people who have psoriasis. When this occurs, arthritis psoriasis is diagnosed.
The psoriasis usually, around 80% of the time, occurs first in cases of psoriatic arthritis. Only 5% of the time do the two conditions begin at the same time. The time between onset of the two conditions can range from months to years.
Arthritis psoriasis can occur in both men and women and onset typically happens when the person is in his or her forties or fifties. The cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, though it is, in part, a hereditary disease. While treatments are available, there is no cure.
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.
A variety of medications exist to control the inflammation. Your doctor may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), immuno-suppressant medications, or TNF-alpha inhibitors. For severe cases of psoriatic arthritis, immuno-supressent medications or TNF-alpha inhibitors may be prescribed. Both are effective but can cause damaging side effects.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen and aspirin and can be over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor. They can help control swelling and pain, but have side effects if used on a long term basis. Corticosteroids are good for mild arthritis psoriasis and may be injected straight into the joint or taken orally. Again, they are usually only prescribed short-term to avoid damaging side effects. DMARDs can actually limit joint damage caused by arthritis psoriasis. DMARDs take weeks or months to work, so they are often prescribed along with a pain reliever.
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.
The psoriasis usually, around 80% of the time, occurs first in cases of psoriatic arthritis. Only 5% of the time do the two conditions begin at the same time. The time between onset of the two conditions can range from months to years.
Arthritis psoriasis can occur in both men and women and onset typically happens when the person is in his or her forties or fifties. The cause of psoriatic arthritis is unknown, though it is, in part, a hereditary disease. While treatments are available, there is no cure.
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.
A variety of medications exist to control the inflammation. Your doctor may recommend non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), immuno-suppressant medications, or TNF-alpha inhibitors. For severe cases of psoriatic arthritis, immuno-supressent medications or TNF-alpha inhibitors may be prescribed. Both are effective but can cause damaging side effects.
NSAIDs include ibuprofen and aspirin and can be over-the-counter or prescribed by your doctor. They can help control swelling and pain, but have side effects if used on a long term basis. Corticosteroids are good for mild arthritis psoriasis and may be injected straight into the joint or taken orally. Again, they are usually only prescribed short-term to avoid damaging side effects. DMARDs can actually limit joint damage caused by arthritis psoriasis. DMARDs take weeks or months to work, so they are often prescribed along with a pain reliever.
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.
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