Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment

I. Psoriatic Arthritis: what is it?

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of skin disorder that some individuals may suffer as an effect of having another skin problem known as psoriasis. This type of disease affects the skin and the joints causing it to swell and to be painful. In a way, psoriatic arthritis attacks the joints like the rheumatoid arthritis but in a milder way.

This psoriatic arthritis syndrome is basically characterized with skin and joints problems, although not all of these types are limited to this two. There is no identified cure for psoriatic arthritis yet although some would say that genetics and the weakening of the immune system may contribute to it. As a remedy, there are various treatments that exist to somehow help prevent the symptoms. Knowing the onset of the psoriatic arthritis symptoms is important for one to have a proper medication. Moreover, this psoriatic arthritis is one chronic disease. If not properly taken care of, it may lead to other complications that can be dangerous to one’s health.

II. Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms

Common to this psoriatic arthritis is its effect on one’s tips of fingers or toes, as a symptom. However, according to research, there are around 20 percent of people who’s having psoriatic arthritis also develop problems with the spine. This is rarely called “psoriatic arthritis mutilens”. It attacks the joints also leaving it severely damaged.

Psoriatic arthritis can be traced form skin disorder psoriasis. Accordingly, out of 30 million people who may have contacted psoriasis, 8 percent of them are likely to experience psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Psoriasis is a condition where some parts of the skin, like in the elbows, scalp ad knees becomes scaly and rough. Affected areas may appear to be reddish or greyish in colour. Generally, this disorder evenly affects men and women and usually occurs between 30 to 50 years of age range.

III. Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment

In our modern medicine, there is still no cure for psoriatic arthritis. Treatments for this disorder depend on one’s symptoms, thus, psoriatic arthritis treatment is usually individualized for better results. Moreover, every treatment should fit one’s health condition.

Psoriatic arthritis treatment is said to focus on reducing some effects brought by this disorder like the joint pains, inflamed skin and other factors contributing to it. Treating both condition individually, psoriasis and arthritis, is one good way to target this disease. Basically, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs or NSAID for the joints and some topical creams for the skin can be considered.

Topical and other antibiotic medications can be used to prevent further skin irritation for people suffering from psoriasis. There were also treatments like photo therapy that is said to help lighten one’s condition.

The joint pains on the other hand can be remedied through anti arthritis drugs and other medications. NSAIDs can also be prescribed to manage pain and swelling of the joints.

There were also some natural ways to prevent joint problems. For one, high doses of fish oil is said to have high anti- inflammatory effects.