Psoriatic arthritis affects around 30% of people living with psoriasis. If you're experiencing the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, you don't have to suffer. Start your search online today for effective psoriatic arthritis treatments. 

Did you know that if you have psoriasis, you're also at risk for developing a disease known as psoriatic arthritis? It's one of the most common forms of arthritis, and it can significantly impact your quality of life. A lot of people don't know that they have psoriatic arthritis and assume their pain and discomfort are caused by something else. In fact, some people only receive a psoriatic arthritis diagnosis after undergoing testing for another condition. If you're experiencing joint pain due to psoriatic arthritis, keep reading to learn more about this condition and some proven remedies. 

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a specific type of arthritis that affects some people living with psoriasis. Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes skin inflammation and typically manifests as dry patches of skin topped with silvery scales. There are several different types of psoriasis. The majority of people develop psoriasis before being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis; however, some people may experience joint pain before skin symptoms appear. 

Psoriatic Arthritis: Are You At Risk?

Psoriatic arthritis, also known as psoriatic disease, is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that affects the joints and skin. Although it's linked to the related condition of psoriasis, management is different. Psoriatic arthritis is more commonly diagnosed than people realize, with around one million Americans living with the condition. As psoriasis has a genetic component, most healthcare professionals agree that people with diagnosed family members are at greater risk of developing the condition. 

What are the Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can be challenging to diagnose because they often mimic and overlap with the symptoms of other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.

Psoriasis symptoms of the skin can present differently, depending on the type of psoriasis you have. There are seven different types of psoriasis, including;

• Plaque psoriasis - causes inflamed, red skin covered with silvery or white scales.
• Guttate psoriasis - causes round, red scaly spots often on the trunk, thighs, upper arms, and scalp. 
• Inverse psoriasis - causes smooth, bright red patches of skin that don't have scales
• Pustular psoriasis - causes red patches of skin with pus-filled bumps (pustules).
• Erythrodermic psoriasis - causes widespread red patches of skin that feel hot. 
• Nail psoriasis - causes nail changes, including pitting, color changes, separation from the nail bed, and pain.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms may occur alongside skin symptoms (most common) or alone. The arthritic aspect of this disease includes symptoms such as:

• Swelling of the joints
• Joint stiffness
• Redness at the joint
• Warmth at the joint site
• Pain
• Decreased range of motion
• Inflammation of the tendons
• Swelling of the toes and fingers
• Inflamed chest area

People with psoriatic arthritis are also more likely to suffer from fatigue, conjunctivitis, back pain, obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stress, depression, and heart disease. 

How Do You Treat Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition that cannot be cured. However, treatment options can significantly improve your quality of life and keep flare-ups at bay. 

Here are the best treatment options recommended for psoriatic arthritis:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Advil and Motrin or prescription NSAIDs. 
• Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) (both targeted and conventional) such as methotrexate and leflunomide to help slow the progression of psoriatic arthritis 
• Biologics such as Humira, Cimzia, and Enbrel to calm the immune system response
• Other oral medications, such as Otezla, to decrease inflammation enzymes in the body 
• Physical therapy and massage therapy to improve joint mobility
• Steroid injections to reduce inflammation
• Joint replacement surgery to replace severely damaged joints

It's important to remember that everyone is affected differently, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for psoriatic arthritis. You may need to utilize a trial and error approach to find the most effective psoriatic arthritis treatment plan. Many patients find that a combination of treatments is required to keep their psoriasis symptoms under control. 

Unmanaged psoriatic arthritis can cause irreparable damage to joints and tissue. Patients living with psoriatic arthritis are much more likely to achieve relief with early and appropriately aggressive treatment. If treated early, patients can avoid painful permanent damage to their joints and live a good quality of life. If you're living with any symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, it's crucial that you seek medical advice immediately to ensure the best treatment outcome.