What is Psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease that causes skin cells to reproduce faster than normal. This causes patches of skin to become scaly and inflamed.Psoriasis is chronic, meaning it is a long-lasting disease. Certain treatments can improve your skin and help prevent flares, however. Your skin can become resistant to treatments over time, so you may need to switch treatments periodically.
If you have psoriasis, you are more likely to get some other conditions, including:
· Psoriatic Arthritis a condition that causes joint pain and swelling.
· Cardiovascular problems, which affect the heart and blood circulation system.
· Obesity.
· High blood pressure.
· Diabetes.
What is Psoriatic arthritis?
Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis (joint inflammation) that can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches).
What happens in psoriatic arthritis?Psoriatic arthritis affects the joints, and areas where muscles and ligaments attach to bone. Typically, skin disease precedes the arthritis, sometimes by several years. In some cases, arthritis occurs first.
The joints most commonly affected are:
· The outermost joints of the fingers or toes.
· Wrists.
· Knees.
· Ankles.
· Lower back.
What is the treatment for Psoriatic Arthritis?
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis depends on its severity. Milder forms of the disease may be treated by:
· Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to treat pain and inflammation. Ibuprofen and Naproxen, are available over the counter, whereas other NSAIDS are available by prescription only.
· Corticosteroids, strong inflammation-fighting drugs, may be injected directly into the affected joint(s).
Forms of the disease that are persistent or affect multiple joints may be treated by:
· Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) that slow or stop the immune system from attacking the joints and causing damage.
· Anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) agents.