Some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis.
This causes tenderness, pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue, as well as stiffness. It can affect any joint in the body but often affects the hands, feet, knees, neck, spine and elbows. Most people develop psoriatic arthritis after psoriasis, but some people develop it before they're diagnosed with psoriasis. There's no single test for psoriatic arthritis. It's normally diagnosed using a combination of methods, including looking at your medical history, physical examinations, blood tests, x-rays and mri scans. If you have psoriasis, you'll usually have an annual assessment to look for signs of psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that causes joint pain and swelling. Similar to psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes your immune system to function abnormally and cause symptoms. About 1 in 3 people diagnosed with psoriasis will also develop arthritis due to inflammation. Early treatment of psoriatic arthritis can reduce damage to your joints.
Tablets, capsules and injections
If your psoriasis is severe or other treatments haven't worked, you may be prescribed systemic treatments by a specialist. Systemic treatments are treatments that work throughout the entire body. These medications can be very effective in treating psoriasis, but they all have potentially serious side effects. All the systemic treatments for psoriasis have benefits and risks. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about your treatment options and any risks associated with them. There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological (usually given as tablets or capsules) and biological (usually given as injections). These are described in more detail below.
If your psoriasis is severe or other treatments have not worked, you may be prescribed systemic treatments by a specialist. Systemic treatments work throughout the entire body. If you're planning for a baby, become pregnant or are thinking of breastfeeding, you should also speak to your doctor first before taking any new medicine to check it's suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological (usually given as tablets or capsules) and biological (usually given as injections).
There's no cure for psoriasis, but a range of treatments can improve symptoms and the appearance of skin patches. Your doctor will ask you about how much the condition is affecting your everyday life. In most cases, the first treatment used will be a topical treatment, such as vitamin d analogues or topical corticosteroids. Topical treatments are creams and ointments applied to the skin. If these are not effective, or your condition is more severe, a treatment called phototherapy may be used. Phototherapy involves exposing your skin to certain types of ultraviolet light. In severe cases, where the above treatments are ineffective, systemic treatments may be used.
For mild-to-moderate symptoms, and it aims to slow down the growth of skin cells, reduce inflammation, and soothe itching or discomfort. These treatments are available over the counter or with a prescription, and they include nonsteroids and steroids. More specifically, examples include: corticosteroids: doctors often recommend corticosteroids to help treat psoriasis symptoms. There are many different steroids available as gels, foams, creams, sprays, and ointments. The national psoriasis foundation offers a guide on understanding corticosteroid strengths here. Synthetic vitamin d: people often use this alongside a corticosteroid. It can help flatten plaques, slow the growth of skin cells, and remove scales.