Psoriatic Arthritis Syndrome
I. Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory arthritis that affects the skin and joints. It is said to affect the joints like the rheumatoid arthritis but it is only milder. It is characterized by scaly and patchy red areas of the skin. It usually affects areas like knees, elbows, genital area and the scalp.
This type also of arthritis happens to people who have contacted psoriasis. Moreover, a person suffering from this type of arthritis will more likely to have symptoms of both the skin and joints disorder.
Psoriatic arthritis can take place for both men and women and usually appears at ages ranging from 30 to 50 years old. In some cases, the condition may be mild, only affecting some joints, but to some, severe conditions may occur.
II. Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
One should take into consideration any of the possible psoriatic arthritis symptoms. Once these symptoms arise, precautionary actions should be done. Once it is left untreated for a long time, the symptoms may worsen and adverse effects may cause more serious health problems.
Commonly, some effects of psoriatic arthritis can be seen in the toes and fingers. Also, scaly and dry rashes may start to occur in the knees and elbows area. Some psoriatic arthritis pictures show some reddening around the affected areas.
In addition, some joints may start to swell which is very painful and can bring uneasy feeling to a person suffering from it. Swelling of the wrist, ankles, toes and fingers may also be experienced causing to hinder one from doing any normal routine work. Moreover, the scalp may have a grayish scales and also on other affected areas.
Other psoriatic arthritis symptoms include inflammation of the tendons or tendinitis. Some other organs like the eyes, lungs and the aorta may also be affected. Lower back and buttocks pain may also occur. Nails will become highly pitted and joints will become stiff making it hard for one to walk and move freely.
III. Psoriatic Arthritis Causes
The cause of this medical condition is still unknown up to now although it is said that some factors may involve genetics and the environment. According to Medicine Net, certain changes in the immune system may also be one factor that contributes to the development of psoriatic arthritis. A decline in the number of immune cells called helper T cells may help psoriasis progress in patients which may also lead to psoriatic arthritis.
IV. Treatment
Treatments for psoriatic arthritis aim to control the inflammation which is usually associated with every symptom. The skin symptoms and the joint symptoms are said to be targeted at the same time to help fully recover from the pain caused by two affected body parts.
Psoriatic arthritis treatment for the skin symptoms includes topical and other oral medications. These products contain anti biotic to prevent secondary skin irritations. As for symptoms associated with the joints, it is being treated like any ordinary form of arthritis. Aspirin and any other anti psoriasis drugs may be taken to prevent further swelling of the joints.