If you have psoriasis, you’ve likely felt the pain of psoriatic arthritis, which attacks tissues in the skin and joints. While these symptoms can seriously disrupt your quality of life, treatment options are available.
Joint and Tendon Problems
The main symptoms associated with psoriatic arthritis are joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, but it can affect any part of the body, says the Mayo Clinic.1 People with psoriatic arthritis commonly experience pain and stiffness in the joints of the ankles, knees, fingers, toes, and lower back.
Nail Changes
Psoriatic arthritis also tends to cause changes to a person’s nails, both on the hands and feet. Most commonly, the individual will see discoloration and pitting, which are small dents or depressions in the nail.
Fatigue
According to Everyday Health, “Up to 57 percent of people with an inflammatory rheumatic disease like psoriatic arthritis experience severe fatigue,” which can occur as a result of the inflammation caused by the disease, as well as the emotional distress of dealing with the condition.2
Eye Problems
A person with psoriatic arthritis may also experience eye problems as a result of the condition, such as inflammation in the iris, which WebMD says “can cause pain that gets worse in bright light.”3
Psoriatic Arthritis Treatment
If you’re showing any signs of psoriatic arthritis, it’s important that you book an appointment with your doctor for a diagnosis. From there, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan.
Treatment: Light Therapy
One way to help treat psoriasis skin plaques is using ultraviolet (UV) light. WebMD warns it’s important that you only use this form of therapy with the guidance of your doctor, as UV light can damage the skin.4
Treatment: Surgery
WebMD says, “Most people with psoriatic arthritis will never need surgery.” Surgery is often used as a last resort if other treatment options don’t work. One possible procedure is a synovectomy. The goal of this procedure is to remove the diseased lining of a joint.
The Importance of Regular Checkups
The best way to treat psoriatic arthritis is to have regular checkups. It’s important for your doctor to keep an eye on how your disease is progressing. Regular checkups allow your doctor to see how your current treatment plan is working and make adjustments if it’s not working.
