Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis Affects the Joints and the Skin

Psoriatic Arthritis is a condition which affects both the skin and the joints. Psoriatic arthritis usually afflicts individuals who are between 40 and 50 years. Psoriatic arthritis does not discriminate  between the sexes--as both females and males are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. It is interesting to note that while psoriatic arthritis is a skin and joint disease, the psoriasis can show up many years prior to the arthritis. The reverse can also be said. The arthritis may precede psoriasis.
  
In eight out of ten patients, psoriasis comes first. In fact, it is common for a patient to have psoriasis for fifteen years or more before the onset of arthritis. When the joint disease does appear, a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is made. Only a small percent of individuals with psoriasis (about 10%) will go on to develop psoriatic arthritis. The patients who have had arthritis for years may not realize they are afflicted with psoriatic arthritis when they first notice a skin problem. If you have arthritis and develop a skin condition, you should promptly notify your physician to see if you have psoriatic arthritis.

The characteristics of psoriasis are scaling and inflammation of the skin. Scales develop because the outer layer of skin reproduces at a much faster rate than normal. Psoriasis affects areas of the skin and thickens them. This area will become red and then develop silvery scales. The skin may crack at joint sites, and itching and burning is normal. Arthritis is a condition in which the joints of the body become afflicted due to the breakdown of the tissue or lining around the joints. Swelling, stiffness and limited mobility are all a product of arthritis. When these two disorders are present at the same time, a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis is usually made.

The individual with psoriatic arthritis will have both the symptoms of  arthritis and psoriasis. This can be a very uncomfortable disease. Psoriatic arthritis should not be left untreated. The treatments prescribed for psoriatic arthritis will vary on an individual basis based upon the symptoms and severity of the patient.