Managing Psoriatic Arthritis
Treatment for psoriatic arthritis depends on the severity of the condition. Basically management requires treatment for arthritis as well as psoriasis. Treatment generally involves a combination of exercise and medication.
Patient education is another aspect of management which is important as understanding of the condition ensures better compliance to treatment and therefore control of psoriatic arthritis.
Conditions that have been reported as accompanying a worsening of psoriatic arthritis include infections, stress, and changes in season and climate. Certain medicines such as beta blockers (a type of antihypertensive drug) have been reported to trigger or aggravate psoriasis.
Exercise is an important component of treatment. Low-impact exercises such as brisk walking, stretching, swimming and line dancing will increase mobility and reduce morning stiffness in joints. It also helps maintain a healthy weight, so as to reduce stress on joints, especially at the knees.
Keeping mobile will also help decrease pain, as exercise will strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint to support its movement as well as improve its range of motion.
Psoriasis Psoriatic at the fingers
Skin care is also key to good management of psoriatic arthritis. Keeping the skin soft and moist is helpful such as applying moisturisers after bathing. Topical creams or moisturisers, such as Vitamin D or steroid cream, help to keep skin moisturised and prevent drying, flaking and itching.
Some psoriatic patients may need PUVA (psoralen plus long-wave ultraviolet A light) therapy, which slows cell growth and keeps psoriasis in check. This is a combination of a prescription medicine psoralen, taken either in tablet form or added to a bath, plus exposure to type A ultraviolet light. Therapy usually consists of 20 to 30 treatments over several weeks, under strict medical supervision.
Avoid carrying heavy things or undertake activities which may cause a strain to the affected joints. If the wrist and fingers joints are affected with arthritis, it may be beneficial to wear a splint at night or a working splint during the day for joint support.
People who have psoriatic arthritis can still have a good quality life. What matters more is having the knowledge to tackle social misconceptions about this condition. People must first know that psoriasis is not infectious.