Dealing with Psoriatic Arthritis
At NY Foot Health, we know many patients hear arthritis and immediately think of the joint pain that often affects older people. But arthritis is an umbrella term covering over 100 disorders that can have complex symptoms and effects on the body. One type is psoriatic arthritis.
Although psoriasis manifests as a skin disorder, patients also develop psoriatic arthritis in about a third of the cases. This condition is an autoimmune form of the disease (meaning the immune system mistakenly attacks its own body) that can cause joint inflammation and even organ damage.
Recognizing the Signs
Psoriatic arthritis can affect everyone differently. Some potential symptoms include:
Swelling of toes and fingers
Toe and fingernails become pitted or separate from the nail bed
Aching in the heel or sole
Joint inflammation may occur on large or small joints and can also affect the spine, although this happens less frequently. These symptoms may be severe or mild, wide-ranging, or specific to just a few joints. They can also come and go.
Who’s at Risk?
Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis tend to run in families. It usually develops after the age of 30 but can start in childhood. It affects men and women equally and is more prevalent in whites than other races or ethnicities.
Researchers don’t exactly understand why some people develop psoriatic arthritis. The current thinking is a patient may have a genetic predisposition for the disease triggered by an environmental factor such as stress, physical trauma, virus, or infection.
Prevention Measures
The best way to prevent psoriatic arthritis from developing is by managing psoriasis appropriately and following your doctor’s treatment plan. Some ways to do this include:
Moisturizing your skin and limiting exposure to hot showers or baths
Avoiding harsh soaps and detergents
Choosing clothing that is loose fitting and made of soft, natural fibers
Eating a healthy diet rich in foods that fight inflammation
Managing stress
If psoriasis is part of your family’s medical history or you are experiencing painful or itchy patches of skin that are red or silvery-white in color and pain in your toes or the joints of your feet, contact your podiatrist for an evaluation. If you don’t currently have a podiatrist, use our online directory to locate one near you. You can learn more about these and other health conditions that affect the feet by contacting us and subscribing to our free e-newsletter.