Psoriatic Arthritis: What Is The Connection
Psoriatic arthritis : 1 in 4 of people with psoriasis may develop an associated arthritis called psoriatic arthropathy, which causes pain and swelling in the joints and connective tissue, accompanied by stiffness particularly in the mornings and when rising from a seat. Most commonly affected sites are the hands, feet, lower back, neck and knees, with movement in these areas becoming severely limited. Chronic fatigue is a common complaint linked with this condition. If you are experiencing mild aches and pains and have psoriasis, even very mildly, consult your dermatologist for further advice and if necessary a referral to a rheumatologist for further assessments. For more detailed information on psoriatic arthritis see What is Psoriatic Arthritis?
Who Is At Risk For Psoriasis
Dr. Sethi reveals, “It is not entirely specific who psoriasis affects. While Psoriasis is common within individuals between ages 15 and up, it is also shown that lighter skin tones, or Caucasian skin, are prone to developing Psoriasis. Individuals with autoimmune disorders or diseases may be prone to developing Psoriasis because of a compromised immune system. The skin is our largest vital organ and because of this, our immune system often responds reactively to ensure the safety and integrity of skin renewal.”6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e
Dr. Choi adds, “Psoriasis doesn’t discriminate. Symptoms often present between ages 15 and 25, but can start at any age, and men, women and children of all skin tones can develop the disease. Prevalence in the U.S. is reported to be higher in white Americans than those with skin of color, but that is due in part to the fact that people of color are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because psoriasis looks different on skin of color. Rather than having a red or pink appearance, in darker skin tones, psoriasis can look violet, gray or even dark brown making it more difficult to see and diagnose.”
Dr. Hsu shares, “There are risk factors like stress, smoking or those with certain health conditions like diabetes or heart disease that may have a higher risk of psoriasis. Those who have a family history of psoriasis will have an increased chance of psoriasis as well.”
Guttate Psoriasis: Small Red Spots
Guttate psoriasis the second most common type of psoriasis is characterized by multiple small, round red spots on the skin, usually widespread across the trunk and limbs. Often resulting from a bacterial or viral infection in children, such as strep throat, these spots come on suddenly and sometimes require oral medication or injections. Mild cases, however, may clear up without treatment.
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Flexural Or Inverse Psoriasis
Flexural or inverse psoriasis often appears in skinfolds, such as under the breasts or in the armpits or groin area. This type of psoriasis is red and often shiny and smooth.
The sweat and moisture from skinfolds keeps this form of psoriasis from shedding skin scales. Sometimes its misdiagnosed as a fungal or bacterial infection. The skin-on-skin contact can make inverse psoriasis very uncomfortable.
Most people with inverse psoriasis also have a different form of psoriasis in other places on the body.
When To See A Doctor For Itchy Skin
The specialists at London Medical can help find the underlying cause of the itching and soothe the pruritis. It is particularly important to get specialist medical advice if:
- Itching is disturbing your sleep and affecting your daily life.
- The itching has been present for more than 2 weeks or keeps recurring.
- There is a new rash or lump that is itchy.
- The itching is all over your body.
- You are feeling weak, unwell or have other symptoms. Rarely, itchy skin can be a sign of thyroid, liver or kidney disease.
- You are pregnant. Itching is common in pregnancy but severe itching can be caused by an uncommon condition called ICP, which needs specialist care
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Eczema: Red Itchy Irritated Skin
Like psoriasis, eczema is a chronic skin condition that often causes intense itching. Scratching causes redness and inflammation of the skin, leading to a worsening of the eczema. Scratching can also cause a secondary bacterial infection. The most common type of eczema is caused by a reaction to irritants like detergents, soaps, or household cleansers. So if you have eczema, you should be careful to use mild soap and regularly moisturize your sensitive skin. Your doctor may prescribe a steroid cream or other medications if eczema is severe.
Psoriasis Diet: Foods To Eat And Avoid If You Have Psoriasis
A range of treatments are available for psoriasis, from skin ointments to drugs that alter your immune system. But can easing the symptoms of this common condition be as simple as changing the foods we eat?
For the more than 8 million people in the U.S. who live with psoriasis, diet may play a bigger role than we think in how our bodies handle inflammation. , a registered dietitian at Johns Hopkins Medicine, offers insight on which foods to eat and which to avoid if you have psoriasis.
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Triggers That Make Itchiness Worse
When you have an itch, the temptation is to scratch. Yet scratching can increase inflammation and make itching even worse. That creates a vicious pattern known as the itch-scratch cycle.
Scratching can also damage the skin, leading to the formation of even more itchy plaques and even infection.
Stress is another itching trigger. When youre under stress, youre more likely to have a psoriasis flare, which can set off another bout of itching.
Weather conditions can also influence itching. In particular, very dry conditions and warm weather have both been known to trigger or exacerbate itchiness.
Differences Between Psoriasis And Eczema
Psoriasis is a common, chronic autoimmune disease that affects the surface of the skin and sometimes the nails and joints.
Although doctors arent sure what causes people to develop psoriasis, they suspect that family history and environmental factors may play a role.
Eczema is another common skin condition that can, in some cases, present similar symptoms to those of psoriasis.
It, too, is an immune-driven disease and can often be triggered by an allergen or irritant.
When someone with eczema comes into contact with something theyre sensitive to, their immune system erupts with an allergic reaction that causes skin inflammation and other uncomfortable symptoms.
If you have red, scaly skin and arent sure whether its a form of psoriasis or eczema, there are a few questions that can help distinguish between the two:
- What kind of symptoms do I see on the surface of my skin? Both eczema and psoriasis cause red and inflamed skin, but only psoriasis creates raised lesions with silver scales. On the other hand, eczema generates dry patches of skin or blisters that ooze fluid and crust.
- Where do my symptoms appear? Although different forms of psoriasis target specific areas of the body, generally speaking, it tends to cluster on the elbows, knees, lower back, face, scalp, and nails. Eczema can affect those areas of the body but can also inflame places like the lower legs, back of the knees, hands, feet, and inside the elbows.
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Heat Rash: Sweating That Leads To Bumpy Red Skin
Inverse psoriasis is a type of psoriasis that forms in the armpits and skin folds under breasts or in groin areas, making the skin red and shiny. Sweating makes this type of psoriasis worse. Heat rash also makes your skin red and forms in skin folds of the groin, breasts, and armpits. Heat rash occurs in hot, humid conditions. Sweating can cause your pores to get blocked and result in a bumpy, red skin rash that stings. Heat rash is more common in newborns, but can also affect older children and adults.
How Do Foods Cause Inflammation
Studies are ongoing about how certain foods trigger an inflammatory response. Research suggests that some foods, especially highly processed ones, put your bodys defense mechanisms into overdrive.
For example, fatty foods can increase inflammation in adipose tissue , which is throughout your body. Ongoing fat tissue inflammation greatly increases your risk of psoriasis. It also increases your risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other chronic health conditions.
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Tips For Getting The Right Diagnosis
For the best chance of getting the right diagnosis, a person should make sure they give an accurate history when a doctor or dermatologist asks. The more information a medical professional has to work with, the more likely they are to diagnose a persons illness correctly.
This is especially important with skin conditions such as psoriasis. A medical professional will typically rely on both a history and a visual assessment to work out what a persons skin condition is. A visual assessment alone may not be enough.
If a person is unsure about their diagnosis, they can request further diagnostic tests. This may involve speaking to a dermatologist, who might use dermoscopy or recommend a skin biopsy.
A skin biopsy involves taking a small sample of the skin and sending it to a lab for testing.
Do You Think Youve Been Misdiagnosed
If youre concerned about being misdiagnosed, make an appointment with your dermatologist. You may even want to request a skin biopsy so you can get a more definitive diagnosis. While youre at it, try to think of information that might help with identification.
Ask yourself:
- Do I have a family history of psoriasis?
- How long have I noticed symptoms?
- Where is the affected area located?
- Are there any triggers that might have produced my symptoms? If so, what are they?
- Do I have signs that align with any of the look-alike conditions?
- Are there any other symptoms, like swollen joints, that are bothering me?
If you still arent satisfied after your appointment, seek a second opinion. You can ask your primary care doctor for a referral for a dermatologist. A dermatologist is usually your best bet for getting the most accurate diagnosis of a skin condition.
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Seborrheic Dermatitis: Itchy Scaly Patches
A psoriasis skin rash tends to itch, burn, and feel sore. Patches of psoriasis commonly occur on your knees and elbows. Many people also have scalp psoriasis. The common skin rash seborrheic dermatitis also causes scaly, itchy skin patches. It can occur on your scalp, where it may be called dandruff, or on your face and chest. While doctors don’t know the exact cause of seborrhea, it occurs across the age spectrum, in babies as well as in adults, and is usually treated with creams and lotions.
Psoriasis Can Cause Arthritis
For an unknown reason, psoriasis can cause a form of arthritis known as psoriatic arthritis. Symptoms include:
- discomfort, throbbing or swelling in one or many joints
- tenderness in any joint
- pain caused by inflammation in the joints, which stimulates nerve endings.
- The joints most likely to be affected are the last joint in the fingers or toes, the sacrum , wrists, knees or ankles.
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What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Dry, thick, and raised patches on the skin are the most common sign of psoriasis. These patches are often covered with a silvery-white coating called scale, and they tend to itch.
While patches of thickened, dry skin are common, psoriasis can cause many signs and symptoms. What you see and feel tends to vary with the:
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Type of psoriasis you have
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Places psoriasis appears on your body
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Amount of psoriasis you have
What Is The Relationship Between Psoriasis And Your Diet
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin disorder. The body mistakenly attacks its own tissue, explains Wesdock. It starts overproducing skin cells, which lays down plaques on your skin. Plaques are red, scaly patches that can be itchy or painful. Sometimes psoriasis is accompanied by psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint condition.
Neither of these conditions is caused by anything you eat, but theres an important link between your diet and psoriasis. Many foods are known to cause inflammation throughout the body. In some people, this widespread irritation can make the symptoms of psoriasis worse.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Psoriasis
Psoriasis primarily causes a particular skin rash. The rash appears as red, scaly, thickened skin and typically occurs over the elbows, knees, and back. There are a number of other subtypes of psoriasis that can have varying symptoms which can include pus filled blisters, fingernail problems, and joint pain.
Ringworm: Fungal Infections Of The Skin And Nails
Tinea is a type of fungal infection that resembles some symptoms of psoriasis. Psoriasis can cause the thick fingernails symptomatic of fungal nail infections, and both can cause red, itchy skin rashes. When tinea grows on your skin, it can cause a scaly, red skin rash that clears in the middle, called ringworm . Fungal infections of the skin and nails can be hard to treat. Antifungal medications work, but you may need to take them for a long time.
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Some Regular Treatments That Can Lead To Treatment For Psoriasis Are
- Light therapy
- Immune therapies
- Steroid medications or creams
Talking about creams, you can definitely opt for one of the best psoriatic creams in India, Nygelis. It is manufactured by none other than Aldan HealthCare,Top Dermatology Pharmaceutical Companies In India.
Nygelis Gel Cream is designed to help in the treatment of psoriasis, a skin condition that causes red, itchy scaly patches on the knees, elbows, trunk, and scalp.
It can aid in the relief of rashes or red, inflamed skin patches. Also, it has antioxidant properties and can help to reduce inflammation. It can help with itchy, sore skin that cracks or bleeds.
For your preference, the product comes in form of ointment tubes as well as tablets. Do choose it as per your use.
However, if you still have any other query or want to know more about can you have psoriasis without scales, write us in the comment box.
How Can I Get Started With A Psoriasis Diet
If youre going to change your diet to combat psoriasis, Wesdock recommends starting slowly. Jumping into a highly restrictive diet isnt usually sustainable and may deprive you of important nutrients. Instead, start by cutting out some highly processed foods.
Substitute the pastries and cookies with fresh fruit. Opt for herbal tea or water flavored with fresh fruit, mint or cucumber. If you think theres a specific food or ingredient thats triggering psoriasis flare-ups, talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian.
Being overweight or obese can also make psoriasis worse, so you may want to start a weight loss plan that includes fewer calories and smaller portion sizes. Any psoriasis treatment diet should be accompanied by healthy lifestyle choices. Get plenty of sleep and regular exercise, and try to reduce stress in your life. If you smoke, talk to your doctor about a plan to quit.
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Irritant Or Allergic Contact Dermatitis
These are two other common kinds of eczema. They cause the same type of itchy, red, inflamed rash as atopic dermatitis. But the cause is an irritant or an allergen that comes in contact with your skin, often your hands or legs.
Poison ivy is the best-known allergen that can cause a reaction. But there are thousands of triggers. They include chemicals, fragrances, and metals. These forms of dermatitis come from the world around you, so if you can avoid your triggers, you can avoid the rash.
In severe cases, skin will blister, ooze, and scab over. But the symptoms go away with time. If you notice any scaling, it will be different from the thick silvery scales of psoriasis.
Ways To Soothe The Itch
No matter how bad the itching gets, try not to scratch or pick at your plaques. Scratching can make you bleed and worsen your psoriasis.
Many of the therapies your doctor prescribes to treat psoriasis, including phototherapy and steroids, can help with the itch. If it continues to bother you, try one of these remedies:
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Cool Or Warm Compresses
Some people might experience temporary relief from the itching by using cold compresses and taking cool showers.
Others also find that warm compresses ease the pain, so alternating between warm and cold compresses may help with both itching and discomfort.
People should not take hot baths and try to avoid being in the shower for longer than 10 minutes, as this can increase irritation. Applying lotion after a cool bath can help a person retain moisture in the skin, reducing the risk of dryness and itching.
Clinical Trials For Psoriasis
Before a new treatment can be registered in Australia it must undergo extensive testing. Clinical trials are used to determine the safety and effectiveness of new treatments for psoriasis. The regulations governing clinical trials in Australia make the process as safe as possible for clinical trial participants. People with psoriasis may consider volunteering to participate in a clinical trial. Participation provides volunteers with access to cutting edge treatments that are not otherwise available. General information about being part of a clinical trial can be found here. Internationally, ClinicalTrials.gov provides patients, their family members, and the public with easy and free access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. If you are interested in participating in a clinical trial, talk to your doctor.
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