Based On My Personal Experience With Psoriasis I Would Like To Further Expand On This:
Having lived with my grandmother I came to understand more about just how fragile her skin was. With psoriasis the skin is frequently dying and regrowing which leaves it weak and prone to tearing, sometimes simply bumping into something was enough to tear my grandmothers skin open, conversely her skin regenerated so rapidly that her tears healed up very quickly as well.
The article pointed out that the massage should be Swedish and gentle, the article also states that there is nothing a therapist has to avoid per se but I would caution you to keep in mind that depending on the severity of the psoriasis certain techniques such as Myofascial Release where there is stretching and pulling of the skin could cause weakened areas of the skin to break open, so please treat effected areas with caution.
In most cases of psoriasis the client usually has only some effected areas to be cautious with, in my grandmothers case it was her entire body. The skin may be sensitive so check with the client about any products you may wish to use or have them bring in whatever they use.
My grandmother used Aquaphor to condition and repair her skin but coconut oil would also be a good choice to use for the massage as it is natural, conditioning, and antibacterial.
It is advised not to massage during an arthritis flareup as you may further irritate the already inflamed tissues, avoid areas that are red or hot to the touch.
Skin Sensitive To Touch Dermatitis
Dermatitis is a general term covering different types of skin inflammation. Typically, dermatitis causes an itchy rash and swollen or red skin. For instance, eczema, dandruff, and allergic reaction rashes are all forms of dermatitis.
If you come into contact with something you are allergic to, you may have an allergic reaction. Hives, a common skin condition from an allergic reaction, can cause an itchy and painful rash. Anytime you have or suspect an allergic reaction, its important to see your doctor or go to an urgent care clinic immediately.
Systemic Psoriasis Treatment: Balancing Risks And Benefits
The fine print on the labels for systemic treatments could give anyone concerns. Most systemic treatments target the immune system. Also:
- Biologic therapies and some oral treatments can raise the chance of having an infection, so your doctor will monitor you while you are taking them.
- Methotrexate requires monitoring for liver, bone marrow, kidney, and lung damage.
- Cyclosporine can cause kidney damage and needs to be monitored.
Each treatment has its own side effects, which you should discuss with your doctor.
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What Causes Inverse Psoriasis
There is not a clear understanding of what exactly causes psoriasis, including inverse psoriasis. Doctors know that all forms of psoriatic disease are autoimmune disorders. This means the immune system turns on the bodys own cells by mistake and starts attacking them. In psoriasis, the skin is the target of the faulty attack: faulty immune system activation causes more production of skin cells as well as inflammation and blood vessel growth at the surface. Why this happens isnt fully understood, but certain things seem to trigger it.
With inverse psoriasis, irritation or infection is the main trigger. In areas where skin rubs together, friction can cause irritation. These areas also tend to be warm and moist, which softens the skin and contributes to the irritation. This environment also promotes overgrowth of yeast, fungi and bacteria, which further stimulates the immune system. Trauma to skin in these areas can also act as a trigger.
Psoriasis And Quality Of Life
Doctors and people with psoriasis donât always agree on whatâs mild and whatâs serious. Psoriasis can affect self-image and make people self-conscious. This can even lead to depression and social isolation.
Only a frank discussion with your doctor about what living with psoriasis means to you will get these issues out in the open.
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Generalised Pustular Psoriasis Or Von Zumbusch Psoriasis
This causes pustules that develop very quickly on a wide area of skin. The pus consists of white blood cells and is not a sign of infection.
The pustules may reappear every few days or weeks in cycles. During the start of these cycles, von Zumbusch psoriasis can cause fever, chills, weight loss and fatigue.
Other Symptoms Of Psoriatic Arthritis
In addition to joint pain, a person with psoriatic arthritis may experience:
DactylitisAbout 40% to 50% of people how have psoriatic arthritis notice significant swelling in toes or fingers.1 The skin over the joints may appear purple. This condition is called dactylitis, and may also be referred to as sausage digits.
Joint stiffnessInflammatory joint pain is often accompanied by stiffness. Like joint pain, joint stiffness is typically worse in the morning and improves during the day.
EnthesitisTendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments attach bones to other bones. The point where a tendon or ligament attaches to a bone is called an enthesis. If an enthesis becomes inflamed, it is called enthesitis. About 30% to 50% of the people who have psoriatic arthritis also have enthesitis in one or more places.2
The most common tissues affected by enthesitis are the Achilles tendon, located on the back of the leg near the ankle, and the plantar fascia, located on the sole of the foot.
See What Is Enthesopathy and Enthesitis?
Fingernail and toenail problemsUp to 87% of people experience changes in their fingernails and toenails.1 They may notice small holes in their nail surfaces, called pitting. They may also notice ridges that travel horizontally across the nail, cracking, and/or discoloration. Sometimes nails may crack or separate from the nail bed.
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How Is Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed
An estimated 10% of all people who have psoriasis don’t have any visible skin changes. This can make it difficult to distinguish psoriatic arthritis from other conditions affecting the joints particularly because there aren’t any tests that can determine whether it is definitely psoriatic arthritis. One potential important clue is a family history of psoriasis: If someone has joint pain and psoriasis is known to run in their family, it is more likely that they have psoriatic arthritis.
The following examinations and tests can help to diagnose psoriatic arthritis and distinguish it from other inflammatory conditions of the joints:
Swollen And Painful Joints
PsA can lead to pain and swelling in any joint in the body. The joints may also be red and warm to the touch.
PsA often affects the hands, fingers, feet, toes, knees, ankles, and spine. It can also affect the neck and wrists. A person may also experience pain in the lower back.
PsA in the finger usually affects the joint closest to the nail.
Swelling in arthritis happens when either the lining of the joint or the fluid that surrounds the joint increases in volume. When this happens, more blood enters the area around the joint, which increases pressure and causes redness and swelling.
Symptoms can vary in severity between people. In some people, arthritis may affect one or two joints, but others might experience severe changes throughout the body.
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Diseases Associated With Psoriatic Arthritis
People who have psoriatic arthritis are more likely to get certain other medical conditions, which can produce their own set of symptoms. These conditions include:
- Inflammatory bowel disease, which causes gastrointestinal pain/diarrhea
- Chronic kidney disease, which may cause joint swelling in its later stages
- Diabetes, which can cause frequent urination, thirst, hunger, weight changes, and other symptoms
- Cardiovascular disease, which may result in high blood pressure, chest pain, heart fluttering, shortness of breath and other symptoms
- Inflammatory bowel disease, which can cause diarrhea, stomach pain and blood in the stool
- Conjunctivitis and uveitis, which are inflammatory eye conditions that can cause eye redness and pain and changes or loss of vision
About 8% of people with psoriatic arthritis have uveitis.1
What Does Psoriatic Arthritis In The Feet Feel Like
When your feet are affected by psoriatic arthritis, you may have pain, tenderness, and swelling in your foot. This occurs when the membranes that line the joints, tendons, and connective tissue in the foot become inflamed. Similar to other forms of inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, joints may feel may warm to the touch, and stiffness may be worse in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
Symptoms may also flare, then go into periods of remission. Heres more information about coping with psoriatic arthritis flares.
But unlike with rheumatoid arthritis where symptoms typically occur in the same joints on both sides of your body , PsA is usually asymmetrical. You can have psoriatic arthritis in the ankle joint of one foot and the toe of another, explains Dr. Kor, who also serves as spokesperson for the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Specific foot problems caused by PsA include:
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How Is Psoriasis Diagnosed
There arent any special tests to help doctors diagnose psoriasis. Typically, a dermatologist will examine your skin and ask about your family history.
Youll likely be given a diagnosis based on this physical exam.
In some situations, doctors will remove a small sample of the skin and examine it under a microscope. This might allow them to get a better look at the affected area and make a more accurate diagnosis.
What Are The Types Of Psoriasis
According to the Mayo Clinic1, there are several types of psoriasis:
Plaque psoriasis is common and appears as dry, raised patches of skin covered with scales. Generally, these plaques happen on your elbows, knees, lower back, and scalp.
Nail psoriasis affects your fingernails and toenails. You may have many different symptoms including pitting, abnormal nail growth, discoloration, or separation of your nail from the nail bed.
Guttate psoriasis is more common in young adults and children. It can happen after you get an infection like strep throat and produces lesions that look like small drops on your abdomen, arms, or legs.
Inverse psoriasis primarily affects the groin, butt, and breast areas. The patches are smooth and tend to get worse when you sweat a lot or experience a lot of friction.
Pustular psoriasis is rare and causes sores that are filled with pus. You may get them on your palms or the soles of your feet.
Erythrodermic psoriasis is uncommon and causes a peeling, burning rash that can appear on your entire body.
You may read articles or hear other people discuss psoriatic arthritis in conjunction with psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis is another autoimmune condition that causes painful, swollen joints. Having psoriasis increases your risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, so its important to let your doctor know of any joint symptoms you develop, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
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Research And Statistics: Who Has Psoriasis
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, about 7.5 million people in the United States have psoriasis. Most are white, but the skin disease also affects Black, Latino, and Asian Americans as well as Native Americans and Pacific Islanders.
The disease occurs about equally among men and women. According to the National Institutes of Health , it is more common in adults, and you are at a greater risk if someone in your family has it. A study published in September 2016 in the journal PLoS One concluded that interactions between particular genes as well as genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the diseases development.
People with psoriasis generally see their first symptoms between ages 15 and 30, although developing the disease between 50 and 60 years of age is also common.
The biggest factor for determining prognosis is the amount of disease someone has, says Michael P. Heffernan, MD, a dermatologist at the San Luis Dermatology and Laser Clinic in San Luis Obispo, California.
Early Warning Signs You Have Psoriatic Arthritis
Autoimmune disorders can be difficult to diagnose, especially in the earlier stages, and psoriatic arthritis is no different. Because there is no definitive blood test that can identify this form of arthritis and the similarities in symptoms it shares with rheumatoid arthritis, diagnosing can be tricky.
Research suggests that more than half of people with psoriatic arthritis must wait at least two years for a diagnosis, so it can be helpful to recognize the symptoms early on. Keep reading to learn about the early signs of psoriatic arthritis and how to find someone who can help provide you some relief.
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Skin Sensitive To Touch Overview
Since your skin is the largest organ in your body, chronic pain in that region can become a huge nuisance. Many different conditions may contribute to sensitive skin. However, it can be hard to figure out just why your skin feels sensitive or even painful. Heres a look at some conditions that can make your skin sensitive to touch all of a sudden, so you can find the treatment option right for you.
Common Treatments For Skin Pain Due To Dermatitis Include:
- antihistamines
- topical antiseptics
Having skin sensitive to touch may be a sign of an underlying condition, such as some of the ones mentioned here. However, there are many conditions that may cause sensitive skin. Its important to talk with your doctor about your skin sensitivities and other symptoms, so you can get on the right treatment plan.
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Coping And Treating Skin Pain
Even when you cant avoid flares, you can find ways to cope and treat skin pain. Here are some self-care tips to help you manage pain.
Keep skin lubricated: Keeping your skin lubricated can prevent dry, itching painful skin. It can also reduce redness and heal skin. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends heavy creams that lock in water. Make sure you are using moisturizers that are fragrance-and alcohol-free, as fragrances and alcohol may dry out skin.
Refrigerate creams: Keep creams and moisturizers in your refrigerator. This helps keep them cold so they can soothe burning and itching.
Soften scales: You can soften scales with lotions containing lactic, salicylic, or glycolic acids. These substances can break up dead skin cells that have built up on psoriasis plaques. Generously apply to skin at night and cover up with a plastic wrap overnight. This way the lotion stays and absorbs into skin better.
Try capsaicin: Check your drugstore for creams, lotions, and ointments containing capsaicin. Capsaicin is the ingredient in chili peppers that makes them hot. Products containing capsaicin block the nerve endings that cause pain. These products may also help reduce inflammation, redness, and scaling. However, there isnt enough research to confirm these benefits in the long-term or on the safety of capsaicin.
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects some patients who have the skin condition psoriasis, said Edwin Aquino, MD, a rheumatologist with Banner University Medical Center Tucson. Studies suggest that some people may be genetically predisposed to getting it as well.
While one-third of people who have psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis, many more develop it without having psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis can start at any age, but it generally starts between the ages of 30 and 50. Theres no cure for psoriatic arthritis, thats why its important to discover it early on. Left untreated, it can permanently damage joints.
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The Redness On Louis Face Drew Unwanted Attention From Others It Became Easier For Him To Explain Once He Had A Diagnosis Of Psoriasis
Itching and scratching at night
- sitting on the hands
Soreness and painSkin flaking
- worrying about other people seeing or touching the skin flakes
- concerns about cooking or working in a job with food
- skin flakes showing up on dark coloured clothes and hair
- getting distracted and picking at skin flakes
- doing more cleaning, such as hoovering and changing bedding
- finding symptom relief products to gently remove flakes, such as exfoliating gloves for Lucy
- difficulties shaving Damini and Lisa found their skin cut more than usual, though Simon found his psoriasis skin was less prone to bleeding
How Age Affects Skin
We are more likely to suffer from dry skin as we age. Part of that is due to sun damage. Our skin also becomes thinner with age, making it harder to keep the moisture in the cells. Older skin alsodoesnt produce the same amount of natural oils to protect the cells. Women, in particular, may see more dryness in their postmenopausal years as their bodies produce less of the hormones that once led to the creation of sweat and oil in the arms, legs, hands, and upper back.
Skin dryness can lead to complications including eczema, bleeding , and even infections , so its a good idea to continue to moisturize your skin, especially if you are over 64. If dryness persists, your doctor may need to prescribe stronger creams and check for medical conditions where dry skin is a symptom such as diabetes, lymphoma, psoriasis, hypothyroidism, and dermatitis.
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How To Manage The Pain
Psoriasis pain can stem from a few different sources. Psoriatic arthritis brings pain and swelling to joints youll probably notice the tenderness more when you apply any pressure to the spot and severe plaque outbreaks can trigger nerve endings in a number of uncomfortable ways. But there are also things you could be doing to diminish your pain.
How Do You Cool Down Psoriasis
Rashes accompanied by an itchy, burning sensation are common with psoriasis. Although there are several different forms of the condition, some basic home care remedies can help. A daily warm bath with mild soap is helpful to many patients. A morning moisturizing routine can also provide relief to different areas.
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