|
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. |
