Dr. Chaithanya Ks

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation in your joints. It happens because your immune system is overactive. It affects mostly people who have psoriasis, a skin disease that’s also related to the immune system.

Psoriatic arthritis is inflammatory arthritis that is seen in association with skin psoriasis. It causes joint pain and swelling that can lead to damage of the joint if the inflammation is not controlled. Joint damage can be prevented with the appropriate medications. Usually, psoriatic arthritis is blood test negative. The diagnosis is typically made by a rheumatologist after reviewing a clinical history and performing a physical exam. X-ray studies can show changes specific to psoriatic arthritis but these are rarely present at the onset of symptoms.

Psoriatic arthritis can affect any joint in the body, and it may affect just one joint, several joints or multiple joints. For example, it may affect one or both knees.

• Affected fingers and toes can resemble swollen sausages, a condition often referred to as Dactylitis. Finger and toe nails also may be affected with thickening or nail pitting
• Psoriatic arthritis in the spine, called spondylitis, causes pain in the back or neck, and difficulty bending.
• Psoriatic arthritis also can cause tender spots where tendons and ligaments join onto bones. This condition is called Enthesitis, it can result in pain at the back of the heel, the sole of the foot, around the elbows or in other areas. Enthesitis is one of the characteristic features of psoriatic arthritis.

Moisten the skin

The basic rule of taking care of the skin during winter is to moisten it properly. It is recommended to use a moisturizing soap and shampoo while bathing. As soon as you take bath, always use the best body lotion so that, your body does not lose the moisture and water get locked in the skin. Use the herbal or natural skin products on the steroids based pharma products. These products with steroids usually work in a harsh manner to destroy the psoriasis scales from your body without caring for the skin. While you can also try the natural products such as aloe vera, coconut and tea tree oil, including neem oil, glycerine, and honey which would work great on the psoriasis scales and keeps the moisture of your skin.

Mix the licorice powder with a little water and apply it to your mouth sores for a soothing effect.

If you have fungal infection, apply tea tree oil to the affected areas 2-3 times a day for 1-2 weeks.

Bananas are rich in fiber and resistant starch that feed the good bacteria in your gut and protects you from microbes that cause bowel infection.