Psoriatic Arthritis: Far Beyond a Skin Problem

Psoriatic arthritis develops due to a condition in your skin cells but can cause symptoms that are much more of a problem than just unsightly dermatology issues. At Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center, Dr. Iraj Sabahi provides diagnostic and support services to new and existing patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Here’s what Dr. Sabahi wants his patients to know about the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis, and the treatment options available to you through his offices in Pleasanton and Turlock, California.

What is psoriatic arthritis?

If you have the skin condition psoriasis, which causes flaking and peeling skin and rashes, you could be at risk of developing psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can also affect people with a family history of psoriasis. You can develop the disease at any age but are most likely to develop psoriatic arthritis between the ages of 30-50.

In patients who develop psoriatic arthritis, your immune system reacts abnormally to the healthy tissue in your joints, attacking your own cells as though they were invading germs. We don’t know exactly what causes psoriatic arthritis. It may be triggered by an environmental factor like an infection, as well as heredity.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis

Like other types of arthritis, psoriatic arthritis causes inflammation and pain in your joints. Affected joints may be warm to the touch. If you have psoriatic arthritis, you’re also likely to experience these symptoms:

• Swelling of your fingers or toes
• Deformities of your hands or feet
• Lower back or foot pain

Your symptoms of psoriatic arthritis can range from mild to severe and may seem to come and go over time. You should know that, without the right treatment, you risk long-term joint damage. Still seek professional care for this condition even if your symptoms aren’t disruptive to your lifestyle.

Treatments for psoriatic arthritis

Dr. Sabahi and the team at Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center can diagnose psoriatic arthritis, and recommend a treatment plan to protect your joints and mitigate your symptoms.

Depending on your treatment needs, you could benefit from:

• Medications like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to relieve your symptoms
• Targeted medications like disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) or immunosuppressants to slow down the progression of your disease
• Biologic agents, a newer class of DMARDs that can target a specific part of your immune system and resolve inflammation in your joints
• Oral medications to slow down the activity of the enzyme that causes inflammation in your skin cells

With the right care, you can prevent long-term joint damage, and keep your psoriatic arthritis symptoms contained, limiting both the number and duration of flare-ups. Make your initial consultation appointment at Pleasanton Arthritis and Osteoporosis Medical Center today, and get on top of your psoriatic arthritis before you face lasting problems.

You can schedule over the phone, or book online now.