Psoriatic arthritis is a form of arthritis that affects the joints of your body, in particular the knees, ankles, wrists, neck, and lower back. Studies show that those people who have psoriasis may often develop Psoriatic arthritis. Many times this type of arthritis is difficult to identify and diagnose but the earlier it is detected the better it will be for preventing any type of permanent damage to the tissue and joints of your body.

Symptoms of Psoriatic arthritis may often be confused with other disease symptoms. Symptoms in include (1) stiffness in the morning and a general feeling of tiredness, (2) pain and stiffness of the joints, (3) tenderness and swelling of the tissue around the joints, (4) changes in the toe and finger nails that includes lifting of the nail, (5) painful and red eyes, and (6) motion reduction of the joints in the body.

If you suffer from Psoriatic arthritis you should be sure to take special care of your skin, especially during the winter months. You will want to invest in a humidifier for your home to keep the air humid and your skin hydrated. Keep your skin moist by using lotions that contain lanoline and mineral oil. If you have patches of scaly skin you will want to try a lotion that has coal tar as an ingredient. When bathing or showering you should avoid soaps that have strong chemicals or irritating perfumes. Another useful method of keeping your skin hydrated is to add baby oil to your bath water.

Exercise will help Psoriatic arthritis by preventing any continuing damage to your joints as well as help to reduce some of the pain. If you have sore joints consult with your doctor for instructions on what exercises that you should use to flex these sore joints. It is important that you take care of all the muscles in your body so that you don’t become weak. You should try to maintain a weight that is healthy for your body to reduce any added amount of stress.

If you have been diagnosed with Psoriatic arthritis your doctor will help you to maintain a healthy lifestyle while at the same time treating your medical condition.