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Using Steroids to Treat Psoriasis

Friday, September 25th, 2009

There are many who would consider steroids an unhealthy method for treating psoriasis because of it’s wide range of oftentimes severe side effects, including abnormal bodily growth, immune system suppression, mood swings and diabetes.  These side effects tend to appear after heavy, prolonged steroid use.

So why would anyone use steroids to treat psoriasis?

Steroids help out with the joint problems that are symptomatic of psoriatic arthritis by decreasing immune system activity.  Sounds backward, right? Actually it’s not.

In the process of defending the body from infection, the immune system tends to create a lot of swelling around infected areas.   This swelling tends to hinder joint functionality as well as the general healing process.  Thus, as an end product, steroids speed up the healing process.

Steroids can be administered orally or injected directly into problematic joints.

Unfortunately, over time, steroids tend to weaken both muscle and skin tissue, which is exactly the opposite of what a person with psoriasis (primarily a skin condition) needs.

Definitely consult your doctor before using steroids (for anything).

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What is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by joint inflammation and stiffness and affects about 10% of those who have standard skin psoriasis.  A very small percentage of affected individuals develop severe / debilitating forms of this type of psoriasis.

Psoriatic arthritis tends to become noticeable around the age of 40 but it can occur at any age.  In cases with children, it can hinder bone development.  Staying consistent with the unpredictable nature of psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis can surface decades after the a person first notices the symptoms of basic skin psoriasis.

People with psoriatic arthritis oftentimes also have nail psoriasis (with all the accompanying symptoms).

Treatments include:

  • Moderate exercise, especially of affected joints
  • Steroid injections into problematic joints
  • Dietary changes / supplements
  • Ultraviolet light

Consult a dermatologist if you suspect that you might have psoriatic arthritis so you can determine, with the help of a medical professional, what would be your best course of action for treatment.

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Types of Psoriasis: Nail Psoriasis

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Many who suffer from “regular” skin psoriasis also suffer from nail psoriasis.  On some rare occasions a person will have only nail psoriasis and no skin psoriasis.

Since nails are closely related to skin and psoriasis is a skin condition, it is not surprising that nails should sometimes be affected by psoriasis.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis include (for both finder and toenails):

  • Nail discoloration (oily yellow and blood red coloring)
  • Pitting
  • Ridges that go against the natural grain of your nails (side to side instead cuticle to finger tip)
  • Thicker skin under the nails, which can lead to nail-loosening
  • Crumbling nails.
  • Other infections and inflammations around nail edges

Treatments include:

  • Ointments and lotions
  • Steroid injections under affected nails
  • UV light radiation

Definitely consult your doctor to confirm whether or not you have nail psoriasis.  Oftentimes pediatricians will do a biopsy (skin sample test) to confirm whether or not the condition you are experiencing is psoriasis.

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