Can Psoriatic Arthritis Cause Hair Loss?

From everydayhealth.com

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the joints, tendons, and nails. It usually occurs in people with psoriasis, an inflammatory condition causing rashes on the skin.

Symptoms can include joint pain, swelling, stiffness, and fatigue. Hair loss (alopecia) isn’t typically a sign of the disease, but it can affect some people with PsA in a roundabout way. 

“Psoriatic arthritis and hair loss are not directly linked,” explains Jennifer E. Yeh, MD, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine in California. “However, having psoriatic arthritis may predispose one to hair loss from psoriatic arthritis inflammation, from psoriatic arthritis treatment, or from an increased likelihood of having another type of autoimmune condition.” 

Physical or Psychological Stress Can Lead to Hair Loss

Psoriatic arthritis can significantly impact your emotional well-being, leading to anxiety, depression, diminished self-esteem — and particularly, stress. Chronic stress can worsen inflammation and immune dysregulation, leading to increased disease activity and more severe symptoms. Researchers note that stress may also disrupt neuroendocrine pathways, affecting cortisol levels and further dysregulating the immune system in PsA. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, stress is linked to hair loss and thinning hair.

Dr. Yeh says that both the physical and psychological stress associated with PsA can trigger a temporary type of hair loss called telogen effluvium. 

With telogen effluvium, more hairs than normal are forced into their resting phase. When this happens, they fall out at once. Most people lose about 100 strands of hair a day. But if you have telogen effluvium, you may lose up to 300 strands a day.

“While telogen effluvium is characterized by an increase in daily hair shedding, it usually reverses, and hair regrows once the underlying stressor is removed,” Yeh says.

                                                             iStock

Medications for PsA May Cause Thinning Hair

Treatments for PsA can contribute to hair loss. Some common culprits are: 

• Methotrexate It stops cells from growing — including hair follicles. About 1 to 3 percent of people who use it experience hair loss.
• Leflunomide This medicine works like methotrexate and causes hair loss in about 10 percent of people.
• Anti-TNF Therapy Research has shown that “a sizable minority” of people on TNF inhibitors develop alopecia areata, the most common inflammatory hair loss disease, at a higher prevalence than the general population, though it’s not clear why this happens.

“Treatment-related alopecia typically improves with discontinuation of the offending medicine,” says Yeh.

Comorbid Psoriasis and Hair Loss

Most, but not all, people with PsA also have psoriasis. And, if you have psoriasis, you have a 45 to 56 percent chance of developing scalp psoriasis.

Scalp psoriasis causes a dry, itchy, and inflamed scalp. “Scalp psoriasis that is not controlled irritates the hair follicles, disrupting normal hair follicle function, and thereby causing hair shedding,” says Yeh. 

If you scratch or pick at the lesions, you can also damage hair follicles. This can result in additional hair loss.

The good news is that hair loss due to scalp psoriasis is usually temporary. “Most cases show complete hair regrowth after treatment,” says Yeh.

If you have severe psoriasis plaques, you should be aware that the oral medication acitretin, occasionally used to treat persistent psoriasis, can cause hair loss.

What to Do About Hair Loss

If you have PsA and experience hair loss, talk to your doctor. If you’re not already seeing a dermatologist to manage your condition, your rheumatologist can refer you to one who may be able to determine the underlying cause of your hair loss.

Getting your symptoms under control can also help preserve your hair. “Hair loss from uncontrolled PsA reverses once the inflammation is well-controlled,” says Yeh. “It’s critical to treat concomitant scalp psoriasis so that local inflammation surrounding hair follicles on the scalp does not contribute to increased hair shedding.”

Here are some ways you can help prevent hair loss caused by scalp psoriasis.

• Try not to touch, pick, or scratch your scalp.
• Keep your fingernails short.
• Be gentle when brushing, combing, washing, or drying your hair.
• Wear a hat when you’re outside.
• Use a medicated shampoo that contains salicylic acid and follow with a moisturizing conditioner. 
• Don’t take extremely hot showers.
• Ask your doctor about a prescription treatment that can help your symptoms.
• Avoid blow-drying your hair. If you do, use a low-heat setting.
• Try to keep stress levels low.
• Follow a healthy diet.
• Avoid heavy drinking.

While hair loss associated with PsA can be frustrating, the right treatments and lifestyle habits can help you minimize shedding — and protect the hair you have.

The Takeaway

• If you have psoriatic arthritis and you’re experiencing hair loss, consult your doctor to determine the underlying cause and effective treatment strategies.
• Medications such as methotrexate and leflunomide, commonly used to manage PsA, might contribute to hair thinning, so discuss potential side effects with your healthcare provider to explore any necessary adjustments.
• Emotional and physical stress linked to PsA can cause temporary hair loss; reducing stress levels and effectively managing the disease can lead to regrowth and a healthier scalp condition.
• If you’re dealing with scalp psoriasis, measures such as medicated shampoos and avoiding scalp irritation can prevent additional hair loss and support recovery.

https://www.everydayhealth.com/rheumatic-conditions/can-psoriatic-arthritis-cause-hair-loss/ 

AI Unlocks Personalized Psoriasis Treatment

From miragenews.com

Identification of sub-categories of the disease linked to gene expression also sheds light on why current treatments may fail.

A new major finding in how genes are linked to psoriasis could help offer tailored treatments for the common inflammatory condition, helping to treat the most stubborn and severe cases. 

Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disease, with 1 in 50 people in the UK affected in some form. Despite its links to several long-term health conditions, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, and the substantial impact severe psoriasis has on sufferers' quality of life, little is known about the causes of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases like it. This includes ailments like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus and Crohn's disease.

Because of this lack of understanding, current, high-cost treatment options such as biologics can fail for no visible reason - impacting patients and placing severe cost on the NHS.

By using advanced Machine Learning, researchers from King's, Newcastle University, and Queen Mary University of London, have identified several sub-types of the disease based on how someone's genes impact psoriasis severity. This classification will give clinicians a better idea of why current treatments may fail and open the door to more personalised ones.

"By using RNA sequencing and AI modelling, we can now categorise how genes affect the trajectory of psoriasis and group the disease into several sub-types as a prerequisite for better treatment - helping better deal with the most severe cases." - Dr David Watson

Dr David Watson, Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and joint first author of the study said, "Diseases that present the same are often completely different. Breast cancer for example is not one, but a thousand different diseases all under the same label. To be able to develop targeted treatments you need to understand how all these different diseases work, or risk 'fat-fingered' interventions like chemotherapy which can have large side effects.

"Until now, we didn't have that with psoriasis. But by using RNA sequencing and AI modelling, we can now categorise how genes affect the trajectory of psoriasis and group the disease into several sub-types as a prerequisite for better treatment - helping better deal with the most severe cases."

Analysing 700 plus blood samples from over 140 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis over an extended period, the team mapped how genes interfaced both individually and in evolving networks with other biological factors, like BMI, to impact disease severity against common biologic treatments.

By figuring out how genes influence the path of one inflammatory disease, we hope to take this learning and apply it to a host of different diseases and see how they materialise in patients. If we can categorise the gene expression there too, we could potentially design personalised treatments for all these ailments which plague patients and cost our healthcare system millions."

Dr David Watson

They identified a nine-gene biomarker linked to psoriasis severity, along with specific genetic variants associated with more severe baseline disease. They also found a 14-gene signature connected to BMI in unaffected skin and to disease severity in affected skin displaying lesions.

In the future, the researchers hope to take they have learned from the gene expression involved in this inflammatory disease and apply it to others.

Dr Watson said "There are many immune mediated inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis and Crohn's. And while they present differently, we know they are genetically linked - having one increases the risk of passing another to your kids.

"This is a complex world and by figuring out how genes influence the path of one inflammatory disease, we hope to take this learning and apply it to a host of different diseases and see how they materialise in patients. If we can categorise the gene expression there too, we could potentially design personalised treatments for all these ailments which plague patients and cost our healthcare system millions."

https://www.miragenews.com/ai-unlocks-personalized-psoriasis-treatment-1620561/

Weight Loss Interventions Linked to Clinically Meaningful Psoriasis Improvement

From patientcareonline.com

By Sarah Morrow, MSc, MRCP

Data from a new meta-analysis shows weight loss therapies were associated with clinically and statistically significant improvements in psoriasis severity. Study investigator sheds light. 

“In dermatology clinics, what we're finding is that increasingly patients are asking us, “What can I do for my skin apart from these medications? What else can I do? How can I take control of my condition?” We're particularly finding that they're very interested in how they can change their diets, and whether things like weight management and exercise can help,” Sarah Morrow, MSc, MRCP, a clinical doctoral fellow in the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences at the University of Oxford, said in an interview with Patient Care Online. Morrow sat down with Patient Care to discuss a systematic review and meta-analysis she co-authored of 13 randomized controlled trials evaluating weight loss interventions in persons with psoriasis.

The analysis included behavioural strategies—diet alone and diet plus exercise—as well as pharmacologic weight loss therapies. Participants in weight loss programs lost approximately 7 kilograms more than those in control groups. Importantly, weight reduction was associated with clinically meaningful improvements in psoriasis severity.

Patients undergoing weight loss interventions were approximately 60% more likely to achieve PASI 75—a 75% reduction in Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score—compared with controls. Significant improvements in quality-of-life measures were also observed, a finding highlighted as particularly meaningful by the study’s patient panel.

When researchers compared intervention types, they did not identify a meaningful difference between diet alone, diet plus exercise, or medication-based approaches. Instead, outcomes appeared to correlate with the magnitude of weight loss achieved rather than the specific method used.

Morrow explains that the study was designed to address both growing patient interest in lifestyle modification and clinician uncertainty about the strength of the evidence. For physicians managing patients with psoriasis—particularly in primary care settings—the findings suggest that weight management may serve as a clinically relevant adjunct to traditional psoriasis therapies.

https://www.patientcareonline.com/view/weight-loss-interventions-linked-to-clinically-meaningful-psoriasis-improvement

How to Get Better Sleep When You Have Psoriasis

From everydayhealth.com

From itchy skin to ongoing stress and anxiety, psoriasis symptoms can make getting a good night’s sleep difficult.

As many as 50 percent of people with psoriasis have sleep problems at least once a month — and another 11 percent say their sleep is disturbed on more than half of each month’s nights. And when sleep is disrupted night after night, it can take a real toll on both mental and physical health. It can play a role in fatigue, stress, and even increased inflammation and disease severity.

Taking steps to better control your symptoms and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible may help reduce night-time flare-ups and help you get better shut-eye. Here’s a look at dermatologist-backed tips for managing psoriasis and improving sleep quality.

Optimize Your Skin Care Routine Before Bed

Itching and pain are common reasons people with psoriasis struggle to sleep. That's why dermatologists focus first on treating its root cause: your psoriasis. When it comes to night-time psoriasis management, the goal is simple: Calm irritation and lock in moisture so you can rest more comfortably.

Adjust Your Treatment Plan

If plaques or rashes are keeping you awake, it may be time to review your medications. Your doctor may adjust your medications or introduce a new one, whether they’re topical creams, medicines taken by mouth, or biologics, says Chris Adigun, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. “As a dermatologist, I’m going to focus on the skin disease component of your care first. The best thing I can do in my role is optimize disease control,” she says.

When psoriasis is under control, it should affect 1 percent or less of your skin, says Steven Daveluy, MD, a professor and director of Wayne State University School of Medicine's dermatology residency program in Detroit. He specializes in treating patients with skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema. “We have such great options for psoriasis, that everyone's skin should be clear or almost clear. The right treatment plan can significantly reduce night-time itch and help you sleep better,” Dr. Daveluy says.

Take a Warm Bath or Shower Before Bed

A warm — never hot — shower or bath can help loosen and remove scales, which may otherwise make itchiness worse. This can be especially helpful if you have visible plaques or build-up on your skin, says Lawrence Green, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

Moisturize Immediately After Bathing

Timing matters, and you should apply moisturizer right after bathing, says Dr. Green. He recommends using thick, heavy creams or ointments — think jar-based products rather than pump lotions — to help seal in moisture and reduce itching overnight.

Petroleum-based moisturizers, like Vaseline, tend to work best for psoriasis, particularly on stubborn or itchy areas. “These heavier-cream moisturizers help prevent the scales from building up because that, again, can be causing a lot of itch,” he says.

Some people do well with using salicylic acid, lactic acid, or urea creams or lotions to help soften thick scales, says Mary Wu Chang, MD, an associate professor of dermatology and paediatrics at the University of Connecticut.

Look for “sensitive-skin,” or “fragrance-free” labelling, since these products have the least risk of irritation, too, Daveluy says.

Use Topicals That Target Itch Relief

Using prescription topical treatments, including topical steroids, should also help to soothe your psoriasis itch, Daveluy says. But for lingering itch, use of some over-the-counter anti-itch products may offer short-term relief, like pramoxine and menthol, he says.

Take an Oral Antihistamine or Sleep Aid if Needed

Antihistamines don’t treat psoriasis-related itch, because this itch isn’t driven by histamine, a chemical your immune system releases. But taking antihistamines can help some people fall asleep. Look for over-the-counter sedating antihistamines or natural sleep aids like melatonin, Dr. Chang says. “This would be more of an add-on medication to use from time to time, rather than a cure for problematic sleep from psoriasis,” she says.

Dr. Adigun says you can take an antihistamine for just a few nights as you bridge the gap with your new treatment plan, which could take up to two weeks.

Keep Fingernails Trimmed

Short, smooth nails reduce the risk of skin injury, especially if you scratch in your sleep. Scratching can worsen inflammation and may even trigger new psoriasis patches through the Koebner phenomenon, a response in which skin trauma (like scratches) can cause psoriasis to spread to areas of your skin that hadn't been affected in the past, Green says.

As an extra layer of protection, wear cotton gloves if you find you’re scratching yourself at night, Daveluy says. “[Gloves] can also help keep creams or ointments on the hands, if you have psoriasis there,” he says.

Create a Psoriasis-Friendly Sleep Environment

Even with well-controlled psoriasis, your sleep environment can soothe your skin — or make night-time itchiness worse. Dermatologists recommend creating a sleep space that stays cool, breathable, and gentle on skin through small adjustments:

Keep the Room Cool

Sleeping in a cooler room — aim for around 68 degrees F — can help prevent overheating and sweating, which can make itching worse and disrupt sleep, says Chang. A fan gently blowing across the bed may also feel soothing. This is especially important for children with psoriasis, who can become hot and uncomfortable if they’re over-bundled at night, she says.

Choose Breathable Fabrics

Wear lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton or bamboo, because they're less likely to irritate psoriasis-prone skin, Daveluy says. He notes that natural fabrics are generally better than synthetic ones, which can trap heat and moisture.

Unlike atopic dermatitis, psoriasis is generally less sensitive to fabric types or thread count, Green says. Your goal is to pay attention to which fabrics may be rubbing against plaques or triggering itchiness, he suggests.

Do Laundry With Gentle Detergent

Scented detergents and fabric softeners contain chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin, Daveluy says. Dermatologists recommend using fragrance-free, dye-free products like Tide Free and Gentle or All Free Clear, Chang says. “Also skip the fabric softener and use dryer balls to bounce around in the dryer and soften fabrics,” she says.

Practice Good Sleep Hygiene and Relaxation Techniques

When you’re facing symptoms like itchiness, anxiety, or stress at night, your bedtime routine is going to make a difference. That’s why dermatologists talk to their psoriasis patients about sleep hygiene, Green says. “It’s about creating an environment that is in your favour when you're already working against something,” he says.

Some good sleep habits are:

• Set up — and stick to — a consistent bedtime and waking schedule.
• Make sure your room is dark and quiet.
• Limit your exposure to bright lights in the evening.
• Turn off your electronics about an hour before bedtime.
• Keep the room at a comfortable, cool temperature.
• Unwind with quiet reading, low-impact stretching, or listening to soothing music.
• Limit caffeine and avoid having it later in the day.
• Don't eat large meals for dinner.
It’s worth doing an audit of sorts of your overall health, too, Adigun says. For instance, if you smoke, try to quit. If you drink alcohol, cut back on how much you have. And aim to get regular exercise. “All of these factors can improve psoriasis severity – but they can also improve sleep quality,” she says.
See Your Doctor if Sleep Problems Persist
If itching or pain are keeping you awake, talk with your dermatologist, Green says. “Everything that psoriasis is doing to your body besides being visible on the skin, you should mention to your dermatologist. They can help you through it,” he says.
They may:
• Adjust your current topical or systemic treatment plan.
• Recommend a different type of medication.
• Talk with you about healthy sleep habits in more detail.
• Refer you to specialists who can check for underlying sleep disorders.
While itching and pain are common reasons for worse sleep in people with psoriasis, they're not the only causes. People with psoriasis can develop other health conditions — such as anxiety and depression, sleep apnoea, and restless legs syndrome — all of which affect sleep, Daveluy says.
The Takeaway
• Fine-tuning your skin care routine with dermatologist-recommended psoriasis treatments and consistent moisturizing can help reduce night-time itching and improve your sleep quality.
• Creating a comfortable sleep space may also help you sleep better. For instance, lower the bedroom temperature and choose breathable fabrics.
• Practice habits that can help sleep. For example, wake up and go to sleep at the same times each day, and try relaxation techniques. Good sleep hygiene can positively impact your overall psoriasis management and sleep.
• Don't hesitate to talk with your dermatologist or healthcare providers if your psoriasis symptoms continue to disturb your sleep. Your doctor can provide tailored treatment options and remedies to address any underlying sleep disorders you might have.
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• https://www.everydayhealth.com/psoriasis/how-to-get-better-sleep-when-you-have-psoriasis/

Scientists uncover why psoriasis can turn into joint disease

From sciencedaily.com

A hidden immune cell journey from skin to joints may explain psoriatic arthritis

Researchers have figured out how psoriasis can quietly turn into joint disease for some patients. Immune cells formed in inflamed skin can travel through the blood and reach the joints, where they sometimes trigger inflammation. The key difference lies in the joint’s ability to keep those cells in check. This insight could help doctors identify warning signs early and prevent lasting joint damage.

Roughly 20 to 30 percent of people with psoriasis eventually develop painful joint inflammation. This condition, known as psoriatic arthritis, can cause lasting damage to bones and joints if it is not treated. For years, doctors did not fully understand why psoriasis progressed to joint disease in some patients but not in others.

Researchers from the Department of Medicine 3 - Rheumatology and Immunology at Uniklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), have now identified the specific immune cells responsible and uncovered how they move from the skin into the joints. Their findings point toward new ways to detect and prevent psoriatic arthritis before permanent joint damage occurs. The study has been published in Nature Immunology.

Scientists discovered that immune cells from psoriatic skin can migrate to the joints and ignite inflammation under the right conditions. Spotting these cells early could help stop psoriatic arthritis before it causes permanent damage. Credit: Shutterstock

How Immune Cells Travel From Skin to Joints

Psoriasis causes inflammation in the skin that leads to the formation of specialized immune precursor cells. These cells do not stay confined to the skin. According to the researchers, they can enter the bloodstream and later reach the joints.

"These cells can migrate from the skin to the bloodstream and from there to the joints," explains Dr. Simon Rauber, head of the working group at Department of Medicine 3. However, he notes that their presence alone does not automatically cause joint inflammation. "It is interesting that the mere migration of immune cells into the joint is not sufficient to trigger inflammation there."

Why Joint Inflammation Develops in Some Patients

What happens inside the joint itself plays a critical role. Once immune cells arrive, they interact with fibroblasts, which are connective tissue cells that normally help maintain balance and protect the joint. In people who go on to develop psoriatic arthritis, this protective response is weakened.

"The protective function of these connective tissue cells is usually considerably reduced in people who develop psoriatic arthritis," says Prof. Dr. Andreas Ramming, team leader and deputy head of department at Department of Medicine 3. "As a result, the inflammatory cells that enter the joint cannot be brought into check, and go on to trigger an inflammatory reaction in the joint." This breakdown helps explain why joint disease develops in some psoriasis patients but not others.

Early Warning Signs and New Prevention Strategies

The researchers also found that these migratory immune cells can be detected in the blood before joint inflammation begins. This discovery could make it possible to identify patients at higher risk earlier than ever before.

In the future, treatments may focus on targeting these immune cells before they reach the joints, stopping inflammation before it starts. Such approaches could help prevent psoriatic arthritis rather than treating damage after it has already occurred.

Research Funding and Support

The research is being funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the framework of the CRC/TRR 369 - "DIONE: Degeneration of bone due to inflammation," by the European Research Council (ERC) as part of the project "Barrier Break," and by the Interdisciplinary Center for Clinical Research in Erlangen (IZKF) as part of the project "Tissue imprinting of skin-derived immune cells in psoriatic arthritis."

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/02/260204121549.htm 

Is it true that … red light therapy masks prevent wrinkles?

From theguardian.com

While there may be benefits to the treatment, anti-ageing probably isn’t one of them – which is something better left to the professionals 

Red light therapy, where LED lights are shone on your skin, has been around for a while,” says Afshin Mosahebi, a professor in plastic surgery at University College London. But what was once an expensive treatment you’d go to a professional to receive is now becoming widely available in the form of light-up masks you can wear at home.

“Reasonable reports show that the treatment is good for wound-healing,” says Mosahebi. This is why it is recommended for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis and psoriasis, as it increases circulation, decreases inflammation, and improves cell regeneration.

When it comes to preventing wrinkles though, there’s less proof. “One of the things we know that happens as we age is the fibroblast cells become a little bit sleepy. The theory is the light will stimulate them into action to produce collagen, which is something we need for thicker, plumper, less wrinkly skin.” But there’s no substantial evidence to back this up, he says. And if it does work, professional sessions are far more likely to be effective as they’re stronger than the at-home masks.

                                                             Illustration: Becky Barnicoat/The Guardian

Mosahebi also warns there is limited research into using red light therapy as a repeated, long-term treatment – something manufacturers encourage with the masks. “We don’t know what happens when people use it in the long term. We don’t know if it actually causes more aged skin because light is the main cause of ageing, or whether it has any effect on skin cancer.”

Mosahebi says he believes red light therapy is safe, but that the best way to delay the onset of wrinkles is to make sure your diet is nutritious, drink enough water, exercise regularly, and wear a nourishing moisturiser and high protection sunscreen. If you’re not doing those things, it’s not worth shelling out for a mask.

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jan/26/is-it-true-that-red-light-therapy-masks-prevent-wrinkles