What Are the Early Stages of Psoriasis?

From healthline.com

Psoriasis is a type of immune-mediated condition — meaning it results from the activity of your immune system — that’s known for scaly skin plaques.

Psoriasis most often develops between ages 15 and 25. However, some of the early stages of this condition may be mistaken for other inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema.

Learn more about the early symptoms of psoriasis and how these might look and feel in different psoriasis subtypes.

Beginning stages

The symptoms of psoriasis first show up on your skin.

On skin with less pigment, red to silver skin patches are trademark signs of this condition. Psoriasis on darker skin typically appears as purple or dark brown patches with grey scales.

Below are other possible signs of psoriasis based on subtype:

Psoriasis type	Features	Early symptoms
Plaque	Plaque psoriasis is noted for raised patches of skin that may be red, purple, or silver in colour. This is the most common type of psoriasis, making up about 80 to 90 percent of all cases.	In the beginning stages, you might notice a raised area of skin that’s inflamed (swollen) and itchy.
Guttate	This type of psoriasis causes small red or purple spots on your skin. It tends to appear suddenly, and it may come and go without treatment.	You might notice that these round spots first develop around your torso, arms, or legs. They may develop later in other areas of the body.
Inverse	Unlike the raised scales of plaque psoriasis, inverse psoriasis causes smooth red to purple rashes.	Rashes tend to develop under skin folds, such as in your underarm, genital, or breast areas. You may notice pain and discomfort that gets worse after sweating in the affected areas of skin.
Pustular	Pustular psoriasis causes painful bumps filled with pus to develop in unusual areas of the body, such as your hands and feet. They can also develop thick scales on top. As the pustules heal, brown spots or scales may be left in their place.	This type of psoriasis may be mistaken for pustular acne lesions in its early stages because they both cause inflamed and painful bumps filled with pus.
Erythrodermic	Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare and life-threatening type of psoriasis. This condition causes significant shedding, where you experience a loss of skin layers in large pieces.	It may resemble a significant widespread burn that affects about 90 percent of the body’s surface. Other early symptoms include intense pain and itching along with dehydration, muscle weakness, and increased heart rate. Immediate medical attention is required.
Nail	Nail psoriasis often develops after another subtype and is seen in roughly half of people with psoriasis.	Early signs include discoloured, dented, and crumbling nails. The affected nails may eventually lift off their nail beds.
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)	If you have psoriasis, there’s a chance that this inflammatory condition may eventually affect your joints, too. If this happens, it’s called psoriatic arthritis.	Early signs of PsA include heel pain, along with swollen and painful fingers and toes. Symptoms may be worse in the morning.

 What it feels like

Skin rashes, plaques, and scales caused by psoriasis tend to be extremely itchy, similar to eczema, or atopic dermatitis. They can also sting, burn, or feel painful.

Unlike eczema, psoriasis may sometimes progress to the joints.

Psoriasis may develop on any part of the body, but it’s most common on the knees, elbows, and scalp.

You might also have more than one subtype of psoriasis at a time, with varying symptoms in different areas of your body.

The bottom line

While the exact symptoms of psoriasis may vary based on subtype, this condition often leads to areas of inflamed skin that may be red or purple in colour and scaly in texture. These rashes may also feel itchy and painful.

If you have any new skin symptoms that don’t improve with time, see a medical professional. They will be able to accurately diagnose whether it’s psoriasis or another skin condition.

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/early-stage-beginning-of-psoriasis?slot_pos=article_1&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=psoriasis&utm_content=2022-08-30&apid=39239719&rvid=058431b717dcfa59c0cdd27cd0a9313769e8b3dd4ad59d88efd0ded7ddb4774e

Do Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Lead to Gout?

From healthline.com

Gout, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis (PsA) are three separate conditions. But they do share some of the same causes and some of the same symptoms.

For years, doctors have noticed a relationship between these conditions, and studies have recently supported that observation.

What are gout, psoriasis, and psoriatic arthritis?

Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. It causes intense pain, swelling, and sometimes structural changes in tissues around joints, due to a build-up of uric acid crystals. It commonly affects the big toe but can affect other joints as well.

Gout affects about 4% of the U.S. populationTrusted Source, or about 9.2 million people. It’s more common in men, older adults, and the Black community.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that causes your skin cells to turn over too quickly, leading to silvery, itchy patches of skin that are sometimes ringed with redness. It happens when your immune system attacks your own body.

Psoriasis affects more than 7.55 million people in the United States, according to 2020 U.S. census dataTrusted Source. The data shows that it’s most common in white people and occurs at roughly the same rate in men and women.

PsA is an autoimmune condition that includes the itchy, scaly skin patches of psoriasis with the stiff, sore, and inflamed joints of arthritis. PsA affects between 2% and 4% of adultsTrusted Source.

A 2015 studyTrusted Source found that while PsA was more common in white people, it tended to be more severe in Black people. More research is needed in this area, though.

Can psoriasis and PsA lead to gout?

Both psoriasis and PsA are related to your body’s immune response. Between 20% and 30%Trusted Sourceof people with psoriasis also have PsA.

While the two conditions are related, having one does not necessarily mean you will have the other, and the severity of psoriasis doesn’t determine whether you will develop PsA. You can also have PsA without having psoriasis.

How does that relate to gout?

Doctors have noticed for decades that there’s a connection between psoriasis, PsA, and gout, according to the Arthritis Foundation. Studies in the last few years have backed this up.

For instance, a 2015 studyTrusted Source that examined nearly 100,000 men and women found that both conditions were positively correlated with gout. The study had its limitations, however, as it was conducted solely among healthcare professionals, 96% to 98% of whom were white.

A 2022 studyTrusted Source also found a link between psoriasis and gout, but it was a nationwide study of only Taiwanese people. More research is needed in other populations.

The link between psoriatic disease and gout seems to be uric acid. A build-up of it in your body tissues and joints can lead to gout. A diet of foods rich in purines can cause higher uric acid build-up.

Psoriasis and PsA, which produce high levels of uric acid (called hyperuricemia) as a by-product of high cell turnover and inflammation, may also lead to gout.

People with psoriasis also have higher levels of certain cytokines that play a role in the development of gout. Cytokines are molecules that promote inflammation and can overstimulate the activity of other immune cells, called a cytokine storm.

Other risk factors for gout

Gout was once thought to be caused mostly by a diet rich in alcohol, red meat, and other foods previously considered luxuries. Research has since shown that while diet plays a part, age, gender and genetics may have a lot more to do with it.

Some gout risk factors are:

• metabolic syndrome
• family history of gout
• untreated high blood pressure
• obesity
• diabetes
• recent surgery or physical trauma
• a diet rich in purines
• older age

Gout in the Black community

A 2016 review of studies found that gout was more common in the Black population, mainly due to a higher prevalence of other conditions including diabetes, chronic kidney disease, obesity, and hypertension.

One study in the review indicated that many people with gout, especially Black people, were less likely to be treated by physicians in accordance with recognized standards.

Another study found that although white people were more likely to have PsA, it was more likely to be severe in Black people.

 Can you prevent gout if you have psoriasis or PsA?

If you have psoriasis or PsA, doctors can help you avoid developing or worsening gout by:

• routinely checking your serum uric acid levels
• analysing joint fluid to check for gout
• recommending diet and lifestyle changes
• prescribing urate-lowering medications

When to contact a doctor

If you have symptoms of psoriasis, PsA, or gout, it’s important to see a healthcare professional.

All three conditions can damage your joints or other organs, and they are associated with poorer health outcomes when left untreated. Arthritis that progresses can lead to joint deformity and damage, and gout can be extremely painful.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about gout and its relationship with psoriatic disease.

Can psoriasis cause gout?

Research strongly suggests an association between psoriasis and gout, but it’s not clear if psoriasis directly causes gout. More research is needed.

Can psoriatic arthritis cause gout?

Just like psoriasis, PsA is associated with gout. Experts believe this is due to PsA’s contribution to higher uric acid levels and certain inflammatory molecules. It’s not yet clear whether it directly causes gout, though.

What’s the difference between gout and psoriatic arthritis?

Though they have some common symptoms, such as joint pain, swelling, and stiffness, they also have different symptoms.

PsA symptoms include:

• psoriasis skin symptoms
• nail changes, such as crumbling
• back pain, which is less common in gout
• the swelling of several fingers and toes at once
• eye inflammation
• tenderness or pain in the tendons

Gout symptoms include:

• flare-ups in between symptom-free periods
• intense pain, redness, and swelling, especially of the big toe
• lumps and bumps around joints, called tophi

Takeaway

Psoriasis, PsA, and gout are separate conditions with some common symptoms and a strong relationship to each other.

If you have psoriasis, you are more likely to have PsA. Both of those conditions can cause hyperuricemia, a major cause of gout, and also create cytokine changes that may play a role in gout.

If you have psoriasis or PsA, it’s important to let your healthcare team know so they can monitor your blood or joint fluid for markers indicating the development of gout.

All three conditions can have serious health effects if left untreated. If you have symptoms, it’s important to speak with a doctor.

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/psoriasis-and-gout

6 Things to Consider When Your Psoriasis Isn’t Improving

From healthline.com

Psoriasis is a lifelong condition, which means you will always have the disease. Most people go through cycles of no symptoms or cycles of worsening symptoms, usually due to a common trigger. When you have exacerbated psoriasis, you need to be doing something to control your symptoms.

If your psoriasis isn’t improving after months of trying a new medication, it’s time to make a change. Here are six things to consider when your symptoms aren’t getting any better.

1. Switching medications

Finding the right treatment can be frustrating. Some treatments have unexpected side effects, while others will work well for a few months and then suddenly stop working.

Doctors usually start off with the mildest treatments and then progress to stronger ones if your psoriasis doesn’t improve. If a drug doesn’t work or seems to stop working after a while, you may need something stronger or even a combination of different treatments.

Keep in mind, however, that it’s best to try a medication for a few months before assessing whether or not it’s working.

If you find that your current medication is really not helping, rather than giving up and letting your prescription run out, talk to your doctor about other options. Switching treatments is a common practice in psoriasis. Your doctor or dermatologist should understand.

2. Seeing a new dermatologist

When it comes to treating your psoriasis, there are many factors to consider. You may be worried about side effects or costs. Perhaps you want to find a treatment option that requires fewer doses each week. You should be able to share all of these concerns with your dermatologist.

The key is finding a dermatologist who is willing to work with you. If you find that your dermatologist isn’t making the time to work with you to come up with a treatment plan that fits your needs, you may want to consider visiting a new dermatologist.

3. Changing your diet

While not everyone recognizes dietary triggers of psoriasis, what you’re eating could play a role in the severity of your symptoms.

In a recent survey of 1,206 people with psoriasis, roughly half of respondents who cut the following foods out of their diet reported full clearance or improvement of their psoriasis symptoms:

alcohol	251 of 462 people (53.8 percent)
gluten	247 of 459 (53 percent)
nightshade vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant	156 of 297 (52.1 percent)
junk food	346 of 687 (50 percent)
white flour products	288 of 573 (49.9 percent)
dairy	204 of 424 (47.7 percent)

In addition, many of the people surveyed found that their symptoms improved after adding the following to their diet:

• fish oil or other sources of omega-3 fatty acids
• vegetables
• oral vitamin D supplements
• probiotics

Also, more than two-thirds of people who switched to the following diets saw their skin improve:

• Pagano diet, a diet developed by Dr. John Pagano
  that emphasizes cutting out refined carbohydrates, most red meats, and nightshade
  vegetables
• vegan diet, which eliminates all animal
  products, including milk and eggs
• paleo diet, which is based on imitating the diet
  of hunter-gatherers and includes whole, unprocessed foods

There’s no definitive research to support dietary modifications for treating psoriasis, but many people swear by these changes. And eating healthier can’t hurt.

4. Cutting out alcohol

Drinking alcohol, even in small amounts, can have a huge effect on your psoriasis in many different ways. Not only can alcohol trigger a flare-up, it can also:

• interact with your psoriasis medication and
  reduce its effectiveness
• increase serious side effects of some
  medications
• reduce the likelihood of achieving remission
• impair your immune system, which will increase
  your risk of infection
• cause your body to produce more inflammatory proteins
  called cytokines, which can make your symptoms worse

If you can’t get your psoriasis under control, you should consider cutting alcoholic beverages completely out of your diet.

5. Getting rid of stress

Stressful situations can easily trigger a psoriasis flare-up. If stress is currently ruling your life, you should think about making changes to reduce it.

This is especially true if you find yourself taking on more responsibilities than you can handle. It might be time to cut back on some of the activities that you just don’t have time for or to say no to new activities that add too much to your plate.

Not all stress is completely unavoidable, but there are ways that you can cope with stress a little better. Try these activities to help manage stress:

• deep breathing exercises
• yoga
• meditation
• aromatherapy
• exercise
• writing in a journal
• spending time with family
• taking a walk in nature
• getting a pet

If you can’t seem to reduce your stress despite your best efforts, ask your doctor for a referral to a mental health specialist.

6. Bathing daily

Soaking in a warm bath every day can make a huge difference on your skin.

You can also try adding Dead Sea salts, mineral oil, colloidal oatmeal, or olive oil to help with the itching and irritation.

For an added bonus, use a moisturizer after you take your bath.

The bottom line

There’s no cure for psoriasis at the moment, but many different treatment options and home remedies are available that can help ease symptoms. The trick is to be proactive in your treatment plan. If your psoriasis isn’t improving or it’s getting worse, it’s time to try something else. This could mean a new medication or a change in diet and lifestyle.

https://www.healthline.com/health/psoriasis/moderate-to-severe/6-things-to-consider-when-psoriasis-isnt-improving?utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=psoriasis&utm_content=2022-08-23&apid=39239719&rvid=058431b717dcfa59c0cdd27cd0a9313769e8b3dd4ad59d88efd0ded7ddb4774e 

Psoriasis Patients Have Nothing To Hide: 5 Tips To Boost Your Self Confidence

From thehealthsite.com

On the month that is dedicated to spread awareness on Psoriasis, do not be insecure about your condition and know how you can boost self confidence

The month of August is dedicated to raising awareness about psoriasis. Thus is an autoimmune disorder that affects a big chunk of the population in this world. This disease is irritating, painful, visible on the skin. Due to what this disease looks like many people feel extremely insecure of their bodies. Many people undergo severe mental health issues as well. Patients often keep it under wraps for fear of stigma many wear long sleeves, high collars, and long pants to hide their skin lesions.

This chronic disease develops because the skin cells that protect your body from infections start to multiply at an unprecedented rate. This happens because the immune system of the body is kicked into overdrive. It loses it natural control. The disease can get triggered by external factors such as stress, environment, mental health, pollution, etc. It manifests itself on the skin as red scaly patches. This disease can happen to anybody of any age groups.

DO NOT LET PSORIASIS IMPACT YOUR LIFE!

Visible conditions on the skin can be difficult to deal with when you are constantly under public scrutiny. But, if you do not let what other people think of you affect you, you will not only feel happier but also witness a reduction in your psoriasis flare up. Psoriasis is directly connected to your mental health. Take care of your mental health and your condition will automatically start healing. This process might not be easy but know that you are not alone.

Don't Fall Prey To The Stigma, Wear What Feels Good

Psoriasis patients could be insecure about what their skin looks like. But the first step to achieving confidence, mental peace and recovery is by accepting that this condition exists, it is a part of you but it does not define you. The next step to being confident is by wearing whatever outfit you feel like wearing. You will only fee beautiful and confidant if you wear what you want and not what you are forced to. One day, you will stop fussing over the fact that your flares are visible to others.

Your Qualities As A Person Are More Important Than What You Look Like

Your skin does not define you or your personality. Remind yourself about all the good qualities that you possess. Learn to love yourself for them and also learn to love yourself despite the condition that you are suffering from. Do not dwell on negativity. You will never feel confident if you do not love yourself.

Have Open Conversations About Your Condition

Scan what kind of surroundings you are in. If you feel like they are interested to listen to you, open up and let them know about your condition. This is one way to spread awareness as well. If you are uncomfortable about it, people around you might react the same way. Making others understand that this condition exists, there is no need to tiptoe around it and you are willing to answer questions will also make you one step closer to gaining that self-confidence.

Maintain An Active Lifestyle

Exercise and activities are good for psoriasis and your mental health. Stay active and it will help boost your self-confidence. You will be able to connect with your body and eventually accept yourself. Exercise will also help reduce your stress and that can benefit your symptoms as well.

Do Not Compare Yourself With Others

Drawing comparisons with others based on how they look will only make you more insecure and inferior. You do not know if they too are suffering from any chronic disease or are insecure about themselves. This negative feeling will never let you move forward and accept yourself for who you are.

https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/psoriasis-patients-have-nothing-to-hide-4-tips-to-boost-your-self-confidence-902065/

Patients With Psoriasis Must Know the Risks of Tattooing

From dermatologytimes.com

Results from an online, anonymous, questionnaire-based analysis conducted by Patrycja Rogowska, MD, and colleagues, were published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.

How much patients with psoriasis know about tattooing and its potential complications is the focus of a study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology that also offers advice to practitioners.

Tattoos today have become immensely popular and widely accepted among the public. Although psoriasis should not prevent interested patients from getting tattoos, there are caveats.

Patrycja Rogowska, MD, and colleagues conducted an online, anonymous, questionnaire-based analysis of 150 tattooed patients with psoriasis. Investigators wanted to examine patients’ knowledge of and attitudes toward tattooing. They distributed the questionnaire to online psoriasis communities from April to September 2020. Rogowska is a member of the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Faculty of Medicine, at the Medical University of Gdańsk in Poland.

WHO GETS TATTOOED?

Of 150 respondents, 134 were female and 16 were male. Rogowska and colleagues reported an age range of 16 to 62 years, with a mean age of 32. Most respondents (143/95.3%) were given diagnoses of type 1 psoriasis before age 40 years; 7 received diagnoses of type 2 (4.7%). Investigators reported that many lived in urban areas (119/79.3%). Tattooing was most popular among those with a high school education (73/48.7%) and those with higher education (61/40.7%). Sixteen respondents (10.7%) reported elementary levels of education.

TATTOOING TRENDS

Most respondents received their psoriasis diagnoses before getting tattooed (114/76%), whereas 36 (24%) were diagnosed after. Investigators said all but one of the tattoos were decorative, with 1 respondent reporting permanent makeup. There were 96 respondents with black ink tattoos, whereas 54 had ink in multiple colours. Further, 14 respondents had tattoos covering more than 10% of their bodies, 18 had tattoos covering 5% to 10% of their bodies, and 118 had tattoos covering less than 5%. Most respondents went to a professional tattoo artist (130/86.7%), whereas 20 (13.3%) obtained their ink from an amateur.

Investigators said 76% of respondents reported wanting a tattoo to improve their appearance. Also, 60% said the tattoo was to express their personality and 39.3% said it was to honour milestone life events. “While choosing a tattoo parlour, most of the respondents were seeking information about it on the internet and through their acquaintances,” the authors wrote.1

Rogowska et al noted that 4 respondents (2.7%) wanted to camouflage psoriatic lesions and 7 (4.7%) thought a tattoo would distract onlookers from their condition. “In the subjective measurement of the respondents, having a tattoo improved their level of psoriasis acceptance in 27 (18%) of the investigated cases, while self-esteem increased in 76 respondents (50.7%),” investigators said.1

MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE OF TATTOOING

Only 8% of patients (12) had a dermatological consult before getting their tattoos, and only 18% of respondents reported that the tattoo artist had recommended a dermatological consult. Investigators reported 67.3% of respondents (101) were in active treatment while being tattooed. Of 150 total respondents, 69 were receiving topical treatment, 23 were receiving systemic treatment, and 9 (6%) were receiving phototherapy. Out of all 150 responses to the survey, 8 (5.3%) were taking methotrexate, 5 (3.3%) were taking cyclosporine A, 1 (0.7%) was taking acitretin, and 9 (6%) were being treated with biologics.

COMPLICATIONS

Tattooing complications for patients with psoriasis seem to be mild and more prevalent during active disease or with systemic treatment, Rogowska et al reported. Only 8.7% of respondents (13) had tattoo-associated cutaneous complications, with Koebner phenomenon most frequent (8/5.3%) “Only in one of those cases, a koebnerization secondary to tattoo has been the first onset of psoriasis,” researchers said.1

Two respondents (1.3%) reported a general flare-up of psoriasis symptoms. There were 2 cases (1.3%) of pruritic rash on the site of the tattoo. One case (0.7%) experienced healing disruption that showed a prolonged inflammatory state at the tattoo site. Of the 13 who experienced complications, 7 were actively being treated: 1 with psoralen–UV-A therapy, 1 with methotrexate, and 5 with topical psoriasis treatment. “In only 1 case out of 13, a dermatological consultation has taken place before tattooing,” study authors reported.1

TATTOOING CONTRAINDICATIONS

Active systemic therapy for psoriasis can leave patients who are planning to be tattooed vulnerable to complications. The authors reported that oral retinoids can thin the skin and cause excessive dryness. It can also impair wound healing and increase the chance of infection. They also said phototherapy can cause ink to fade prematurely and can trigger photosensitive reactions. Immunosuppressants increase infection risk locally and systemically, especially in unhygienic tattooing conditions.

“There are only a few cases of serious tattoo-related infectious complications caused by immunosuppression described in the literature; however, this risk should not be ignored,” the authors wrote.1 Although most infections are local, they can be dangerous or even life-threatening in cases of septicaemia, the authors cautioned.

Investigators recommended dermatological counselling for patients with psoriasis who are considering tattooing, to determine the best time to have the procedure done and to assess the safest location for the tattoo. Providers may prescribe prophylactic antibiotics to prevent infection. They can also advise patients to avoid amateur providers and select safer, professional tattoo parlours.

The study authors also recommended patients get an individual risk assessment from a provider. In addition, they said tattoo artists should educate themselves about complications and follow necessary precautions. “We believe that a standardized questionnaire, inclusive query about the client’s medical history and medications, could be implemented by tattooists for the benefit of the whole tattoo-society,” researchers concluded.1

Reference:

1. Rogowska P, Walczak P, Wrzosek-Dobrzyniecka K, Nowicki RJ, Szczerkowska-Dobosz A. Tattooing in psoriasis: a questionnaire-based analysis of 150 patients. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2022;15:587-593. doi:10.2147/CCID.S348165

https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/patients-with-psoriasis-must-know-the-risks-of-tattooing 

Can Certain Types of Food Make Psoriatic Arthritis Worse?

From healthline.com

Is your diet affecting your arthritis? Although there isn’t a specific diet that can cure psoriatic arthritis, modifying what you eat can help reduce the frequency of flare-ups

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of arthritis that affects some people living with psoriasis. It causes the major joints of your body to be inflamed and painful. If you have this condition, you may experience flare-ups. At times, your symptoms may get worse.

Adjusting your diet may help keep your symptoms under control and reduce the chances of developing other chronic conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, and mental health conditions.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF), there’s no diet that can cure psoriatic disease. However, an analysis of 55 human studiesTrusted Source found that dietary adjustments, along with medical treatments, can help reduce the severity of arthritic psoriasis symptoms.

Many people claim that avoiding certain foods helps reduce the frequency of flare-ups. Consider keeping a log of your eating habits and symptoms. This might help you identify foods that seem to trigger flare-ups.

If you plan on modifying your diet, it’s helpful to first consult your doctor and, if possible, a nutritionist. This is especially important if you’re taking systemic medications to manage the inflammation and stiffness of your joints.

Reduce your added sugar consumption

Cutting back on the amount of added sugar in your diet might ease your psoriatic arthritis symptoms while improving your overall health.

Excessive added sugar might increase inflammation in your body, warns the Arthritis Foundation. Since sugar also packs in calories, it can contribute to weight gain, putting more pressure on your achy joints.

When you do want to eat something sweet, instead of baked goods, packaged desserts, candies, or beverages with added sweeteners, consider eating berries and other types of fruits that are high in antioxidants, such as:

• tart cherries
• strawberries
• blueberries
• red raspberries
• avocado
• watermelon
• grapes
• figs
• mangos

Vegetables can also be a good source of antioxidants. Carrots, squash, sweet potatoes, spinach, and broccoli are some examples.

Loading up on these colourful and nutritious fruits and veggies can boost your antioxidant intake and reduce inflammation, which may in turn reduce the frequency of flare-ups.

Cut back on red and processed meat

Some researchTrusted Source links red and processed meat to inflammation, which may increase arthritis symptoms. When you do eat meat, choose lean options, such as fish and poultry. Stick to portions that measure 3 ounces, or about the size of your palm.

Alternately, consider trying a plant-based diet with plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits. You can meet your protein needs by eating a variety of whole grains, legumes, nuts, and seeds. Another anti-inflammatory diet, the Mediterranean dietTrusted Source, may potentially help reduce flare-ups.

Monitor fats

Eating too many saturated fats can lead to weight gain, putting more pressure on your joints. Saturated fat can be found in meat, butter, cheese, coconut oil, and more. It can increase your cholesterol levels and risk of developing heart disease.

Since people with arthritis are at higher risk of heart problems, it’s important that you manage your cholesterol, advises the Arthritis Foundation.

Another type of fat, also known as trans fat, has been shown to increase inflammatory markers in our body. This type of fat is found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, commonly used as an ingredient in baked goods, packaged snacks, and other processed foods to increase their shelf life. Consider eating them only as an occasional treat.

Unsaturated fats are a healthier alternative. They have anti-inflammatory properties and can be found in:

• olive oil
• safflower oil
• grapeseed oil
• avocado oil
• walnut oil

Try going gluten-free

ResearchTrusted Source suggests that people with psoriatic arthritis are more likely to have celiac disease and may benefit from a gluten-free diet.

However, there’s no strong clinical evidenceTrusted Source to suggest a gluten-free diet is beneficial for all patients with psoriasis. Only those who have gluten sensitivity will find it beneficial.

If you do want to give the gluten-free diet a try, remember that it can take a few months before the inflammation in your joints subsides.

To see if skipping gluten has any effect on your psoriatic arthritis, it would be helpful to stay 100% gluten-free for at least 3 months. That means avoiding food that contains wheat, barley, and rye, plus all of their derivatives, such as MSG and soy sauce.

After the initial 3 months, if you haven’t noticed any marked benefits, try adding back gluten. See if you have any increased itchiness and joint pain over the next 3 to 4 days.

If not, a gluten-free diet may not be what you need to improve your condition, and you may want to add gluten back to your diet.

Takeaway

Eating right is key to staying healthy, especially when you live with a chronic condition such as psoriatic arthritis.

Reducing the consumption of saturated fats, trans fats, and added sugar while increasing the consumption of anti-oxidant-rich foods will help bring down inflammation and reduce your chances of flare-ups. Going gluten-free is an additional option that you can experiment with to see whether it helps reduce the flare-ups.

Besides modifying your diet, there’s much more you can do to manage your condition and overall health. For example, adjusting your posture can reduce the strain on your joints. Practicing a few simple daily stretches and exercises can help prevent hand stiffness. Regular exercise also fosters physical and emotional well-being.

https://www.healthline.com/health/foods-to-prevent-psoriatic-arthritis?slot_pos=article_1&utm_source=Sailthru%20Email&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=psoriasis&utm_content=2022-08-16&apid=39239719&rvid=058431b717dcfa59c0cdd27cd0a9313769e8b3dd4ad59d88efd0ded7ddb4774e