From healthcentral.com
We’ve got rescue tips for when your psoriatic arthritis wreaks havoc on your skin
Having psoriatic arthritis means that in addition to stiff, achy joints, you also have to deal with dry, itchy patches on your skin. Both sets of symptoms stem from an inflammatory response triggered by an overactive immune system. The inflammation from psoriatic arthritis causes skin cells to turn over faster than normal, leading to the formation of scaly patches that make you want to scratch like crazy, explains Hannah Kopelman, D.O., a New York City-based dermatologist and host of the Derm Club podcast. Thankfully, there are expert-backed at-home steps to help you cope.
FOLLOW YOUR TREATMENT PLAN TO A T
First and foremost, take your prescription PsA meds (including topicals and oral meds) exactly as prescribed by your doctor. They can help reduce your odds of having skin outbreaks or joint pain, and help you get over flares that do hit sooner, according to Mina Amin, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Los Angeles. You and your doctor can decide on the right meds for you based on symptoms and severity. You can also talk about adjusting your treatment plan, if it seems like your prescribed meds aren’t doing enough to keep your symptoms in check.
USE EXFOLIATING MOISTURIZERS
Dry skin is itchy skin, and scaly patches in people with PsA get downright parched. Lock in moisture by slathering on a thick cream after bathing and throughout the day as needed. Dr. Amin recommends moisturizers made with salicylic acid, a mild exfoliator that gently sloughs away these patches to make them less itchy. Try CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Psoriasis Treatment ($22, Amazon), which also contains ceramides to restore and maintain your skin’s natural barrier. Steer clear of lotions made with added fragrances or alcohol, which can irritate your already-inflamed skin and worsen itching, Dr. Kopelman says.
BEAT THE HEAT
Warm weather may be kinder on your PsA joints, but it can exacerbate inflammation and make your skin feel worse. Try to hang out in the AC when it’s hot outside, taking care to moisturize more often since the air conditioning can dry skin, recommends the National Psoriasis Foundation. When you do venture out, stick with loose, breathable cotton duds, preferably in light colours to reflect the sun’s heat (rather than absorb it, which makes your skin hotter). “Tight clothing can result in more heat and friction, which can worsen inflammation associated with psoriasis,” Dr. Amin says.
TRY A COOL COMPRESS
Sounds simple, but cool compresses are one of the best ways to get relief ASAP when your skin feels like it’s on fire, Dr. Kopelman says. “They help temporarily numb the area and reduce the urge to scratch,” she adds. A damp washcloth gets the job done—keep a stash in the fridge in a zip-top baggie so you can reach for a freshly chilled one whenever you need it. Ice packs work, too. Just wrap the ice pack in a towel and limit it to 10 minutes at a time to avoid irritating your skin, the Cleveland Clinic recommends.
SOAK IN AN OATMEAL BATH
A colloidal oatmeal bath, that is. It’s a type of finely ground oatmeal that easily dissolves in water and is packed with anti-inflammatory compounds like beta-glucans and avenanthramides that moisturize and fight itch, Dr. Kopelman says. You can buy it online (try Aveeno Soothing Bath Treatment 100% Natural Colloidal Oatmeal, $7.57, Amazon) or grind rolled oats in a food processor or coffee grinder until it reaches a flour-like consistency. Sprinkle a cup in lukewarm (not hot) bathwater, soak for 15 minutes (longer can dry out your skin), and slather on moisturizer as soon as you get out, she adds.
ASK ABOUT OTHER OTC ITCH RELIEVERS
Ointments containing numbing agents like pramoxine can soothe an itchy sensation fast, making it a good choice when you just need something to help you get through a busy day without scratching nonstop, per Cleveland Clinic. CeraVe Itch Relief Moisturizing Lotion ($22, Target) is a good choice, since it also contains ceramides to support a healthy skin barrier. Let your doctor know if you’re reaching for these frequently, Dr. Kopelman says. That could be a sign that your PsA isn’t well-controlled and that your treatment plan needs to be adjusted.
TRY AN ANTI-HISTAMINE AT NIGHT
It’s more than just joint pain keeping people with PsA up at night: Half of people with severe skin symptoms struggle to sleep well, thanks to skin discomfort, found a recent Scientific Reports study. If you’re one of them, Dr. Amin recommends taking an antihistamine like Zyrtec (ceterizine) before bed, which can help calm itchy skin by blocking the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine. A recent study of 161 psoriasis patients published in the journal Itch found that it slashed night-time symptoms and sleep disturbances by as much as 65%. Benadryl (diphenhydramine) got the job done, too, but it was slightly less effective.
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