Health Boards
Fri-15-02-2013, 16:09 PM
Hello sorry to hear it's not getting any better, if your joints in toes and fingers are now affected do you mean they are painful and swollen, or just getting more psoriasis on them. ? If they are painful, swolen, red, and your nails are pitted and/or have lines running down them then it sounds like psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriatic arthritis looks like this on your nails.
![[Image: Psoriasis_fingernail.jpg]](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/2/27/Psoriasis_fingernail.jpg)
If you think it is psoriatic arhtritis, i would ask your doctor to refer you to a Dermatologist. They may do X-rays but not usually necessary as a dermatologist will be able to tell if it is psoriatic arthritis by just looking at your toe and finger nails.
I'm not sure about Finland, but in the Uk and France your dermatologist will probably ask you questions related to your family as it has hereditary links (though no one in my family has it). You will probably be asked to strip down to your underwear so they can do a What is the PASI score my dermatologist uses ? and maybe a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). They will usually want a blood sample too, before deciding what is the best course of treatment for you.
Depending on the treatment they/you go for they may also do a check for tuberculosis (TB) if it's one of the Biological Treatments For Psoriasis, though they will probably recommend Methotrexate first.
Don't worry about seeing a dermatologist, it's the best thing you could do as once you build up a good relationship with them they can help you live with it. And if you look through other posts you will see there are lots of new treatments coming forward.
Another alternative that may be of interest to you is your Diet, it's not for all but some say it can help. Have a look through the Natural Treatments For Psoriasis if you want to have a go.
Caroline's thread may also be of interest to you: Dimethylfumarates and Psoriasis
I hope that has helped a bit and remember it's your body so only go for what you are happy with, good luck and please come back and let us know how it's going.
Regards.
Fred.
Psoriatic arthritis looks like this on your nails.
If you think it is psoriatic arhtritis, i would ask your doctor to refer you to a Dermatologist. They may do X-rays but not usually necessary as a dermatologist will be able to tell if it is psoriatic arthritis by just looking at your toe and finger nails.
I'm not sure about Finland, but in the Uk and France your dermatologist will probably ask you questions related to your family as it has hereditary links (though no one in my family has it). You will probably be asked to strip down to your underwear so they can do a What is the PASI score my dermatologist uses ? and maybe a Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). They will usually want a blood sample too, before deciding what is the best course of treatment for you.
Depending on the treatment they/you go for they may also do a check for tuberculosis (TB) if it's one of the Biological Treatments For Psoriasis, though they will probably recommend Methotrexate first.
Don't worry about seeing a dermatologist, it's the best thing you could do as once you build up a good relationship with them they can help you live with it. And if you look through other posts you will see there are lots of new treatments coming forward.
Another alternative that may be of interest to you is your Diet, it's not for all but some say it can help. Have a look through the Natural Treatments For Psoriasis if you want to have a go.
Caroline's thread may also be of interest to you: Dimethylfumarates and Psoriasis
I hope that has helped a bit and remember it's your body so only go for what you are happy with, good luck and please come back and let us know how it's going.
Regards.
Fred.