Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis: the words you should know

What’s more challenging than having psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis? Learning the jargon linked to these conditions. Don’t worry: we’re here to help. Read on for a list of these words and

to find out what they mean. Now there’s no need to fret—or flare up—when you come across another term. Back to word bank Snowfall The resulting effect of giving into the itchy sensation of

scalp psoriasis and white, flaky remnants of scalp psoriasis plaques fall to your shoulders. Back to word bank Contagious It’s not. Settle down, people. Back to word bank Red patches The

color of the inflamed, itchy growths that are the trademark of psoriasis. Back to word bank Patches The red, inflamed sections of skin where psoriasis manifests itself. Common areas where

patches occur include the face, elbows, knees, torso, scalp, and folds of skin. Back to word bank Lotion Your new best friend, and something you’ll be applying after every shower like a

religious ceremony. Back to word bank Itchy Another wonderful symptom of skin psoriasis. While it may feel temporarily good to scratch those itchy areas, it can often make things worse,

potentially increasing the likelihood of infection. Back to word bank Folds Places in your skin where psoriasis likes to strike, namely the armpits, groin, and face. Back to word bank Black

clothing A brave choice of color to wear. Back to word bank Irritated A common feeling for many people with psoriasis. Back to word bank Awkward How the condition can make you feel,

especially during times when baring skin is expected — for instance, at the beach or in the bedroom. Back to word bank Angel dust You leave a blessing everywhere you go. Back to word bank

Scalp The skin on top of your head that psoriasis loves to attack. Thankfully, medicated shampoos can take care of this pretty easily. Back to word bank Winter Typically the worst season for

psoriasis. The dry air can make symptoms worse. Back to word bank Rapid The fast rate at which your new skin cells grow. What takes most people a few weeks to grow, a person with psoriasis

can crank out in a few days. Back to word bank Scales The white flakes of dead skin cells that accumulate because your body generates new skin cells at an accelerated rate. Back to word bank

Dry How your skin normally feels with psoriasis. Dry weather can also make your psoriasis worse. Back to word bank Smoking A major contributer to psoriasis and flare-ups. Your doctor has

already told you to quit, and today is a good day to start. Back to word bank Burning A feeling you’ll get on your skin with psoriasis and in your joints with psoriatic arthritis. Don’t

fret: many treatments can get rid of this. Back to word bank Tongue gunk An extra layer of film that covers your tongue when you’re experiencing inflammation. Back to word bank Pitting Small

dents and grooves that can form on the fingernails as a result of psoriasis. Back to word bank Epsom A wonderful addition to your bathwater that can help soften troublesome plaques and ease

inflamed joints. Back to word bank Flare-ups Times when symptoms of psoriasis become increasingly worse. Flare-ups can be cause by stress, dry air, medications, illness, injury, smoking,

alcohol, and not enough or too little sunlight. Back to word bank Triggers Substances and circumstances that can make psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis worse. Avoidable triggers include

alcohol, dry weather, sunburn, stress, beta-blocker medications, infections, and skin injuries like cuts or scratches. Back to word bank Immunosuppressant A type of drug therapy that dampens

your immune system to prevent it from overreacting and attacking healhy tissue. Back to word bank Autoimmune disorder A condition in which your immune system — the part that keeps you

healthy -gets confused, attacking and destroying healthy tissue by mistake. Back to word bank Character building You’ve been embarrassed, picked on, and tormented by your psoriasis, but it

has helped shape you into the person you are today. Back to word bank Keep-going Something to tell yourself everyday, no matter how bad symptoms get. Back to word bank Feeling blue This is

how you can feel when dealing with the disorder, whether it’s the physical signs or the pain from arthritis. Depression is a common side effect of psoriasis. Back to word bank Steroids Not

the kind used by jocks, but steroids — especially topical ones — are a first line of defense for people with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Back to word bank NSAIDs Nonsteroidal

anti-inflammatory drugs are a class of drugs used to treat psoriatic arthritis. They include diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, and oxaprozin. Back to word bank Arthur Arthritis sounds

much nicer with this pet name! Back to word bank Fatigue Sore, stiff joints take a toll on your body. You frequently need to rest. Back to word bank Brain fog When your arthritis symptoms

cause you to lose your train of thought. Back to word bank Psoriatic arthritis A type of arthritis linked to psoriasis. It’s caused as your immune system attacks joint tissue. Between 10 and

30 percent of psoriasis patients will develop of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Back to word bank The red devil A colorful name for a psoriasis flare-up because it’s red and never up to any

good. Back to word bank Hobbling The act that could be confused with ‘walking,’ but at a much slower, lumbering pace due to the pain and stiffness caused by psoriatic arthritis. Back to word

bank DMARDs Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs can help minimize joint damage by using live cells to target specific parts of the immune system. Back to word bank Pain A constant

challenge with psoriatic arthritis. Many people find over-the-counter medications aren’t enough and opt to use something stronger or try other therapies, such as physical therapy. Back to

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