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If you live with psoriasis, theres a good chance that you also experience its effects on your scalp. And that just sucks, because its itchy, scaly, and uncomfortable. Sounding familiar? Then you might be wondering how to remove psoriasis scales from your scalp without making the discomfort any worse.

Turn that frown upside down, because yes: you can absolutely do it! But its important to remove scales the right way. Otherwise, youre increasing your risk of inflammation, pain, and infection. And that is not what we have in our plans for today.

Lets take a look at how to remove psoriasis scales as safely as possible and bring the joy of less-itchy hair back into your life.

Take note: these ingredients are about to become your new squad members.

Theres actually a whole list of over-the-counter (OTC) products that docs recommend for psoriasis. But when it comes to scalp psoriasis, were mostly talking about two major players: salicylic acid and coal tar.

This stuff (which youll soon be adding into your phone as Sally with lots of heart emojis because it will be your BFF) is the OG of OTC psoriasis treatment.

A 2017 study found that salicylic acid can be super effective for softening and loosening scales, making them much easier for you to remove. But just like your BFF, you never want too much of it. Salicylic acid is strong stuff, so make sure you read the instructions and use it correctly.

This is a common ingredient in psoriasis medications, so youll find it pretty easy to buy.

And according to research from 2017, coal tar was particularly handy for treating scalp psoriasis, with symptoms usually improving after 1 month and peeps staying in remission (i.e., symptom-free) for longer than they did with other topical psoriasis treatments.

It did fall out of favor at one point, thanks to being a little bit smelly and causing side effects like staining, contact dermatitis, and stinging. But its back with a new, better-smelling formula and its milder than salicylic acid.

You can also look out for creams or shampoos containing urea. Research that assesses its benefits is slim pickings, but it commonly pops up in keratolytics (the fancy word for topical treatments that soften the skin).

The National Psoriasis Foundation also lists lactic acid as a useful ingredient for scale lifters.

Lets start by locating those pesky scales. Your removal tactics are going to be slightly different depending on where it is.

Are your scales behind your ear, on your neck, or in a place generally free of hair? Youll need a spot treatment you can put directly onto your skin.

Scales surrounded by hair mean youll need a specialized shampoo instead.

If your scales dont have pesky hair sprouting out of them or surrounding them, you can bust out the good stuff. Youll need to find a cream or topical treatment containing those good ol active ingredients. These tend to be stronger than psoriasis shampoos.

Hair getting in the way? Then the shampoos are the way forward. Yes, theyre milder and gentler (this is your scalp were talking about, after all), but theyll still do a fine job of softening those scales up.

Check out this list of shampoos recommended by the National Psoriasis Foundation. They know their stuff when it comes to scale-softening suds.

First things first: you need to apply your shampoo and let it start doing its job.

Apply it and rub it in gently (no sense in going hell for leather youll just irritate your skin). Get it under your fingertips, pretend youre in that fancy salon, and give yourself a light head massage.

Mmm.

Want to take a break, feel a little bit luxurious, and give yourself an easier time with getting rid of those scales?

You can plop a plastic cap (heck, even a plastic grocery bag will do the trick) over your soapy locks and stand under the shower for 10 minutes.

Keeping the water warm rather than hot will lock in those active ingredients.

Its worth taking your time and following these steps gently but thoroughly:

Be meticulous. Be painstaking. Comb every inch of your hair, especially around the scales. Youll thank yourself for it later.

Then, rinse out the suds.

So, this is the gentle way to get those pesky scales out of your hair and your life, just like your ex. But its also good to know what triggers your psoriasis, as you can then avoid it as best you can (also like your ex).

Everyone with psoriasis has a different trigger, and you might already know what yours is. If youre not sure, here are some likely culprits:

Nail whats triggering your psoriasis symptoms, and youll have fewer scales to worry about in the first place.

So youve tried shampooing your scales away. But does it feel like theyre not really clearing up? Its a bummer, for sure, and now youre wondering what else you can do. Anything?

Good news: there are other avenues you can explore, though youll want to discuss them with your doc first.

Scalp psoriasis can be hella uncomfortable and tough on your mental health. Luckily, if youre careful about it, you can gently remove the scales and make life a little bit easier.

Check out specialist shampoos and creams designed to make those flakes rise off your skin. Gently apply them to your head, targeting where those itchy patches are, and leave them a little time to work their magic.

Comb your hair thoroughly, and voila! Your scales may well be reduced. If its still not working, its worth having a word with your doctor. They can prescribe some stronger shampoos or creams to try out. And if you notice your scales getting any worse, stop using the treatment, and head back to the doc.

Scales be gone! Soon youll be rocking a scale-free scalp and a less itchy life.

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How to Remove Psoriasis Scales from Scalp: Steps and Tips - Greatist

A person with psoriasis may wish to add certain steps to their skin care routine. By following specific skin care techniques, individuals could help alleviate their symptoms and prevent flare-ups of psoriasis symptoms.

Psoriasis is a chronic immune disease that causes plaques to appear on the skin. An overactive immune system causes the skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in scaly plaques forming on the skin.

Treatments for psoriasis involve medications and therapies that aim to either treat existing plaques, prevent new ones from forming, or slow or stop disease progression.

To help aid treatment, a person can take several steps at home to help reduce the severity of the plaques and hinder or prevent new ones from forming. This article discusses several different tips for caring for psoriasis-affected skin and things to avoid.

A warm bath can provide temporary relief to psoriasis. However, soaking for long periods of time could worsen symptoms. Instead, the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AADA) recommends:

Learn about the potential benefits of bathing with Dead Sea salt.

Moisturizing the skin can help provide symptom relief for itching and flaking. The National Psoriasis Foundation recommends avoiding moisturizers that contain added fragrances, dyes, or chemicals. This includes avoiding products with essential oils.

Although there are no recommendations for how often to apply moisturizer each day, a person should consider applying it after a bath, shower, or washing their hands. They should also consider using it as needed throughout the day.

Learn how to improve skin moisture with wet wraps.

Light therapy, or UVB phototherapy, can be an effective therapy for psoriasis. A dermatologist can prescribe and supervise this therapy. Depending on a persons needs, it can include full body or targeted treatment.

An individual may have the option to go to the doctors office for this therapy or undergo it at home. When applying the therapy at home, a person should follow all instructions from a healthcare professional.

For some people, sunlight can also be effective as a natural form of light therapy. However, the National Psoriasis Foundation states that sunlight is not as effective as phototherapy. Additionally, an individual needs to practice caution when in the sun, as some medications can increase the risk of sunburn.

A person interested in light therapy should speak with their doctor about suitable light therapy options.

Learn about at-home phototherapy for psoriasis.

Dietary changes may help reduce psoriasis symptoms on the skin. However, there is no single diet that can treat psoriasis directly.

Instead, the AADA recommends a person follow a nutritious diet. The organization also mentions that the following three diets may be helpful for psoriasis symptoms:

Some people find that certain foods trigger their symptoms. However, these foods may vary from person to person. To identify which foods may be causing flare-ups, an individual can keep a food diary and track any symptoms that occur after eating certain foods.

Learn more about how diet can affect psoriasis.

When living with psoriasis, avoiding certain activities or ingredients can help manage symptoms. The following are some tips on what to avoid if a person has psoriasis.

Skin and hair care products often include additives, such as fragrances, chemicals, and dyes. Products containing these ingredients can irritate a persons psoriasis and worsen symptoms.

Therefore, the National Psoriasis Foundation recommends avoiding products with additives. It also suggests speaking with a doctor before using any new topical or skin care product.

Research shows that smoking increases the risk of psoriasis and comorbidities. A 2020 study also indicates smoking can increase the risk of nail involvement in psoriasis.

Additionally, other research suggests alcohol consumption negatively affects a persons symptoms. In a 2019 study, researchers noted that alcohol can initiate and exacerbate inflammation in the body, which can cause symptoms to flare.

Picking and scratching psoriasis patches can worsen symptoms. Instead, the AADA recommends that people can relieve itching by:

Learn more about why psoriasis itches and how to stop it safely.

A person with psoriasis may find that establishing a routine can help with managing their symptoms at home. Although their daily schedules may vary, individuals can consider their plans for the day and adapt their routines accordingly.

The below are steps that people can fit into their day to help manage psoriasis.

Psoriasis causes patches of skin to become inflamed and itchy. Treatments can help prevent flare-ups and reduce symptoms, and a person can often take additional steps to reduce symptom severity.

Applying moisturizer, following a nutritious diet, and managing stress can all help individuals with psoriasis improve their skin care routine. Additionally, avoiding alcohol, stopping smoking, and not using products with added chemicals can also help reduce severe symptoms.

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Psoriasis skin care: 5 tips and what to avoid - Medical News Today

Psoriasis is generally thought to affect both men and women equally, though 2021 research has found that it may be slightly more predominant in men.

Men managing psoriasis should keep some special considerations in mind, from specific symptoms to treatment responses.

Heres what to know.

Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will generally use the terms men and women to refer to a persons sex assigned at birth.

Psoriasis is a skin condition marked by dry, thick, raised patches of itchy, flaky skin. It affects approximately 3 percent of men and women in the United States, which equals about 7.5 million adults.

For most people, psoriasis is a lifelong condition with periods of symptom flares and remission. Many experience psoriasis symptoms after a period of clear skin, in some cases worse than before.

Although comprehensive reviews have found inconclusive data about the relationship between gender and psoriasis, smaller studies have found that biological sex may impact the psoriasis experience.

A 2017 study found that, on average, men had significantly higher Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores than women. The study reported that women had a median PASI score of 5.4 versus 7.3 for men. A score from 5 to 10 is considered moderate disease.

A 2021 study analyzing 9 years of data found that women tend to respond better to biologic and nonbiologic psoriasis treatment options than men. The study measured outcomes at 3, 6, and 12 months and found that women had statistically significant better outcomes at each stage.

For people of all genders, living with psoriasis has an emotional impact.

Psoriasis blogger Howard Chang told Healthline that between managing doctors appointments, medical care, and his daily skin care routine, the condition is always present in his life.

It can take an emotional toll, especially when my psoriasis is worsening, he said. A day doesnt go by when I dont think about psoriasis. When its bad, an hour doesnt pass without feeling anxious about whether it will get even worse or if it will get better.

Theres an established link between psoriasis and an increased risk of depression or anxiety. It often becomes cyclical, where psoriasis can bring on depression and anxiety, and this in turn can lead to behaviors that make psoriasis worse.

Red, itchy, flaky psoriasis plaques can crop up just about anywhere on the body. Psoriasis can manifest in ways that impact men in particular, though.

For people of all genders, scalp psoriasis can result in hair loss. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends a few strategies to reduce hair loss from scalp psoriasis:

A dermatologist can also help you find the right kind of psoriasis treatment to apply to the scalp.

People with beards may also have to take particular care with facial hair and skin maintenance. This will help you avoid cuts or dryness that can trigger flares or exacerbate psoriasis.

Follow these tips:

Check with a dermatologist about the specific ingredients in any shaving cream or oil to help determine if it may irritate your skin.

Though it may be embarrassing, genital psoriasis affects people of all genders.

Its not contagious. Your sexual partners cannot catch psoriasis if you have psoriasis.

Its usually safe to engage in sexual intimacy even when youre experiencing a genital psoriasis flare. Avoid sex if the skin is raw, though.

Otherwise, take these precautions:

Genital psoriasis may require special treatment. Tell your dermatologist if you have a flare up in this area so you can work together on figuring out next steps.

Taking steps to identify triggers and adopt a healthy lifestyle can help anyone living with psoriasis, including men, manage the condition.

Certain triggers can cause psoriasis to worsen or flare up. These can include:

Tracking your psoriasis over time can help you identify and avoid your individual triggers.

For entrepreneur Thomas Fultz, stress-reducing techniques have been helpful on the psoriasis journey.

Ive taken on meditation, deep breathing exercises, and night walks, he told Healthline. All have helped tremendously with my stress. Mindset is key.

Making certain lifestyle changes can also help improve psoriasis management. This may include:

Chang tells Healthline that taking these steps helps him control his psoriasis.

Im realizing that my lifestyle impacts my overall health, and hence my psoriasis, he said. Minimizing psoriasis triggers and keeping up a healthy lifestyle is part of my holistic approach to managing psoriasis.

A variety of treatment options are available for people with psoriasis.

Talk with your dermatologist if you have specific concerns about treating psoriasis on your scalp, genitals, or beard area in particular. Sometimes these specific areas require targeted treatment strategies.

Treating psoriasis usually involves one or a combination of approaches. This may include:

Talk with your dermatologist about your individual symptoms to come up with the best treatment strategy to try.

Treating psoriasis often involves working with a dermatologist to experiment with various options before finding the treatment or combination of treatments that works best for you

Even after finding success with a given treatment regimen, you may require a change in treatment over time.

Jon Quigley, a product development expert, has had a long road to finding solutions for psoriasis. He described his psoriasis experience to Healthline as severe.

In the worst of circumstances, I cant tie my shoes, as my fingers have tears in them, he said.

Quigley was prescribed a combination of oral medication and UV light therapy. Although it worked on his psoriasis, the medication made him feel ill. He tried topical steroids and ointments, but they were ineffective.

He has found success with natural sun exposure to help control symptoms.

Fultz relied on topical steroid creams, which were challenging to apply. He has had positive experiences with photobiomodulation, a form of light therapy. He gains access to this treatment option through a local spa.

Chang has also experimented with a variety of therapies. He currently takes a biologic and uses a topical steroid, which has resulted in some success, although his skin is not yet completely clear of psoriasis.

Before switching or stopping any psoriasis treatment, first talk with your dermatologist. Some treatments might have to be tapered, or gradually reduced, before stopping completely.

Your dermatologist can recommend the best next steps.

Men may experience psoriasis differently than women.

Work with a dermatologist to identify specific areas of concern, pinpoint personal triggers, make necessary lifestyle changes, and find the right treatment or combination of treatments to help you manage your psoriasis.

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Psoriasis in Men: What to Know and How to Manage - Healthline

Photo by Christina Victoria Craft on Unsplash

The following post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzingas in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga.

Amgen Inc. (NASDAQ: AMGN) recently announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted for review the supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA) for Otezla for the treatment of adults with mild to moderate plaque psoriasis.

The company also said the FDA had set a Prescription Drug User Fee Act (PDUFA) action date of Dec. 19.

Amgens Otezla is enjoying a lot of publicity, flying high as a potent drug for psoriasis. It is actually one of the top-selling psoriasis oral drugs currently on the market.

According to EvaluatePharma, Otezla sales in 2020 totaled $1.9 billion, with $1.5 billion of the total coming from the U.S. It is forecasted to generate sales of $3.4 billion in 2026, with $2.5 billion coming from the U.S.

The top 10 psoriasis products are expected to generate sales in excess of $32 billion in 2026. As of the end of 2018, Otezla held approximately 35% new-to-brand market share in psoriasis, significantly above the major competitors in this field.

An Effective Treatment Option from Can-Fite

A recent Phase 3 psoriasis study results released by Israel-based clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company Can-Fite BioPharma Ltd. (NYSE AMERICAN: CANF) (TASE: CFBI) for its Piclidenoson drug has changed the narrative. Piclidenoson may instead be a more compelling option to treat psoriasis.

Psoriasis has been on the radar of several pharmaceutical and drug manufacturers for years now because of the debilitating effects it has on people. Companies are racing to find better treatments and medications for it, which is good for patients.

Like many chronic diseases, psoriasis is on the rise globally, and several factors can be blamed. While scientists dont know yet what exactly causes psoriasis, we do know that the immune system and genetics play major roles in its development.

Story continues

Additionally, using biologics over the long-term to treat and cope with psoriasis can have dangerous and unfortunate side effects all biologics work by suppressing the patients immune system and can increase the overall risk of infections.

More than 7.5 million American adults currently have the immune-mediated disease psoriasis thats more than 3% of the U.S. adult population.

Unfortunately, psoriasis, a skin disease that causes red, itchy, scaly patches, most commonly on the knees, elbows, trunk and scalp, has no cure. In addition to Otezla, there are a few other drugs such as Humira (adalimumab) from AbbVie Inc. (NYSE: ABBV) and Cosentyx (secukinumab) by Novartis International AG (NYSE: NVS) available on the market that help manage symptoms.

As with other chronic diseases, psoriasis may affect several areas of a person's life in addition to physical health. However, psoriasis can cause social, emotional, and physical distress, especially when its visible on the skin in social settings. Read more about psoriasis here.

Piclidenoson More Effective Than Otezla?

Piclidenoson is a novel, first-in-class A3 adenosine receptor agonist (A3AR), small-molecule, orally bioavailable drug with a favorable therapeutic index demonstrated in Phase II clinical studies in autoimmune diseases. The drug is also currently under development to treat COVID-19. Presenting a $20 billion commercial market opportunity in psoriasis, Piclidenoson has some potential advantages over existing treatment options, including oral dosing, outstanding safety and tolerability, and durability of effect that position the drug for success.

A scientific paper reported results from prior Phase 2/3 studies with graphs showing Piclidenoson being more effective than Otezla with longer-term use.

Piclidenosons excellent safety profile is key because psoriasis is a chronic condition, and medication needs to be taken long term; in contrast, biologics generally used to treat psoriasis can have serious side effects.

Can-Fites Phase 3 study has a positive interim analysis that showed both efficacy and safety based on the Internal Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) to continue patient enrollment. Topline results from the study are expected Q1 2022.

The preceding post was written and/or published as a collaboration between Benzingas in-house sponsored content team and a financial partner of Benzinga. Although the piece is not and should not be construed as editorial content, the sponsored content team works to ensure that any and all information contained within is true and accurate to the best of their knowledge and research. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice.

See more from Benzinga

2021 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.

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Race to Effective Psoriasis Treatment: Can-Fite's Piclidenoson May Edge Over High-Flying Amgen's Otezla. Here's Why - Yahoo Finance

As the COVID-19 pandemic closed hospitals to many non-emergency procedures, the demand for telehealth services and at-home treatments reached new heights. Venture capitalists and other investors have been scrambling to throw their weight behind the development of new software, devices and programs to reach patients in the comfort of their own homes.

Its a trend that shows no signs of slowing down.Investors latest target is Zerigo Health, maker of an FDA-cleared system for self-administering ultraviolet light therapy to treat psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema. The San Diego-based company, known until last October as Clarify Medical, said Thursday that it closed a $43 million funding round led by 7wireVentures.

Other participants in the series B financing include Leaps by Bayer, the Big Pharmas VC arm, as well as Cigna Ventures, General Catalyst and a handful of other new and existing investors. In addition to leading the funding, 7wireVentures is also sending managing partner Glen Tullman, the former founder and CEO of Livongo and current CEO of Transcarent, to lead Zerigos board of directors as executive chairman.

The influx of funds, which follows an $18 million series A in October 2019, will help Zerigo up the availability of its phototherapy system and allow it to reach an even greater percentage of the estimated 40 million people in the U.S. living with chronic skin conditions.

RELATED: Luma begins launch of ultraviolet light-based plaque psoriasis treatment

Zerigos system pairs a hand-held device with a connected smartphone app. The device emits narrowband UVB light, which penetrates only the outermost layer of skin to both slow the growth of affected skin cells, clearing psoriasis and eczema flare-ups, and stimulate melanocytes, re-pigmenting skin affected by vitiligo.

The patient applies each dose of phototherapy at home, with the exact dosage amount controlled by their physician and transmitted to the device via Zerigos cloud-connected app. Patients can also use the app to set up their own treatment schedule, track progress and automatically share any updates with their healthcare providers.

The FDA cleared the Zerigo device and app in May 2017, and the companys U.S. rollout began in November of that year.

Legacy methods and therapeutics to treat chronic skin conditions are not only expensivebut time-consuming and inconvenient, which often leads to adherence challenges, Tom Richards, a senior VP and global lead for strategy and business development at Cigna, said in a statement. By combining cutting-edge technology with human coaching and virtual physician connections, Zerigo Health offers convenient options to treat skin conditions in an individuals home, making it easier to stick to regimens and drive better outcomes.

RELATED: Ra Medical sheds its skincare business with sale of Pharos laser to Strata Skin Sciences

Not only does the at-home system eliminate the need for patients to visit the clinic multiple times a week for treatment sessions, but studies have also shown that the self-administered treatment can be just as successful as in-clinic options.

In a 2019 clinical trial, eight plaque psoriasis patients underwent a treatment regimen using only the Zerigo system. By the end of that 10-week period, two patients had achieved total clearance, and the whole group saw an average 58% reduction in the severity of their psoriasis. After that, the participants spent another three weeks combining the phototherapy treatments with prescribed topical corticosteroids, after which 100% of them achieved total clearance.

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Zerigo Health beams up $43M from Bayer, Cigna and more for at-home psoriasis UV light therapy - FierceBiotech

San Diego, CA, Oct. 21, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mindera Health, developers of the ground-breaking Dermal Intelligence platform that is the first realization of personalized medicine in psoriasis, announced the enrollment of the first patient in the MATCH Study. MATCH is a 16-week randomized clinical utility evaluation of the pre-treatment impact of Mind.Px on biologic drug response rates in patients suffering from psoriasis. The 200 patient study will include approximately 20 sites throughout the US.

According to a recent publication reporting data from the largest independent psoriasis registry (CorEvitas),1 real-world patient response rates to hyper-expensive biologics were observed to be approximately 52%. These low response rates often lead to switching of therapies and massive wasted healthcare spending. With Mind.Px, physicians now have a predictive test to improve management of psoriasis patients and can prescribe biologic drugs with more confidence that a patient will achieve a desired outcome. Mind.Px produces a result with >90% positive predictive value (PPV), meaning that when Mind.Px predicts a patient will respond to a specific drug class, they do respond >90% of the time.

Accessing and using an individual psoriasis patients baseline genetic biomarkers to prospectively predict that patients response to specific drugs and drug classes has been needed for many years, says James Wang, MD, MBA, FAAD, Founder Metropolis Dermatology. Being the dermatologist that enrolled the first patient into this important MATCH Study is exciting and we look forward to reporting the results in the near future.

About Mind.Px

Mind.Px is the flagship test of Mindera Health. The Mindera Health platform uses a dermal biomarker patch that takes only minutes to extract vast transcriptomic information. Subsequent Next-Generation Sequencing of the extracted RNA allows Mindera Health scientists to take a genetic and transcriptomic snapshot of the skin. This rich patient-specific data set is then analyzed by machine learning algorithms to predict the appropriate biologic drug for an individual patient prior to therapeutic selection and treatment.

The ability to collect patient molecular data at scale results in a powerful platform that unlocks cost savings for healthcare systems, particularly when applied to the prediction of response to hyper-expensive treatments. Biomarkers captured using the Mindera platform may include DNA, RNA, protein, and small molecules.

About Mindera Health

Mindera Health is a private San Diego-area company developing and commercializing next-generation medical technology to enable a new era of skin analytics at the molecular level. Using a proprietary dermal biomarker patch, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and Machine Learning, Mindera Health technology generates clinically validated data to reduce healthcare system costs and improve patient outcomes. Mindera is a CLIA and CAP certified Laboratory and has received ISO 13485:2016 certification. Find out more at http://www.minderahealth.com.

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1 Enos CW, et al. Psoriasis Severity, Comorbidities, and Treatment Response Differ among Geographic Regions in the United States. JID Innovations 2021; 1:100025.

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Mindera Health announces first patient enrolled in the MATCH Study: a clinical utility evaluation of the impact of Mind.Px on response rates of...

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is inflammatory arthritis often associated with a skin condition called psoriasis. One PsA symptom is joint pain. It can also cause whole-body (systemic) symptoms such as vertigo and dizziness.

PsA is a chronic condition with no permanent cure. But there are several treatment options to help manage symptoms. Recognizing and treating PsA as soon as possible can help prevent symptoms such as dizziness from worsening or leading to long-term health problems.

In this article, we discuss PsA and dizziness. We also examine whether PsA causes dizziness and vertigo and the potential treatment options.

PsA may cause dizziness in some people.

While people often use the term dizziness interchangeably with vertigo, dizziness is a broad area that includes an array of sensations or feelings, such as:

Other symptoms may accompany dizziness, such as nausea. Sudden movements or walking may make it worse.

There are many potential causes of dizziness, including:

Systemic autoimmune disorders such as PsA may cause dizziness, unsteadiness, and vertigo. An autoimmune disease is when the body cannot differentiate between healthy cells and foreign bodies, so attacks itself.

There is evidence that PsA may cause damage to the inner ear, which could result in dizziness. One study concluded that individuals with PsA are more likely to experience dizziness, tinnitus, vertigo, and unsteadiness than those without the condition.

PsA and vertigo also appear to share a link. Vertigo differs from dizziness in a few ways. Symptoms of vertigo include:

As with dizziness, damage to the inner ear may impair a persons balance, resulting in vertigo. Vertigo typically goes away without treatment. But individuals with PsA who experience vertigo may require treatment to help manage it.

A 2019 study of 60 individuals with PsA and its impact on hearing loss or impairment, dizziness, and vertigo concluded that approximately 23% of the people with PsA had balance problems. In addition, over half of the people with PsA exhibited signs of hearing loss or impairment.

Since PsA may damage the inner ear through immune-related inflammation, this could impact both balance and hearing. These findings are consistent with other research, which found that 60% of individuals with PsA have inner ear damage, balance issues, and significant hearing loss.

There are several treatments for vertigo and dizziness in people with PsA.

Research from 2011 suggests that one option is vestibular rehabilitation, an exercise-based program that aims to improve balance, increase stability, and limit the impact of dizziness in people.

Individuals with vertigo or dizziness may benefit from vestibular rehabilitation, especially when those symptoms result from autoimmune diseases, Mnires disease, stroke, or other conditions. Vestibular rehabilitation is an exercise-based form of treatment to aid balance. The exercises may decrease the severity of vertigo and dizziness but not entirely prevent it.

A doctor may also prescribe certain medications to help treat or manage dizziness or vertigo in people with PsA. Common options include:

Besides treatments a doctor recommends, a few self-care techniques may make it easier to manage PsA. These include:

A person should always consult a doctor to determine the best treatment methods for dizziness and vertigo in PsA.

As an autoimmune disease, PsA commonly attacks the joints, skin, and organs. Besides dizziness and vertigo, other common symptoms of PsA include:

The symptoms of PsA may be either moderate or severe, depending on the individual. Some symptoms may disappear on their own, while others require immediate treatment.

PsA can worsen without treatment. Individuals who have PsA and experience vertigo, dizziness, or other severe symptoms should consult a doctor as soon as possible to help prevent the symptoms from becoming worse.

A person should reach out to a doctor if they experience:

An estimated 10% of all emergency room visits in the United States result from dizziness or vertigo, according to research from 2012.

Individuals with dizziness or vertigo may also be more susceptible to other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease or stroke. Due to these risks, a person should speak with a doctor as soon as possible if they experience dizziness or vertigo to help prevent more significant health risks in the future.

Dizziness or vertigo may be symptoms of PsA because the condition could cause inflammation and damage to the inner ear. Without treatment, these and other symptoms could worsen, leading to other chronic health conditions or a higher mortality rate in individuals.

There is currently no cure for PsA. But vertigo and dizziness often disappear without treatment in a few days or weeks.

Individuals who experience other symptoms such as vision or hearing impairment, chest pain, or difficulty breathing along with vertigo or dizziness should consult a doctor immediately. A doctor may prescribe certain medications or a vestibular rehabilitation plan to help manage PsA symptoms.

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Psoriatic arthritis and dizziness: Link, vertigo, and more - Medical News Today

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of arthritis that may affect some people with psoriasis. Increasing evidence indicates that people with PsA have a higher risk of high blood pressure, hypertension, and other potential complications relating to heart health.

PsA is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune condition that affects roughly 30% of people with psoriasis, according to the National Psoriasis Foundation.

It may lead to systemic inflammation, meaning inflammation that affects the whole body. This body-wide inflammation can in turn affect blood vessels and result in high blood pressure, or hypertension.

In this article, we will discuss the association between PsA and high blood pressure. We will also look at how a person can reduce their risk of hypertension and heart disease.

Hypertension is common in people living with PsA. It refers to persistently increased pressure in the blood vessels. As this pressure increases, it causes the heart to pump harder to supply the body with blood.

High blood pressure can lead to heart damage by hardening arteries and decreasing blood and oxygen flow to the heart. High blood pressure is a severe medical condition that can cause health complications and increase the risk of heart disease.

While more research is necessary, existing evidence suggests that high blood pressure is higher in those with PsA than in people with psoriasis or the general public. This may be due to the higher inflammatory burden resulting from PsA that can damage blood vessels and increase blood pressure.

These findings are consistent with a 2019 review highlighting the prevalence of high blood pressure in people with PsA and suggest it may be more common with more severe psoriatic disease.

The authors of a 2021 study also found that high blood pressure was the most common comorbid condition in severe PsA.

Additionally, a 2020 study indicates that high blood pressure is the most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease in people with PsA.

Health experts previously identified that chronic inflammation is a risk factor for heart disease. While researchers were aware of the links between psoriasis and arthritis and heart disease, emerging evidence highlights the association with PsA.

A 2016 meta-analysis notes a 43% increased risk of cardiovascular conditions in those with PsA, compared with the general population.

Moreover, a 2019 study reports that people with PsA were more likely to have other potential risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, obesity, and high fat levels in the blood.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), metabolic syndrome is a group of conditions that may increase the risk of heart disease. An older 2014 study found that these conditions were present in 44% of people with PsA.

The authors of a 2015 meta-analysis also observed a high prevalence of high blood pressure and other features of metabolic syndrome in people with PsA. Furthermore, they note that there is a link between PsA and many markers of cardiovascular risks, such as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the narrowing of the arteries due to a buildup of plaque.

Learn more about PsA and heart disease here.

Although high blood pressure is common among people with PsA, it is a modifiable risk factor. This means that people can make dietary and lifestyle changes to lower their blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Additionally, many of the steps people can take to reduce their blood pressure can also play a key role in managing PsA. Some of these changes could include:

Learn more about ways to quickly and naturally lower blood pressure.

Although high blood pressure does not typically present with symptoms, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), people should check their blood pressure if they notice symptoms such as:

The only way to diagnose high blood pressure is to check blood pressure regularly. For this reason, it is essential for people with PsA to monitor their blood pressure routinely. If a persons blood pressure is consistently above 140/90 millimeters of mercury, it may indicate hypertension.

If a person experiences these symptoms or has high blood pressure readings, they should seek medical help.

High blood pressure is common in people with PsA and is likely due to the condition causing inflammation throughout the body. This inflammation can result in blood pushing harder than normal against the walls of the arteries, increasing blood pressure.

High blood pressure is a risk factor for heart disease. People can make lifestyle and dietary changes to manage PsA and high blood pressure, including getting regular exercise, following a balanced diet, and reaching or maintaining a moderate weight.

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