You Said It: PsA Skin Moisturizers
We asked our readers and followers “How do you keep your skin moisturized?” Here are their answers.
We asked our readers and followers “How do you keep your skin moisturized?” Here are their answers.
Good news for the approximately two million Americans with psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Those with active disease now have two new treatment options: the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December approved both ixekizumab (Taltz) and tofacitinib (Xeljanz) for the treatment of PsA.
Continue reading FDA Approves Two New Drugs for Psoriatic Arthritis
Keep up-to-date on the latest psoriatic arthritis (PsA) research with our brief research summaries.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the biologic drug abatacept (Orencia) to treat psoriatic arthritis (PsA) in adults. It’s already approved for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and for one subtype of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Abatacept is a biologic medication that works by targeting T-lymphocytes (T cells), immune cells that are overproduced in people with inflammatory arthritis. The drug, technically called a “selective costimulation modulator,” attaches to the surface of the cells, preventing them from communicating with other cells and producing chemicals that can lead to joint damage and symptoms like pain and swelling. It’s given as a monthly infusion or weekly injection.
People with ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis who take cholesterol-lowering drugs called statins seem to live longer than people who don’t take them, according to researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. They presented their findings recently at the American College of Rheumatology’s 2016 Annual Meeting.
In a previous study, Massachusetts General researchers found that people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who took statins lived longer, and they wanted to know if the drugs would offer a similar benefit to patients with other types of inflammatory arthritis, such as ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). AS mainly affects the spine, especially the sacroiliac joint where the spine meets the pelvis. PsA affects joints as well as skin.
Continue reading Statins May Cut Death Risk in Those with Psoriatic Arthritis & Ankylosing Spondylitis
Keeping disease activity under control with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and biologics is an important part of managing the skin symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. But many lifestyle habits can help or worsen psoriasis. Here are 9 self-care tips that can relieve symptoms and promote healthier skin.
Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize. One of the best remedies for scaling skin is moisture. Applying moisturizers frequently can relieve dryness and itching and promote healing, particularly in cold, dry weather. The best one for you will depend on how dry your skin is – the thicker the product the more moisture it will hold in, says Steven R. Feldman, MD, professor in the department of dermatology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Dr. Feldman recommends fragrance-free products. A few brands to look for: Cetaphil, CeraVe and Eucerin.
Continue reading Skin Protection Tips for Psoriatic Arthritis