There are various treatment options for the chronic, inflammatory type of arthritis. It is important to opt for early treatment for psoriatic arthritis as this disease can damage the joints and cause deformities of joints. This disease causes inflammation of joints which results in pain, redness and stiffness of joints. The diagnosis psoriatic arthritis is done on the basis of physical examination, symptoms and x-ray findings. After the proper diagnosis, suitable treatment option is decided.

The treatment for psoriatic arthritis is aimed to manage the pain and reduce the symptoms. The analgesics like paracetamol are useful to reduce the pain. Anti-inflammatory medications called as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen can help to reduce stiffness and pain in the joints. If proper response is not found, then disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDS) such as methotrexate, sulfasalazine, cyclosporine can be used.

Antimalarial medications like hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil) can be useful for persistent psoriatic arthritis. Leflunomide (Arava) is an effective treatment for both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Corticosteroids are effective anti-inflammatory agents which can be given orally or can be directly injected into the joints to decrease the inflammation.

There are 3 various options of treatment for psoriatic arthritis such as topical therapy, phototherapy and systemic therapy. The topical agents include the medications that are directly applied to the skin. They include vitamin D-3 derivatives, corticosteroids, anthralin, coal tar and retinoids. The phototherapy involves application of ultra-violet light from the sun which reduces the production of skin cells and decreases inflammation. Sunlight is found to be beneficial to reduce the psoriasis symptoms in some cases. Ultra-violet B light is used for the treatment of psoriasis. PUVA treatment involves use of a medicine known as psoralen and UV A light. When topical treatment and phototherapy are not found to be beneficial, systemic agents such as Psoralens, Etanercept, cyclosporine and Methotrexate are used for the treatment of this disorder.

Recently, three new medications are proved to be advantageous for the treatment of severe psoriatic arthritis. If DMARDs does not work, you may apply the TNF-blockers such as infliximab (Remicade), etanercept (Enbrel) and adalimumab (Humira) is found to be useful for severe psoriatic arthritis which significantly improve psoriasis as well as arthritis and prevent the progressive joint damage.

Exercise which can be done at home or with the help of physiotherapist is very helpful to manage the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. Application of heat and cold is beneficial to ease the joint stiffness and reduce joint swelling. Have a balance diet with plenty of vegetables and fruits.