- There are five known forms of arthritis that are considered psoriatic arthritis. The five forms are: arthritis affecting the small joints of the body, symmetrical arthritis, asymmetrical arthritis, arthritis that affects the sacroiliac sac and arthritis mutilans.
- Children affected by psoriatic arthritis will each experience different symptoms. Common symptoms include: sunken-in nails on both the hands and feet, deformed joints from inflammation, reddened skin or rashes above infected joints and painful, swollen joints. A child may present symptoms of psoriasis before or after presenting the symptoms of arthritis. Psoriasis symptoms result in scaly red patches on the flesh in various areas of the body. These may go unnoticed if present in the belly button, between buttocks or on the scalp under hair.
- Should the above-mentioned symptoms present in conjunction, or should one symptom present with a family history of psoriasis or arthritis, then a doctor will conduct tests to determine if a child has psoriatic arthritis. Testing will include a physical examination, review of child's family history for either disease, laboratory blood testing and X-rays. The blood testing may reveal that the child has genes for the diseases, and an X-ray image may show signs of arthritis in the joints of the child.
- Treatment for psoriatic arthritis is dependent upon many factors including the extent to which the condition has affected the child, the child's tolerance to medications and procedures required for treatment, expected result of condition and the child's overall health aside from the condition, as well as the preferences of the child's parents. Treatments include mostly medications to relieve symptoms, slow progression of the disease and suppress inflammation and rashes. Children with psoriatic arthritis may also need to take steroids for a period of time, have surgery to repair damaged joints or engage in physical therapy.
- The cause of psoriatic arthritis has not been determined; however, it is believed that in addition to genetics, a child's environment and immunity to diseases may also play a role in the onset of the condition.
