Psoriatic Arthritis Rash: Where It Appears and How to Treat It

PsA rash typically looks the same as psoriasis rash. The most common type of psoriasis rash features raised patches of red skin covered with silvery-white scales. These are called plaques.

Plaques may itch, burn, or hurt. If you have plaques, it’s important not to scratch them. Scratching may cause the plaque to thicken or open the skin to infection.

The rash may come and go. You may have extended periods when you’re rash-free. Certain conditions, such as infections, stress, and injuries, may trigger your rash outbreaks.

If you have psoriasis and notice a change in your usual rash pattern or location, see your doctor. This may be a sign of PsA or another underlying condition.

The key difference between a traditional psoriasis rash and PsA rash is the rash location.

PsA rash typically develops on your:

• elbows
• knees
• scalp
• lower back
• genitals
• around the belly button
• between the buttocks

However, the rash can appear anywhere on your body, including the palms of your hands and soles of your feet.

Nail psoriasis is commonly associated with PsA, too. It can affect both the fingernails and toenails.

Nail psoriasis may cause:

• pitting
• discoloration
• nails to detach from the nail bed (onycholysis)
• tenderness

Your treatment plan will vary based on the type of psoriasis you have and the severity of your rash symptoms. With PsA, your treatment plan will also include drugs to help control arthritis symptoms.

For rash, your doctor may prescribe:

• creams and ointments to soothe your skin
• oral drugs to reduce skin cell production
• light therapy to reduce inflammation

The goal of rash treatment is to reduce plaque formation by stopping the skin cells from growing too quickly and by smoothing your skin.

Topical remedies

Topical medications can help relieve itchiness, dryness, and inflammation caused by PsA rash.

Depending on the medication, this may be achieved with a:

• cream
• gel
• lotion
• shampoo
• spray
• ointment

These medications are available in both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription formulas.

Common OTC remedies typically include salicylic acid and coal tar. Prescription treatments generally contain corticosteroids or vitamin derivatives.

Common prescription topicals include:

• calcitriol, a naturally occurring form of vitamin D-3
• calcipotriene, a lab-made form of vitamin D-3
• calcipotriene combined with the corticosteroid betamethasone dipropionate
• tazarotene, a derivative of vitamin A
• anthralin, a lab-made form of the naturally occurring substance chrysarobin

Your treatment plan may involve a combination of OTC and prescription medications. You and your doctor may have to experiment to find what combinations work best for you.

Some medications, like corticosteroids, may have side effects when used long term. Talk with your doctor about the potential benefits and risks associated with each option.

OTC moisturizers can help calm your skin and counter the itching, but moisturizers alone usually will not heal the plaques.

Oral or injected drugs

There are a variety of drugs that target skin cell production or your immune system. These include:

Corticosteroids

These medications mimic cortisol, a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory hormone produced by your body. These are normally taken by mouth and can help reduce inflammation. Injected forms can provide temporary inflammation relief.

Long-term use can result in facial swelling and weight gain. It may also increase your risk for osteoporosis.

Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)

These medications suppress the chemicals in your body that cause inflammation. This can help reduce prevent joint damage. DMARDs are typically taken by mouth but can also be injected.

Biologics

These medications can prevent inflammation on a cellular level. Biologics are typically injected. The main types of biologics are anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha drugs, abatacept, and ustekinumab. Each blocks different proteins within the body.

Your risk for infection may increase while taking biologics since they work by suppressing your immune system.

Light therapy

Natural or artificial light in controlled amounts can be used to reduce psoriasis rash.

Common approaches include:

UVB light machine

Exposing your rash to UVB radiation produced by a light machine for small amounts of time a few times a week can help reduce inflammation. Dermatologists often have UVB machines for home use. You can also buy them commercially to use at home.

UVA light machine

This approach uses a light machine that produces UVA radiation. When combined with psoralen, a drug that makes your skin more light-sensitive, this method can improve severe psoriasis. This is also known as photochemotherapy.

Excimer laser

An excimer laser, which concentrates more powerful UVB radiation on psoriasis spots, is a more targeted method to control the rash. This is used in a doctor’s office and usually requires fewer sessions than other UV treatments.

Talk with your doctor about whether home or in-office sessions are right for you.

Home remedies

Certain lifestyle changes can also help control itching and inflammation.

Psoriasis is a chronic disease, and there’s no known cure yet. It affects every person differently. How fast your rash clears up depends on its severity and the effectiveness of your treatment plan.

It may take a while for you and your doctor to work out a combination of treatments that keeps the rash under control. Psoriasis rash usually does clear up, and you’ll have a period of remission, but it can flare up again.

If you learn to recognize and avoid what triggers flare-ups, you may be able to reduce the frequency of them.

Although rash is a common indicator of PsA, you can develop PsA without having a rash. About 15 percent of people develop PsA without previously having psoriasis, estimates the National Psoriasis Foundation. Sometimes, people develop PsA and psoriasis at the same time.

In these situations, it’s important to be aware of what the other symptoms of PsA are.

Although rash is commonly associated with PsA, it isn’t the only symptom.

Other symptoms include:

• tiredness
• morning stiffness and low back pain
• swelling, pain, or tenderness in joints
• tendon or ligament pain
• reduced range of motion in joints
• nail changes, such as pitting and cracking
• swollen fingers and toes that look like sausages (dactylitis)
• eye problems, including redness, irritation, and conjunctivitis

Symptoms and their severity vary from person to person. Many symptoms mimic those of other diseases, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and gout.

If you’re experiencing symptoms, be sure to talk with your doctor. Getting a diagnosis as soon as possible can help improve your quality of life by managing symptoms and reduce your risk for long-term complications.