Psoriasis Action Month - Psoriasis and Your Feet

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that affects your skin. Because it can affect any skin on your body, psoriasis and your feet are often a concern. While not life threatening, psoriasis can be painful and interfere with daily activities when it causes too much foot pain. So, to help you stay comfortable this Psoriasis Action Month, we’re sharing tips for identifying and treating psoriasis on different parts of your feet.

Plaque Psoriasis and Your Feet

When plaque forms on your feet, it’s called palmoplantar psoriasis. Thick and scaly, plaque on your feet can crack and bleed, causing lots of discomfort. But plaques aren’t the only way this condition impacts your feet.

Some people develop palmoplantar pustular psoriasis or PPP, a condition that causes pustules to form on the soles of your feet. These pustules may also form on the sides of your feet. More common in women than men, this condition makes it painful to do something as simple as stand up.

Finally, in rare cases, you may develop pustules on the ends of your toes. (This condition is known as acropustulosis.) Not only are these pustules painful, but they can also lead to nail loss on your toes as well as changes in the structure of your bones. Treatments are available for all forms of psoriasis that affect your feet, but some are more effective than others.

Treating Psoriasis and Your Feet

If plaque psoriasis affects your foot, you’ll likely be prescribed a topical ointment that you can apply to the scaly patches of skin. In some cases, ultraviolet light therapy may help as well. Treating PPP is more difficult, but a combination of topical steroids, tar preparations and acitretin tablets can often bring relief.

Psoriatic Arthritis

Some people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), an autoimmune condition that affects your skin and joints. Because your feet and ankles contain many joints, developing psoriatic arthritis can cause you severe foot and ankle pain. This condition could also limit your mobility.

Symptoms of PsA include:

• Pain and swelling         

• Joint warmth and tenderness

• Stiffness

• Difficulty walking

• Changes in the shape of your toes

Depending on the joints impacted by PsA, you may also develop heel pain, rolling ankles or clawed toes. Because unaddressed symptoms can lead to permanent deformities, it’s important to seek medical care at the first sign of a PsA flare. By addressing inflammation, we can minimize the risk of long-term complications.

Treating Psoriatic Arthritis and the Feet

If a flare impacts your feet, we’ll target your pain and inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications such as Aleve or Ibuprofen. You may also require prescription medications to address swelling and inflammation. And, in certain cases, a steroid injection may offer more lasting relief. Often, when PsA attacks your feet, our Westfield, IN podiatrist will work with your rheumatologist to determine the best treatment course.

Managing Psoriasis to Protect Your Feet

After getting a psoriasis diagnosis, work with your care team to come up with an effective routine for applying skin treatments. Once your feet are impacted, especially if plaques or pustules form on your toes, keep your nails clean and trim them short. With PsA, make sure to rest your feet during a flare, and choose supportive foot gear to limit pressure on your foot and ankle joints. Finally, schedule an appointment during a flare if you notice that your psoriasis or PsA is causing foot or ankle pain.