It’s not always clear why, but many people with psoriatic arthritis find that their symptoms improve when the weather gets warm. For those who also struggle with skin symptoms (psoriasis), their plaques may also improve during the summer months. On the other hand, people with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis may be more prone to flares during the winter.
Many people with psoriatic arthritis find that warm showers improve their joint pain, as well as heating pads and hot water bottles. If your psoriatic arthritis is drastically different between winter and summer, talk to your doctor. You might benefit from tweaking your treatment regimen throughout the year.
Saakshi Khattri, MD, is a rheumatologist and associate professor at the Department of Rheumatology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
References
Abasolo, L., et al. (2013). Weather conditions may worsen symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients: the possible effect of temperature. Reumatologia Clinica.
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (N.D.). Psoriasis treatment: phototherapy.
American College of Rheumatology.(2021). Psoriatic arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation. (N.D.). Heat therapy helps relax stiff joints.
National Psoriasis Foundation. (2020). Taking care of your skin in summer.
Soyland, E., et al. (2011). Sun exposure induces rapid immunological changes in skin and peripheral blood in patients with psoriasis. British Journal of Dermatology.
Zheng, X., et al. (2021). Seasonal variation of psoriasis and its impact in the therapeutic management: a retrospective study on Chinese patients. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology.
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