Health Central speaks to experts including Elizabeth Schulman, MD, rheumatologist at HSS about how psoriatic arthritis can affect your toes. 

Psoriatic arthritis, (PsA) can affect your digits, causing joint aches, swelling, and permanent damage. It often affects distal interphalangeal joints (otherwise known as your toes) and can be really uncomfortable, making walking and mobility in general a challenge.

“Working with your provider to get your disease under control is the first step in managing PsA toe involvement,” explained Dr. Schulman. If you are waiting for a new treatment to work, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) may help to reduce symptoms, she added.

“Switching to supportive footwear can help with the mechanical stress on the feet,” said Dr. Schulman. Give your toes a little extra breathing room by wearing, at least temporarily, a shoe with a wider toe box (possibly a man’s sneaker sized for a woman, for example). This may reduce further aggravation to the toes, which can compound their already inflamed state.

Read the full article at healthcentral.com.