While there is no definite treatment to cure lupus, an autoimmune disease, there are treatment alternatives for better condition management especially when the treatment is started in the early stages. The drug prescription will not only depend on the severity of the condition but also on the response to the drug, which will be accordingly adjusted at regular intervals for effective treatment. Some drugs that were used for other conditions were found to be helpful for lupus as well, and eventually, the progress in science has brought out two drugs – rituximab and belimumab – which are used for treatment in severe lupus conditions. The response of these drugs is till highly tested for. Some of the commonly used drugs are: Steroid creams for the treatment of skin rashes. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen and naproxen to help with joint symptoms and reduce inflammation. These drugs are prescribed only for short time spans. Steroid tablets like prednisolone are used for short-term treatment of pericarditis or pleurisy, and for long-term in the treatment of severe blood problems or kidney inflammation. Taking these tablets requires a lot of care and attention and regular monitoring for effective treatment and to avoid unprecedented breaks that could harm the body when abruptly discontinued, etc.

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itchy scaly rashes, red skin patches, and crumbling nails. 15- 30 percent of people who have psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. Most people first develop psoriasis but in some cases, psoriatic arthritis may precede the skin condition. Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Signs Sausage-like swelling in the fingers and toes – Psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs include dactylitis or swelling in one or more fingers or toes. This is a symptom that differentiates psoriatic arthritis from rheumatoid arthritis where swelling is usually confined to a single joint. Lower back pain – Psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs also include pain and stiffness in the lower back above the tailbone. Some people may also develop spondylitis that causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and in the joints between the spine and the pelvis that may lead to pain in the lower back, buttocks, neck and upper back. Pain, stiffness or swelling in one or more joints – This may be accompanied by joints that are red or warm to touch and frequent joint stiffness or tenderness.