Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSleep Disorder and Psoriatic DiseaseCausesTips for Better Sleep
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Sleep Disorder and Psoriatic Disease
Causes
Tips for Better Sleep
For those withpsoriatic arthritisandpsoriasis, sleep disorders are common. The main symptoms of psoriatic disease, including dry, itchy skin and joint pain, might be keeping you up at night.
Psoriatic disease can occur along withsleep apneaandrestless legs syndrome, two common sleep disorders.Anxietyand other conditions that occur with psoriatic arthritis can contribute to sleep disruptions, too.
This article explains why psoriatic disease might be causing you to toss and turn at night and how you can get a better night’s sleep.
10'000 Hours / Getty Images
Sleep Disorder-Psoriatic Disease Connection
Psoriatic diseaseis an autoimmune disease, which includes two specific inflammatory conditions:psoriatic arthritis(PsA) andpsoriasis. People diagnosed with psoriatic disease have overactive immune responses that can lead to joint inflammation and overly rapid skin cell growth.
According to a 2018 report in the medical journalReumatologia, poor sleep quality was found in 67.7% of the PsA patients and 57.7% of people with psoriasis.The researchers further notesleeping disordersin people with PsA and psoriasis are related to poor quality of life and severe fatigue.
Sleep disorders are common in people diagnosed with psoriatic disease and consideredco-morbidities(co-existing conditions). However, more study is needed to understand how psoriatic disease might cause any specific sleep disorder or if sleep disorders contribute to progression of psoriatic disease.
Psoriatic Arthritis Progression and Stages
Sleep Apnea and Psoriatic Disease
Sleep apnea, a condition where a person repeatedly stops breathing during sleep, is associated with psoriatic disease. One 2016 Danish study reported that psoriatic disease was associated with an increased risk for sleep apnea and sleep apnea was associated with an increased risk for psoriatic disease, but researchers don’t actually know why this connection exists.
In addition to breathing troubles, sleep apnea causes:
What Is Sleep Apnea?
Restless Legs Syndrome and Psoriatic Disease
A 2015 study reported in theEuropean Journal of Dermatologyfinds an increased frequency of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in people living with psoriasis, especially those with more severe disease.
It was based on a comparison of 300 healthy people and 300 people with RLS, a sleep disorder and a disorder of the nervous system that causes itchy, pins-and-needles sensations and an urge to move the legs.
These symptoms cause nightly sleep struggles significant enough to impair quality of life. A 2018 study reported in the journalZeitschrift für Rheumatologieadditionally found that RLS in psoriatic disease was related to impairments in sleep and quality of life and is a contributor tofatigueand depression.
Restless Leg Syndrome
Insomnia and Psoriatic Disease
Pain, anxiety, and other factors contribute to poor sleep quality in people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. A 2023 study of 247 people found nearly two thirds, or 63%, had sleeping problems. Risk factors appeared to include the number of affected joints and higher levels of anxiety.
While multiple studies point to psoriatic arthritis as a cause of insomnia, the reverse also may be true. Some researchers suggest insomnia contributes to disease progression with psoriatic arthritis.
There’s still much to learn about why psoriatic disease and sleep disorders are related, but causes include the symptoms of pain and itching, as well as the role of other health conditions that coexist with psoriatic arthritis.
Causes of Sleep Disorders Related to Psoriatic Disease
Inflammation
Theinflammationthat causes psoriatic disease is a likely culprit for problems with sleep quality. Research has shown sleep loss can cause a person’s immune system to turn on itself.
When the immune system overacts, it causes the tissue-damaging inflammation that psoriasis and PsA are known for. Biologic therapies may help to improve psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
Getting Started: What to Know About Biologics for Psoriatic Arthritis
Pain and Itching
It’s hard to sleep when you’re in pain and your body itches. Poor sleep affects quality of life in people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, and this can lead to social function and mental health challenges.
Researchers are still working to understand how the physical manifestations of psoriatic arthritis (like joint pain), or the anxiety and other psychological impacts, are what cause sleep problems.
Co-Occurring Health Conditions
Some people living with psoriatic arthritis also are diagnosed with conditions that can disrupt sleep. It’s common, for example, for depression and anxiety to affect people with psoriatic arthritis.
These conditions can contribute to problems sleeping. Some of the other coexisting health risks that researchers reported in the journalDermatologyinclude:
The study found people who are female may be at greater risk of sleep disruptions but age did not appear to be a factor.
Untreated, psoriatic arthritis also can lead to health conditions that include:
Metabolic syndromeis common with psoriatic arthritis, with conditions that includeobesity, high blood pressure and poorcholesterol levels. Some of these issues can disrupt sleep.
Stress and Psoriatic DiseaseStress may be contributing to your sleep problems. If you are feeling stressed, you are not going to sleep well. Stress and poor sleep can worsen the symptoms of psoriatic disease.
Stress and Psoriatic Disease
Stress may be contributing to your sleep problems. If you are feeling stressed, you are not going to sleep well. Stress and poor sleep can worsen the symptoms of psoriatic disease.
Can Stress Cause Psoriasis Flare-Ups?
It will take some lifestyle and bedtime routine adjustments, but it isn’t impossible to get better quality sleep with psoriatic disease.
Talk to Your Healthcare Provider About Sleep Disorders
Since sleep apnea, restless sleep syndrome, and other sleep disorders are associated with psoriatic disease, you should talk to your healthcare provider about the possibility of a disorder affecting your sleep.
Some sleep disorders, including sleep apnea, may not cause obvious symptoms, so you may have a sleep condition without realizing it. Report any fatigue during the day or always waking up tired.
Try Hot and Cold Therapy for Joints
Temperature therapy might give your joints some relief before bed. You will need to try different methods to figure out what works for you.
For example, you may prefer a warm shower, using an ice pack, or sleeping with a warming blanket. Include the method that seems to give the most relief to your bedtime routine to help you fall asleep quicker.
You should avoid long, hot showers and baths because hot water can aggravate the skin.To prevent dryness, choose warm water over hot, and limit showers and baths to ten minutes. When you are finished bathing, gently blot dry skin with a towel and apply a moisturizing lotion or cream.
Joint Pain Causes and Treatment Options
Moisturize Skin
One of the easiest ways to keep your skin calm is to regularly moisturize, and this is something you can add to your evening routine. Apply lotion to your skin just before bedtime to manage itchiness that might keep you awake.
Make sure you are using a product that is specifically made for dry skin. You may also consider alternatives to lotion, such ascoconut oiloraloe veraoil.
How Psoriasis Is Treated
Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule
Keeping a consistent sleep schedule helps to regulate thebody’s circadian rhythm, the body’s biological mechanism that helps you drift off to sleep at night and keep you asleep all night.
12 Sleep Hygiene Tips for a Better Night’s Rest
Cut the Caffeine
If you are drinking caffeine too late in the day, it affects how well you are sleeping at night. Generally, no more than 200 milligrams (mg) of caffeine per day is recommended.A cup of brewed coffee can have up to 350 mg, while plain tea can have up to 70 mg. Chocolate contains caffeine, too.
The National Sleep Association recommends avoiding coffee, tea, soda, other caffeinated beverages close to bedtime.
Limit Alcohol
Sleep experts recommend that you avoid alcohol use for at least four hours before trying to sleep.A drink or two may help you to relax and fall asleep at first but it’s likely to keep you awake later in the night, along with causing night sweats and headaches. Binge drinking also can disrupt the melatonin levels in your body that help you to regulate sleep.
Unplug
The sooner you get yourself off the electronic devices, the sooner you can get to sleep. Using electronic before bedtime can be harmful to your sleep quality. You should start powering off electronic devices at least 30 minutes before you go to bed.
How Screen Light From Devices Affects Your Sleep
Try Meditating
Summary
Psoriatic arthritis, with its symptoms of pain and itching, can play a role in sleep disruption and sleep disorders. However, it’s common for co-occurring health conditions to contribute to poor sleep quality. These can include sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, anxiety and depression, and more.
There are steps you can take to relieve symptoms and improve sleep quality. But if you can’t sleep well due to psoriatic disease symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider about your treatment plan.
13 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pohla L, Ottas A, Kaldvee B, Abram K, Soomets U, Zilmer M,et al.Hyperproliferation is the main driver of metabolomic changes in psoriasis lesional skin.Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 20;10(1):3081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59996-z.Krajewska-Włodarczyk, M, Owczarczyk-Saczonek, A, Placek W.Sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Reumatologia. 2018; 56(5): 301–306. doi: 10.5114/reum.2018.79501Egeberg A, Khalid U, Gislason GH, et. al.Psoriasis and sleep apnea: a Danish nationwide cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med 2016;12(5):663–671. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5790Schell C, Schleich R, Walker F, et. al.Restless legs syndrome in psoriasis: an unexpected comorbidity. Eur J Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;25(3):255-60. doi:10.1684/ejd.2015.2525Sandikci SC, Colak S, Aydoğan Baykara R, et. al.Evaluation of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Z Rheumatol. 2018 Nov 12. doi:10.1007/s00393-018-0562-yToledano E, Hidalgo C, Gómez-Lechón L, Ibáñez M, Chacón CC, Martín-Vallejo J,et al.SLEEP quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with disease activity and comorbidities: a cross-sectional study.Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 21;13(1):22927. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-48723-z.Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carroll JE.Sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and experimental sleep deprivation. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Jul 1; 80(1): 40–52. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.05.014Li Y, Li Q, Cao Z, Wu J.Causal association between sleep traits and autoimmune arthritis: Evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1):149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.11.014.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Henderson AD, Adesanya E, Mulick A, Matthewman J, Vu N, Davies F,et al.Common mental health disorders in adults with inflammatory skin conditions: nationwide population-based matched cohort studies in the UK.BMC Med. 2023 Aug 4;21(1):285. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02948-x.Smith MP, Ly K, Thibodeaux Q, et. al.Factors influencing sleep difficulty and sleep quantity in the citizen pscientist psoriatic cohort. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Sep;9(3):511-523. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-0306-1Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic Arthritis.Sleep Health Foundation.Caffeine, food, alcohol, smoking, and sleep.Additional ReadingAnderson K. National Psoriasis Association.Tips for better sleep with psoriatic disease. Published March 7, 2017.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).Sleep Apnea.
13 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Pohla L, Ottas A, Kaldvee B, Abram K, Soomets U, Zilmer M,et al.Hyperproliferation is the main driver of metabolomic changes in psoriasis lesional skin.Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 20;10(1):3081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59996-z.Krajewska-Włodarczyk, M, Owczarczyk-Saczonek, A, Placek W.Sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Reumatologia. 2018; 56(5): 301–306. doi: 10.5114/reum.2018.79501Egeberg A, Khalid U, Gislason GH, et. al.Psoriasis and sleep apnea: a Danish nationwide cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med 2016;12(5):663–671. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5790Schell C, Schleich R, Walker F, et. al.Restless legs syndrome in psoriasis: an unexpected comorbidity. Eur J Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;25(3):255-60. doi:10.1684/ejd.2015.2525Sandikci SC, Colak S, Aydoğan Baykara R, et. al.Evaluation of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Z Rheumatol. 2018 Nov 12. doi:10.1007/s00393-018-0562-yToledano E, Hidalgo C, Gómez-Lechón L, Ibáñez M, Chacón CC, Martín-Vallejo J,et al.SLEEP quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with disease activity and comorbidities: a cross-sectional study.Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 21;13(1):22927. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-48723-z.Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carroll JE.Sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and experimental sleep deprivation. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Jul 1; 80(1): 40–52. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.05.014Li Y, Li Q, Cao Z, Wu J.Causal association between sleep traits and autoimmune arthritis: Evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1):149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.11.014.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Henderson AD, Adesanya E, Mulick A, Matthewman J, Vu N, Davies F,et al.Common mental health disorders in adults with inflammatory skin conditions: nationwide population-based matched cohort studies in the UK.BMC Med. 2023 Aug 4;21(1):285. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02948-x.Smith MP, Ly K, Thibodeaux Q, et. al.Factors influencing sleep difficulty and sleep quantity in the citizen pscientist psoriatic cohort. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Sep;9(3):511-523. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-0306-1Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic Arthritis.Sleep Health Foundation.Caffeine, food, alcohol, smoking, and sleep.Additional ReadingAnderson K. National Psoriasis Association.Tips for better sleep with psoriatic disease. Published March 7, 2017.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).Sleep Apnea.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pohla L, Ottas A, Kaldvee B, Abram K, Soomets U, Zilmer M,et al.Hyperproliferation is the main driver of metabolomic changes in psoriasis lesional skin.Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 20;10(1):3081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59996-z.Krajewska-Włodarczyk, M, Owczarczyk-Saczonek, A, Placek W.Sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Reumatologia. 2018; 56(5): 301–306. doi: 10.5114/reum.2018.79501Egeberg A, Khalid U, Gislason GH, et. al.Psoriasis and sleep apnea: a Danish nationwide cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med 2016;12(5):663–671. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5790Schell C, Schleich R, Walker F, et. al.Restless legs syndrome in psoriasis: an unexpected comorbidity. Eur J Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;25(3):255-60. doi:10.1684/ejd.2015.2525Sandikci SC, Colak S, Aydoğan Baykara R, et. al.Evaluation of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Z Rheumatol. 2018 Nov 12. doi:10.1007/s00393-018-0562-yToledano E, Hidalgo C, Gómez-Lechón L, Ibáñez M, Chacón CC, Martín-Vallejo J,et al.SLEEP quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with disease activity and comorbidities: a cross-sectional study.Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 21;13(1):22927. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-48723-z.Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carroll JE.Sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and experimental sleep deprivation. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Jul 1; 80(1): 40–52. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.05.014Li Y, Li Q, Cao Z, Wu J.Causal association between sleep traits and autoimmune arthritis: Evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1):149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.11.014.National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.Henderson AD, Adesanya E, Mulick A, Matthewman J, Vu N, Davies F,et al.Common mental health disorders in adults with inflammatory skin conditions: nationwide population-based matched cohort studies in the UK.BMC Med. 2023 Aug 4;21(1):285. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02948-x.Smith MP, Ly K, Thibodeaux Q, et. al.Factors influencing sleep difficulty and sleep quantity in the citizen pscientist psoriatic cohort. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Sep;9(3):511-523. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-0306-1Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic Arthritis.Sleep Health Foundation.Caffeine, food, alcohol, smoking, and sleep.
Pohla L, Ottas A, Kaldvee B, Abram K, Soomets U, Zilmer M,et al.Hyperproliferation is the main driver of metabolomic changes in psoriasis lesional skin.Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 20;10(1):3081. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-59996-z.
Krajewska-Włodarczyk, M, Owczarczyk-Saczonek, A, Placek W.Sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis. Reumatologia. 2018; 56(5): 301–306. doi: 10.5114/reum.2018.79501
Egeberg A, Khalid U, Gislason GH, et. al.Psoriasis and sleep apnea: a Danish nationwide cohort study. J Clin Sleep Med 2016;12(5):663–671. doi:10.5664/jcsm.5790
Schell C, Schleich R, Walker F, et. al.Restless legs syndrome in psoriasis: an unexpected comorbidity. Eur J Dermatol. 2015 May-Jun;25(3):255-60. doi:10.1684/ejd.2015.2525
Sandikci SC, Colak S, Aydoğan Baykara R, et. al.Evaluation of restless legs syndrome and sleep disorders in patients with psoriatic arthritis. Z Rheumatol. 2018 Nov 12. doi:10.1007/s00393-018-0562-y
Toledano E, Hidalgo C, Gómez-Lechón L, Ibáñez M, Chacón CC, Martín-Vallejo J,et al.SLEEP quality in patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with disease activity and comorbidities: a cross-sectional study.Sci Rep. 2023 Dec 21;13(1):22927. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-48723-z.
Irwin MR, Olmstead R, Carroll JE.Sleep disturbance, sleep duration, and inflammation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies and experimental sleep deprivation. Biol Psychiatry. 2016 Jul 1; 80(1): 40–52. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2015.05.014
Li Y, Li Q, Cao Z, Wu J.Causal association between sleep traits and autoimmune arthritis: Evidence from a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study.Sleep Health. 2024 Feb;10(1):149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.sleh.2023.11.014.
National Psoriasis Foundation.Biologics.
Henderson AD, Adesanya E, Mulick A, Matthewman J, Vu N, Davies F,et al.Common mental health disorders in adults with inflammatory skin conditions: nationwide population-based matched cohort studies in the UK.BMC Med. 2023 Aug 4;21(1):285. doi:10.1186/s12916-023-02948-x.
Smith MP, Ly K, Thibodeaux Q, et. al.Factors influencing sleep difficulty and sleep quantity in the citizen pscientist psoriatic cohort. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019 Sep;9(3):511-523. doi: 10.1007/s13555-019-0306-1
Arthritis Foundation.Psoriatic Arthritis.
Sleep Health Foundation.Caffeine, food, alcohol, smoking, and sleep.
Anderson K. National Psoriasis Association.Tips for better sleep with psoriatic disease. Published March 7, 2017.National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).Sleep Apnea.
Anderson K. National Psoriasis Association.Tips for better sleep with psoriatic disease. Published March 7, 2017.
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.Restless Legs Syndrome Fact Sheet.
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).Sleep Apnea.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
