Psoriatic arthritis involves inflammation of the joints. Not everyone who has psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. In many cases, it develops years later. While it’s more common in people between ages 30 and 50, you can develop psoriatic arthritis at any age.
That’s why it’s important for people living with psoriasis to know what symptoms they might notice if they need to talk to their doctor about psoriatic arthritis.
Common Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms
Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can vary, and not everyone who has the condition will show every symptom. But these 10 symptoms are common.
- Eye pain or redness. It might sound unrelated, but many people with psoriatic arthritis report issues with their eyes. Generally, these problems include redness, swelling, vision changes or pain. These symptoms can mimic seasonal allergies and conjunctivitis, but if you notice these problems along with other symptoms, it’s smart to mention them to your doctor.
- Fatigue. Many people with psoriatic arthritis report feeling tired.
- Joint pain. Arthritis is inflammation of the joints, and joint pain is a key indicator of psoriatic arthritis.
- Nail changes. These differences might include pitting or separation from the nail bed.
- Noticeable swelling in your tendons. While swelling in your fingers and toes is a classic sign, noticing issues with any other joints and tendons in your body can suggest psoriatic arthritis-like pain in the elbows or heels.
- Pain in your feet. Your feet contain numerous joints, tendons and ligaments. Psoriatic arthritis can cause a condition called enthesitis, or inflammation where the tendons and ligaments connect to the bone. Common sites involve the back of your heel, elbow or the bottom of your foot.
- Reduced range of motion. If you feel like you can’t move as easily as you once did or feel stiff and loosen up with movement, this can happen with joint inflammation.
- Swelling in your fingers and toes. With psoriatic arthritis, fingers and toes can swell, causing constant pain and an inability to bend them.
- Stiffness in the morning. You may wake up sore, stiff and tired in the morning. You should mention it to your doctor if it progresses more than 30 minutes.
- Warm joints. When you’re dealing with symptoms relating to joint inflammation, sometimes they feel hot to the touch.
Diagnosing Psoriatic Arthritis
There’s no single test to diagnose psoriatic arthritis. The first symptoms are sometimes spotted by a specialist, such as a dermatologist who notices nail and skin problems or a rheumatologist examining swollen joints. Your doctor might order X-rays to look for changes in your bones and joints or use a blood test to check for signs of inflammation. Your doctor will also give you a physical exam to look for signs of psoriatic arthritis and ask questions about your medical history or cases of psoriatic arthritis among close family members.
There is no cure for psoriatic arthritis, but the disease can be treated and managed over time. Not everyone who has psoriatic arthritis will experience serious health issues, but the disease can lead to a condition called arthritis mutilans that attacks the bones in your hands, causing destruction of the bones over resulting in decreased joint mobility.
According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, psoriatic arthritis is also linked to other health conditions. Effective treatment can lower the risk of developing:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cancer
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Kidney disease
- Metabolic syndrome
- Obesity
- Sleep apnea
If you’re living with psoriatic arthritis, your doctor can help you monitor your health and ensure that any possible complications and related health issues are detected early when they’re easier to manage and treat.
Treating Psoriatic Arthritis
There are a variety of treatment options for psoriatic arthritis available, from medications to steroid injections. Those options include:
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Over-the-counter aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen can be helpful when you’re dealing with inflammation and pain. Prescription options, including nabumetone and celecoxib, are also available.
- Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). These drugs slow the disease’s progression and reduce swelling and pain.
- Steroid injections. Steroid injections can reduce the inflammation that causes joint pain and alleviate other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They can be delivered directly to the affected joint.
If your joints have become badly damaged by psoriatic arthritis and medication has not offered relief, your doctor may recommend surgery to help you move more easily and improve the appearance of your skin.
More to Read
6 Ways Arthritis Puts Pressure on Your Health
Your Ultimate Guide to Different Types of Pain Relievers
What Could Be Causing Pain in Your Hand and Wrist?
