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Points To Remember About Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches).

It affects the joints and areas where tissues attach to bone.

No one knows what causes psoriatic arthritis. Researchers believe that both genes and environment are involved.

Medications are used to treat symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. You should talk to your doctor about the best medications for you.

Exercise, heat and cold therapies, relaxation exercises, splints and braces, and assistive devices can help. 

What is psoriatic arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis can occur in people who have psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches). It affects the joints and areas where tissues attach to bone.

The joints most often affected are:

The outer joints of the fingers or toes.

Wrists.

Knees.

Ankles.

Lower back.

Who gets it?

Who gets psoriatic arthritis?

Anyone with psoriasis (scaly red and white skin patches) can have psoriatic arthritis.

It is more common in whites than in African Americans or Asian Americans. The disease typically begins between the ages of 30 and 50, but can begin in childhood .

What are the symptoms?

What are the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis?

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

Joint pain and swelling that may come and go. Joints may also be red and warm.

Tenderness in the heel and bottom of the foot.

Pain and stiffness in the neck and lower back.

Joint stiffness, especially in the morning.

Painful, sausage-like swelling of the fingers and/or toes.

Thickness and reddening of the skin with flaky, silver white patches called scales.

Pitting of the nails or separation from the nail bed.

Tiredness.

Pink eye or other eye infections.

What causes it?

What causes psoriatic arthritis?

No one knows what causes psoriatic arthritis. Researchers believe that both genes and environment are involved.

Is there a test?

Is there a test for psoriatic arthritis?

If you have psoriasis and start to develop joint pain, it’s important to see your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of psoriatic arthritis can help prevent joint damage.

Although there is no test for psoriatic arthritis, your doctor may do the following to diagnosis you with the condition:

Ask you about your medical and family history.

Give you a physical exam.

Take samples of blood or joint fluid for a laboratory test.

Take x-rays.

How is it treated?

How is psoriatic arthritis treated?

Psoriatic arthritis is treated by medications. The type of medication depends on how severe the disease is.

Who treats it?

Who treats psoriatic arthritis?

Doctors who diagnose and treat psoriatic arthritis include:

A general practitioner, such as your family doctor.

A rheumatologist, who treats arthritis and other diseases of the bones, joints, and muscles.

For More Info

For more info

U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Toll free: 888-INFO-FDA (888-463-6332)
Website: https://www.fda.gov

For additional information on specific medications, visit Drugs@FDA at https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf. Drugs@FDA is a searchable catalog of FDA-approved drug products.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics
Website: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs

American College of Rheumatology
Website: https://www.rheumatology.org

Arthritis Foundation
Website: https://www.arthritis.org

National Psoriasis Foundation
Website: https://www.psoriasis.org

If you need more information about available resources in your language or other languages, please visit our webpages below or contact the NIAMS Information Clearinghouse at NIAMSInfo@mail.nih.gov.

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