Psoriatic arthritis and its symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis is a kind of arthritis which affects some individuals having psoriasis. Psoriasis is a condition which causes red patches or spots of skin topped along with greyish scales. Most individuals get psoriasis first & later are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis; however, the joint problems could sometimes start prior to the appearance of skin lesions.

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are the primary symptoms of psoriatic arthritis. They may affect any area of our body, including spine and fingertips & may range from comparatively mild to a severe form. In both cases, psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, the disease flares can alternate with the durations of diminution.

There does not exist any cure for psoriatic arthritis, hence the aim is to control the symptoms & prevent our joints from getting damaged. With no treatment, psoriatic arthritis can be debilitating.

Symptoms of Psoriatic arthritis

Both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are chronic diseases which worsen with a passage of time, however, we may have times when the symptoms either improve or go to diminution alternating with times when the symptoms get worse.

Psoriatic arthritis could affect our joints on merely 1 side or even on both sides of the body. Signs & symptoms of a psoriatic arthritis are similar to those of RA or Rheumatoid arthritis. Both these diseases lead to pain, swelling and warmth in joints.

But psoriatic arthritis may also lead to:

• Swollen fingers & toes– Psoriatic arthritis could lead to painful, sausage-like swelling in our toes and fingers. We also may develop deformities and swell in our hands & feet prior to getting noteworthy joint symptoms.
• Foot pain– Psoriatic arthritis may also result in pain at areas where the ligaments & tendons attach to our bones, especially on the back of our heel or in the sole of our feet
• Lower back pain– Some individuals develop spondylitis resulting from psoriatic arthritis. Spondylitis primarily results in inflammation of joints between the vertebrae of our spine & in joints between our pelvis & spine.