Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Symptoms (2024)

FAQs

Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA) Symptoms? ›

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms on your skin and in your joints usually come and go in periods called flares. A healthcare provider will suggest treatments to relieve your symptoms during a flare. Visit a healthcare provider if you notice new symptoms on your skin or pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms on your skin and in your joints usually come and go in periods called flares. A healthcare provider will suggest treatments to relieve your symptoms during a flare. Visit a healthcare provider if you notice new symptoms on your skin or pain, swelling or stiffness in your joints.

High levels of CRP can be a sign of autoimmune diseases like RA, lupus and PsA. A normal ESR and CRP result can't rule out a PsA diagnosis, because about 60% of people with this condition don't have elevated levels of these inflammatory markers. But these tests can help confirm that you have an autoimmune disease.

Common spots include at the back of the heel and the bottom of the foot. This is called enthesitis. Many people with psoriatic arthritis get very tired (fatigue) and some may have a low-grade fever. Symptoms may come and go.

“Neurological complications of psoriatic arthritis can range from mild to severe and may include nerve pain, dizziness, difficulty walking or moving, and cognitive impairment,” says Sony Sherpa, M.D., a doctor in Kathmandu, Nepal.

PsA is often undiagnosed and can be misdiagnosed for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or osteoarthritis (OA), especially in a non-rheumatologic setting [7–9]. RA is a chronic inflammatory arthritis typified by pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints, particularly symmetric small-joint synovitis of the hands and feet [10].

The best way to improve your symptoms is to get moving with gentle, low-impact exercises like walking, swimming, yoga, and tai chi. Movement can lessen pain and expand your range of motion. These activities may also help you relax, ease your stress, and sleep better.

“The most common symptoms are eye redness and pain and can occur in one eye or both,” says Dr. Haberman. “Other symptoms that can occur include blurred vision, sensitivity to light, and small or irregular shaped pupils.”

What time of day is psoriatic arthritis worse? ›

Symptoms can be worse first thing in the morning and may improve with exercise. Some people may also get symptoms of psoriasis, such as dry scaly skin, at the same time.

Psoriatic arthritis causes inflamed, swollen, and painful joints. It happens most often in the fingers and toes. It can lead to deformed joints. Treatment may include medicines, heat and cold, splints, exercise, physical therapy, and surgery.

Rheumatologists often prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, to people with psoriatic arthritis. These medications can help ease pain and curb the swelling that accompanies this condition. Common NSAIDs include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.

You may notice nail pitting, or holes developing in your nails. Other nail changes include deformity, discoloration, thickening and separation of the nail bed. Scaly patches on elbows and knees. PsA causes itchy, painful, red patches or buildup of dead skin cells on the body.

The most characteristic laboratory abnormalities in patients with psoriatic arthritis are elevations of the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) level. The results from these laboratory tests help to track the activity of the disease by measuring inflammation.

The hallmark of psoriatic arthritis is the combination of erosive change with bone proliferation, in a predominantly distal distribution (e.g. interphalangeal more than metacarpophalangeal joints). The disease most commonly involves the hands, followed by feet. It can also affect sacroiliac joints and spine.

1)—long considered a hallmark clinical feature of PsA—is “uniform swelling such that the soft tissues between the metacarpophalangeal and proximal interphalangeal, proximal and distal interphalangeal, and/or distal interphalangeal joint and digital tuft are diffusely swollen to the extent that the actual joint swelling ...

There are also some less common symptoms that may occur. One of the sneaky symptoms that can also cause extreme discomfort is smooth red patches in the armpit or buttocks region. This symptom occurs when skin rubs against another area of skin which causes friction and aggravation of psoriasis.