What Are the Symptoms?

Joint symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis usually settles in the joints of the hands and feet. If you have been diagnosed with psoriasis, it may take a long time after your initial diagnosis for symptoms of psoriatic arthritis to appear. Some people may go for years without symptoms.

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms tend to be mild at first, and often joint pain and swelling will come and go. As a result, psoriatic arthritis can be hard to diagnose.

Skin symptoms

Psoriatic arthritis may also involve skin symptoms such as patches of red scaly skin on the body that itch. These patches are also called psoriatic plaques. Other common skin symptoms include changes to the fingernails and toenails, and there may be pitting or lifting of the nails.

If you are experiencing joint pain, stiffness, or swelling along with these skin symptoms, it could be psoriatic arthritis. It is possible to have skin symptoms for years without experiencing joint pain, and in most cases, skin symptoms appear before arthritis symptoms. In rare instances, the arthritis may appear first.

It is important to understand, however, the link between joint symptoms and skin symptoms. In both cases, the cause is an underlying inflammation process. When your immune system isn’t working properly, it can trigger an underlying inflammation response. The increased inflammation results in painful joint symptoms and faster reproduction of skin cells, which can cause rashes, scaly patches, and itching.

Other symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• Reduced range of motion
• Fatigue and stiffness in the morning
• Redness and pain of the eye, such as conjunctivitis

Early diagnosis is important. Like other forms of arthritis, if left untreated, psoriatic arthritis can result in joint and tissue damage and even bone loss.

Next: How Is Psoriatic Arthritis Diagnosed?