Psoriatic arthritis can affect adults of any age (Image: GETTY)
Psoriasis, a condition impacting more than a million Britons, may place sufferers and their relatives at heightened risk of developing a distinctive type of arthritis. This condition can target various joints throughout the body and, in serious instances, left without treatment, potentially lead to disability.
According to Psoriasis Association UK, roughly one in five psoriasis patients develops psoriatic arthritis. The two hallmark indicators are the presence of psoriasis affecting the skin, nails or scalp, coupled with joint pain, stiffness or swelling, though the specific joints involved can vary considerably between people.
When psoriasis impacts the fingernails, it’s typically associated with arthritis in the fingertip joints. Additional frequently affected areas include the knees, ankles, wrists, hips, or the smaller joints within the hands and feet.
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Arthritis Action highlights that psoriatic arthritis can strike adults at any age. Some people may encounter a minor form affecting just one or two finger joints, while others might experience the condition progressing to their spine and sacroiliac joints.
Symptoms in affected joints, according to Psoriasis Association UK:
- Stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints
- Swollen sausage-like finger(s) or toe(s)
- Nail changes
- Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
- A reduced range of movement
- General tiredness and fatigue
These manifestations typically worsen during morning hours, with some patients finding their symptoms fluctuate over time. Diagnosing psoriatic arthritis doesn’t involve a blood test. Medical professionals will examine your joints and review both your medical history and your family’s before conducting tests to rule out other more prevalent forms of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
Treatment options for psoriatic arthritis vary widely, encompassing physical therapies, occupational therapies and self-management techniques. Some people may need a more medical approach involving painkillers, joint injections or even surgical intervention, while others might benefit from a combination of several treatment methods.
Arthritis Action explains: “The treatment of psoriatic arthritis depends on how many joints are affected and how severely. If only one or two small joints are affected, the treatments may be painkillers or anti-inflammatory tablets such as naproxen.”
Specific medications prescribed for serious arthritis cases can also prove beneficial for skin psoriasis. That said, according to Psoriasis Association UK, some people have experienced psoriatic arthritis symptoms before any visible psoriasis appeared on their skin.
The primary indicator of psoriasis involves dry, itchy, painful and flaky skin patches that develop what resembles silvery-white scales. The NHS states these patches typically measure one to two cm and most sufferers will develop several small patches distributed across their body.
The most common places to get psoriasis are:
- Head and behind the ears
- Chest, tummy and back
- Bottom
- Forearms and elbows
- Lower legs and knees
- Folds of the body such as in the groin
When psoriasis affects the nails, it can result in pitting or indentations. Like psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis symptoms tend to fluctuate, with sufferers experiencing periodic flare-ups of the condition.
While there’s no cure for psoriasis, it can typically be managed using specialised creams, lotions or ointments. The condition can also take a toll on mental wellbeing, meaning you might be referred to a mental health professional for additional support.
