Common Symptoms And Signs Of Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune form of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes itchy scaly rashes, red skin patches, and crumbling nails. 15- 30 percent of people who have psoriasis may develop psoriatic arthritis. Most people first develop psoriasis but in some cases, psoriatic arthritis may precede the skin condition.
Psoriatic Arthritis Symptoms and Signs
Sausage-like swelling in the fingers and toes – Psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs include dactylitis or swelling in one or more fingers or toes.
Lower back pain – Psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs also include pain and stiffness in the lower back above the tailbone. Some people may also develop spondylitis that causes inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of the spine and in the joints between the spine and the pelvis that may lead to pain in the lower back, buttocks, neck and upper back.
Pain, stiffness or swelling in one or more joints – This may be accompanied by joints that are red or warm to touch and frequent joint stiffness or tenderness.
Foot and ankle pain –Enthesitis, or tenderness or pain where tendons or ligaments attach to bones is one of psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs. This occurs as pain in the heel (Achilles tendinitis) or the bottom of the foot (plantar fasciitis), but sometimes, it can also occur in the elbow (tennis elbow).
Skin Rashes and change in nails – This may be seen as pitting or separation of the nail from the nail bed and skin symptoms such as thick red skin with flaky silver-scaly patches.
Loss of range of motion and fatigue – The inability to move joints and limbs freely along with a general feeling of fatigue is common among psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs.
Eye Problems –Redness, irritation and disturbed vision and conjunctivitis (pink eyes) may sometimes be a sign of psoriatic arthritis.
It is essential to recognize and treat psoriatic arthritis symptoms and signs at the earliest to avoid debilitating damage to the joints.
