Psoriatic Arthritis & Me
What is Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)?
Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic form of arthritis that affects joints, and also involves plaque psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic, systemic inflammatory disease.
What are the symptoms of PsA?
- - Typically affects the ankle, knees, fingers, toes, and lower back.
- - Joints in the tips of the fingers may swell, often being mistaken for gout; a form of inflammatory arthritis that only affects one joint.
- - Joints tend to be stiff in the morning or after periods of rest.
- - People with psoriatic arthritis usually develop enthesitis, which is pain or tenderness where tendons and ligaments join to the bones.
- - Symptoms can also include red and flakey skin with silver-white scaly patches. Nails on the hands and feet may become pitted and may even lift from the nail bed entirely.
- - Inability to move joints and limbs, along with fatigue are common symptoms.
- - Inflammation of the eyes and surrounding tissues can cause redness, irritation, and disturbed vision.
The symptoms of PsA, which vary from person to person, can change in severity. Skin symptoms typically (but not always) appear before the joints become involved, sometimes up to 10 years before.
How to reduce the impact of PsA on my day-to-day life?
Like any long-term condition, psoriatic arthritis can have a significant impact on your everyday life. There are simple things you can do to help you manage your condition and improve your wellbeing.
