Psoriatic Arthritis Resource Center - All Articles
Health ConditionsRheumatic ConditionsPsoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic Arthritis - All Articles

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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that impacts the joints and the places where tendons and ligaments attach to bone. Symptoms can include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling, along with the typical skin symptoms of psoriasis, such as red, scaly patches. There's currently no cure for PsA, but a range of treatment options, including medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, can help manage your symptoms and prevent joint damage.

   Poll

Which psoriatic arthritis symptom is most disruptive to your life?

FAQ

What are the first signs of psoriatic arthritis?

There is no one defining symptom of PsA, and you may experience more than one symptom at once. Early signs can include joint pain and stiffness, along with changes to your fingernails or red, scaly patches on your skin.

Both conditions can be painful and disabling, and the severity of either one varies from person to person. But unlike psoriasis, PsA involves both joint inflammation and skin problems, so it can be considered more complex than psoriasis alone.

Part of disease management for PsA includes preventing flares in the first place. Stress is the most common reason for a flare, but other triggers can include skin infections and injuries, skipping or stopping medications, getting poor sleep, and being overweight.

Yes. Some people with mild symptoms may get their disease under control relatively quickly, where others may need to take prescription medications to get their symptoms to lessen or disappear. PsA symptoms can also return at a later time.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms and how they impact your daily life, psoriatic arthritis can be considered a disability. It is included on the Social Security Administration's list of disabling conditions, but you must have a diagnosis from a doctor.

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Beth Biggee

Beth Biggee, MD

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Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Beth Biggee, MD, is owner and practitioner of Lifestyle and Integrative Rheumatology, a holistic direct specialty care practice in North Andover, Massachusetts. She offers whole-pe...

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Oyetewa Asempa, MD, FAAD

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Dr. Oyetewa Asempa is an assistant professor of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine, and the director of the Skin of Color Clinic for Baylor's department of dermatology. She ...

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Sanjai Sinha, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Sanjai Sinha, MD, is a board-certified internal medicine physician and an assistant professor of clinical medicine and the director of the care management program at Weill Cornell ...
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Sian Yik Lim, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor
Sian Yik Lim, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist at Hawaii Pacific Health. He is a clinical certified densitometrist, certified by the International Society of Clinical Densit...
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Chelsea Vinas

Chelsea Vinas, MS, LMFT

Medical Reviewer

Chelsea Vinas is a licensed psychotherapist who has a decade of experience working with individuals, families, and couples living with anxiety, depression, trauma, and those experi...

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Scott Haak, PT, DPT, MTC, CSCS

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Scott Haak, PT, DPT, has been a member of the Mayo Clinic staff since 2000. Dr. Haak serves as faculty for the Sports Medicine Fellowship program at Mayo Clinic Florida. He is cert...

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Angela Holliday-Bell, MD, CCSH

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Ross Radusky, MD

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Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Ross Radusky, MD, is a practicing board-certified dermatologist at the Dermatology Treatment and Research Center in Dallas. Originally from New York City, he graduated summa cum la...

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Reyna Franco, RDN

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Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Reyna Franco, RDN, is a New York City–based dietitian-nutritionist, certified specialist in sports dietetics, and certified personal trainer. She is a diplomate of the American Col...

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Alexa Meara, MD

Medical Reviewer

Alexa Meara, MD, is an assistant professor of immunology and rheumatology at The Ohio State University. She maintains a multidisciplinary vasculitis clinic and supervises a longitu...

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Samir Dalvi, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Samir Dalvi, MD, is a board-certified rheumatologist. He has over 14 years of experience in caring for patients with rheumatologic diseases, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid ar...

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Resources
  1. Psoriatic Arthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. August 2024.
  2. Psoriatic Arthritis. Mayo Clinic. October 2, 2021.

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