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Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a form of joint inflammation affecting people with the skin condition, psoriasis. It causes inflammation in and around the joints.
There is much you can do to manage your symptoms.
What happens?
The exact cause of PsA is unknown. In most cases the arthritis develops after the appearance of psoriasis. Many people will find that their joints are stiff first thing in the morning or after resting.
PsA can be difficult to diagnose as individuals may display similar symptoms to people with other forms of arthritis.
How will it affect me?
Psoriatic arthritis can affect most joints. You may have:
- pitting and discoloration of nails
- spondylitis – a stiff, painful back or neck caused by inflammation in the spine
- iritis – inflammation around the pupil of the eye
How is it treated?
Your doctor might prescribe you:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for the pain and stiffness
- disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) to attack the cause of the inflammation
- injected steroids for severe inflammation
- anti-TNF drugs in some cases
Treatment for the skin is usually with ointments, but you may also need tablet treatment and light therapy.
What you can do
There are several ways in which you can manage your condition:
- exercise to maintain muscle strength and mobility
- rest your joints – learning some relaxation techniques can help
The Arthritis Care Helpline can offer further information or you can contact the Psoriatic Arthropathy Alliance
