Psoriatic Arthritis is one of the types of inflammatory Arthritis that affects people having Psoriasis, a disease that affects the skin and nails. It gets worse with time, causing permanent joint damage, if left untreated. So, it is important to look for early signs to seek timely treatment and manage them to minimize discomfort. 

What are the early warning signs of Psoriatic Arthritis? Explore them in this article and immediately head to a doctor for a diagnosis if you have any of these symptoms. 

Early warning signs of Psoriatic Arthritis

The progression of Psoriatic Arthritis signs and symptoms can vary from person to person. Some may have a slow onset and progression of symptoms, while others can rapidly develop serious symptoms. Some early signs you should look for timely diagnosis and treatment are:

Nail changes

Nail changes can indicate health problems, and Nail Psoriasis is one of them. It can be an early sign of joint diseases. About 80% of the people with Psoriatic Arthritis have a nail disease. It can appear a few years before Arthritis symptoms, which can be a great way to manage the condition and prevent further damage. 

Pitted nails are the most common symptom of Psoriatic Arthritis. Pits are depressions in the nail plate, along with inflammation. Other changes can include nail detachment from the nail bed, ridged nails, and discoloration. 

Lower back pain

People with Psoriatic Arthritis may also develop Psoriatic Spondylitis. It is characterized by inflammation of the spine that affects the neck, lower back, and pelvis. It involves abnormal bone growth or damage between the vertebrae (the backbone). It can limit the motion and have symptoms like:

  • Pain that wakes you up in the middle of the night
  • Pain that gets better with exercise and worsens at rest
  • Back stiffness for half an hour or more in the morning
  • Inflammation in your sacroiliac joints (between lower spine and pelvis) that causes hip and buttock pain

Fatigue

Chronic fatigue affects 50 percent of the people with Psoriasis. About 25 percent of the patients have severe fatigue. Factors that affect fatigue in patients are depression or anxiety symptoms. Moreover, it is more likely in women than men. Even active Psoriasis lesions can cause pain, which affects sleep and results in sleeping disorders. So, it can worsen the severity of fatigue. 

Inflamed eyes

Eye inflammation is common in patients with Psoriatic Arthritis. A study found that 35 percent of people with Psoriatic Arthritis develop ocular inflammation (red, swollen, and inflamed eyes). Moreover, 19.6 percent have Conjunctivitis (pink eye), and 7.1 percent have Iritis (inflammation of the iris). 

Episcleritis (inflammation of tissue between the eyelid and white part of the eye), and dry eyes are other common problems associated with Psoriatic Arthritis. Some other problems can include sensitivity to light, eyelid swelling, bloodshot eyes, and unexplained vision changes. 

Dactylitis

Sausage-like swelling of fingers and toes is known as Dactylitis. Psoriatic Arthritis is the most common cause of Dactylitis, as it causes joint, soft tissue, and tendon inflammation. About 48 percent of the people with Psoriatic Arthritis have Dactylitis at some point. 

Acute Dactylitis has soft, red, and swollen toes or fingers, while Chronic Dactylitis presents non-tender, swollen fingers. Both are mostly asymmetrical and more frequent in feet than hands. In the case of hands, they mainly affect the second and third fingers. However, you can have swelling in other fingers or toes. 

Did you know?
Dactylitis is also a sign of other chronic diseases such as Tuberculosis (TB) and Syphilis. So, you will need a proper diagnosis to determine the exact cause of Dactylitis. 

Swollen or stiff joints

Joint pain, swelling, and stiffness are three main warning signs of Psoriatic Arthritis. It can affect different body parts, including the fingers and spine. The severity can be mild to severe, and flares can alternate with a period of remission (symptoms under control). 

Morning stiffness, lasting about half an hour or a complete hour, is more common in Psoriatic arthritis. Another common associated symptom is warm joints, which can also weaken the grip and make activities like lifting things difficult.

Enthesitis

Entheses are the areas where tendons and ligaments attach to the body. When these areas get inflamed and have pain, it is called Enthesitis. It is present in 60 to 80 percent of patients with Psoriatic Arthritis and affects parts like feet, knees, shoulders, pelvis, Achilles tendons, and elbows. 

Limited range of motion

Psoriatic Arthritis can affect mobility as the joints stiffen.  The involvement of large joints like the hip and knee makes it harder to perform daily activities. The joint space can also decrease, which can hinder free movement. So, moving with flexibility gets harder. Individual therapy is required to improve such symptoms. 

Skin irritation

A person with psoriatic arthritis rashes
A person with psoriatic arthritis rashes

Eighty percent of people with Psoriatic Arthritis have both joint and active skin symptoms like patches that can be scaly, itchy, or inflamed. Red raised bumps or white/silvery skin are also the signs of Psoriatic Arthritis. They often appear on the elbows, scalp, or knees but may also appear on other body parts. 

Stomach issues

People with Psoriatic Arthritis can also develop stomach issues due to an inflammation in the digestive tract. Many people with stomach issues also develop Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD),  which is a combination of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. 

Warning
Psoriatic Arthritis may cause permanent joint damage and may have adverse outcomes such as disability. You should consult a doctor for treatment to avoid such complications. 

Psoriatic Arthritis treatment

According to the Psoriatic Arthritis treatment guidelines, treatment is based on symptoms, affected joints, and severity. To relieve pain, anti-inflammatory medicines are used. These involve Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), also available over the counter, like Naproxen, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen.

Other common treatments for Psoriatic Arthritis that ease pain, decrease swelling, and increase mobility are cold or heat therapy, Corticosteroids, Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), physical therapy, and surgery. 

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Conclusion

Psoriatic Arthritis is an inflammatory condition that occurs when people with Psoriasis develop Arthritis. It is characterized by lower back pain, eye inflammation, nail changes, and swollen or stiff joints with pain, fatigue, and skin irritation. 

A few of these signs can also appear ahead of Arthritis symptoms. So, watching for these signs can assist in early diagnosis and symptom management. Some effective treatment options to ease Arthritis pain and discomfort are NSAIDs, Corticosteroids, and therapies. With a doctor’s guidance and the right treatment, the quality of life in people with Psoriatic Arthritis can be improved. 

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