Psoriasis could trigger ‘painful’ joint condition - signs to look out for

From belfastlive.co.uk

It can cause lasting joint damage and even disability if left untreated

Psoriasis, affecting over a million people across Britain, may put those living with the condition and their family members at increased risk of a specific form of arthritis. The condition can affect multiple joints in the body and, when severe cases go untreated, could potentially result in disability.

Psoriasis Association UK reports that approximately one in five people with psoriasis go on to develop psoriatic arthritis. The two key warning signs are psoriasis affecting the skin, nails or scalp, alongside joint pain, stiffness or swelling, although which joints are affected differs significantly from person to person.

Where psoriasis affects the fingernails, it's commonly linked with arthritis in the fingertip joints. Other commonly impacted areas include the knees, ankles, wrists, hips and the smaller joints in the hands and feet.

Arthritis Action notes that psoriatic arthritis can develop in adults of any age. Some people may experience a mild version affecting only one or two finger joints, while others may find the condition spreading to their spine and sacroiliac joints.

Symptoms in affected joints, according to Psoriasis Association UK:

• Stiffness, pain, throbbing, swelling and tenderness in one or more joints
• Swollen sausage-like finger(s) or toe(s)
• Nail changes
• Tenderness, pain and swelling over tendons
• A reduced range of movement
• General tiredness and fatigue

These symptoms often intensify in the morning, with certain people noticing their condition varies over time. There isn't a specific blood test to identify psoriatic arthritis. Healthcare practitioners will assess your joints and examine both your personal and family medical background before carrying out investigations to exclude other common arthritis types like rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

                                                        Psoriatic arthritis can affect adults of any age (Image: GETTY)

Managing psoriatic arthritis involves numerous approaches, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and self-care strategies. Certain people may require more clinical interventions such as pain relief medication, steroid injections into joints or potentially surgery, while others could see improvements through a blend of multiple therapies.

Arthritis Action explains: "The treatment of psoriatic arthritis depends on how many joints are affected and how severely. If only one or two small joints are affected, the treatments may be painkillers or anti-inflammatory tablets such as naproxen."

Particular medicines given for severe arthritis presentations can additionally help with skin psoriasis. However, the Psoriasis Association UK notes that some people have developed psoriatic arthritis manifestations prior to any psoriasis becoming evident on their skin.

The hallmark symptom of psoriasis is the appearance of dry, itchy, sore and scaly skin patches covered in what looks like silvery-white scales. According to the NHS, these patches usually range from one to two cm in size, with most people experiencing multiple small patches scattered across their body.

The most common places to get psoriasis are:

• Head and behind the ears
• Chest, tummy and back
• Bottom
• Forearms and elbows
• Lower legs and knees
• Folds of the body such as in the groin

Should psoriasis impact the nails, it may cause pitting or small dents. Similar to psoriatic arthritis, psoriasis symptoms come and go in cycles, with patients experiencing intermittent episodes of the condition.

While psoriasis cannot be cured, it's generally manageable through specialised creams, lotions or ointments. The condition can significantly affect mental health too, which may lead to referral to a mental health specialist for further assistance.

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