Living with psoriasis is no picnic. Between the skin irritation and the unpredictable flare-ups, it’s both uncomfortable and inconvenient. If left untreated, there’s another condition you could be diagnosed with, which combines all the unpleasantness of psoriasis with the swelling, stiffness and joint pain of arthritis. This condition is called psoriatic arthritis.
If you’re wondering how skin irritation and can lead to joint pain, allow us to explain. It turns out, the immune system is behind it all. When someone has psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, their immune system mistakenly identifies their healthy cells and tissues as threats and attacks them, leaving their skin, joints, or both inflamed. Roughly one third of people with psoriasis will develop psoriatic arthritis. Most of the time, the skin symptoms start first, then the joint pain and inflammation kick in an average of 7 to 10 years later.
So why do some people with psoriasis end up with psoriatic arthritis and others don’t? Scientists are still figuring that out, but if you have psoriasis and start experiencing any type of joint stiffness, soreness, or swelling, talk to your doctor about it stat. There is no cure, but the good news is there are a number of treatment options that can help with management. Remember, when it comes to psoriatic arthritis, timing matters, and getting help sooner rather than later can help prevent further joint damage.