Psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis are linked autoimmune conditions affecting skin and joints. Learn how they develop, how they're diagnosed, and what treatments can stop joint damage before it's too late.
Read MorePsoriatic Arthritis: Symptoms, Treatments, and What You Need to Know
When psoriatic arthritis, a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects people with psoriasis. Also known as PsA, it doesn’t just hurt your joints—it can change how you move, work, and live. Unlike regular arthritis, psoriatic arthritis often shows up after or alongside scaly skin patches, but not always. Some people get joint pain first, others never have visible skin issues. It’s an autoimmune disease, a condition where the immune system attacks healthy tissue by mistake. That means your body turns on itself, targeting both skin and joints, sometimes even tendons and spine.
It’s not just about swelling. People with psoriatic arthritis often feel stiffness in the morning that lasts more than 30 minutes, or pain in the heels, fingers, or lower back. Fingers can swell up like sausages—a sign called dactylitis. Nails may pit, crumble, or pull away from the nail bed. These aren’t random quirks—they’re clues doctors use to spot this condition early. The longer it goes untreated, the higher the risk of permanent joint damage. That’s why knowing the signs matters. And it’s not just older adults. Many get diagnosed in their 30s or 40s, even if they’ve had mild psoriasis for years.
There’s no cure, but treatments have gotten much better. Some people manage with simple anti-inflammatories. Others need drugs that calm the immune system—like biologics or JAK inhibitors. These aren’t pills you pick up at any pharmacy; they’re targeted therapies that require monitoring. Lifestyle changes help too. Losing even 5% of body weight can reduce joint stress and inflammation. Exercise keeps mobility up without wrecking your joints. And while you can’t control the autoimmune trigger, you can control how you respond to it.
You’ll find posts here that dig into how medications affect your body over time, what to watch for when switching treatments, and how to avoid dangerous interactions with supplements or other drugs. Some cover how kidney function or age changes your dosage. Others explain how to talk to your doctor about side effects or insurance blocks. There’s no fluff—just real talk on managing this condition without losing your quality of life. Whether you’re newly diagnosed or have been living with it for years, the information below is meant to help you make smarter choices, one day at a time.