7 Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a particular type of arthritis that causes inflammation of the joints. The condition can affect other parts of the body, as well, including the skin, eyes, and nails. Although most people are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis between the ages of 30 and 50, it can occur at any age. The symptoms of psoriatic arthritis also vary widely from person to person – some people only experience a few mild symptoms, while others are severely affected by this disease. The most common symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

Joint Pain

Joint pain is one of the most common signs of psoriatic arthritis. It affects more than 90% of people who have the condition. The joint pain may come and go and may last for more than six weeks at a time before going away completely for a while. It can be mild or severe and often affects the same joints as rheumatoid arthritis.

Swelling

People with psoriatic arthritis may have swelling in their fingers, hands, or feet. It can also affect other areas of the body, including the eyes and mouth.

Stiffness

Stiffness is another common symptom of psoriatic arthritis — especially in the morning when one first wakes up or after sitting for a long time (like at work). This stiffness usually gets better with movement.

Fatigue and Weakness

People who are diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis may feel tired all the time or weak because of muscle wasting (atrophy) caused by inflammation in the muscles (myopathy). This fatigue can make it hard to do normal daily activities like walking upstairs or standing for long periods of time.

Nail Pitting

Many people with this condition see tiny dents and ridges, called pitting, on their nails. The nail can sometimes even pull away completely from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail is usually opaque, with a green, yellow, or white tint.

Rib and Chest Pain

Although not common, some people with psoriatic arthritis report chest pain and shortness of breath. This usually happens when the chest wall becomes inflamed.

Stomach Issues

Psoriatic arthritis could cause inflammation of the digestive tract. A number of people who suffer from this condition also report having inflammatory bowel disease.