Psoriasis and Joint Pain
Psoriasis and joint pain? You may have psoriatic arthritis.
IS THERE A CONNECTION BETWEEN PSORIASIS AND PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS
- About 30% of people who have psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis
- Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is tied to your immune system and inflammation
- It’s important to report any signs or symptoms of psoriatic arthritis to your dermatologist or rheumatologist
If I Have Psoriasis (Ps),
Will I Get Psoriatic Arthritis (PsA)?
If you have psoriasis, there is a chance you will develop other conditions.
Psoriasis is associated with several comorbidities, including:
- Cardiovascular disease
- Depression
- Psoriatic arthritis
Although anyone can get psoriatic arthritis, you are at greater risk for PsA if you have psoriasis or have a family history of skin or joint disease.
Psoriatic arthritis can also be triggered by certain genes, joint injuries and infection.
About 30% of people who have psoriasis are affected by psoriatic arthritis.
The severity of plaque psoriasis does not predict who will progress to psoriatic arthritis. PsA tends to appear 10 years after psoriasis symptoms are first noticed and typical onset occurs between the ages of 30-55.
Inflammation May Be Behind Ps and PsA
Although there is no known cause for psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, they are auto-immune diseases (a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells) and are tied to inflammation.
With plaque psoriasis, the skin cells renew faster than they should. This causes plaques to form on the skin.
With psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation occurs, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain.
Inflammation is Behind Ps and PsA
Although there is no known cause for psoriasis, it is an auto-immune disease (a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells) and is tied to inflammation.
With plaque psoriasis, the skin cells renew faster than they should. This causes plaques to form on the skin.
With psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation occurs, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain.
Inflammation is Behind Ps and PsA
Although there is no known cause for psoriasis, it is an auto-immune disease (a condition where your immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells) and is tied to inflammation.
With plaque psoriasis, the skin cells renew faster than they should. This causes plaques to form on the skin.
With psoriatic arthritis, joint inflammation occurs, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain.
Tell Your Dermatologist
It’s important to check in with your dermatologist about how you feel. Make sure you mention any new signs or symptoms. Your dermatologist may be able to put you on a treatment for both Ps and PsA.
Recommended Topics & Resources
The Link Between Psoriasis and Other Diseases
How psoriasis may be associated with other inflammatory diseases.
Inflammation and Ps
Take a deeper dive into the role inflammation may play in psoriasis.