The earliest signs that you have psoriatic arthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which is why other forms of arthritis can often be mistaken for PsA. Over time symptoms can manifest in countless ways.

PsA can affect the joints on one or both sides of the body. The most commonly affected joints are those in the ankles, knees, lower back, fingers, and toes, but PsA can vary from person to person.

What does your PsA look like? While not all people with PsA have skin involvement, those that do may have rashes that present as red, purple, or dark brown patches of skin covered with silvery scales. These patches can be dry, itchy, and sore, and can develop anywhere on the body. PsA may also cause a variety of nail issues, such as small holes, dents, or ridges.

When you have a chronic condition like PsA, you may go through periods in which you have increased pain and other symptoms. This is called a flare-up or flare. It is crucial to identify your flare triggers so you can work toward avoiding these periods of increased discomfort.

The amount of pain you experience will depend on the severity of your PsA. Regardless of how much discomfort you experience, your healthcare provider can help you manage it.

About one-third of people with PsA have depression or anxiety. Some people struggle due to the stress, stigma, or challenges of living with a chronic condition. Others struggle with their mental health or develop a mood disorder for other reasons.

Psoriatic arthritis can’t be cured, but there is a wide range of medications that can help to reduce the severity of PsA flares, manage pain, slow disease progression, and improve your quality of life.

It’s helpful for your healthcare provider to have information about your previous PsA treatments, especially if your current regimen is not working. Failure to report previous medication use could result in duplicate therapies or even lead to adverse effects.

PsA is a progressive condition that can worsen over time. It also tends to be unpredictable, causing both periods of flare-ups and periods of remission in which you experience weeks or months with little to no joint inflammation or skin symptoms.

Some people with PsA may feel self-conscious about their physical limitations or their skin’s appearance. As tempting as it might seem, isolating yourself often only worsens your mental and emotional health.