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What Is Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis is a type of psoriasis which also affect joints, causing swelling, pain and stiffness, much like arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis can be a very serious condition in that it can cause bone loss as well as deformed joints. The National Psoriasis foundation estimates that about 10% - 30% of psoriasis sufferers also have psoriatic arthritis.

While psoriatic arthritis mainly affects adults but it can occur in children. However, a case of psoriatic arthritis can only strike when you have psoriasis in the first place. The symptoms of psoriasis usually appears first before symptoms of psoriatic arthritis but occasionally the psoriatic arthritis happens first. Typically one develops years before the other. The long gap in time makes it difficult for doctors to do a proper diagnosis. The debilitating aspects of psoriatic arthritis are the worse part of psoriasis; especially if left untreated.

What causes psoriatic arthritis?

It appears to be an overactive immune system which affects tissues around the joints. The tissues become inflammed, making joints painful and deformed.

Types of psoriatic arthritis

Similar to psoriasis, there are 5 different types of psoriatic arthritis. They include Arthritis mutilans, asymmetric arthritis, distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP), spondylitis and symmetric arthritis.

1. Arthritis mutilans is a rare form of psoriatic arthritis. Mostly debilitating, it usually affects hands and feet, and possibly back and neck. Permanent deformity is highly possible with this type of psoriasis.

2. Asymmetric arthritis is the most common. It is present in approximately 70% of all psoriatic arthritis cases. It can affect just one joint or it may have an affect on multiple joints. The joints most involved in this form of psoriasis are the fingers, hip, joints, and knee. It can be mild or severe.

3. Distal interphalangeal predominant (DIP) is the less common of all the psoriatic arthritis types. The joints most affected by this type of psoriasis are those joints located closest to the fingernails or toenails.

4. Spondylitis will make those who have it experience painful movement. Common body parts that are affected include the back, neck and spinal column.

5. Symmetric arthritis is so called because both sides of the body will have the same symptoms and affected joints. This type of psoriasis most resembles rheumatoid arthritis.
Symptoms also include irritation and redness of the eyes, swelling of the joints (one or more), and also stiffness of the joints. Those with psoriatic arthritis also have the regular symptoms of psoriasis with red patches of scaly and silvery skin.