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What It Is

Causes

Treatment

Coping

Frequently Asked Questions

Next in Psoriatic Arthritis Guide

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA)is a chronic disease that—at least for now—has no cure.

Treatments are getting better, though. And the more researchers learn about PsA, the more likely it becomes that you could see a psoriatic arthritis cure.

This article will look at PsA, its causes, treatment goals and the likelihood of a cure, as well as how you can cope with this disease.

Natalia SERDYUK / Getty Images

Patches of psoriasis exist on a woman’s knee and elbow.

What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?

Psoriatic arthritis is an inflammatory disease related topsoriasis, which is anautoimmune disease. About 85% of the people with PsA had psoriasis first.

In psoriasis, the immune system mistakenly attacks healthy skin cells as if they were a threat, like a virus or bacterium. That causes damage and inflammation.

On light skin, psoriasis looks red and scaly. On darker skin, the patches are darker and thicker.

In about 30% of cases, inflammation eventually “spills over” and affects you in different ways.The result is PsA, with symptoms such as:

Plaques are most common on the scalp, elbows, knees, genitals, and lower back.

Symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis

RecapPsoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease with no cure. It develops as a consequence of the autoimmune skin disease psoriasis. Inflammation from psoriasis spreads to joints and other areas, leading to pain, stiffness, plaques on the skin, and other symptoms.

Recap

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic disease with no cure. It develops as a consequence of the autoimmune skin disease psoriasis. Inflammation from psoriasis spreads to joints and other areas, leading to pain, stiffness, plaques on the skin, and other symptoms.

The causes of autoimmune disease aren’t yet understood. Researchers believe many factors contribute to psoriasis and PsA’s development, including:

Lifestyle risk factors include:

Highly InheritableThe genetic component of PsA is greater than that of many other autoimmune diseases. About 40% of people with PsA have one or more close family members with it.

Highly Inheritable

The genetic component of PsA is greater than that of many other autoimmune diseases. About 40% of people with PsA have one or more close family members with it.

Explore the Causes of PsA

Treatment Goals

The goals of treatment for PsA are to manage symptoms, improve or maintain your quality of life, and prevent structural damage.

With successful treatment, some people with PsA go into remission. That means their symptoms are extremely light or non-existent.

However, it’s not a cure, and symptoms could someday return. Many treatment options are available.

Topicals: Ointments and Creams

Over-the-counter (OTC) creams containing 1% hydrocortisone can help with itching. But most people with PsA need prescription creams and ointments. These can include:

Anti-Inflammatories

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first medication recommended for mild cases of PsA. OTC NSAIDs include:

Steroids: Oral or Injectable

These powerful inflammation fighters are treatments for flares. Some common ones are:

Opioids

Opioids, also called narcotics, are strong painkillers. Because they’re addictive, they should be reserved for short-term use of severe pain. Examples are:

Anti-Rheumatic Drugs

Drugs aimed at slowing autoimmune activity are called disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). They’re also called immunosuppressants. Some come in pill form and some are injectable or an infusion.

Several kinds are available:

Future Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

Surgeries

In rare cases where joint damage becomes severe, surgery may become necessary. However, it’s considered a last resort.

Different types are:

Fewer than 10% of PsA cases ever require surgery.

Surgery for Psoriatic Arthritis

Progress Toward a Cure

Each new treatment represents research and gained knowledge about what psoriasis and PsA do to your body. That helps get medical science closer to understanding the underlying causes and mechanisms.

Eventually, that understanding could lead to better diagnostics, better treatments, preventive measures, andpossibly even a cure.

For now, though, successful treatment and remission are the goals to strive for.

Early Detection and TreatmentEarly detection and treatment are important for preventing psoriatic arthritis from progressing and causing significant joint damage and disability. Ongoing research is aimed at finding biomarkers that will allow healthcare providers to diagnose PsA earlier.

Early Detection and Treatment

Early detection and treatment are important for preventing psoriatic arthritis from progressing and causing significant joint damage and disability. Ongoing research is aimed at finding biomarkers that will allow healthcare providers to diagnose PsA earlier.

Adopting healthy lifestyle changes can help you combat symptoms and cope better with psoriatic arthritis. These include:

Everyone is different, so treatment and management strategies need to be designed for you while keeping your total health picture in mind. Work with your healthcare team—which usually includes a rheumatologist and a dermatologist—to establish healthy habits that are effective for you.

Summary

The causes of PsA aren’t fully understood. Along with the immune system, genetics and lifestyle factors are believed to play roles.

Treatment goals include managing symptoms, protecting your quality of life, and preventing joint damage. Prescription and OTC ointments, creams, and medications are available. Rarely, joint surgery may be necessary.

Some day, the knowledge gained from research may lead to better diagnostics and treatments, ways to prevent PsA, and possibly a cure.

In the meantime, lifestyle changes including an anti-inflammatory diet, weight loss, regular exercise, and not smoking can help you cope with PsA.

A Word From Verywell

If you or close family members have psoriasis, you may want to ask your healthcare provider to periodically check for signs of psoriatic arthritis. That way, you can get it diagnosed and treated early, which can keep the disease from progressing.

As for a cure, researchers still have a long way to go, but they’re learning more all the time. You and your healthcare providers can put that knowledge to work now to help ease your symptoms and improve your life.

Frequently Asked QuestionsThere’s no single best psoriatic arthritis treatment.The right treatment for youdepends on a variety of factors, including how advanced the disease is, your personal response to treatments, and your total health history.Treatments with the most evidence behind them include:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Corticosteroids (topical or oral)Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)Biologic drugsLearn MoreIn Depth: Psoriatic Arthritis TreatmentsAlong with medications and topical treatments that your healthcare team can recommend or prescribe, it can help to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, lower your stress, and try an anti-inflammatory diet.Some evidence also supports acupuncture and mindfulness meditation to relieve pain and stress.In addition, you can try home remedies like a hot bath, possibly with Epsom salts, and heat or ice packs on achy joints.Learn MoreNatural Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

There’s no single best psoriatic arthritis treatment.The right treatment for youdepends on a variety of factors, including how advanced the disease is, your personal response to treatments, and your total health history.Treatments with the most evidence behind them include:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Corticosteroids (topical or oral)Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)Biologic drugsLearn MoreIn Depth: Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

There’s no single best psoriatic arthritis treatment.The right treatment for youdepends on a variety of factors, including how advanced the disease is, your personal response to treatments, and your total health history.Treatments with the most evidence behind them include:Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)Corticosteroids (topical or oral)Disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs)Biologic drugs

There’s no single best psoriatic arthritis treatment.The right treatment for youdepends on a variety of factors, including how advanced the disease is, your personal response to treatments, and your total health history.

Treatments with the most evidence behind them include:

Learn MoreIn Depth: Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

Along with medications and topical treatments that your healthcare team can recommend or prescribe, it can help to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, lower your stress, and try an anti-inflammatory diet.Some evidence also supports acupuncture and mindfulness meditation to relieve pain and stress.In addition, you can try home remedies like a hot bath, possibly with Epsom salts, and heat or ice packs on achy joints.Learn MoreNatural Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

Along with medications and topical treatments that your healthcare team can recommend or prescribe, it can help to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, lower your stress, and try an anti-inflammatory diet.Some evidence also supports acupuncture and mindfulness meditation to relieve pain and stress.In addition, you can try home remedies like a hot bath, possibly with Epsom salts, and heat or ice packs on achy joints.

Along with medications and topical treatments that your healthcare team can recommend or prescribe, it can help to stay physically active, maintain a healthy weight, lower your stress, and try an anti-inflammatory diet.

Some evidence also supports acupuncture and mindfulness meditation to relieve pain and stress.

In addition, you can try home remedies like a hot bath, possibly with Epsom salts, and heat or ice packs on achy joints.

Learn MoreNatural Psoriatic Arthritis Treatments

17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merola JF, Espinoza LR, Fleischmann R.Distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis.RMD Open. 2018;4(2):e000656. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000656Mulder MLM, van Hal TW, Wenink MH, et al.Clinical, laboratory, and genetic markers for the development or presence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients: a systematic review.Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):168. doi:10.1186/s13075-021-02545-4MedlinePlus.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.Cunha JS, Qureshi AA, Reginato AM.Management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a multidisciplinary rheumatology/dermatology clinic.Fed Pract. 2015;32(Suppl 12):14S-20S.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Yan D, Gudjonsson JE, Le S, et al.New frontiers in psoriatic disease research, part I: genetics, environmental triggers, immunology, pathophysiology, and precision medicine.J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(9):2112-2122.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.764Arthritis Foundation.How to achieve remission in psoriatic arthritis.Day MS, Nam D, Goodman S, Su EP, Figgie M.Psoriatic arthritis.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(1):28-37. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-01-028National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: tips for managing.Højgaard P, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, et al.Association between tobacco smoking and response to tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment in psoriatic arthritis: results from the DANBIO registry.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(12):2130-2136. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205389Zhao SS, Miller N, Harrison N, Duffield SJ, Dey M, Goodson NJ.Systematic review of mental health comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis.Clin Rheumatol. 2019;39:217–225. doi:10.1007/s10067-019-04734-8Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168–171. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171National Health Service.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Living with psoriatic arthritis.Cleveland Clinic.Ice or heat: what’s better for soothing arthritis pain?Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis.

17 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Merola JF, Espinoza LR, Fleischmann R.Distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis.RMD Open. 2018;4(2):e000656. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000656Mulder MLM, van Hal TW, Wenink MH, et al.Clinical, laboratory, and genetic markers for the development or presence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients: a systematic review.Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):168. doi:10.1186/s13075-021-02545-4MedlinePlus.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.Cunha JS, Qureshi AA, Reginato AM.Management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a multidisciplinary rheumatology/dermatology clinic.Fed Pract. 2015;32(Suppl 12):14S-20S.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Yan D, Gudjonsson JE, Le S, et al.New frontiers in psoriatic disease research, part I: genetics, environmental triggers, immunology, pathophysiology, and precision medicine.J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(9):2112-2122.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.764Arthritis Foundation.How to achieve remission in psoriatic arthritis.Day MS, Nam D, Goodman S, Su EP, Figgie M.Psoriatic arthritis.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(1):28-37. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-01-028National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: tips for managing.Højgaard P, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, et al.Association between tobacco smoking and response to tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment in psoriatic arthritis: results from the DANBIO registry.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(12):2130-2136. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205389Zhao SS, Miller N, Harrison N, Duffield SJ, Dey M, Goodson NJ.Systematic review of mental health comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis.Clin Rheumatol. 2019;39:217–225. doi:10.1007/s10067-019-04734-8Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168–171. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171National Health Service.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Living with psoriatic arthritis.Cleveland Clinic.Ice or heat: what’s better for soothing arthritis pain?Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Merola JF, Espinoza LR, Fleischmann R.Distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis.RMD Open. 2018;4(2):e000656. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000656Mulder MLM, van Hal TW, Wenink MH, et al.Clinical, laboratory, and genetic markers for the development or presence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients: a systematic review.Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):168. doi:10.1186/s13075-021-02545-4MedlinePlus.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.Cunha JS, Qureshi AA, Reginato AM.Management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a multidisciplinary rheumatology/dermatology clinic.Fed Pract. 2015;32(Suppl 12):14S-20S.Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1Yan D, Gudjonsson JE, Le S, et al.New frontiers in psoriatic disease research, part I: genetics, environmental triggers, immunology, pathophysiology, and precision medicine.J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(9):2112-2122.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.764Arthritis Foundation.How to achieve remission in psoriatic arthritis.Day MS, Nam D, Goodman S, Su EP, Figgie M.Psoriatic arthritis.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(1):28-37. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-01-028National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: tips for managing.Højgaard P, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, et al.Association between tobacco smoking and response to tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment in psoriatic arthritis: results from the DANBIO registry.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(12):2130-2136. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205389Zhao SS, Miller N, Harrison N, Duffield SJ, Dey M, Goodson NJ.Systematic review of mental health comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis.Clin Rheumatol. 2019;39:217–225. doi:10.1007/s10067-019-04734-8Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168–171. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171National Health Service.Psoriatic arthritis.National Psoriasis Foundation.Living with psoriatic arthritis.Cleveland Clinic.Ice or heat: what’s better for soothing arthritis pain?

Merola JF, Espinoza LR, Fleischmann R.Distinguishing rheumatoid arthritis from psoriatic arthritis.RMD Open. 2018;4(2):e000656. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2018-000656

Mulder MLM, van Hal TW, Wenink MH, et al.Clinical, laboratory, and genetic markers for the development or presence of psoriatic arthritis in psoriasis patients: a systematic review.Arthritis Res Ther. 2021;23(1):168. doi:10.1186/s13075-021-02545-4

MedlinePlus.Psoriatic arthritis.

National Psoriasis Foundation.About psoriatic arthritis.

Cunha JS, Qureshi AA, Reginato AM.Management of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis in a multidisciplinary rheumatology/dermatology clinic.Fed Pract. 2015;32(Suppl 12):14S-20S.

Ogdie A, Gelfand JM.Clinical risk factors for the development of psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis: a review of available evidence.Curr Rheumatol Rep. 2015;17(10):64. doi:10.1007/s11926-015-0540-1

Yan D, Gudjonsson JE, Le S, et al.New frontiers in psoriatic disease research, part I: genetics, environmental triggers, immunology, pathophysiology, and precision medicine.J Invest Dermatol. 2021;141(9):2112-2122.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jid.2021.02.764

Arthritis Foundation.How to achieve remission in psoriatic arthritis.

Day MS, Nam D, Goodman S, Su EP, Figgie M.Psoriatic arthritis.J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2012;20(1):28-37. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-20-01-028

National Psoriasis Foundation.Dietary modifications.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: tips for managing.

Højgaard P, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, et al.Association between tobacco smoking and response to tumour necrosis factor α inhibitor treatment in psoriatic arthritis: results from the DANBIO registry.Ann Rheum Dis. 2015;74(12):2130-2136. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-205389

Zhao SS, Miller N, Harrison N, Duffield SJ, Dey M, Goodson NJ.Systematic review of mental health comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis.Clin Rheumatol. 2019;39:217–225. doi:10.1007/s10067-019-04734-8

Xhaja A, Shkodrani E, Frangaj S, Kuneshka L, Vasili E.An epidemiological study on trigger factors and quality of life in psoriatic patients.Mater Sociomed. 2014;26(3):168–171. doi:10.5455/msm.2014.26.168-171

National Health Service.Psoriatic arthritis.

National Psoriasis Foundation.Living with psoriatic arthritis.

Cleveland Clinic.Ice or heat: what’s better for soothing arthritis pain?

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: diagnosis and treatment.Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis.

American Academy of Dermatology Association.Psoriatic arthritis: diagnosis and treatment.

Cleveland Clinic.Psoriatic arthritis.

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