Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCauses of Arthritis Flare-UpsHow Are Arthritis Flare-Ups Diagnosed?Treatment of a FlarePreventionFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes of Arthritis Flare-Ups
How Are Arthritis Flare-Ups Diagnosed?
Treatment of a Flare
Prevention
Frequently Asked Questions
If you havearthritis, you will likely have experienced a flare-up of symptoms at one time or another, often with no apparent cause. Depending on thetype of arthritisyou have, it may be related to a specific trigger like overexertion or a change in treatment, or it may just be due to the ongoing progression of your disease. It is often hard to tell.
This article will describe how to recognize an arthritis flare, what could possibly cause it, and how it’s treated.
Terry Vine / Getty Images
Symptoms of an Arthritis Flare-Up
An arthritis flare is defined as an episode of increased disease activity or worseningsymptoms, which may involve:
During a flare, fatigue can become so profound that you’ll feel unrefreshed even after a good night’s rest.
A flare can involve a single joint or multiple joints. If you have osteoarthritis, it’ll likely be single-joint involvement or recurrent flares with the same multiple joints. With autoimmune arthritis (e.g.,rheumatoid arthritisorpsoriatic arthritis) multiple joints may flare simultaneously.
Many flares follow changes or reductions in treatment and may signal that the new treatment isn’t effective.Watch for a flare any time you change your treatment regimen.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common arthritis type. It’s often called “wear and tear” arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune, inflammatory form of arthritis. In autoimmune disease, your immune system attacks healthy tissues in your body.
RA flares can be related to anything that causes your immune system to increase inflammation (which is part of the healing process).It may be a physical cause (e.g., overexertion, infection) or an emotional one (such as stress).
The drugs used to treat RA dampen the immune response and increase your infection risk. Food allergens can trigger flares, as well.
Psoriatic Arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is autoimmune and inflammatory. It involves joint pain and skin plaques (psoriasis).
PsA flare triggers are more or less the same as those forpsoriasis. They may include:
Sometimes, it’s hard to tell whether you’re having a flare or your disease is progressing. To differentiate between those, your healthcare provider may order a battery of blood tests, including:
These tests can help your provider distinguish between the chronic (ongoing) inflammation of worsening disease and acute (short-term) inflammation of a flare.
Imaging can also be used, including ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), andbone scans (scintigraphy).
You don’t just have to suffer through a flare. Your healthcare provider can help you with additional treatments to help quiet down your symptoms.
Medications
Treating a flare may require a short course of corticosteroids, such as prednisone or methylprednisone. These medications are powerful anti-inflammatories.
Your healthcare provider may also suggest non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), either prescription or over-the-counter (OTC).
If the flare persists, your provider may adjust the dosages of your current medications or, if they suspect your drugs are no longer working, change your medications altogether.
Heat and Cold
Some people prefer heat over ice or vice versa. Others alternate them or use different methods at different times. Experiment and see what works best for you.
Rest
When it comes to rest, think both of your painful joints and your whole body. For your joints:
For your whole body:
Topical Medications
Topical medications are used on the skin. Many kinds are available for arthritis pain and they come in creams, gels, roll-ons, and patches. You can buy many over the counter, and prescription forms are available, as well.
Talk to your healthcare provider about which topical products are right for you.
Acupuncture
Research suggests that acupuncture may help relieve RAand PsA symptoms.It appears to cause:
Acupuncture hasn’t been shown to be very effective for OA.
Emotional Coping
Your mental health is important during flares, too. You can try several things to help:
Lifestyle Management
Some changes to your day-to-day routines can help you get through times of heightened disability from your arthritis.
If possible, have family or friends help with daily tasks that become difficult for you when symptoms are worse.
Prevent Osteoarthritis Progression
During the better times, you can take steps to prevent arthritis flares:
Your healthcare provider may also have suggestions for flare prevention.
Frequently Asked QuestionsOsteoarthritis flares generally last for just a few days.Without treatment, a flare of autoimmune arthritis may last for weeks or even months. Treatment can shorten that considerably.No one knows for sure, but arthritis may be worse at night for a few reasons:Levels of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol drop during sleep.Lying in one position for too long leads to stiffness.Fewer distractions allow you to focus more on the pain.Yes, it can. Stress leads to inflammation and muscle tension, which can exacerbate joint pain.Talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage your stress.
Osteoarthritis flares generally last for just a few days.Without treatment, a flare of autoimmune arthritis may last for weeks or even months. Treatment can shorten that considerably.
Osteoarthritis flares generally last for just a few days.
Without treatment, a flare of autoimmune arthritis may last for weeks or even months. Treatment can shorten that considerably.
No one knows for sure, but arthritis may be worse at night for a few reasons:Levels of the anti-inflammatory hormone cortisol drop during sleep.Lying in one position for too long leads to stiffness.Fewer distractions allow you to focus more on the pain.
No one knows for sure, but arthritis may be worse at night for a few reasons:
Yes, it can. Stress leads to inflammation and muscle tension, which can exacerbate joint pain.Talk to your healthcare provider about how to manage your stress.
12 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.
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Bykerk VP, Bingham CO, Choy EH, et al.Identifying flares in rheumatoid arthritis: reliability and construct validation of the OMERACT RA Flare Core Domain Set.RMD Open. 2016;2(1):e000225. Published 2016 May 26. doi:10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000225
Arthritis Foundation.What triggers an arthritis flare?
National Psoriasis Foundation.Why treat psoriatic arthritis?
Singh JA, Guyatt G, Ogdie A, et al.Special Article: 2018 American College of Rheumatology/National Psoriasis Foundation guideline for the treatment of psoriatic arthritis.Arthritis Rheumatol.2019;71(1):5-32. doi:10.1002/art.40726
Martin BR.Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with acupuncture, turmeric (Curcuma longa), sarsaparilla (Smilax officinalis) and vitamin D: A case report.J Chiropr Med. 2020;19(3):194-200. doi:10.1016/j.jcm.2019.12.005
Arthritis Foundation.Acupuncture for arthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.How long does a flare last?
Arthritis Foundation.How stress affects arthritis.
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