Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCommon CausesExacerbating Factors
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Common Causes
Exacerbating Factors
If you have joint pain on the left side of your body, it could mean you have a type of arthritis in which symptoms appear on justone sideinstead of both sides. This is known as asymmetric arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis, or PsA, is one of those types of arthritis. In a study of 126 patients with PsA, 53.1% of people who had PsA symptoms experienced them on just one side of their bodies.
Verywell / Julie Bang
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?PsA is aninflammatory form of arthritislinked to the autoimmune diseasepsoriasis, which can cause itchy, scaly patches of skin. PsA can sometimes develop in people without psoriasis, but it occurs prior to or with psoriasis around 85% of the time. PsA may also begin in childhood.
What Is Psoriatic Arthritis?
PsA is aninflammatory form of arthritislinked to the autoimmune diseasepsoriasis, which can cause itchy, scaly patches of skin. PsA can sometimes develop in people without psoriasis, but it occurs prior to or with psoriasis around 85% of the time. PsA may also begin in childhood.
Common Causes of Left Side Joint Pain
Maybe you’ve noticed more swelling, tenderness, and painful sensations on the left side of your body in small or large joints. PsA can attack many joints or just a few, and this can also change as the disease progresses.
For example, you may start with left side joint pain in your wrist, knee, or the sole of your foot. This may later progress to left side joint pain in the sacrum area, from the top of your spine to the base of your lower back, or tailbone.
What Is a Flare?A flare, or flare-up, refers to an increase in symptoms of any disease. To have a PsA flare-up means to experience the characteristic symptoms of joint pain, swelling, and stiffness with or without psoriasis symptoms.
What Is a Flare?
A flare, or flare-up, refers to an increase in symptoms of any disease. To have a PsA flare-up means to experience the characteristic symptoms of joint pain, swelling, and stiffness with or without psoriasis symptoms.
Scientists think that genes and environmental triggers like experiencing a trauma or contracting a virus may play roles in whether a person develops PsA and how often they experience joint pain from flare-ups.
Common Causes Explained
Psoriasis
It’s estimated that 20%–30% of all patients with psoriasis will develop PsA.Does that mean psoriasis causes psoriatic arthritis? Not exactly, no. The cause is more often related to immune system dysfunction happening throughout your body.
PsA can also attack your organs. It’s considered an autoimmune disorder because your body mistakenly begins attacking healthy tissues, but it’s not really known why this happens in some people.
What Are Autoimmune Diseases?
Genetics
PsA gene research is ongoing. Here’s what scientists know so far:
While these are not causes of PsA, you will notice that certain habits or lifestyle choices have a serious impact on both your skin condition (psoriasis) and joint inflammation (arthritis).
Here are some of the most common exacerbating factors and how to cope.
Dry skin
Dry skin can contribute to an increase in PsA skin symptoms like itching, scaling, and peeling or flaking.
Keeping your skin moisturized withgentle products(scent-free or plant-based natural options free of potential skin irritants).
Moisturizing TipsUse aloe, jojoba, and zinc to protect your skin.Take short, warm baths with Epsom salts, oatmeal, and pure (fragrance- and perfume-free) bath oils.Moisturize daily and after any water-based activities (bathing, showering, swimming).Rub body oil into your skin when it’s still wet and spread the oil over larger areas of skin, like your legs, arms, chest, and back of the shoulders.
Moisturizing Tips
Use aloe, jojoba, and zinc to protect your skin.Take short, warm baths with Epsom salts, oatmeal, and pure (fragrance- and perfume-free) bath oils.Moisturize daily and after any water-based activities (bathing, showering, swimming).Rub body oil into your skin when it’s still wet and spread the oil over larger areas of skin, like your legs, arms, chest, and back of the shoulders.
Fragrances and Dyes
While your apple orchard– or rain forest–scented laundry detergent may make your blankets and clothes smell clean, they can also irritate the sensitive skin that comes with having psoriasis or PsA.
Choose the dye- and scent-free options when it comes to:
High stress
Stress is a part of life, but it’s also a culprit contributing to symptom flare-ups.This includes left side joint pain that can make getting out and relieving stress a little more challenging. If you find some activities too difficult with your left side joint pain, make adjustments so that you can continue to engage in stress-relieving activities.
Don’t Let Stress Lead to WithdrawalPeople with PsA may be prone to social withdrawal and isolation when stressed and when having flare-ups. Try adding some activities that include socializing with others or at least being around others, such as group walks, dinner with friends, or going to a theater.
Don’t Let Stress Lead to Withdrawal
People with PsA may be prone to social withdrawal and isolation when stressed and when having flare-ups. Try adding some activities that include socializing with others or at least being around others, such as group walks, dinner with friends, or going to a theater.
Other lifestyle factors may also play a role in developing PsA symptoms. An analysis conducted in 2020 found the following risk factors were associated with increased flares in patients with psoriasis:
However, the following did not have a significant impact:
A Word From Verywell
If PsA runs in your family, there is a chance you will get it too, but a genetic link doesn’t automatically mean you will develop this autoimmune disease. If you do experience PsA, know that it’s due to factors that are largely outside of your control, including your genetic makeup and certain uncontrollable environmental factors.
You do, however, have a lot of control over how PsA impacts your everyday life. Making some minor changes like keeping your skin hydrated and protected can make a large difference in symptom severity and flare-up frequency. If you’re concerned, talk to your doctor or other medical professional about ways you can reduce the risk of damage and injury to your joints.
8 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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