Effects of psoriatic arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or psoriasis might affect different parts of your body, sometimes at different times.^1,2 Take a look below for more information, including the different parts of the body that can be affected and how PsA can appear.

Plaque PsO can develop before, during or after PsA³ and causes itchy, painful plaques that usually affect the knees, elbows, trunk, scalp, behind the ears, navel, and between the buttocks.^4-6 You may have a few, spaced-out plaques, or they can join together to form larger plaques.⁶

Psoriasis can cause changes to the nails, such as pitting (deep to shallow holes) or ridges (lines running from the nail bed to the end), crumbling, and the ‘oil drop sign’ – a salmon pink discoloration of the nail bed.^6-7 If you have nail psoriasis, you are more likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.³

When PsA affects the joints and tendons in the fingers and toes, it’s called dactylitis [pronounced dack-till-eye-tis].⁸ It can give fingers and toes a ‘sausage’ like appearance, which can make them difficult to use and might affect the way you live your life.^8,9

When PsA affects the part of the body where the ligaments or tendons meet the bones, it’s called enthesitis [pronounced enth-ess-eye-tis].⁹ It can be painful, and if it affects your feet, especially near the heel, it can make it difficult to walk.⁹

When PsA affects the joints of your arms and legs, like knees, elbows, wrists, hands and feet, it’s called peripheral arthritis.¹⁰ People with peripheral arthritis are more likely to develop dactylitis and enthesitis.¹⁰

Spondylitis [pronounced spon-dill-eye-tiss] is inflammation of the spinal column and can affect the neck, lower back and hips, causing pain and discomfort.¹¹