Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a type of arthritis affecting people with the skin condition psoriasis. Flare-ups—also called flares or relapses—are periods where symptoms of PsA get worse. Not everyone with PsA has psoriasis, but psoriasis and PsA—also called psoriatic disease—are chronic inflammatory diseases resulting from a problem with the immune system.
PsA can cause the joints to become swollen, stiff, and painful. Some people with PsA may also have nail and skin changes and chronic fatigue. Treatment can help manage these symptoms and their causes, but PsA does get worse with time and persistent inflammation can cause permanent damage to joints.
It is difficult to know when a flare-up may come about but avoiding certain triggers may prevent disease flares. Your treatment plan can also reduce the risk and severity of flares. And if when flare-ups occur, there are things you can do to heal quicker, manage the flare, and reduce the risk of damage to joints during this time.
