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Psoriatic arthritis is a long-term condition that causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness. Medicines can help treat the symptoms.

Some people with the skin condition psoriasis will get psoriatic arthritis as they get older.

Symptoms of psoriatic arthritis include:

• pain, swelling and stiffness in 1 or more joints
• swollen fingers or toes
• your nails changing from their usual colour, or tiny dents or pits developing in your nails
• feeling drained of energy

Symptoms can be worse first thing in the morning and may improve with exercise.

Some people may also get symptoms of psoriasis, such as dry scaly skin, at the same time.

If you're not sure it's psoriatic arthritis

There are other conditions that can cause joint pain, stiffness and swelling, including:

• osteoarthritis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• gout

See a GP if:

If the GP thinks you may have psoriatic arthritis, they'll refer you to a specialist (rheumatologist).

Tests you may have include:

• blood tests
• joint fluid test – where fluid is removed from an affected joint and tested
• X-rays, ultrasound scans and MRI scans

Medicines are the main treatment for psoriatic arthritis. If a medicine does not help with your symptoms tell your doctor. Another medicine may work better for you.

Medicines for psoriatic arthritis

The medicines used to treat psoriatic arthritis include:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – they come as tablets, creams or gels and can help with mild symptoms
• steroid injections – a steroid medicine is injected into a joint to help ease the pain
• disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) – used for moderate to severe symptoms, DMARDs can take several months to work so keep taking them even if you do not feel better straight away
• biological treatments – usually given by injection, biological treatments can be used if DMARDs do not help

Other treatments for psoriatic arthritis

Your doctor may also refer you to a physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or both.

A physiotherapist can teach you exercises to help strengthen your joints and prevent joint damage.

An occupational therapist can discuss adjustments you can make at home and at work. For example, they may recommend equipment that makes certain tasks easier.

More information

• Versus Arthritis: disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs
• Psoriasis Association: biological treatments

There are some things you can do to help ease the symptoms of psoriatic arthritis.

Some people with psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis.

It can sometimes develop after you've had psoriasis for many years.

Like psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis is caused by the immune system attacking healthy tissue.

It's not clear why some people with psoriasis get psoriatic arthritis but others do not.