Psoriatic arthritis happens when your immune system wrongly attacks healthy joints, often after skin psoriasis starts. This immune reaction causes inflammation in both the joints and the skin.

In some people, joint symptoms may appear before the skin ones. Read more: https://aarc.sg/condition/psoriatic-arthritis/.

It is still not why psoriatic arthritis happens, but doctors link it to both genes and outside factors. Here are the common triggers and risk factors of psoriatic arthritis:

• Family history of the disease: Your genes play a big part. If you have a close family member with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, your risk is higher. Researchers find that certain gene patterns appear more often in these families.
• Existing skin psoriasis: Many people develop skin patches before joint pain. On average, psoriasis starts eight years before arthritis shows up. Your immune system seems primed by skin inflammation. When joint symptoms begin, they often follow a flare of skin psoriasis.
• Infections and injuries: Sometimes an infection or sprain can kick-start joint inflammation. A throat or skin infection may trigger your immune system to overreact. A sudden injury to a joint can change how your body heals, and cause ongoing pain. These events don’t always lead to arthritis, but they increase your risk.
• Obesity and lifestyle factors: Men and women share risks equally, but carrying extra weight puts strain on joints. Fat tissue also releases chemicals that fuel inflammation and sedentary habits can make it harder to clear those chemicals out. It may help to begin eating well and moving more to lower your overall inflammation and ease stress on joints.

What’s the First Red Flag of Psoriatic Arthritis?

The first key red flag of psoriatic arthritis is morning stiffness in one or more joints that lasts over 30 minutes. You might wake with painful, stiff fingers or ankles that improve only after you move around.

This pattern differs from simple aches that fade quickly with gentle activity. Beyond that first sign, watch for other clues like:

• Nail changes: Small pits, ridges or lifting of the nail from its bed can appear before joint pain. These changes occur because the same cells that inflame skin can also inflame the tissue under your nails. You might see yellow-brown spots or thickness under the nail.
• Fatigue and low energy: Psoriatic arthritis often drains your energy. If you have the condition, you may feel tired even after a full night’s sleep. This fatigue comes from your immune system running in overdrive. It can make simple tasks feel harder and cut into your daily routine.
• Joint swelling and redness: Inflammation can make a joint look puffy or warm to the touch. You might spot this in a finger, toe or knee. Swelling that shows up without a clear injury is a warning sign. You may want to take photos of your joints to track flare patterns.
• Eye irritation: Some people develop redness, pain or dryness in the eyes. This happens when psoriatic inflammation spreads to the eye’s outer layers. You might blink more or feel gritty like sand is in your eye. Left untreated, it can harm your vision.

What Test Confirms Psoriatic Arthritis?

To confirm psoriatic arthritis, your doctor might use a mix of exams and tests. The first thing they will do is to look at your symptoms and review your medical history.

They will then look for skin patches, nail changes or a family history of psoriasis. They will also press and move your joints to check for swelling, warmth or reduced motion.

Blood tests might also be used to check for inflammation markers like C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate. They also test for rheumatoid factor and anti-CCP antibodies.

A negative result helps rule out rheumatoid arthritis. Your specialist may order an X-ray or ultrasound scan to spot joint or tendon damage early.

In some cases, an MRI scan picks up inflammation in soft tissues that other scans miss. If diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis in Singapore, your provider will begin arrangements to start your treatment.

This is important because psoriatic arthritis does not simply disappear on its own. It can enter periods of low activity called remission.

Remission means you have few or no symptoms for months at a time. With the right treatment, many people reach remission or experience mild flare-ups they can manage at home. Here are some of the most common treatment options you may be recommended for psoriatic arthritis in Singapore:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These pain relievers ease joint pain and stiffness quickly. You take them by mouth or apply them as a cream. NSAIDs do not change the disease course, but they make flare-ups more bearable. Your doctor may advise you to use them only during active episodes to limit side effects.
• Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs): Drugs like methotrexate target the underlying immune response. If used as directed, they can slow down the damage that inflammation does to your joints. You usually take them once a week or as an injection. DMARDs may take several weeks to reach full effect.
• Biologic agents: Biologics block specific proteins in your immune system that drive inflammation. Common ones include TNF inhibitors and interleukin blockers. You receive them by injection or infusion every few weeks or months. Biologics often work faster than traditional DMARDs.
• Physical therapy and exercise: A guided exercise plan can help keep your joints flexible and muscles strong. Your therapist may teach you gentle stretches, water exercises or low-impact activities. Regular movement will help reduce stiffness and fatigue. It also supports the effects of your medications.
• Lifestyle and skin treatments: Controlling skin psoriasis can ease joint symptoms. Treatments include topical creams, light therapy or oral medicines for severe cases. Maintaining a healthy weight and eating an anti-inflammatory diet can cut down flare frequency. Stress management techniques, like meditation or deep breathing, may help too.

Wrapping Up

When it come to psoriatic arthritis, early signs especially long morning stiffness should tell you when to seek help. The good thing is that in Singapore, there are several specialists who can help you tell for sure what is causing your signs and tailor treatments to your needs.

And even though psoriatic arthritis does not vanish on its own, modern medicines, exercise and skin care can bring relief that lasts. Watch for red flags, talk to your GP and see a rheumatology specialist if you notice persistent stiffness, swelling or nail changes.