Arthritis comes in many forms; psoriatic arthritis is one of them. It is a type of arthritis that affects some people who have psoriasis. A disorder that causes red patches with silvery scales on the top layer of skin. People with psoriatic arthritis first develop psoriasis and then later diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. But the joint problems may sometimes begin before skin patches appear.

The main signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis lead to Joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. It can affect any part of your body, including your fingertips and spine, and can range from relatively mild to severe. In both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, this condition flares may alternate with periods of remission. This means the flares come and go after a gap of time.

Psoriatic arthritis is also an autoimmune disease that occurs when your immune system attacks healthy joint cells or tissues of the body. Till the time, there is no permanent cure for psoriatic arthritis. The only one can manage symptoms and prevent a worsening condition through treatment. So, focusing on controlling symptoms and preventing damage to your joints is very important.

Symptoms of Psoriatic arthritis
Both psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are chronic disorders that become worse over time, but you can have periods when your symptoms improve or go into remission changing with times when symptoms get worse.

Psoriatic arthritis may affect joints on just one side or both sides of your body. The signs and symptoms of psoriatic arthritis are often similar to those of rheumatoid arthritis. Both diseases make joints painful, swollen, and warm to the touch.

However, psoriatic arthritis is more likely to lead to:
Swollen fingers and toes
Psoriatic arthritis can cause severe pain in your fingers and toes. You may also get swelling and deformities in your hands and feet before having significant joint symptoms.

Foot pain
Psoriatic arthritis may also lead to pain at the points where tendons and ligaments connect to your bones, especially at the back of your heel (Achilles tendinitis) or in the sole of your foot (plantar fasciitis).

Lower back pain
A few people also develop a condition known as spondylitis as a result of psoriatic arthritis. Spondylitis mainly leads to inflammation of the joints between the vertebrae of your spine and in the joints between your spine and pelvis (sacroiliitis).

When you need to visit the doctor
If you're suffering from psoriasis, make sure and tell your doctor if you feel joint pain. Psoriatic arthritis can badly damage your joint or permanent deformity if it is left untreated. So, treatment is very important to manage symptoms and avoids further progression.

Causes of Psoriatic arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis happens when your body's immune system starts to attack healthy cells and tissue. The abnormal immune response triggers inflammation in your joints as well as the overproduction of skin cells.

The exact cause of psoriatic arthritis isn't clear yet why the immune system attacks healthy tissue. But it seems likely that both genetic and environmental factors are responsible for it. 

several people with psoriatic arthritis can have a family history of either psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. Researchers have said that certain genetic factors appear to be linked with psoriatic arthritis.

The following can be associated with psoriatic arthritis or people who are at risk with these factors:

• Psoriasis People who have psoriasis are at risk for developing psoriatic arthritis. People with pitted, deformed nails are especially likely to develop psoriatic arthritis.
• Family history. If a person with psoriatic arthritis has a parent or a sibling with the disease.
•  Age. Although anybody can develop psoriatic arthritis, it affects most often in adults between the ages of 30 and 50.