Trauma Injury and Psoriatic Arthritis

Psoriatic arthritis involves pain and swelling in your joints as well as the red and inflamed skin that comes with the skin condition psoriasis. If you have this condition, you may find that there are small indentations in your fingernails, which is called pitting, or that your nails are pulling away from the nail beds. Psoriatic arthritis may be the outcome of injury or trauma, although that has not been fully determined.

Identification

• This type of arthritis occurs in people who are suffering from the chronic skin condition psoriasis. It very much mimics rheumatoid arthritis, but the skin condition is present along with joint pain.

Features

• When psoriatic arthritis is present, your nails may become discolored and turn yellow-orange. Your fingers can take on a sausage-like appearance, according to SkinCarePhysicians.com. In addition, you will suffer joint aches and pains.

Considerations

• Psoriatic arthritis is believed to be the result of an abnormal immune system, however, it can be provoked by stress, particularly in a person who is predisposed genetically.

Triggers

• Known triggers for psoriasis include injury to the skin, rashes, and even insect bites, notes Arthritis-Symptom.com.

Still a Mystery

• Research has been done on this condition for 30 years, yet the precise cause has yet to be determined, although previous injuries and trauma are considerations, as well as an individual's immune system and how well it is functioning.