What is Psoriatic Arthritis and What Causes It?
Psoriasis is a skin disease that may first show as an arthritic condition called Psoriatic Arthritis to some patients. The disease is characterized by a rough and scaly type of skin irritation or rash. It usually starts to show in elbows, knees and the scalp. Problems in the toes, fingernails and eyes may also be experienced. Although, the disease is not contagious, its cause, like some types of arthritis, is unknown. A proper diagnosis is needed to check for the occurrence of psoriasis and its accompanying psoriatic arthritis. Blood tests, X-rays and joint fluid tests, medical history and physical examination are required. People with a weak immune system are believed to be most susceptible to the disease. Insect bites as well as cuts and scrapes are known to trigger the outbreak of the disease. Psoriatic arthritis causes swelling and pain in the scaly patches of the body affected by psoriasis and not just the joints. Only a minimum of 10% of those who have psoriasis may develop this
