What should you know about pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis?

Pustular psoriasis causes pus-filled bumps on inflamed skin; psoriatic arthritis is inflammation affecting joints, tendons, or the places where tendons attach to bone. Most people with psoriatic arthritis notice joint pain, swelling, or morning stiffness, although skin and joint symptoms do not always appear together. A skin flare does not prove that a joint problem is present, and joint symptoms can deserve attention even when the skin looks calmer.

Arrange an assessment with a dermatologist, rheumatologist, or primary-care clinician if you develop swollen fingers or toes, persistent joint pain, or stiffness after waking. Keep a brief record of affected joints, skin changes, eye symptoms, and how movement changes them. Treatment may combine skin care, anti-inflammatory medication, and disease-directed medicines; physiotherapy can support movement, strength, and joint protection. Do not start or stop prescription medicine without guidance.

Seek urgent medical help for a rapidly spreading pustular eruption, fever, marked weakness, dehydration, or severe pain. Get prompt assessment for a hot, very swollen joint, a painful red eye with blurred vision, or new weakness or numbness. These features can signal a complication or another condition needing immediate attention, regardless of how familiar the psoriasis feels.

Could my joint pattern fit psoriatic arthritis? Which examinations or scans are useful? How should skin and joint treatments be coordinated? What activity and exercise limits apply during a flare? Which symptoms should prompt same-day help?