Causes
Psoriatic arthritis is caused by the immune system’s attack on healthy cells. The attack often affects cells in the joints. It causes inflammation in these joints, which can be incredibly painful, as well as an overproduction of skin cells.
The exact reason the immune system suddenly turns on the body’s healthy cells is not certain. Researchers suspect genetics and environmental factors play a role [2]. This is because many of those who develop psoriatic arthritis have a family history of psoriatic arthritis or psoriasis. Psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are not the same condition, but they are often closely associated with each other.