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Arthritis

Know Your Psoriatic Arthritis: Is It a Flare or Infection?

Lauren Smith, MAMandy Armitage, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD
Updated on January 15, 2026
Featuring Nicola Berman, MDReviewed by Mandy Armitage, MD | January 15, 2026

When you have an autoimmune condition like psoriatic arthritis (PsA), much of treatment revolves around achieving remission from symptoms and preventing and managing flares. When flare symptoms spring up, it’s tempting to jump into action and start treating the PsA flare.

There’s just one problem: It might not even be a flare at all. The first thing you should do when you think you recognize a flare of PsA symptoms is see your doctor, says Nicola Berman, MD, rheumatologist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Mandy Armitage, MD
Reviewed by:
Mandy Armitage, MD
Mandy Armitage, MD, has combined clinical medicine with her passion for education and content development for many years. She served as medical director for the health technology companies HealthLoop (now Get Well) and Doximity.

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