# Can arthritis make the skin covering the affected joint sensitive and painful? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 3, 2024, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195 "2024-08-03T16:09:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/1 "2024-08-03T16:09:24Z")
Once she got older, my mom had arthritis in her hands pretty bad. I’m dreading it happening to me, and I think I have arthritis in my right index finger knuckle. But the thing is, the skin around that knuckle is super-sensitive, if not downright painful when it brushes against something. Is this something that happens with arthritic joints? I’ve tried to Google that question, but I’m not finding anything useful. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/2 "2024-08-03T16:20:25Z")
Are we talking about Rheumatoid arthritis? Then yes. Let me find a cite. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/3 "2024-08-03T16:23:55Z")
> **[Rheumatoid arthritis - Symptoms and causes](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20353648)** > > This chronic inflammatory disorder can affect more than just your joints. It can also damage your skin, eyes, lungs, heart and blood vessels. > Areas that may be affected include: Skin > **[Learn More About Arthritis and Your Skin.](https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/about-arthritis/related-conditions/physical-effects/arthritis-and-your-skin)** > > While arthritis most commonly affects the skin, the underlying inflammation can affect the body’s largest and most visible organ, the skin. Learn about the rashes, bumps, bruises, wounds, spots and discoloration that may affect people with... > **[Rheumatoid Arthritis and Skin Problems: What You Need to Know](https://creakyjoints.org/about-arthritis/rheumatoid-arthritis/ra-and-skin-problems/)** > > Learn how RA can affect your skin, from rashes to painful lumps, and how to treat these mostly rare conditions. ---
**Author:** ![teelabrown](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/teelabrown/32/8412_2.png) [@teelabrown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teelabrown)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/4 "2024-08-03T16:36:11Z")
::reading links:: Huh, not reassuring. But I don’t have any purple or red rash or any bumps or lumps. Just mild pain in the knuckle and sensitive skin over it. I’ll keep an eye on it, though. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/5 "2024-08-03T16:48:01Z")
Could it be some kind of gout? I’ve long had osteoarthritis in my thumb-wrist joints, and the skin has never been affected. I haven’t heard of it, but I’ve never asked, either. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2024, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/6 "2024-08-03T17:02:13Z")
Yes. My husbands knees are arthritic. I’m convinced it’s because rubs them so much. (Some otc creams may have stuff in them you’re allergic to, as well) ---
**Author:** ![VOW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vow/32/3043_2.png) [@VOW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VOW)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2024, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-arthritis-make-the-skin-covering-the-affected-joint-sensitive-and-painful/1005195/7 "2024-08-09T15:17:05Z")
I think you might be referring to **psoriatic arthritis**. Disclaimer: IANA health care professional. I just read a lot and retain information, which I can pull out of my brain and entertain and/or annoy those close to me. ~VOW