There are several types of arthritis, and each one affects the hands and its joints differently. These include: - Rheumatoid Arthritis — Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system attacks the joints, which results in inflammation. Symptoms can be gradual or come on rapidly and include stiffness, pain, and swelling in the hands, wrists, ankles, elbows, shoulders, neck, or jaw. - Psoriatic Arthritis — This type of arthritis is directly linked to psoriasis, which is an inflammatory skin condition that can cause the skin to develop a scaly rash. Psoriasis can cause the fingers to swell and consequently result in arthritic symptoms. - Gout-Induced Arthritis — When the joints experience an accumulation of uric acid crystals, gout occurs. This build-up can happen for two main reasons: by either eating foods high in purines (which increases the body’s production of uric acid), or because the body makes too much uric acid that the kidneys cannot process. - Lupus — An autoimmune disease, lupus can affect the joints, causing inflammation. There are countless symptoms that a person with lupus might experience, common ones include hair loss, headaches, anemia, fatigue, and swelling/inflammation of the joints. - Osteoarthritis — The only type of arthritis that does not stem from inflammation, osteoarthritis is a degenerative disorder and occurs due to wear and tear on the joints.