Nail Psoriasis

What is Nail Psoriasis? Nail Psoriasis is a pitting or thickening of a person’s nails. This is a condition that some people who have skin psoriasis may suffer. The effects from nail psoriasis can cause your nail to become discolored, thicker, and maybe even develop flakes. Sometimes the affected nail can become loose and form horizontal lines across the nail.

The cause of nail psoriasis is not known at this time. However, some experts believe that the nail psoriasis may be caused by a combination of the environment, immunological, and genetic. Most people generally have a chance of having psoriasis if there is a family history of psoriasis. Studies show if you have at least one parent who has psoriasis you have at least a 25% chance you will have psoriasis as well. However, if you have two parents with psoriasis you have up to 75% chance you will to.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis are as follows,

·         A drop of blood under your nail along with a clear yellow-red tint.

·         Pits that has formed on your nail that was not there before

·         Lines that go from side to side on your nail

·         White areas on your nail

·         Skin under your nail becomes thick

·         Loose nails

·         Nails that crumble

·         Little black lines that goes from your cuticle to the tip of your nail.

·         A red area at the arch of your nail

·         Arthritis in your fingers

·         A fungal infection on your nail

·         Inflammation of the skin surrounding your nail.

If you notice or experience any of the above symptoms seek professional advice or treatment. In most cases a doctor will perform a biopsy in order to make proper diagnoses of the nail psoriasis.  There is no known cure for nail psoriasis at this time. Most doctors will treat your nails with an antifungal cream or ointment.

Suggestion for at home nail care for nail psoriasis.

If your nail becomes loose gently trim the loose area and apply the antifungal cream recommended by your doctor. Sometimes if the treatment from the antifungal cream is not successful the doctor will recommend the removal of the infected nail. There are two ways you can remove an infected nail. 1) Chemicals, 2) surgery, the chemical solution is an ointment that you can apply to your nail for seven days and this will cause the nail to come off by itself without any bleeding. With surgery you will have the area numbed and the nail surgically removed. By removing the nail can lessen the pain and symptoms of the nail psoriasis. It will not cure it but it will help.

To prevent nail psoriasis or fungus keep the nails dry and try to keep from damaging your nails. There are several medications available to help with nail psoriasis. Ointments, rubs, steroid creams, vitamin A or D derivatives and antifungal creams as well.

Keeping your nails healthy is important and nail psoriasis is something that has to be treated in order to keep your nails and hands healthy and pretty.