Nail psoriasis causes. Symptoms of nail psoriasis (photos) and treatment

Psoriasis is a non-infectious chronic disease that occurs in waves. It causes inconvenience to a person not only due to problems with the health of the body, but also from an aesthetic point of view. During the illness, the nails begin to peel and change color, and spots and wounds appear on the skin around the nail plate. Nail psoriasis can often cause pain. Treatment usually takes a lot of time and effort. People who are faced with this disease are usually concerned about how to treat nail psoriasis and what rules of behavior should be followed. You can find out the answers to them by reading this article.

Causes of psoriasis

Nail psoriasis occurs much less frequently than all other types of this disease. It can develop on the basis of existing lesions in certain areas of the skin or psoriatic arthritis, or it can be an independent disease.
Doctors still do not have a common opinion about the causes of psoriasis.

Causes of nail psoriasis may include the following:

1. Prolonged stress.
2. Metabolic disorder.
3. Peripheral circulation disorders.
4. Increased sensitivity to certain environmental factors.
5. Inherited predisposition.

Nail psoriasis: symptoms

A disease such as psoriasis has been known for a long time. Back in the nineteenth century, the main signs characterizing nail damage in psoriasis were described, and the difficulties of diagnosis were also noted. Even then, doctors assumed that this disease had an isolated form. Nowadays, this assumption has been confirmed. In the case of vulgar psoriasis, damage to the nail plates can occur as a concomitant form, or it can also develop separately.

The diagnosis is made, for the most part, on the basis of diagnosing the appearance of the nail plates of the hands and feet. Sometimes an additional biopsy and histological analysis of tissue from the affected areas is performed.

The main clinical manifestations of psoriasis are trachyonychia, onycholysis, subungual hemorrhages and the thimble symptom. The presence of any of them determines the specifics of what nail psoriasis looks like. Let's look at them in more detail.

Thimble symptom

Thimble is the most common type of nail psoriasis. The manifestation of this symptom is the appearance on the nails of small depressions of various shapes with a diameter of 0.5 to 2 mm. These pits appear due to pathological nail formation. They appear on the nail in a chaotic manner and resemble the outer surface of a thimble in appearance. Similar deformations of the nail plate also occur in the case of other dermatological diseases, but such pits can appear individually in healthy people.

Onycholysis

Onchiolysis is a nail lesion that also often occurs during psoriasis. During onchiolysis, the nail plate begins to separate smoothly and without accompanying pain and inflammation from the bed. According to the degree of its severity, this symptom, which often occurs with a disease such as nail psoriasis, can be complete or partial. In most cases, detachment begins at the distal edge, but central and lateral onchiolysis are also common.

When the nail plate begins to peel off, dirt, air and dust enter the resulting empty space. There are also particles of exfoliated epidermis located there, which is why the nail changes color to light gray, and in some cases, to brown-yellow. The distinctive feature of this form of psoriasis is a thin pink line around the affected area, which becomes yellowish over time. Often during onchiolysis, the affected nails begin to emit an unpleasant odor.

Subungual hemorrhages

Doctors distinguish two subtypes of subungual hemorrhages, differing in their characteristics. The first type is characterized by the appearance of pink or red spots under the nail (“oil stain syndrome”). For the second class of symptoms, a feature is the appearance of elongated bruises resulting from ruptured capillaries. They range in color from bright red to brown and even black.

Trachyonychia

This is another type of nail psoriasis, which manifests itself in the form of changes in the color and texture of the nail plate: during trachyonychia, it becomes dull and rough, and the hole located at its base disappears. Sometimes during tracheonychia the nail seems to be pressed in the center: this pathology is called koilonychia. At the same time, at the very beginning of the disease, before acquiring such a curved shape, the nails become somewhat flattened. The tissues located under the nail do not undergo changes.

Nail psoriasis: treatment

This disease takes a long time to cure. The most important thing that should not be forgotten during therapy is the need to use an integrated approach to treatment. Treatment of psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails is prescribed by a doctor in accordance with the clinical picture of the disease, its severity, taking into account the patient’s tendency to relapse, the presence of concomitant diseases and a person’s individual tolerance to certain medications. If the disease is at an early or middle stage, local medications are taken for treatment:

1. Creams and ointments containing corticosteroids - Triacort, Triamcinolone, Prednisolone ointment. This is the main group of medications suitable for the treatment of psoriasis.
2. Preparations containing vitamin D3 - "Tacalcinone", "Calcitriene" and others. They help inhibit the division of cells affected by the disease. They combine well with medications containing betamethasone, for example, Taklonex ointment.
3. Tar or coal tar is a slightly weaker analogue of the drugs described in the paragraph above.
4. Dermatotropic drugs - "Micanol", "Anthralin", "Dithranol". They slow down the division and formation of cells that form the manifestations of psoriasis and can contribute to stable and long-term remission of the disease.
5. External retinoids - "Tazarotene", "Tazorak". They are effective for mild to moderate nail psoriasis.
6. Salicylic acid - helps enhance the effect of other medications, relieves itching and plaque, and also exfoliates dead tissue.
7. A solution of 5-fluorouracil, which is applied under a bandage around the finger. Requires a long treatment time - up to six months.

If treatment with local drugs is ineffective, the doctor selects a course of systemic therapy for the patient, which includes the following medications:

1. "Cyclosporine" is a fairly effective remedy for the treatment of psoriasis of any degree of complexity. After completing a course of treatment, Neoral is required as maintenance therapy for two years. "Neoral" includes the same active ingredient as "Cyclosporine", but in a lower content.
2. "Methotrexate" is a strong drug that is prescribed for generalization of the disease process. Before use, be sure to read the instructions: Methotrexate has a large number of side effects and contraindications.
3. "Acitretin" and "Isotretinoin" are prescribed for severe and advanced forms of nail psoriasis.
4. Antidepressants - used to reduce itching and stress reactions.
5. Complexes of vitamins and minerals that enhance immunity. They must include elements such as calcium, zinc and selenium.

Modern methods of treating nail psoriasis

Modern areas of treatment for nail psoriasis include:

1. The use of multichannel antibodies, such as Rituximab and Ustekinumab. By contacting the immune system, they destroy immature cells that form manifestations of psoriasis.
2. Use of biological response modifiers, for example, Alefacept. Such drugs selectively affect those cells of the immune system whose functions have been impaired.
3. Necrosis blockers - Adadlimumab, Etanercept. They are used to treat advanced stages of psoriasis.

Physiotherapy for the treatment of psoriasis

The following physiotherapeutic methods for treating psoriasis are used:

• phototherapy, photochemotherapy;
• plasmapheresis;
• diathermy;
• hemosorption;
• excimer laser therapy.

Prevention of psoriasis

Psoriasis prevention measures that anyone can take include caring for their nails, not wearing nail polish, and not letting them grow too long; It is mandatory to use protective gloves when working with chemicals and to prevent injury to the nail plates.

Nail psoriasis: treatment with folk remedies

It often happens that many medications cause allergies. These circumstances force us to resort to the following solution to such a problem as nail psoriasis: treatment with folk remedies.

1. Nail baths with bay leaves. To prepare the solution, pour 20 grams of bay leaf into two glasses of boiling water. Boil the resulting mixture for 10-12 minutes, let it cool and keep your nails in it for 10-15 minutes. The solution can also be taken orally: 40 milliliters 3 times a day.
2. Lotions: mix 500 milliliters of water with 2 tablespoons of corn starch or oatmeal and apply to the affected area.
3. Herbal baths made of sage, oak bark, string and celandine.
4. Taking an infusion of St. John's wort, string, lingonberry leaves and calamus root also helps cure nail psoriasis. These herbs need to be mixed in equal parts, pour one spoon of the resulting mixture with a glass of boiling water and take 50 milliliters twice a day.
5. Durushnik compresses: pour 4 tablespoons of crushed leaves into 500 milliliters of water, distribute the brewed herb evenly over the affected areas of the body, wrap with cling film and hold for 15 minutes.

These folk remedies for eliminating nail psoriasis will be of great help to people who, due to certain circumstances, cannot take medications. But, nevertheless, before starting a course of treatment you still need to consult a doctor.

Diet for nail psoriasis

Treatment of nail psoriasis is impossible without following the necessary nutrition and diet. If possible, you should completely stop drinking alcohol and smoking. During treatment, it is necessary to avoid fried, smoked and salty foods, fatty and dairy products, nuts, chocolate, citrus fruits, carbonated drinks, strong tea and coffee, as well as nightshade vegetables - eggplants, potatoes, tomatoes and sweet peppers.

The diet of a patient with psoriasis should include at least 30% acidic foods and about 70% alkaline foods. It is recommended to consume at least 2 liters of water per day, boiled cereals, lean meat and fish, vegetables, eggs, sweet fruits, juice and herbs.

Rules of conduct for psoriasis

In order to cure the disease as soon as possible, the following rules of conduct must be observed:

1. Nails should be cut short and neat.
2. When using household chemicals, you need to wear gloves on your hands.
3. Prevent mechanical damage to nails, refuse manicures and pedicures.
4. Lubricate your hands with a cream that nourishes your skin and nails.
5. Make baths with herbs.
6. Avoid stressful situations.

Now you know how to treat nail psoriasis, what symptoms it is accompanied by, and what precautions should be taken to prevent it.

Content

This chronic disease is rarely recorded, but it causes a lot of inconvenience to each of its few victims. The disease affects the nail plates, changing their color and destroying the structure. To cure nail psoriasis, you will need to put in a lot of effort and spend a lot of time. However, with a systematic approach it is quite possible. If the described problem has affected you or someone close to you, immediately take action to avoid unpleasant consequences. Read on and you can learn how to deal with this disease.

Causes of the disease

Psoriasis affects the nails much less frequently than other parts of the body. As a rule, it develops in people diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. In some cases, the disease is detected when certain areas of the skin are affected. Independent nail psoriasis is observed even less frequently. At the moment, dermatologists do not have a consensus on the causes of this disease, but the factors contributing to its development are known for certain. These include:

• peripheral circulatory disorders;
• prolonged stress;
• chronic diseases;
• metabolic disorders;
• hereditary factors;
• increased sensitivity to environmental factors.

The first signs of psoriasis on the fingernails and toenails

The clinical picture of this disease depends on the nature of origin and the specific variety. At the same time, it is possible to identify a number of manifestations that are characteristic of the initial stages and occur in all cases of nail psoriasis. These include the following signs:

• pitting formations on the surface of the nail;
• pain when pressing on the nail;
• the appearance of space between the nail and the bed;
• inflammation that occurs due to the penetration of dust and particles of the epidermis under the nail.

Stages of the disease and their symptoms

The appearance of psoriasis often goes unnoticed, since the first signs do not always clearly indicate the presence of a serious nail problem. The disease gradually progresses, creating increasing physical and aesthetic discomfort. Doctors divide the development of this disease into three stages:

1. Progressive. Small white or yellow-brown dots (papules) appear on the surface of the nails, which gradually increase in size. At this stage, the disease has not yet penetrated deep into the nail plate, so it is not so difficult to cope with it. There is no pain, but the upper layers of the nails are already beginning to peel off.
2. Stationary. At the second stage of nail psoriasis, the appearance of new spots on the nails temporarily stops. Inflammatory processes slow down, but still cause terrible discomfort to the patient. In some cases, the epidermis around the nails becomes covered with a barely noticeable rash. When you touch the cuticles, pain is felt. The skin adjacent to the nail plates becomes dry. Cracks and slight bleeding appear on it.
3. Regressive. The peculiarity of this stage of nail psoriasis is that the resulting papules gradually disappear. Whitish pseudosclerotic borders appear around the lesions. At this stage of the disease, most patients experience unbearable itching.

Diagnostic methods

To date, there are no specific research methods for making a diagnosis of nail psoriasis. When studying the composition of blood taken for analysis during the period of active development of the disease, changes characteristic of rheumatic/inflammatory/autoimmune processes are often detected. In some difficult cases, doctors prescribe a skin biopsy to exclude other pathologies.

How to treat nail psoriasis

The whole difficulty of treating nail psoriasis lies in the fact that there are no standard methods that could be used in at least half of the cases. In each patient, the course of this disease is accompanied by many individual factors. Analyzing the overall clinical picture, doctors prescribe comprehensive treatment and recommend partial lifestyle changes.

Therapeutic diet

A person who has been diagnosed with nail psoriasis should first take care of normalizing eating behavior. No, it is impossible to completely cure this disease with diet. A proper diet will help eliminate factors contributing to the development of the disease, and thereby increase the effectiveness of drug treatment prescribed by doctors. For those who are faced with this problem, below is a table with prohibited and permitted products.

Drug therapy

Treatment of nail psoriasis with pharmaceutical drugs largely helps eliminate obvious symptoms and make the patient feel better. The root of a chronic disease is hidden deeply, so other methods are used to combat it. However, after conducting an examination and diagnosing the patient, doctors are required to prescribe medications. The following drugs are widely used for these purposes:

1. Hormonal agents, which have an anti-inflammatory effect, in tablets and capsules. When nail psoriasis just begins, doctors often prescribe the mildest drugs from this category - Hydrocortisone, Prednisolone, etc. They soothe inflammation and normalize the condition of the nails. In case of repeated exacerbation of psoriasis, it is recommended to use stronger fluoridated drugs - “Sinalaroma”, “Celestodermoma”, “Vipsogaloma”, “Belosalicoma”. The use of these drugs demonstrates high efficiency: in 70% of cases, after a two-week course of treatment, patients experience complete regression of nail psoriasis.
2. Non-halogenated glucocorticoids– “Advantan”, “Elokom”. Thanks to the exclusion of fluorine and chlorine from the composition of these drugs, the likelihood of unwanted effects of a systemic and local nature has significantly decreased. These drugs act as the basis of drug therapy against nail psoriasis.
3. Creams and ointments containing dithranol– “Cignolin”, “Psorax”, “Cygnoderm”, etc. They have a powerful antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory effect. They are prescribed in increasing dosages using short-term or long-term methods. The disadvantage of these drugs is the high likelihood of side effects such as erythema, itching and local swelling.

An important feature of drug treatment of nail psoriasis is the need for constant changes in therapeutic programs. Over time, the effectiveness of any remedy decreases, so doctors have to find new ways to combat the disease. There are certain schemes for alternating techniques, but for each patient they are used taking into account individual characteristics.

Physiotherapy

The main idea of ​​physiotherapeutic treatment of nail psoriasis is the impact on the tissues of the toes and hands by various physical factors, including electric current, light/laser pulses, infrared/ultrasound waves. Magnetic laser therapy and electrosleep have been found to be especially effective in the fight against nail psoriasis. The combined use of these techniques provides a lasting positive result - acute symptoms are quickly relieved, the period of remission is noticeably increased, and inflammatory processes subside.

Proper nail care

In addition to the use of medications and folk remedies, treating psoriasis at home involves the introduction of special hygiene rules. Proper daily nail care significantly increases the effectiveness of therapy. When consulting patients diagnosed with psoriasis, doctors give the following recommendations:

• fingernails and toenails should be cut as short as possible;
• When doing housework, hands should be protected with gloves;
• Manicure/pedicure should be avoided;
• physical work, during which nails may be injured, should be kept to a minimum;
• Fingernails and toenails should always be washed clean.

Folk remedies

Can nail psoriasis be cured with home remedies? Experts answer this question in the affirmative. Provided that traditional medicines are used correctly and, most importantly, systematically, inflammatory processes recede. Damage to the nail plates stops. Nowadays, many experts talk about how to cure nail psoriasis without pharmaceuticals, but universal tactics still cannot be determined. Good performance indicators are demonstrated by the folk remedies described in the list that you will find below:

1. Compress based on celandine. A simple and, at the same time, extremely effective remedy for the treatment of nail psoriasis. To prepare a decoction for this procedure, pour 100 grams of the dry plant with cool water and place on a burner with medium heat. Bring to a boil, turn off the gas and let the broth brew for 45-50 minutes. To cure psoriasis nail damage, apply compresses daily for 6-8 weeks.
2. Solid oil. Prepare an ointment to treat nail psoriasis. To do this, mix technical grease, baby cream and melted nutria fat in equal proportions. Mix the ingredients thoroughly until you obtain a homogeneous consistency. Every evening, smear your hands with this product at night, and after 2-3 weeks, nail psoriasis will recede.
3. Baths. Nail psoriasis can be effectively treated with systematic use of home remedies containing corn starch. Take 150 grams of this powder, dilute it in hot water until you get the consistency of sour cream. Dip your fingers into the resulting mixture and hold until it cools completely. To cope with nail psoriasis, such procedures need to be performed daily for several months.
4. Sea buckthorn oil. Many dermatologists recommend this remedy for the treatment of nail psoriasis. Take 5-7 ml of sea buckthorn oil daily and lubricate the damaged areas. After 6-8 weeks the disease will subside.
5. Vitamin A. As practice shows, the correct use of retinol acetate can cope with nail psoriasis. Rub vitamin A into the base of your nails every day, and after 5-6 weeks you will notice a significant improvement.

Find out more information about and the causes of the disease.

Disease prevention

You have already learned what nail plate psoriasis is and understood how difficult it is to fight it. The manifestations of this disease resemble fungus on the hands, which greatly spoils a person’s appearance. In order to prevent the development of nail psoriasis, doctors recommend adhering to the following rules:

• keep nails in well-groomed condition;
• cut your nails as short as possible;
• When performing physical work, wear protective gloves/mittens;
• if there is a threat of nail psoriasis on the feet, it is necessary to wear spacious shoes;
• use soft tools to clean nails;
• Periodically soak your nails in warm water with essential oil.

Video: how to treat psoriasis at home

Photo: what psoriasis looks like on the fingernails and toenails

To get a general idea of ​​the external manifestations of this unpleasant dermatological disease, take a look at the photographs attached below. This is what the hands and feet of people suffering from nail psoriasis look like. Remember what the problem looks like so that you can identify its occurrence at an early stage and seek medical help in a timely manner.

Attention! The information presented in the article is for informational purposes only. The materials in the article do not encourage self-treatment. Only a qualified doctor can make a diagnosis and give treatment recommendations based on the individual characteristics of a particular patient.

Everyone knows that there is a disease that belongs to the group of dermatoses, such as nail psoriasis. The classic symptoms of psoriasis are various spots, which, differing in location, have characteristic features. These include, for example, the phenomenon of “blood dew” and “stearin stain”. But few people know that with a long course of nail psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis can occur with damage to the joints, and damage to the nails of the hands and feet can also occur.

Video - Nail psoriasis: a specialist tells

Nail psoriasis is a rather unpleasant phenomenon, and not only cosmetically. At first, when incomprehensible symptoms arise, it is difficult for the patient to figure out what kind of disorder it is. After all, psoriasis of the fingernails and psoriasis of the toenails do not always occur with severe skin rashes, when the patient is “waiting” for the development of these complications. What is nail psoriasis and what are its causes? Is it possible to get rid of nail psoriasis, and what principles of therapy should the patient follow?

Nail psoriasis: what is it?

The situation in which the nails are affected can occur when the skin is relatively clear. A much more common companion to psoriasis of the fingernails and toenails is psoriatic arthritis, which indicates the activity of an autoimmune process. Typically, a combination of psoriatic arthritis (distal interphalangeal joints) and nail damage occurs in 70-80% of patients. If symptoms of nail psoriasis appear in patients without articular syndrome, this is an unfavorable sign that indicates a worsening of the process. Soon the patient may have joint problems and will need serious treatment.

Causes

It is known that the mechanism of occurrence of an altered nail plate in psoriasis is a disruption of capillary blood flow in the area of ​​the distal phalanges. This disorder is autoimmune in nature, and the process is called psoriatic onychodystrophy, that is, a nutritional disorder of the nail plate. Thus, the true cause lies not on the surface, but inside, and is associated with autoimmune inflammation.

For some reason, many patients believe that nail psoriasis occurs on its own, without connection with the general psoriatic process, and treatment of nail psoriasis is not a difficult matter. This is a deep misconception. How to treat nail psoriasis correctly? You need to start by eliminating the causes of nail damage and the causes of psoriasis in general. These include:

• exacerbation of chronic diseases;

• frequent hypothermia;

• stress;

• the occurrence of metabolic syndrome (overweight, elevated blood sugar);

• the presence of bad habits, especially the consumption of alcoholic beverages and beer.

If you reduce the impact of harmful factors to a minimum, then it is quite possible to cure nail psoriasis, or at least significantly alleviate its course.

Clinical picture

How does nail psoriasis manifest? What do the nails look like, what can you notice in the photo? First of all, psoriasis of the nails of the fingers and toes can proceed completely, almost unnoticed. Only by looking closely can you detect symptoms called “thimble-shaped psoriasis”: small pits appear on the surface of the nail plate, which can be a completely normal color, resembling the surface of a thimble. They can exist for years without causing any problems.

In addition, brown or whitish spots that resemble the surface of oil may appear on the surface of the nail. In some cases, koilonychia occurs, or depression on the surface of the nail, and dark spots appear that may vary in size. Then, as the dystrophy process progresses, hyperkeratosis occurs: the nail becomes thickened. Its color changes, the nail changes from shiny and elastic to brittle and matte, which is sharply different from healthy nail tissue.

It is at this stage that chronic malnutrition leads to the fact that the nail plate may simply die, and almost always either a bacterial or fungal infection is attached. It should be remembered that in some cases it is quite difficult to diagnose this form of psoriasis, since there are no tests or methods that can reliably indicate psoriatic lesions, especially if there are no skin rashes. Often the patient consults a doctor at the stage of severe nail trophic disorders. In this case, the patient can be sure that he has either psoriasis or onychomycosis. In fact, how to distinguish psoriasis from nail fungus?

The main reason is the body’s immune failure

Psoriasis or fungus?

In order to determine whether dermatosis or a fungus caused a change in the color of the nail and its thickening, it is necessary to take tests for the mycelium of the fungus. The whole difficulty is that nail damage due to psoriasis at a certain stage of development is accompanied by secondary onychomycosis. It happens that the fungus does not appear, and psoriasis proceeds more calmly.

How to distinguish nail fungus from psoriasis? To do this, you need to take into account the following data:

• the presence of a diagnosis of psoriasis in the patient or relatives - most likely psoriasis;

• long-term course with joint pain, damage to the distal interphalangeal joints;

• pandactylitis, “sausage finger” - most likely psoriasis;

• deterioration of the condition after drinking alcohol - also characteristic of psoriasis, increased fragility of nails;
• if the spots appeared after visiting a bathhouse, sauna, swimming pool, or gym, then most likely there is a primary fungal infection.

In any case, a patient who knows that he has psoriasis should try to prevent the appearance of fungi, which at a certain stage of the disease significantly aggravate the course of psoriatic onychodystrophy.

Treatment

How to treat nail psoriasis? Treatment of nail psoriasis is a complex and long process. You need to understand that treating nail psoriasis with folk remedies and local baths, without taking medications, may be ineffective and even completely useless. After all, inflammation occurs deep in the finger, and treatment of nail psoriasis should be aimed, first of all, at relieving inflammation throughout the body, and not just in one individual finger. Let's consider the basic principles of treatment that will preserve your nails and cause them to strengthen.

Medications.

Psoriasis of the fingernails, drug treatment of which lasts less than six months, may be ineffective. Treatment is usually carried out by rheumatologists. In simple cases, drugs from the group of NSAIDs are prescribed - non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce the severity of inflammation, relieve arthritis pain and improve nail trophism. This allows healthy nails to grow back.

In severe cases, the attending physician may prescribe a drug from the group of antiproliferative drugs - methotrexate. This remedy significantly improves the general condition of the patient, and its long-term use leads to healthy nails growing, but after several months. Methotrexate should be taken under the control of a red blood test (since the drug affects rapidly dividing cells), as well as under the control of liver enzymes.

Local treatment

You can use hormonal ointment for nail psoriasis, as well as a special varnish. In fact, there is no nail polish for psoriasis. There is simply no such medicine. Some call this antifungal varnish, which can be prescribed for psoriasis for prophylactic purposes. For example, a remedy such as ciclopirox, Batrafen.

How to treat psoriasis on nails with nail extensions? Is it possible to extend nails affected by psoriasis? Yes, it is possible, but only on the condition that the nail plate is elastic, healthy, and, at most, what is observed is “pits”, or longitudinal striations, or depression, koilonychia.

If the nail begins to crumble, then it is possible to grow the nail with great difficulty, first making sure to eliminate the inflammation.

Treatment of nail psoriasis at home necessarily includes caring for the hands and feet using a special cream. How to treat microtraumas, which often lead to secondary infections in psoriasis? To do this, you need to avoid manicures and pedicures, especially cutting the cuticles. You should not cover your nails with varnish, since an overgrown nail under a layer of varnish stops normal gas exchange. As a result, the vessels of the nail bed become spasmed, and the disease progresses.

Of course, it is not forbidden to occasionally use transparent strengthening nail polish. You can make baths for hands and feet, make warm paraffin wraps. The only contraindication for such thermal procedures is the acute stage of psoriatic arthritis.

In conclusion, it must be said that the treatment of nail psoriasis, like skin psoriasis, lasts a lifetime. You can’t get a simple answer to the question: “how to get rid of psoriasis”? Treatment should begin with lifestyle modification, careful adherence to nutritional rules, and avoidance of stress. Then the psoriasis will recede, and with it the condition of the nail plates will improve.

Video - Nail psoriasis and how to treat it

Psoriasis on the fingernails and toenails causes more discomfort because the limbs are always visible. Therefore, the treatment of fingernail psoriasis requires special attention.

Psoriasis on the nails (photo 1) is a violation of the normal development of the nail itself. Psoriasis of the fingernails causes more discomfort because the hands are always visible. Therefore, the treatment of nail psoriasis is an extremely serious area, including traditional medicine.

What does nail psoriasis look like?

Nail psoriasis goes through the same stages as skin psoriasis. Symptoms of nail psoriasis(photo 2) determine by the nail bed, how infected it is, and by the nail plate itself. The nail is a skin appendage, and nail damage in psoriasis occurs according to the standard pattern.

Before reaching maturity, the cells divide and grow into non-dead cells, forming elevations and destroying the nails. Nail psoriasis (photo 3) in the initial stage causes slight clouding of the nail. Nail damage due to psoriasis is accompanied by the appearance of grooves on the nails. Nail psoriasis is a rather painful disease.

Psoriasis of fingernails

The final reason why appears fingernail psoriasis(photo 4), not detected. Only predisposing factors are identified: psycho-emotional stress, hormonal changes, and so on (more details in the article on our website).

Therefore, fingernail psoriasis is considered a multifactorial disease. It is known that nail psoriasis mainly affects young people. Psoriasis of the fingernails often manifests itself as peeling of the nail itself. Psoriasis on the nails worsens much more often in winter.

Psoriasis of toenails

Psoriasis on the toenails is quite similar to the disease on the hands. Only nail psoriasis of the feet (photo 5) has more unbearable itching. External symptoms of nail psoriasis are more pronounced, especially with regard to thickening of the nail plate and its deformation.

In case of insufficient treatment toenail psoriasis may lead to disability. To make a diagnosis, a biopsy is necessary, since psoriasis on the nails usually does not cause changes in the blood. Severe nail psoriasis causes leukocytosis.

Treatment of toenail psoriasis

Treatment of toenail psoriasis should be mandatory, since there is a real threat to health. Psoriasis on the nails greatly injures and deforms them, making them defenseless against other diseases. Treatment of nail psoriasis comes down to eliminating external symptoms (more details in our note on our website).

Truly effective drugs for the treatment of nail psoriasis still exist, although in very limited quantities. Treatment of toenail psoriasis occurs only comprehensively, after a diagnosis has been made by a specialist.

Treatment of fingernail psoriasis

New drugs have been developed for the treatment of nail psoriasis that affect cell immunity. Nail psoriasis is often chronic, so treatment of fingernail psoriasis should be especially strict. You need to cut your nails short and follow the rules of hygiene. Specific treatment of fingernail psoriasis is based on phototherapy. After analyzing the extent of nail damage, the doctor prescribes hormonal medications and gives recommendations for proper nutrition.

But nail psoriasis can be treated using only antiseptics. Treatment of fingernail psoriasis requires constant use of nourishing moisturizers for daily care.

How to treat nail psoriasis

Treatment of psoriasis on the nails has several directions. Local treatment of nail psoriasis mild forms occur with prednisolone ointment, Sinaflan, Triderm, Advantan. In these cases, nail psoriasis ointment represents the main treatment. Glucocorticosteroids are not used in this case.

How to treat nail psoriasis? Systemic involves suppressing the proliferation of nail cells and offers the latest generation of drugs. These are systemic retinoids: Acitretin, Etretinate, Cyclosporine and, which have quite a few contraindications and numerous side effects.

Before treating nail psoriasis with biological drugs, a thorough analysis is necessary. Biologic modifiers, such as Rituximab, can be fatal. Alefacept and Infliximab have moderate effectiveness. New drugs are being developed to treat nail psoriasis.

Treatment with folk remedies at home

Treatment of nail psoriasis at home begins with taking general medications. Treatment of nail psoriasis with intolerable itching occurs with antihistamines. Treatment of nail psoriasis with folk remedies involves the use of baths of decoctions and infusions of medicinal herbs. Before going to bed, when treating nail psoriasis at home, you need to apply various oils and creams to your nails.

Treatment of nail psoriasis with folk remedies using self-prepared egg oil is quite effective. Read more about home treatment in the article on our website.

Nail psoriasis is diagnosed in 7% of patients suffering from skin manifestations of chronic pathology. Inflammation of the epidermis is often accompanied by another unpleasant manifestation.

Damage to the nail plates in this form of severe chronic disease has characteristic symptoms. Nail psoriasis exists not only as a concomitant form, but also as an independent disease. How dangerous is this pathology? Let's figure it out.

Causes

It is known that psoriasis is one of the most “mysterious” diseases. Lesions in various parts of the body, including nails, appear both under the influence of progressive factors and for no apparent reason.

Scientists have found that signs of psoriasis on the nail plates occur with the following phenomena:

• disruption of metabolic processes in the body;
• infectious diseases;
• weakened immunity;
• after strong emotional experiences;
• frequent, prolonged stress;
• hormonal imbalance;
• hereditary predisposition.

Important! Psoriatic lesions of the stratum corneum often occur due to vitamin deficiency. Insufficient nutrition, poor in micro- and macroelements, contributes to the growth of the affected area and the severe course of the disease.

First signs and symptoms

Psoriasis of the nail plates has a number of characteristic symptoms. How not to confuse the signs of this chronic disease with manifestations of a fungal infection?

The difference is that some psoriatic nail lesions look distinctive. When pathogenic fungi multiply, such signs are not diagnosed.

A photo of each of these symptoms will help you understand that you have nail psoriasis and not mycosis. If you discover these phenomena, be sure to visit a dermatologist. The lack of timely treatment leads to severe damage to the nails, weakened immunity, and deterioration of the general condition.

Subungual hemorrhages

This term combines two varieties with different symptoms:

• first view. Under the stratum corneum, hemorrhages of brown, reddish, sometimes purple-black color, resembling stripes, appear. This symptom occurs after capillary rupture;
• second type.“Oil stain syndrome” is difficult to confuse with manifestations of other diseases. Spots of different shapes and sizes are visible under the nails. Color – bright red or pink.

Onycholysis

This symptom occurs in many patients. An unpleasant manifestation in which the split nail plate is separated from the nail bed without pain. With this form, a thin strip of dirty pink color always appears, changing the shade to yellowish-brown over time. There are partial and complete onycholysis.

The process is accompanied by the penetration of dirt, air bubbles, and particles of dead epidermis under the exfoliating stratum corneum. Sometimes an unpleasant odor appears.

Thimble Syndrome

A characteristic symptom of psoriasis of the nails of the fingers and toes is quite common. The formation of the plate is disrupted, the stratum corneum is covered with small pits with a diameter of 0.5–2 mm. The recesses resemble the pits of a thimble and are located chaotically. The shape, color, and size of the formations differ on all fingers.

Note! Pits on the stratum corneum are sometimes found in chronic dermatoses. If this symptom is detected, only a doctor can make an accurate diagnosis by prescribing additional tests.

Trachyonychia

It is less common and is characterized by roughness of the surface of the stratum corneum and dull color of the nail plate. In most cases of trachyonychia there is no lunula at the base.

In some patients, in the early stages, the surface of the nails becomes flat, then more concave. After a while, a depression appears in the central part of the nail.

At this address, read an interesting article about the causes and methods of treating lip jams.

Unfortunately, there is no clear algorithm for preventing this disease. It’s not for nothing that psoriasis is called an “insidious disease.” There are no vaccinations or specific preventive measures that can provide a 100% guarantee of protection against the development of a chronic disease.

What measures help minimize the risk of psoriatic nail lesions? Take note:

• strengthen the immune system;
• eat right;
• take multivitamin complexes;
• maintain personal hygiene;
• treat microtraumas on the stratum corneum in a timely manner;
• In case of severe bruises or damage to the nail plates, be sure to seek medical help;
  be less nervous;
• monitor the state of the endocrine system;
• Treat infectious diseases promptly.

Important! Pay attention to the health of your nails. Lubricate them with nourishing creams, make herbal baths, take calcium supplements. A good effect is achieved by using regular brewer's yeast. This natural product strengthens the stratum corneum, preventing delamination and dryness.

Start treatment for psoriasis of your fingers and toes as early as possible. Follow the recommendations of a dermatologist, be sure to use traditional medicine recipes. Peace of mind and support from loved ones will help you quickly overcome the disease or reduce unpleasant manifestations.

Next video. Find out even more about treatment methods and nail care for psoriasis: