Psoriasis is a difficult condition to live with. While at times it may be manageable, other times you may break out to the point where you aren’t even comfortable going outdoors in a short sleeved shirt. But with this condition, not only can it affect your skin but it can also affect your nails and joints. Out of all those who have psoriasis approximately 10-55% have some form of nail psoriasis. Nail psoriasis can affect your nail plate, the nail bed (under the nail) or even the nail matrix which is the tissue from which the nail grows.

The fingernails are more affected than the toenails. What you will normally see are one or more of the following:

 

Nail Pitting: This is the most common form of nail psoriasis. You will see small depressions within your nail as if they’ve been punched out.

Nail Discoloration: The nail will turn a yellowish or yellowish-pink color. It will look like drops of oil within your nail plate. This is called an “oil drop”. In the case of it being yellowish-pink it is called a “salmon patch”.

Nail Crumbling: From a weakened nail matrix, crumbling or even total loss of your nail is possible due to the effects of nail psoriasis.

Nail Separation: What you’ll see here is areas where the nail has lifted off of the nail bed. These areas will appear white due to pockets of air forming where the nail has lifted up. This is also known as “onycholysis” and with it inflammation around the nail usually follows.

 

Nail psoriasis can be so bad that you won’t be able to keep doing your regular daily activities due to the extreme pain caused. It is for this reason that as soon as you notice any symptoms you look into a form of treatment immediately to prevent the condition from worsening. There are many treatment methods available online for your psoriasis which will effectively manage and even clear your condition. Don’t wait until too much damage is done before you take action.

 

I hope this psoriasis article helps

 

If you have psoriasis, there is a chance you may have nail psoriasis at some point as well. Statistics show 80-90% of people who have psoriasis will develop nail psoriasis at some point in their lives. It is a painful condition which can stop you from being able to live and enjoy your life as you normally would. Knowing this, you are going to want to know how to deal with it once it arises so as to minimize any damage and relieve yourself of unnecessary pain.

Firstly you’ll want to look out for the signs that you actually have nail psoriasis. There are several things you must look out for.

 

1. Pitting of the nails – Your nails will develop slight depressions or holes

2. Discoloration of the nails – You may notice that your nails become shades of yellow and pink

3. Crumbling of the nails – The nail itself in this case begins to break down. Your nail will eventually become brittle and easier to break

4. Separation of the nails – You may notice that your nails begin to separate from your nail bed at different points

 

If you see the beginnings of any of these symptoms, you may be seeing the onset of nail psoriasis. It is important that you take the proper steps to minimize further damage and to treat the existing symptoms. Here are some of the ways you can do so:

 

1. Trim your nails so that you reduce the risk of you injuring them. If you happen to bump your nail or cause any trauma to it, your condition may worsen. This is especially important for women who usually keep their nails long.

2. Try soaking your fingernails/toenails to soften them up, then follow up with a good moisturizer. Additionally if you notice your nails have thickened, you can use an emery board to gently file your nails down after they have soaked.

3. Limit any pressure being applied to your fingernails/toenails as well as friction. This would cause your toenails to thicken. If you have nail psoriasis on your toenails, make sure you wear properly fitted shoes.

4. Nail hardeners can be used to increase the strength of brittle nails.

5. Artificial nails can be used to improve the look of damaged nails (This is more of an option for the women). However if your particular case is extreme, you can talk to your doctor about getting your nails removed and replaced with more aesthetically pleasing artificial nails.

 

If you take these measures you’ll minimize any further damage. You should also follow up with proper treatment. There are plenty of treatment options you can find online for both your psoriasis and nail psoriasis.

 

 

I hope this psoriasis article helps