5 Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis and Treatment Steps |
Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the skin cells under the nails to grow rapidly. This condition can cause discomfort and pain in the nails. If not treated immediately, nail psoriasis can lead to more severe nail damage.
Nail psoriasis is a type of psoriasis. This condition is prone to be experienced by people with psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis. A person with a family history of psoriasis, aged over 40 years, and male sex, is also known to be more at risk of developing it.
Various Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis
When suffering from nail psoriasis, a person will have difficulty using his hands or feet, for example when writing or about to wear shoes. It is caused by a damaged nail and is usually accompanied by pain or a sensation of being pressed against the nail.
In addition to pain in the nails, there are several other symptoms and changes in the nails that are often experienced by people with nail psoriasis, both on the fingernails and toenails, namely:
1. Nail discoloration
Normally, healthy nails are pink and ivory white at the tips. However, in nail psoriasis, the color of the nails may turn yellow or brown.
Sometimes, the discoloration is also accompanied by the appearance of red or white spots and reddish-purple lines on the nails which are signs of ruptured capillaries under the nails.
2. Changes in nail texture
People with nail psoriasis will also feel a change in the texture of their nails. Some of these changes include the appearance of Beau's lines, which are lines that run horizontally across the surface of the nail, and the nails become rougher.
3. Nails are detached from the skin base
Thickening of the skin under the nail because the skin cells beneath it grow too quickly, which can cause the nail plate to lift. As a result, the nail becomes easily detached from the skin underneath.
4. Nails become brittle
When a portion of the nail plate detaches from the skin beneath it, this creates an empty space between it. This condition can make it easier for microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi, to infect the nail. When infection occurs, nails become brittle or break easily
5. Hollow nails
Nail psoriasis also causes nails to appear dented or perforated. The hole can be as big as the tip of a needle or even as big as the tip of a crayon. The number also varies, can be one hole or dozens of holes on each finger.
Treatment for Nail Psoriasis
The diagnosis of nail psoriasis begins with a physical examination, symptoms, and medical history by a doctor. If you suspect you have it, your doctor will suggest performing additional tests, such as a nail biopsy and a KOH (potassium hydroxide) test, to determine if you have a yeast infection.
Next, the doctor will determine the severity of nail psoriasis through the overall appearance of the nail. After that, the doctor will recommend several treatments to treat nail psoriasis, including:
- Using topical medications containing corticosteroids, vitamin D, and retinoids
- Using topical antifungal drugs to treat fungal infections or topical antibiotics to treat bacterial infections
- Taking oral medications, such as methotrexate, cyclosporine, or apremilast, to control the body's immune cell reactions
- Doing therapy, such as laser therapy or phototherapy
To prevent and reduce brittleness of the nails, you are also recommended to use moisturizer on the nails and the surrounding skin area. If the various treatments above are not able to improve the condition of nail psoriasis, the doctor will give corticosteroid injections directly to the skin around the nail.
Although it can't completely cure the condition, the nail psoriasis treatment above can relieve the symptoms experienced by the sufferer. In addition, the treatment can also prevent the recurrence of symptoms.
If you have a family history of psoriasis or experience symptoms of nail psoriasis, you should consult a doctor for proper examination and treatment to prevent further nail damage.
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