Nail psoriasis: causes, symptoms, treatment

A small number of people with skin ailments such as psoriasis, there is also a disease of the nails. With the nail form of psoriasis, the patient's nail plate darkens, grooves are formed on it in the longitudinal or transverse direction.

Nail psoriasis: causes

This nail disease appears mainly due to an immune dysfunction in the body. In this case, a violation of the processes responsible for the fermentation of substances in the human body and for the formation of new cells occurs. The wrong reaction triggers the process of release, separation and growth of incompletely mature skin cells, as well as horny cells of the nail plate.

The human body identifies such cells as foreign and aggressive. Because of this, large numbers of leukocytes and lymphocytes are sent to the inflamed area, which leads to the further development of inflammation in this area. Specific antibodies, in turn, cause damage to healthy skin and nails.

Another important factor is severe heredity. No wonder it is believed that psoriasis is inherited.

In addition to these two reasons, you can specify others:

• Bad weather conditions can trigger both the primary manifestation of psoriasis and its exacerbation.
• Strong and prolonged stress.
• Viral infections of a different nature not completely cured.
• A variety of injuries, including cuts and abrasions.
• Some medicines containing beta blockers and lithium and other substances.

Nail psoriasis: symptoms

This disease has been known for a long time. The first descriptions of it were made in the 19th century. At the same time, it was suggested that with cutaneous psoriasis, these are two different diseases. Now scientists have fully confirmed this hypothesis.

Psoriasis can manifest itself in many ways:

• The most studied form of psoriasis is called thimble syndrome. In this case, many small dots and depressions can be seen on the patient's nails. There is no structure in the shape and size of these pits. In this case, the surface of the nail becomes like a thimble. By the way, a healthy person also has single pits on the nails, but this is not considered psoriasis. Such deformations of the nail are also found with other ailments.
• The second manifestation of nail psoriasis is such a phenomenon as onycholysis. In this condition, the nail moves away from its bed. The patient does not have any inflammations, the person does not feel pain either. The separation takes place from one edge. The nail may come off completely or only partially. While the nail is separating, an air pocket appears, where all impurities enter: dust, dirt, dead cells of the epidermis. Sometimes this phenomenon is accompanied by an unpleasant odor.
• With nail psoriasis, subungual hemogarrias are often formed. They are of two types. In the first case, spots of reddish or pink color of different sizes appear. In the second case, hemorrhages occur in the form of stripes of dark or even black color. This is due to vascular damage.
• In a few cases, psoriasis is manifested by trachyonychia, which is expressed in the form of a rough and dull surface of the nails. In this case, the hole located at the base of the nail is not observed. Initially, there may be an indentation in the center of the nail plate. It becomes flat, then the nail bends inward.

Nail psoriasis treatment

Patients with psoriasis of the nails should prepare for the fact that the treatment will take a fairly long period of time. In addition, it should be borne in mind that this disease is practically not amenable to complete cure. It is possible to achieve a lasting improvement in the condition, reduce the inflammatory process and improve the appearance of the nail, but this does not mean that under adverse conditions the disease will not return.

An integrated approach to the treatment of the nail form of psoriasis has proven itself very well. In this case, it is necessary to take medications orally, follow a certain diet, apply externally ointments and physiotherapy courses.

For the treatment of psoriasis of the nails, it is good to use products containing glucocorticosteroids. However, the appointment of such funds should be made by a doctor. If you have already started taking such drugs, then you cannot abruptly cancel it. This can cause swelling and allergies.

To maintain the body, you need to use drugs containing calcium, as well as antihistamines. With psoriasis, patients suffer from a lack of vitamins, so it is necessary to replenish their reserves.

At the initial stage of the disease, it is advisable to smear the affected nails with prednisolone or hydrocortisone ointment. If the disease is in an advanced form, then it makes sense to use ointments that do not contain chlorine or fluoride. These funds include Advantan ointment, Oxycort or Flucenar.

From folk remedies, you can recommend baths with the herb of a string or cocklebur. The therapeutic effect is produced by a composition of technical solidol (10 shares), baby cream (1 share) and interior fat (10 shares).

Physiotherapy can slow down the process of accelerated cell formation. In this case, it is useful to apply ultraviolet irradiation. In recent years, laser irradiation of the affected nails has proven itself in the treatment of psoriasis.

To successfully suppress the disease, it is necessary to adhere to a dietary diet. The patient's diet should be made up mostly of alkalizing foods. Give up alcoholic beverages and tobacco. Spicy, fried foods, milk, nuts and citrus fruits, strong coffee and tea, chocolate products, vegetables from the nightshade family. This diet is similar to gastritis.

If all the recommendations are followed, it is possible to reduce the manifestation of the disease. And to maintain the effect and prevent relapses, try to adhere to these recommendations:

• Cover your nails with clear, protective varnish.
• Use a cream daily to moisturize your cuticles.
• Increase immunity.
• Do all your homework only with special gloves.
• Keep your nails short and don't go barefoot.

Nail psoriasis: photo

Despite the fairly low prevalence of this disease, you can find many photos that show how the disease affects the nails terribly. Here are just a few examples.