How To Treat Nail Psoriasis Naturally
People with psoriasis of the skin are also at greater chance of developing nail psoriasis. This kind of psoriasis also can be very bothersome. There are a few ways to help treat it naturally, but these home remedies and natural therapies should be used for complementary option along with the treatment plan prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist.
What is nail psoriasis?
Fingernails and toenails are some areas that can be affected if you have psoriasis . The symptoms may vary, but typically the problem can cause a clear reddish-yellow under the nail or like oil under the nail plate, and usually followed with areas of white discoloring on the nail plate.
The unhealthy underlying structures of nail can cause crumbling of the nail. The thickening skin under the nail may occur, and this then may cause loosening of the nail.
In general, the problem can cause thickening & irregular contour of the affected nails.
See the following picture !
As noted before, people with skin psoriasis are more likely to also have nail psoriasis. Even most individuals with psoriasis of the nails develop skin psoriasis. The problem should not be ignored. If left untreated, this may cause functional & social problems.
How do you get it what are the causes?
How about gender? It seems that the problem equally affects both me and women.
How to treat it naturally?
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Are Psoriasis And Eczema Similar
Psoriasis and eczema have a similar appearance, but an experienced dermatologist can distinguish between the two using features such as the flakiness of the skin in eczema and the buildup of silvery scales in psoriasis.
Similarity: Both psoriasis and eczema cause a rash on the same body parts, such as the scalp and the hands. While these skin conditions are non-contagious, they may lead to infections.
Difference: Psoriasis occurs due to the overactivity of an individualâs immune system, speeding up the growth of cells. On the other hand, eczema is usually triggered by an allergy, skin barrier dysfunction, environmental issues, bacterial infection, among other contributing factors.
Here Are Natural Treatments And Home Remedies That May Help Soothe Psoriasis And Eczema Symptoms Including Dry Tight And Itchy Skin
Psoriasis and eczema are two separate skin conditions, yet, they share symptoms of dry, tight and itchy skin. Many people use products that go beyond their doctor-prescribed medications as a complementary method to manage the skin conditions. However, before considering any kind of treatment, its important to discuss it with your dermatologist and to try to learn more about the triggers of your psoriasis or eczema symptoms.
That said, here are 10 natural or home remedies that may help alleviate symptoms of these two skin conditions.
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Humid Air A Smart Home Psoriasis Remedy
Skin dryness is one of the most common psoriasis symptoms. Taut and dry skin results in an unpleasant sensation that leads to itching. One of the causes of such symptom worsening is dry air. When the central heating is on, the air in your bedroom can be rather dry.
Buy a humidifier to increase the humidity. Make sure your ventilation is working properly. Open windows for at least 5 10 minutes every day even if its freezing outside to get some fresh air.
Integrative Approaches To Care
The use of natural treatment options can be effective for some individuals when used in conjunction with traditional treatment options. The National Psoriasis Foundation suggests that you talk with your health care provider before trying any integrative treatment approaches, and especially before taking any herbal remedies to avoid dangerous interactions with your medications. Also, you should not take some herbal remedies if you are pregnant or breastfeeding or if you have pre-existing medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or mood disorders. Stop usage and consult your health care provider immediately if you experience side effects.
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Home Remedies For Psoriasis
Using a moisturizer can preventdry skin and make living withpsoriasis a little easier.
Imagine having an unwanted guest show up on your doorstep. No one knows who invited him, and no one really wants him there. He’s one of the most annoying people you’ve ever met. And his personality is so abrasive, you’re embarrassed to take him anywhere.
If you have psoriasis or know anyone with this frustrating skin condition, you know that it’s much like that uninvited guest. It shows up in the form of dry, inflamed, red, scaly patches of skin. Not only are psoriasis flare-ups aggravating, they make people with the condition so self-conscious about their appearance that they’re reluctant to go to the grocery store without ample covering. Probably most frustrating of all is that there’s no magic formula to kick this guest out of town indefinitely. You have to learn how to deal with flare-ups as they come, and take good care of yourself and your skin.
With psoriasis, that means taking precautions to prevent outbreaks, such as using heavy moisturizers and leading an overall healthy lifestyle, and, if psoriasis does cause your skin to breakout into dry, red patches, treating it quickly. In this article, we’ll discuss 28 home remedies — some consisting of simple ingredients found in your kitchen — to help treat psoriasis discomfort, and simple everyday changes you can make to help prevent outbreaks. Let’s start by discussing what psoriasis does to skin.
Apply: Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has long been used to soothe skin inflammation and burns, and it is also an astringent. If you have psoriasis sores, apple cider vinegar may help ease itching and scaling, says Dr. Jacknin. Add about a half-cup to a tubful of water. When it comes to eczema, you can apply witch hazel to a lesion the witch hazel also has astringent properties that can help dry it out, she says. Here are the 13 ways apple cider vinegar may benefit your health.
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Are Coal Tar Products Beneficial For The Treatment Of Psoriasis
Yes, coal tar products have helped in clearing stubborn psoriasis patches on the palms and soles of many patients when used along with standard topical corticosteroids.
They have also delivered good results in terms of alleviating scalp psoriasis and increasing its remission.
But the success rate of coal tar products for treating psoriasis varies from patient to patient. Thus, it is essential that you speak to your dermatologist to find out if this treatment is suitable for you and to seek the ideal product recommendation.
What Does Your Patient Need To Know At The First Visit
Patient education is important initially. There are several causes for nail dystrophy. Oftentimes, when patients present, they believe that they have onychomycosis. Therefore, it is important to counsel individuals with potential nail psoriasis and to discuss the differential diagnosis of the condition.
Nail matrix psoriasis demonstrating pitting and onycholysis. Photograph courtesy of Antonella Tosti, MD . Reprinted with permission from Cutis. 2013 92:129-135.
The presence of psoriasis on other areas of the body and the absence of fungal infection on the soles of the feet and in between the toes increases the likelihood of nail psoriasis. The most accurate test to perform is a nail clipping with subsequent periodic acidSchiff stain. It is important to remember, however, that nail psoriasis and fungal infection of the nail can coexist.
Once the diagnosis of nail psoriasis is established, it is important to review gentle care of the nails. A thorough discussion of therapeutic options is helpful. Patients also should be advised that the presence of nail psoriasis can increase the likelihood of the development of psoriatic arthritis.
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Dip Your Skin In An Epsom Salt Bath
Taking an Epsom salt bath can help soothe the itching and skin discomfort associated with psoriasis, while the warmth of the water can help soften and exfoliate the flaky patches.
This simple home therapy has provided a lot of relief to many users, but is devoid of any scientific backing.
How to use:
Tablets Capsules And Injections
If your psoriasis is severe or other treatments have not worked, you may be prescribed systemic treatments by a specialist. Systemic treatments work throughout the entire body.
These medications can be very effective in treating psoriasis, but they all have potentially serious side effects. All the systemic treatments for psoriasis have benefits and risks. Before starting treatment, talk to your doctor about your treatment options and any risks associated with them.
If you’re planning for a baby, become pregnant or are thinking of breastfeeding, you should also speak to your doctor first before taking any new medicine to check it’s suitable for use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
There are 2 main types of systemic treatment, called non-biological and biological .
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Apply Aloe Vera To Scalp
The soothing properties of aloe vera can have some healing properties for people with mild to moderate scalp psoriasis. Aloe vera creams that contain 0.5 percent aloe can help reduce itching, inflammation, flaking, and redness on the scalp. Aloe should be applied up to three times per day to keep skin moist. It may take up to a month to start feeling and seeing positive effects.
Treatment Of Nail Psoriasis In Children
Despite the common onset of psoriasis in the childhood, validated clinical data on the epidemiology and the treatment of pediatric nail psoriasis is scant. In a recent multicenter study conducted in US, 39.2% of 181 children with psoriasis were found to have nail involvement . Similar results were reported from Kuwait , although in more than half of the cases the changes, pitting being the most common, were so subtle that the children were not aware of them . Nail psoriasis was found to be more common in boys, probably related to koebnerization . There are no studies on the efficacy and safety of various treatments for nail psoriasis in children. The absence of clinical data corresponds with a lack of licensure for the pediatric use of many available treatments .
Data was available for the treatment of nail psoriasis from an epidemiologic study of pediatric psoriasis from Turkey. Thirteen children with nail psoriasis were treated with potent topical steroid ointments for onycholysis and nail bed hyperkeratosis however, the results were unsatisfactory . In a pilot study of 4 children to determine the efficacy of intralesional triamcinolone acetonide in the treatment of nail pitting in children, following a single dose, the degree of pitting was reduced by a mean of 15% in the second month and 42% in the fourth month .
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Remedies To Treat Psoriasis At Home
Psoriasis is a medical condition that does not have a clearly identified cause. Psoriasis is characterized by inflammation caused by the immune system, leading to inflammation throughout the body. This becomes visible in the form of raised plaques and scales on the skin. Psoriasis is defined as a recurring autoimmune disease, and it is marked by the appearance of red, flaky plaques or patches on the skin. Even though the effects of psoriasis are visible on your skin, it actually starts deep inside the body in the immune system. There is no cure for psoriasis, but there are various treatments and medications that help alleviate the symptoms of psoriasis. Here are some ways to treat psoriasis at home.
Who Gets Nail Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis affects 90% of patients with chronicplaque psoriasis at some time in their life. It is more common in adults with a prevalence of up to 80%, compared to children in whom it has been reported in 713%. In the absence of skin or joint disease, psoriatic nail disease has been described in 510% of adults.
Psoriatic nail disease may be a risk factor the development of psoriatic arthritis and is often associated with prolonged severe cutaneous psoriasis.
Nail psoriasis can affect all races and age groups, and both sexes, although a male predominance has been reported in one large case series.
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Give Your Nails Some Tlc
Dry nails or minor nail injuries can happen to anyone, but when you have nail psoriasis, they can trigger a flare-up.
Keep your nails short so they dont catch on anything. Wear gloves when youre cleaning or working with your hands. Stop biting your nails! Avoid cutting your cuticles or scraping the buildup under your nails.
Home Remedies From The Cupboard
Try a vinegar dip. Like aloe, apple cider vinegar has a long history of being used to soothe minor burns and other skin inflammations, and it’s also a disinfectant. According to the Psoriasis Foundation, some folks with psoriasis have reported success in using it to treat their condition. As a liquid, it makes a great soak for affected fingernails and toenails — just pour some in a bowl or cup and dip your nails in for a few minutes — and apparently has even been effective when applied to plaques using cotton balls. It might just be worth a try. To prepare an apple cider vinegar compress, add 1 cup apple cider vinegar to 1 gallon water. Soak a washcloth in the mixture and apply it to the skin to ease itching.
Pass the plastic wrap. Doctors have known for years that covering psoriasis lesions helps them go away. The cover-up strategy also helps to work medications into the skin and keep moisturizers in place longer. You can use regular kitchen plastic wrap, or you can buy special OTC patches . Apply your prescribed medication or moisturizer, then cover the area with the wrap. Don’t keep the wrap on so long that the skin becomes soggy, since it’s more susceptible to secondary infection that way consult your doctor or pharmacist if you need more specific instructions.
Pass the warm olive oil. If psoriasis scale is a problem on your scalp, warm a little olive oil and gently massage it into the scale to help soften and remove it. Then shampoo as usual and rinse thoroughly.
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Diet Modification: Eat Better Feel Better
According to a review published in 2017 in the Indian Journal of Dermatology, people with psoriasis have an increased risk of celiac disease, an autoimmune condition in which gluten a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye causes inflammation that can damage the small intestine. That connection may explain why some people with psoriasis report that eating a gluten-free diet helps them feel better. While following a gluten-free diet is essential if you have celiac disease, theres little evidence that supports removing gluten from your diet if you dont. Anecdotally, it works, Weiss says, but it has never been proven scientifically. If a gluten-free diet makes your psoriasis feel better, however, thats great. Talk to your doctor or a registered dietitian before starting a gluten-free diet.
Home Remedies To Help With Psoriasis
Written by Jacqueline Nguyen Pharm.D.
Psoriasis is a lifelong autoimmune skin condition in which the immune system triggers the overproduction of skin cells. Some home remedies may help relieve symptoms
Psoriasis causes red, scaly patches of skin called plaques. Plaques usually appear on the elbows, knees, and scalp, but they can develop anywhere on the body.
Before using home remedies, it may be a good idea to speak to a doctor. Home remedies tend to work best when people use them alongside medical treatment.
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Consider Using A Finger Condom
Sometimes nail psoriasis only pertains to one nail. If thats your case, Patel recommends using a finger condomespecially if youve been prescribed a topical steroid to help treat it. While some stores sell finger covers, Patel says that you can easily create one by cutting the finger off a vinyl glove. That way youll get five covers per glove, which is often more cost-effective. Just keep in mind that with these DIY covers youll need something to secure them. Luckily, a bandage or medical tape works well.
Wet Dressings And Warm Baths With Salts Or Oats
Baths and showers can be relaxing, but those that are too long or too hot can strip the skin of its oils, and this can make psoriasis worse.
Some people find that a warm bath containing colloidal oatmeal or Epsom salts is soothing and relieves symptoms.
According to , an oatmeal bath or a wet dressing can reduce itching, and a warm bath containing a suitable bath oil can help moisturize the skin.
In 2005, researchers found evidence that Dead Sea salts might help with dry skin. Volunteers immersed a forearm in water with a 5-percent concentration of magnesium salts, the most common minerals in the Dead Sea, for 15 minutes.
The participants skin barrier function improved, their skin hydration was better, and they had reduced roughness and inflammation compared with the control group who used tap water instead.
After bathing, applying an appropriate moisturizer while the skin is still damp can help prevent moisture loss.
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Get Some Ultraviolet Rays
Ultraviolet light has been shown to help slow down the growth of skin cells that is triggered by psoriasis. Light therapy uses ultraviolet light at the doctors clinic under supervision. The affected skin is exposed to ultraviolet light to help slow down the progression of the disease. However, if you want to avail light therapy, then keep in mind that it will require you to undergo consistent and several sessions at the clinic. You need to take your overall health into consideration and think about whether you will be able to attend the frequent sessions.
It is also essential to keep in mind that tanning beds are not the same as light therapy. You also need to avoid too much exposure to sunlight, as in some cases, it can worsen psoriasis.
Remember that light therapy sessions should only be performed at a doctors clinic and under the direct supervision of your doctor.