How To Fix Psoriasis Nails

Cleaning Your Toenails With Soap And Water

Cleaning your toenail with soap and water on a regular basis can vastly improve the situation of thick toenails. Furthermore, it can aid in relieving the situation as much as possible. Another benefit of cleaning your nails with soap and water is that it helps in reducing the fungus buildup around your nails that ultimately causes bad odour.

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.

What Does Nail Psoriasis Look Like

Nail psoriasis can affect your fingernails and toenails and will often manifest in these ways:

• Discoloration. Your nails are starting to brown, yellow or turn completely white.
• Damaged nail surface. You will notice lines, cracks, pits, holes or ridges. Basically, any nail surface that isnt smooth.
• Lifted nails. With nail psoriasis, white debris can begin to form under your nail, pushing it up and away from your skin. This is usually painful.
• Thinning or thickening texture. If your nails feels brittle or too thick, this can be the buildup of psoriatic skin cells under the nails, or it can be a fungal infection that can more easily invade the already-lifted nail. You will need a culture to determine the best treatment.
• Nail separation. Again, pretty painful. Depending on the severity of your nail psoriasis, your nail may start to separate itself from the nail bed.

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How Common Is Psoriatic Nail Disease

About 1 in 50 people have psoriasis at some time in their lives. It can first develop at any age but it most often starts between the ages of 15 and 30 years. Nail changes occur in about half of all people with psoriasis, so about 1 in a 100 people.

About 4 in every 5 people with psoriatic arthritis have psoriatic nail disease. See the separate leaflet called Psoriatic Arthritis for more details.

Only a few people have psoriatic nail disease without having psoriasis affecting either their skin or their joints.

Miscellaneous Systemic Therapies: Fumaric Acid Esters Sulfasalazine And Leflunomide

Fumaric acid esters , sulfasalazine, and leflunomide have also been reported to be effective in nail psoriasis however, based on the current knowledge, they cannot be advised for this indication. FAEs have been used for the treatment of chronic PP since 1959. The commercially available form, containing mainly dimethylfumarate, is currently a first-line systemic therapy for severe chronic PP in several European countries it is not effective in PsA. The general opinion is that it has little efficacy in nail psoriasis, but one case has been reported in which it was effective both on nail bed and nail matrix psoriasis . Side effects are frequent in patients using FAEs, such as episodes of flushing, abdominal pain, and a decrease in lymphocyte count.

Sulfasalazine is an aminosalicylate used as a traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug for the treatment of peripheral involvement in PsA. Sulfasalazine is metabolized by gut flora into sulfapyridine and 5-aminosalicylic acid, which act as anti-inflammatory agents. The role of sulfasalazine in cutaneous psoriatic lesions and nail psoriasis is not generally accepted. One case has been reported on the use of sulfasalazine in the treatment of psoriatic nail lesions . After 3 months, nail lesions started to recede and disappeared progressively. No other cases have been reported in literature.

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Preventive Measures To Reduce The Frequency Of Psoriasis Attacks

There is no known way to prevent psoriasis. However, it is possible to reduce the frequency and intensity of attacks. In addition to careful monitoring of the prescribed treatment, it is possible to observe what triggers the onset of symptoms.

This process takes time and patience. Here are some general tips:

• During long exposure to the sun, it is advisable to use an effective sunscreen.
• Alcohol consumption must be greatly diminished or eliminated altogether.
• The severity of psoriasis is often related to the number of cigarettes smoked. Try to reduce tobacco or stop smoking.
• Some sufferers have their disease diminish considerably after losing a little weight. Consider changing lifestyle habits accordingly if necessary.
• It is recognized that stress plays a role in the onset or exacerbation of psoriasis attacks. Find solutions for a better stress management.

Nail Infection Needs Treatment Too

A nail infection can develop if you have nail psoriasis. Because a nail infection can look a lot like nail psoriasis, its important to find out if you have an infection. Testing, which usually consists of scraping the nail, can find an infection. If you have a nail infection, treatment can get rid of it.

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Clinical Trials Evaluating Efficacy In Np

The 1546 articles identified by the literature search for approved systemic drugs included 66 clinical studies that reported outcomes for NP. Nail measures were a primary study outcome in 22 of the included articles, a secondary outcome in 25 articles, and a retrospective or posthoc outcome in the remaining 19. Half of the articles reported data for various patient subgroups, including one with nail symptoms at baseline, and half were analyses that reported data only for patients with nail symptoms. Nineteen articles reported prospective studies dedicated to NP , and the remainder were subgroup analyses . Moderate or severe PsO ± PsA was a clinical trial inclusion criterion in 33 articles, active PsA an inclusion criterion in 9 articles, and PsO and/or PsA in 6.

Twenty-two of the included articles reported placebo-controlled trials, including 5 articles reporting trials that also included an active comparator , and 5 articles reported head-to-head trials with no placebo arm. Sixty-one articles reported trials focused on single agents, including nonbiologics TNF, IL-12/23, IL-17A, and IL-23 inhibitors and targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

How To Hide Nail Psoriasis

If you feel self-conscious about your nail psoriasis, there are some things you can do to make it less noticeable.

Cosmetic treatments such as nail filing, buffing, and polish can improve the appearance of your nails while they heal. Just avoid fake nails, which may increase the risk of your nail separating from its bed.

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For Best Results From Treatment

Treating nail psoriasis can be a challenge. It often takes time to treat. To get results, you need to treat your nails as directed and for as long as directed. Some patients need to try a few treatments to find one that works.

The right nail care can help you get the best results from treatment. Youll find out what dermatologists recommend at: 7 easy-to-follow nail care tips that can reduce nail psoriasis

ImagesImages used with permission of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013 69:249.

ReferencesCrowley JJ, Weinberg JM, et al. Treatment of nail psoriasis: Best practice recommendations from the Medical Board of the National Psoriasis Foundation. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Jan 151:87-94.Dogra A, Arora AK. Nail psoriasis: The journey so far. Indian J Dermatol. 2014 Jul 59:319-33.Lin YK, Chang YC, et al. A Chinese herb, indigo naturalis, extracted in oil used topically to treat psoriatic nails: A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Dermatol. 2015 Jun 151:672-4.Manhart R, Rich P. Nail psoriasis. Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2015 Sep-Oct 33:7-13.van der Velden HMJ, Klaassen KMG, et al. Fingernail psoriasis reconsidered: A case-control study. J Am Acad Dermatol 2013 Aug 69:245-52.

All content solely developed by the American Academy of Dermatology

The American Academy of Dermatology gratefully acknowledges the support from Amgen and .

Be Extra Gentle With Your Nails

Since nail psoriasis is often associated with general brittleness, Skotnicki says to be extra gentle with your nails. And this goes beyond not picking at them. She also recommends shielding them from harsh environments by wearing cotton or rubber gloves when washing the dishes, gardening, or cleaning the house.

Grace Cary / Getty Images

Vitamin E oil and fish oils have been shown to help with inflammation of the nail beds, and can help with the cuticles and growth of nail with nail psoriasis, Patel says. Our favorite vitamin E-infused cuticle product is none other than Olive & Junes Cuticle Serum .

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Optimal Management Of Nail Disease In Patients With Psoriasis

Accepted for publication 25 November 2014

9 January 2015Volume 2015:5 Pages 2533

Introduction

Psoriasis is a chronic and recurrent inflammatory skin disease with nail involvement observed in approximately 80% of patients. Nail psoriasis may also occur as the only manifestation of the disease.1,2 Nail psoriasis can appear at any age and all nails can be affected. The nail matrix or nail bed can be involved in the disease. Nail psoriasis causes, above all, psychosocial and aesthetic problems, leading to significant repercussions in the quality of life, but many patients often also complain about functional damage.3 Cosmetic and functional damage, referred by 93% of patients with nail psoriasis, is sometimes so extensive that the patients tend to hide their hands and/or feet or shy away from social and business activities.4

The treatment of nail psoriasis involves different types of medications, from topical therapy to systemic therapy, according to the severity and extension of the disease. A standardized therapy does not exist, and the therapeutic choice is based on clinical manifestations and symptoms of the patient. Once the diagnosis has been defined, the severity of the disease should be assessed with a validated score, to decide the best treatment.

Clinical manifestations

Diagnosis

Assessment of psoriatic nail disease

Psoriasis Can Affect Both Fingernails And Toenails

The percentage of those with psoriasis who have nail involvement is thought to be up to 50%. In psoriatic arthritis this may rise to 80%. For some unknown reason fingernails are more often involved than toenails. For many people, nail psoriasis is often mild and causes few problems.

The nails are part of the skin, so it is perhaps not surprising that a skin disease such as psoriasis can affect the nails. No one knows why some people get nail involvement and others dont. Nails grow from the nail root , which is just under the cuticle. In people who develop nail psoriasis it is involvement of the nail root that causes pitting and ridging of the nails.

Onycholysis , subungual hyperkeratosis and splinter haemorrhages are all caused by disease of the nail bed. These conditions are explained in the next section.

The nail is made of modified skin and, once it has grown, it can only be altered by filing or clipping. Treatments are usually directed at the nail bed that supports the nail or the nail folds that tuck around the edges. Soothing these tissues can result in better nail growth with fewer features of psoriasis.

What changes can occur with nail psoriasis?

These are the most common changes in nail psoriasis:

Some nail changes are caused by using systemic retinoid medication, which can help the skin but may result in format ion of very thin nails which do not appear normal. These nail changes can take several months to grow out only after retinoids are stopped.

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What Else Could It Be

infections of the nail can occur at the same time as psoriatic nail disease and can sometimes look like psoriatic nail disease. Fungal nail infections also cause thickening of the nails. It is important to get the correct treatment as some treatments for fungal nail diseases can aggravate psoriasis.

Onycholysis is the loosening or separation of the nail from the skin underneath it. Treatment depends on the cause. Apart from psoriasis it has many other causes – for example:

• Trauma to the nail bed – for example, by repeated tapping of the fingernails on a keyboard or by pressure from shoes in long-distance runners and walkers.
• Allergy to nail glue .
• Infections, such as fungal infections, bacterial infections, or the cold sore virus .
• Many medicines – for example, some forms of chemotherapy for cancer, and tetracycline and fluoroquinolone antibiotics.
• Other diseases, such as diabetes or thyroid disease.

In most of these situations the onycholysis is not permanent and the nail will grow out normally once the cause has been removed or treated.

Is There A Cure For Nail Pitting

Treatment of nail pitting and other nail issues is often a long-term process. In some cases, this treatment isnt always effective. Its important that you try to avoid triggers that make nail pitting worse. This includes trauma to your hands and feet.

If youre diagnosed with nail psoriasis, the outlook varies. Psoriasis is a chronic condition that tends to flare up at different times of your life for different reasons.

People who have nail psoriasis often deal with physical and psychological stress and negative feelings about their condition. If youre feeling stressed or upset about your diagnosis, discuss these feelings with your doctor. They can provide guidance and other resources for support.

You should also contact your doctor if you notice thickening of a nail or separation from the nail bed. This may mean you have a fungal infection that needs treatment.

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When Do You Need To Worry

Thick toenails may go unnoticed at first but you might want to pay attention as the symptoms of worsening toenails become obvious. The indicators may include breaking, cracking or lifting of toenails easily. If you notice their appearance becoming scaly with brown, yellow or green shade and a poor odour coming from your toenails, it may be time for you to be concerned.

Guidelines For Treatment Of Np

In 2015, the Group for Research and Assessment of PsO and PsA included NP as one of the 6 key domains of PsA . For treatment of patients with moderate-to-severe NP, the 2015 GRAPPA treatment guidelines recommended biologic treatment with TNF, IL-12/23, and IL-17 inhibitors, choosing therapy to address as many disease domains as possible.

The recently published Joint AAD-NPF guidelines of care for the management and treatment of psoriasis with biologics recommended biologic monotherapies for treatment of adult patients with moderate to severe plaque PsO affecting the nails .

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What Are Nail Psoriasis Symptoms And Signs

Usually, people who have nail psoriasis also have skin symptoms, too. If someone has psoriasis of the nails but does not have skin symptoms, the condition may be difficult for a doctor to diagnose, since the signs of psoriasis of the nails resemble those of fungal infection of the nails. It is important to inform the doctor if there is a family history of psoriasis.

The nail unit is made up of a nail plate, nail bed, hyponychium, nail matrix, nail folds, cuticle, anchoring portion, and ends of the finger bones. See each of these structures in images 1-2.

Someone might notice the following signs with psoriatic nails:

Nail psoriasis can also occur together with fungal infections of the nail and inflammation of the skin around the edges of the nail .

How Psoriasis Affects The Nails

Nail psoriasis occurs because psoriasis affects the process of nail formation. People who have nail psoriasis usually have psoriasis on other parts of their body, such as the skin and joints. Rarely does someone have only psoriasis of the nails.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis vary but may include:

• Discoloration of the nail to yellow-brown
• Pitting in the surface of the nails
• Horizontal lines across the nails
• White patches on the nails
• Thickening of the nails
• Nails that separate from the nail bed

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What Are The Best Ways To Treat Nail Psoriasis

At the Skin Center of South Miami, men and women have access to our doctors with decades of combined experience in the South Miami, FL community. Patients who have been dealing with white spots or other discoloration of the nails may not actually have nail fungus, but instead may be struggling with a condition known as nail psoriasis.

How To Fix Thick Toenails

As the toenails thicken over time, they may start causing you inconvenience and you might go searching for ways to fix your thick toenails so weve got you covered.

To fIx your thick toenails, you can opt for several culturally typical day to day home remedies. ThIck toenails fIxing includes the following methods.

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When Should Someone Seek Medical Care For Nail Psoriasis

If there are changes in the nails such as discoloration or pits or if the nails seem infected or are painful, see a doctor.

At present, psoriatic nail disease does not have a cure. The goal of treatment is to improve the function and appearance of psoriatic nails. If the nails have a fungal infection, a doctor will prescribe an antifungal medication.

Vitamin D3 Derivates: Calcipotriol Tacalcitol Calcitriol

Vitamin D analogs regulate epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation, as well as production and release of proinflammatory cytokines. Topical formulations containing vitamin D3 and vitamin D analogs are effective treatments for PP, both as monotherapies and in fixed combinations with corticosteroids. Vitamin D3 derivates appear to be more effective in treating nail bed signs of psoriasis than in nail matrix signs. Studies using calcitriol in the treatment of nail psoriasis are rare. One case was reported whereby the patient responded well to treatment with calcitriol ointment however, it was not completely clear whether this patient suffered from nail psoriasis. One RCT compared calcitriol ointment twice daily with betamethasone diproprionate on subungual hyperkeratosis . After 20 weeks, nails treated with calcitriol had a 38 % reduction in thickness compared with a 35 % reduction seen in nails treated with betamethasone diproprionate .

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