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.
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Home Remedies For Nail Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a chronic disease of the immune system that varies from mild to severe. This condition causes your body to produce too many skin cells. Psoriasis can occur anywhere on your body, including your nails.
In fact, people suffering from this autoimmune disease are at risk of developing nail psoriasis, which alters the way your toenails and fingernails look.
Nail psoriasis affects up to 50 percent of people who have psoriasis and as many as 80 percent of people who suffer from psoriatic arthritis. However, a person with no history of psoriasis can also develop this nail problem.
One of the first signs of nail psoriasis is a change in nail color. Your nail color may change to green, yellow or brown.
Other symptoms include small red or white spots underneath the nails, ridges or grooves in the nails, pitting on the nails surface, itching, a buildup of chalky white material under your nails, thickening of your nails and nails becoming loose or separating from the nail bed.
People who have nail psoriasis can also get a fungal infection that can cause a lot of pain and make your nails brittle and cause them to break.
In severe cases of nail psoriasis, one may even find it hard to move their fingers and toes. This can cause a lot of problems performing daily activities and also pain while lifting things with your fingers.
Here are the top 10 home remedies for nail psoriasis.
Hidden Treatments For Nail Psoriasis
Though you want to consult with your doctor no matter what, we wanted to challenge the treatment of nail psoriasis with a natural approach. Find out the items lying in our homes that could give you relief for this condition.
Sometimes, we tend to overestimate the impact that home treatments can have on several diseases. Other times, we simply overlook the value that certain foods have when it comes to fighting against autoimmune conditions and whatnot. We want to discuss with you some of the latest research on natural ways to prevent and fight against nail psoriasis.
As you may know now, psoriasis is a rather common skin condition that stems from a reaction of our immune system. As the immune system enters overdrive, it makes our skin cells multiply at abnormal rates, which causes red patches and white scales along our skin. Typically, psoriasis affects areas such as the elbows, knees, scalp and abdomen however, moderate cases could lead to the development of nail psoriasis .
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The 8 Types Of Psoriasis
Did you know psoriasis is one of the most prevalent autoimmune conditions? In fact, it affects 7.5 million people in the United States and 125 million people worldwide. That means roughly 2-3% of the worlds population are affected by the eight different types of psoriasis.
1. Plaque psoriasis
This is the most common type. Plaque psoriasis is characterized by dry, raised, and red plaques, or raised lesions, that can be itchy and painful. They can crop up anywhere on your body.
2. Nail psoriasis
This type of psoriasis can affect your finger- and/or toenails. It can lead to discoloration, abnormal nail growth, and loose or crumbling nails.
3. Guttate psoriasis
Mostly, guttate psoriasis is found in children and young adults. It characterized by small, water drop-shaped, scaling lesions. These are triggered by a bacterial infection and often go away on their own after the infection passes.
4. Inverse psoriasis
Usually, inverse psoriasis occurs in your armpits, groin, under your breasts, and around your genitals. It is characterized by red, inflamed skin that may be triggered by fungal infections.
5. Scalp psoriasis
The mild type of scalp psoriasis appears as fine scales on the scalp. Moderate to severe psoriasis of the scalp is thick and crusted, covering large portions of the skin on the head. It can even extend beyond the hairline to the forehead, back of the neck, and around the ears.
6. Psoriatic arthritis
7. Pustular psoriasis
8. Erythrodermic psoriasis
How To Treat Nail Psoriasis
Specific treatments to eliminate nail psoriasis are generally unsatisfactory. These are, moreover, generally intended for cases in which there is a functional deterioration or which considerably affect the aesthetic part of the nail.
However, there are several natural alternatives that you can use at home to combat the effects of psoriasis on nails. Discover them all!
Here are 5 natural remedies to fight against nail psoriasis:
1 Creams with Vitamin D to fight against nail psoriasis
Vitamin D contains anti-inflammatory properties and promotes the healing of damaged nails. Therefore, creams or lotions containing vitamin D will be the most recommended for treating nails with psoriasis.
What do you need ?
A good vitamin D-based ointment or cream that you can buy from Amazon here: Dr. Shepards Vitamin D3 Cream
What should you do ?
- Rub the vitamin D-based ointment or cream on the nail affected by psoriasis for about 5 minutes.
- Apply the treatment 2 to 3 times a day until the nail is improved.
- Similarly, it is advisable to follow an appropriate diet so that the healing process also takes place from within.
2 Aloe Vera to fight against nail psoriasis
Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is a plant famous for its many medicinal properties. In addition, it is easy to obtain, making it one of the most popular natural remedies. On the other hand its use for the treatment of nail psoriasis is relatively simple.
What do you need ?
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Pick The Right Polish And Polish Remover
Polish can go a long way toward improving the appearance of nails, as well as provide a level of protection. A strengthening or ridge-filling base coat can help shore up weak or brittle nails. But some ingredients found in nail lacquer for instance, formaldehyde and toluene can cause contact dermatitis in some people with psoriasis, who have sensitive skin. To sidestep them, consider using 5-free nail polish, which refers to products that dont contain these types of ingredients. Dr. Sutera likes Dr.s Remedy Enriched Nail Care products.
When it comes to polish removal, opt for a product that doesnt contain acetone, a harsh solvent. Non-acetone removers are less drying and gentler on sensitive skin.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Keeps Nails Healthy
Apple cider vinegar is another of the most effective and widely used home remedies for nail psoriasis. This product is ideal for the natural treatment of disorders that cause inflammation in the dermis. In addition, it is perfect for strengthening the nails and ensuring that they do not break easily.
You can place apple cider vinegar in a container and soak your nails for 20 or 30 minutes, or you can choose to apply it to the area with a cotton ball. Either way, youll see great results in no time.
In addition, we recommend that you consult the article Foods to strengthen nails.
This article is merely informative, at FastlyHeal .com we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any type of diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor in the case of presenting any type of condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Natural remedies for nail psoriasis , we recommend that you enter our Skin, hair and nails category .
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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.
How To Cure Nail Psoriasis
Good nail care is the best way to treat nail psoriasis. Try these prevention tips:
- Keep your nails trimmed short.
- Use a nail file to keep nail edges smooth.
- Wear gloves to clean and do other work with your hands.
- Moisturize your nails and cuticles every day and after theyve been in contact with water.
- Wear comfortable shoes with enough room for your toes.
If youre unhappy with the way your nails look, try nail varnish or artificial nails. They can also protect your nails from more damage. Some people are sensitive to the chemicals in varnish and nail adhesive. Talk to your doctor about whether these are right for you.
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Psoriasis Can Affect Both Fingernails And Toenails
Psoriasis can affect both fingernails and toenails, with half of those with psoriasis alone having some form of nail involvement. The risk increases in those with psoriatic arthritis, and it is reported that this could be as high as 4 out of 5 people seeing changes to their nails. 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:
What can be done about it?
Tips on general nail care
Medical treatments for nail psoriasis include:
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.
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Are There Any Home Remedies Or Tips For Symptoms Of Nail Psoriasis
There are several home remedies and tips that can help control the symptoms of nail psoriasis.
While home remedies are safe for most people, its a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before trying some of the following options. You may be at risk of developing an allergic reaction.
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera gel has anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve the symptoms of nail psoriasis. Apply aloe vera gel to your nails and the surrounding skin up to several times a day, including before bed.
- Capsaicin: Capsaicin is a chemical compound naturally found in hot peppers that gives peppers their spicy taste. Capsaicin creams or ointments may relieve the symptoms of nail psoriasis. However, be careful not to touch or rub your eyes after applying it, because it can cause eye irritation.
- Dead Sea salt: Dead Sea salt comes from the Dead Sea in southwest Asia, and it can provide relief from nail psoriasis symptoms. Add Dead Sea salt to a bowl of warm water around 95 degrees Fahrenheit and soak your nails for at least 10 minutes. You may have to soak your nails several times per week.
- Turmeric: Turmeric is a spice that contains a chemical called curcumin. Studies show that curcumin has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties that may relieve the symptoms of nail psoriasis. You may add turmeric as a spice to foods in your diet, or you may take it as a tablet or pill in specific dosages.
Its also a good idea to:
What Does It Look Like
Psoriasis presents as patches of itchy, thick, red skin covered with silvery scales. Sometimes there is a burning sensation and the skin at the joints may crack. Psoriasis usually occurs on the elbows, knees, scalp, lower back, face, palms and soles of the feet but the nails and the soft tissues inside the mouth and genitalia are not exempt. Consult your health professional for a diagnosis.
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Perfect For The Symptoms Of All Types Of Psoriasis
- Plaque psoriasis Most common with raised red patches and build-up of dead skin or scales known as plaques. Usually on knees, elbows & scalp. Itchy and painful. Can crack & bleed.*
- Pustular psoriasis A rare form characterized by small pustules found all over the body or confined to the palms, soles and other isolated areas of the body.*
- Guttate psoriasis occurs most frequently in children and is characterized by numerous small, red drop-like scaly macules that develop rapidly over a wide area of skin, often appearing after an infection.*
- Inverse psoriasis occurs in the armpit, under the breast, in skin folds, around the groin, in the cleft between the buttocks and around the genitals. It is usually pink and irritated but lacks the thick scales seen in other forms of psoriasis.*
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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Natural Remedies For Psoriatic Nails
18 May, 2022
Psoriasis can be uncomfortable and even painful. This disease affects any part of the skin and its common for it to start on the nails. In this article we will propose 5 natural remedies for psoriatic nails.
However, its important to clarify that these dont represent a first-line treatment. And, moreover, evidence to prove their effectiveness is lacking. They should, therefore, be considered merely as a complement and not as a substitute for medical treatment.
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Management Of Nail Psoriasis
The choice of treatments depends on clinical presentation, as well as patient-related factors. Most patients have only mild nail psoriasis without signs of PsA or severe PP. These patients may profit from topical treatment, while systemic treatment is indicated in patients with severe nail psoriasis, major impact on QoL, or concomitant moderate to severe psoriatic skin lesions. Systemic therapy should also be favored if concomitant PsA is evident. The choice of treatments further depends on patient factors, including age, experienced burden of disease, accompanying diseases and therapies, individual patient preferences, and the risks of treatment.
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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 .