Isla Bennett
Nail psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is an autoimmune condition that affects the fingernails and toenails, causing discolouration, pitting and other changes. It is caused by the rapid reproduction of skin cells, which creates a skin rash. While there is no cure for nail psoriasis, treatments can alleviate symptoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of condition | Subtype of psoriasis |
| Description | Common chronic inflammatory skin condition |
| Cause | Autoimmune condition |
| Cause | Psoriatic involvement of the nail bed or nail matrix |
| Cause | Skin cells reproduce quickly |
| Symptoms | Discoloration |
| Symptoms | Pitting |
| Symptoms | Changes in fingernails and toenails |
| Symptoms | Subungual hyperkeratosis |
| Symptoms | Onycholysis |
| Treatments | Prescription medications |
| Treatments | Over-the-counter medications |
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What You'll Learn
Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune condition
Nail psoriasis can cause a variety of nail changes, including nail discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, pitting (punctate nail depressions), and onycholysis (distal nail plate separation from the nail bed). It can be the first presentation of cutaneous psoriasis, a sequela of cutaneous psoriasis, or a concurrent presentation of psoriasis. Nail involvement is a visible indicator to predict concomitant or future inflammatory joint activity, most prominently in the distal interphalangeal joint, where psoriatic arthritis classically presents.
There is no cure for nail psoriasis, but treatments can help alleviate related symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms. Your healthcare provider can typically diagnose nail psoriasis after a physical exam. They will examine your affected areas to look for common signs of nail psoriasis.
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It causes nail discolouration
Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune condition and a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It causes discolouration, pitting, and changes in your fingernails and toenails.
Nail discolouration can manifest in several ways, including oil drops, subungual hyperkeratosis, and onycholysis (distal nail plate separation from the nail bed). These changes are due to the rapid reproduction of skin cells, which typically occurs every three to four days in people with psoriasis, compared to the usual 28 to 30 days.
The discolouration and other nail changes associated with nail psoriasis can significantly impact a person's social and psychological well-being. While there is no cure for nail psoriasis, treatments are available to alleviate symptoms and improve nail appearance.
It is important to note that nail psoriasis is not contagious and cannot be spread through skin-to-skin contact. A healthcare provider can typically diagnose nail psoriasis through a physical examination, looking for common signs and symptoms.
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It can also cause nail pitting
Nail psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that can also affect the joints. It is an autoimmune condition that causes changes in the fingernails and toenails. It can also cause nail pitting, which is a visible indicator of inflammatory joint activity.
Nail pitting is characterised by small, punctate nail depressions. It is caused by the overproduction of skin cells, which can lead to a build-up of cells in the nail bed or nail matrix. This build-up can cause the nail to become pitted or depressed.
Nail pitting can be a sign of nail psoriasis, but it can also be caused by other conditions, such as eczema or fungal infections. It is important to see a healthcare provider for a diagnosis if you are concerned about nail pitting or any other changes in your nails.
There is no cure for nail psoriasis, but treatments can help to alleviate symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be used to reduce the appearance of nail pitting and other nail changes.
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There is no cure, but treatments can alleviate symptoms
Nail psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that can also affect the joints. It is an autoimmune condition that causes skin cells to reproduce quickly, affecting the nails on your fingers and toes. It can cause discolouration, pitting and other changes to the nails.
There is currently no cure for nail psoriasis, but treatments can alleviate symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can be used to reduce symptoms. Your healthcare provider can typically diagnose nail psoriasis after a physical exam, where they will examine the affected areas for common signs of nail psoriasis.
Treatments for nail psoriasis include topical treatments, such as creams, ointments and nail polishes that contain medications to help improve nail appearance and reduce symptoms. Oral medications, such as retinoids, methotrexate and biologics, can also be prescribed to help slow down the growth of skin cells and reduce inflammation.
In addition to medications, there are other treatments that can help manage nail psoriasis. Phototherapy, or light therapy, can be used to treat nail psoriasis by exposing the skin to controlled amounts of ultraviolet light. This can help slow the growth of skin cells and improve symptoms. Another treatment option is steroid injections, which can be injected into the nail bed to help reduce inflammation and improve nail appearance.
It is important to note that while these treatments can help alleviate symptoms, they may not work for everyone and the effectiveness of treatments can vary from person to person. It is always best to consult with a healthcare professional to determine the most appropriate treatment plan for your specific case of nail psoriasis.
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It is not contagious
Nail psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition that can also affect the joints. It is an autoimmune condition that causes changes in the fingernails and toenails, such as discoloration, pitting, and onycholysis (distal nail plate separation from the nail bed). While nail psoriasis can have a significant impact on patients' social and psychological well-being, it is important to know that it is not contagious. You cannot spread nail psoriasis to another person through skin-to-skin contact.
Nail psoriasis occurs when new skin cells grow and move to the skin surface every three to four days, creating a skin rash. This rapid reproduction of skin cells is a result of an immune system problem. While psoriasis typically affects the skin, in some cases, it can also involve the nails, joints, or both the nails and joints.
The diagnosis of nail psoriasis is typically made by a healthcare provider through a physical examination of the affected areas. They will look for common signs of nail psoriasis, such as nail discoloration, subungual hyperkeratosis, pitting, and onycholysis. While there is no cure for nail psoriasis, treatments are available to alleviate related symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can help reduce the symptoms and improve nail health.
It is important to note that nail psoriasis is not contagious. It cannot be spread to others through contact with affected nails or skin. However, it can have a significant impact on the social and psychological aspects of a person's life. Therefore, seeking medical advice and treatment is essential to manage the condition effectively and minimise its impact on overall well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
Nail psoriasis is a subtype of psoriasis, a common chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is an autoimmune condition that affects the fingernails and toenails.
Nail psoriasis can manifest as a variety of nail changes, including nail discoloration, pitting, subungual hyperkeratosis, and onycholysis (distal nail plate separation from the nail bed).
There is currently no cure for nail psoriasis, but treatments can help alleviate symptoms. Prescription and over-the-counter medications can reduce symptoms.
