Psoriasis of the nails

As is known, psoriasis is a chronic non-infectious disease, from which the skin, in the first place, suffers. And the main measures of treatment of the disease are usually aimed precisely at fighting skin rashes. However, in addition to skin lesions, psoriasis of the nails is also possible, which is often mistaken for a fungal infection, especially when nail damage is the only manifestation and the skin is not affected. In addition, it is often observed with the fungus and can be provoked by it. But psoriasis of the nails is a separate disease, which requires a separate special treatment, as it will not be able to cure it with antifungal drugs.

Symptoms of psoriasis of the nails

External manifestations of psoriasis of nails can be very diverse, which greatly complicates the diagnosis, especially in cases where other external manifestations are absent:

1. Point nail damage in psoriasis. One or several depressions appear on the nail, which can both be grouped together in one place and spread to the entire nail plate. When the whole nail is struck, its plate begins to resemble a thimble, from which another name for this type of disease - "thimble psoriasis" has gone.
2. Cloudiness of the nail plate. At the same time, longitudinal and transverse grooves appear on it.
3. Nails on the legs are often covered with grooves. At the same time, they thicken, they acquire a yellowish muddy shade, sometimes they start to fester. A similar defeat is possible on the hands, but much less often. Since such symptoms are extremely characteristic for fungal lesions, psoriasis of the nails on the feet is most often confused with the fungus and try to use appropriate methods of treatment that are ineffective.
4. Exfoliation of the nail or onycholysis. It is usually observed in the late stages of the disease, if no measures have been taken to treat it. The nail plate loses its shine, is thinned, eventually flakes off the skin. With the progression of the disease, the nail can completely disappear, remaining only in the form of a narrow strip located near the socket.

How to treat psoriasis of the nails?

Treatment of this disease is a long and time-consuming process that takes more than one month.

Since psoriasis of nails is a chronic disease, an important role in its treatment is played by proper nail care and hygiene:

1. The nails should be short-cut.
2. Any work with cleaning, cleaning and other chemicals should be carried out only with gloves.
3. It is necessary to avoid any microtrauma in the area of ​​injury. So, in the treatment of psoriasis finger nails are contraindicated manicure, but it is possible to use a transparent protective varnish.
4. Regularly use greasy hand creams.
5. Make baths with the addition of medicinal herbs (St. John's wort, celandine , nettle, chamomile).
6. Lubricate the skin around the nail with retinol.

Preparations for the treatment of psoriasis of nails

At the initial stages of the disease, local drugs are used to treat psoriasis, such as:

• Calcipotriol;
• Betamethasone;
• Antralin;
• Tazarotin;
• tar;
• immunomodulating agents, for example, Tyrolon.

In addition, the intake of a complex of vitamins and minerals, primarily vitamins A and D, is performed. The effectiveness of treatment is enhanced if, together with the drugs, physiotherapeutic effect, for example, irradiation with ultraviolet.

If the use of external means does not give the desired effect, then go to the reception of drugs inside. Most commonly used:

• Cyclosporin;
• Methotrexate;
• Acitretin.

If psoriasis of the nails is observed together with the fungus , it is possible to use topical antifungal ointments or nail varnishes.