One of the types of dermatological disease that occurs in a chronic form is nail psoriasis. It can upset an adult or a child if there are appropriate factors for its spread. The disease has many similarities with ordinary psoriasis, as it is also characterized by pathological layering of cells on top of each other, resulting in severe deformation of the nail plates.
Causes of the disease
Some people think that toenail psoriasis develops in the presence of severe stress. Although it has been scientifically proven that strong emotional experiences are not able to lead to such changes. Therefore, they cannot be considered the main cause of disease development. Doctors identify 2 factors that can actually lead to a pathological process:
- Disorder of the immune system,which is responsible for the formation of healthy cells and fermentation of substances. Such changes do not allow the skin particles to fully develop. They begin to grow and overlap. The result is a thickening of the nail plate;
- Predisposition to the development of psoriasis.In most patients, the tendency to develop pathology is inherent in genes. It wakes up immediately after certain factors negatively affect the body.
Several factors can lead to disease activation:
- Hormonal failure;
- Metabolic problems;
- Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers;
- Climatic conditions (cold and dry weather);
- Chronic fatigue;
- Infectious lesions;
- Damage to the upper layers of the skin.
In half of the cases, psoriasis of the nails on the hands or feet develops together with skin lesions.
Psoriasis can affect only the nails or additionally other parts of the body.
First signs of psoriasis on fingernails and toenails
Nail lesions in psoriasis can be identified by the symptoms characteristic of this condition. They begin to bother a person from the first days of the disease. Common signs of the pathological process include:
- Indentations and grooves on the surface of the nail plates;
- Change the color of the nail to darker;
- Inflammatory process along the edge of the nail;
- Itching on the skin of the fingers.
If treatment is not started in the initial stage of the disease, it will continue to grow and its clinical manifestations will become more pronounced.
Stages of the disease
You can find out what nail psoriasis looks like if you carefully study the photo in which the plates and fingers are affected. In the initial phase of development, the manifestation of pathology is not too pronounced. An increase in symptoms is observed with the successful spread of psoriasis, in which healthy tissue is affected.
Doctors distinguish 3 main stages of the course of nail psoriasis:
- Progressive.At this stage the nail begins to cover small dots, which are painted in a white or yellowish brown hue. Over time, the papules enlarge. At this stage, psoriasis does not affect the deep layers of the nail, so it can be cured quickly. There is no pain when pressing on the affected area, but its surface gradually peels off;
- Fixed. Dots stop appearing on the nails. At the same time, inflammatory processes slow down. However, discomfort or pain still exists. Sometimes, at this stage, the skin next to the plates is covered with a rash characteristic of the disease. It itself becomes very dry;
- Regressive.Previously formed rashes are actively disappearing. Whitish edges appear near the lesions. As a rule, at this stage of psoriasis development, patients suffer from unbearable itching.
By observing the development of the disease, doctors should already understand what stage it is at. This will help them find the best therapy for the patient.
If left untreated, psoriasis will invade new areas.
Diagnostic Methods
An experienced specialist who diagnoses and treats dermatological diseases can immediately determine if a person has nail psoriasis. Laboratory studies can be used to verify the correctness of the conclusions. To make a diagnosis, you may need:
- Complete blood count;
- Biopsy or psoriatic balance analysis.
Instrumental diagnosis of nail psoriasis is not required.
How to treat nail psoriasis
Nail psoriasis in children and adults requires complex therapy. One tool or procedure is needed for such a diagnosis. Treatment of psoriasis of the nails on the hands or feet is standard for all patients. Drugs and physiotherapy were selected on an individual basis. In addition, the patient will be advised to revise their daily diet and make significant adjustments to their usual lifestyle. Finally, the success of a therapeutic course also depends on this.
As soon as a person notices signs of nail psoriasis, they should consult a dermatologist immediately. What symptoms will be recognized in the disease was discussed above.
Most doctors prescribe topical ointments and systemic tablets
Drug Therapy
For conditions such as nail psoriasis, treatment can be done at home. Your doctor will prescribe a number of medications that must be taken orally or applied to the affected areas.
In the early stages of dermatological pathology, a topical agent should be used. Fats and creams can be hormonal or non-hormonal. The former are sought after for advanced forms of the disease.
Non-hormonal drugs rarely cause side effects and complications. In addition, they do not lead to addiction, unlike more aggressive preparations for external treatment of the nail plate.
If the patient has a severely affected nail, the doctor will recommend oral medications. It will also tell you how to treat nail psoriasis in this way and what dose to follow.
The following medications may be needed for nail psoriasis:
- Immunomodulators (vitamins); antihistamines;
- Sedatives.
In most cases, medications are not stopped until the disease subsides.
Physiotherapy
Finger nail psoriasis is often treated with physiotherapy. A good result for such violations gives:
- PUVA therapy;
- X-ray therapy;
- UV radiation;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Laser therapy.
In order for the result to be positive only after the procedure, it is necessary to correctly choose the number and duration of physiotherapy sessions. This task should be entrusted to an experienced professional. Otherwise, a patient trying to understand how to cure psoriasis will encounter serious side effects of procedural treatment.
PUVA therapy is one of the most modern and effective methods.
Proper nail care
In order for the treatment to be as effective as possible, the patient with psoriatic disease should pay attention to proper nail care. The disease seriously injures their plate, so such care will not be superfluous. First of all, it consists in following the rules of hygiene. Doctors recommend the following for this diagnosis:
- Nails should be cut as short as possible;
- It is advisable to wear protective gloves when doing household chores;
- Avoid work that could injure your nails and the skin around them;
- You need to regularly monitor the cleanliness of the nail plates.
Medical methods will be more effective if, in addition to folk and traditional methods of therapy, the patient adheres to these rules.
In psoriasis, it is especially important to protect your hands from aggressive exposure.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine experts know which plant treats psoriasis that affects the nail plate. They recommend it, as well as many other herbs, when preparing home remedies for the treatment of dermatological diseases.
Patients can use the following folk remedies:
- Celandine soup.To prepare it, you need to pour 0, 5 liters of water 2 tablespoons. l. herbs. This mixture should be boiled over low heat. On average, it should cook for about 30 minutes. After that, medicinal baths are made from the soup, into which the hands and feet are lowered for 20-25 minutes;
- Natural oils.This food works well for psoriasis. Sea buckthorn oil is especially useful. It moisturizes the skin around the nails and enriches them with useful trace elements. To treat the affected area with oil, you just need to apply it on a cotton pad and then walk over the plate. It is recommended to repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day;
- Onion wrap.It is made from a medium onion that is previously passed through a meat grinder. The resulting slurry is placed on the nails and covered with a bandage of clean gauze. The dressing should be left to act for 30 minutes;
- Bay leaf decoction.It can also be used during the preparation of medicinal baths. To make a decoction, you need to pour 2 cups of hot water with 20 g of grass. Cook the mixture for no more than 10 minutes. The product is then cooled to a comfortable temperature and the arms or legs are lowered into it. It is also allowed to take such a decoction inside, 40 g three times a day;
- Herbal decoction.For baths you can prepare a remedy from celandine, chamomile, oak bark, sage and thread. They make it the same way as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal infusion.Intended for oral administration. Home remedy is made on the basis of cranberry leaves, St. John's wort, root canal, celandine and string. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The infusion is made from 1 tbsp. l. collection and a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to take 50 g of the drug 2 times a day.
Folk remedies should be used in conjunction with traditional treatments. Otherwise, they will have no effect.
Therapeutic diet
When a person's upper layers of skin are affected, poor nutrition can be blamed. Due to that, the body lacks useful trace elements that support the immune and other systems. And as you know, failure leads to psoriasis. Nails affected by psoriasis can be treated with a special diet. It must be hypoallergenic.
The diet of a patient with nail psoriasis should be balanced. It is recommended to exclude foods that can lead to allergies. These are chocolate, strawberries, citrus fruits and coffee. You will also have to give up salty, smoked, sour, spicy and fatty treats. Ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard are prohibited.
In periods of worsening autoimmune disease, it is recommended to adhere to a mono-diet that is scheduled for 1-2 days. Such a diet includes the use of only 1 product. These can be apples, kefir, fish or cereals.
Therapeutic diet should be enriched with fermented dairy products, fruits, vegetables, herbs and lean fish.
Foods that can cause allergies can also make psoriasis worse.
Prevention
It is much easier to try to prevent the development of nail psoriasis than to fight it later. Disease prevention consists of following a series of recommendations:
- You need to include plant foods in your diet;
- It is necessary to give up fried, smoked, sour and salty foods;
- It is recommended to regularly go to rest in places with a favorable climate for the skin and the body as a whole;
- Use vitamin and mineral complexes in courses;
- Avoid damaging the skin and nail plates;
- Treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Remember to take care of your skin and nails. This is the only way to protect yourself from the development of psoriasis and its recurrence.
Forecast
Psoriasis is one of the constantly progressing diseases. Medications and physical therapy only temporarily stop the developmental process. No person was able to fully recover. If the patient follows the recommendations of experts, then he will be able to prevent repeated damage to the skin and nails.
Complications and Consequences
Psoriatic nail lesions should be treated from the first days of its development. If therapy is absent or incorrectly selected, then the patient risks facing complications and consequences of autoimmune disease.
With nail psoriasis, the cardiovascular system can be severely affected. The greatest danger threatens the vessels, because under the influence of the disease, pathological changes occur in them.
Any form of psoriasis can cause psychological problems. They are directly related to the fact that others rarely treat a person with similar impairments on different parts of the body normally. As a result, the patient withdraws, begins to abuse alcohol, and is constantly haunted by a depressed state. In the background of a disturbed psyche, the probability of the appearance of malignant processes in the skin cells increases.