What are the main symptoms of nail psoriasis? And what can you do to treat it? Here are some things you need to know about this disease.
1. The Statistics
Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune disease. According to statistics, it affects about 7.5 million people in the US alone. Around half of these people have to deal with nail psoriasis.
2. The Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis
In short, psoriasis comes with an excessive growth of cells. So if you have nail psoriasis, your fingernails and toenails will change their shape and structure due to disordered cell production. The main symptoms of nail psoriasis include:
- Nails Lifting Away From the Skin. Unfortunately, this can be quite painful. In some cases, the result is that nails separate from the nail bed and fall off.
- Discolored Nails. They can turn yellow, brown or even green.
- Altered Nail Structure or Surface. You may notice that your nails are either too thick or extremely brittle. Holes or grooves can appear on the surface of your nails as well.
3. Prevention
Doctors say that good nail care can help prevent nail psoriasis. This means you should keep them short as well as clean and moisturized. You should also avoid tight shoes.
4. Treatment
There are many ways you can treat this disease, so you need a professional to help you find the best option for you.
You may need to take corticosteroid injections to treat the pain. Additionally, your doctor may prescribe various gels and creams you can put directly on your nails.
On the other hand, you may require a more general kind of psoriasis treatment. Ultraviolet light can be a good way to stop excessive cell growth. Some also take medication in the form of pills.
