One of the varieties of dermatological diseases that occurs in a chronic way is nail psoriasis. It can disturb an adult or a child if there are appropriate factors for its spread. The disease has many similarities to common psoriasis, as it is also characterized by pathological layers of cells on top of each other, resulting in severe deformation of the nail plates.
Causes of the disease
Some people believe that toenail or nail psoriasis develops in the presence of severe stress. Although it has been scientifically proven that strong emotional experiences are not capable of leading to such changes. Therefore, they cannot be considered as the main cause of the development of the disease. Doctors identify 2 factors that can actually lead to a pathological process:
- Disruption of the immune system,which is responsible for the formation of healthy cells and the fermentation of substances. These changes do not allow the skin particles to develop fully. They start to grow and overlap. The result is a thickening of the nail plates;
- Predisposition to the development of psoriasis.In most patients, the propensity to develop pathology is inherent in genes. He wakes up immediately after the body is negatively affected by certain factors.
Several factors can lead to disease activation:
- Hormonal insufficiency;
- Metabolic problems;
- Prolonged use of anti-inflammatories and beta-blockers;
- Climatic conditions (cold and dry climate);
- Chronic fatigue;
- Infectious injuries;
- Damage to the upper layers of the skin.
In half of the cases, psoriasis of the fingernails or toes develops together with the skin lesions.
Psoriasis can affect only the nails or, in addition, other parts of the body.
The first signs of psoriasis on the nails of the hands and feet
Nail lesions in psoriasis can be recognized by the characteristic symptoms of this disease. They start to bother the person from the first days of development of the disease. Common signs of a pathological process include:
- Dents and grooves on the surface of the nail plates;
- Change the color of the nail to a darker one;
- Inflammatory process along the edge of the nails;
- 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
What nail psoriasis looks like, you can find out if you carefully study the photo showing the affected plaques and fingers. In the early stage of development, the manifestation of the pathology is not very pronounced. An increase in symptoms is seen 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 be covered by small dots, which are painted with a white or yellowish brown hue. Over time, the papules increase in size. At this stage, psoriasis does not affect the deep layers of the nail, so it can be healed quickly. There is no pain when pressing on the affected area, but its surface is gradually peeling off;
- Stationary.Dots stop showing on the nails. Along with this, the inflammatory processes slow down. However, discomfort or pain persists. Sometimes, at this stage, the skin next to the plaques is covered by rashes characteristic of the disease. It is very dry itself;
- Regressive.Previously formed skin rashes are actively disappearing. Whitish edges appear close to the lesions. As a rule, at this stage in the development of psoriasis, patients experience an unbearable itch.
Observing the development of a disease, doctors should already know what stage they are at. This will help them to find the best therapy for the patient.
If left untreated, psoriasis will invade new areas.
Diagnostic methods
An experienced specialist who diagnoses and treats skin diseases can immediately determine whether a person has nail psoriasis. Laboratory studies allow verifying the accuracy of the conclusions drawn. To make a diagnosis, you may need:
- FBC;
- Analysis of biopsy or psoriatic scales.
Instrumental diagnosis for nail psoriasis is not necessary.
How to treat nail psoriasis
Nail psoriasis in children and adults requires complex therapy. A tool or procedure for such a diagnosis is indispensable. Treatment of psoriasis of nails located on the hands or feet is the standard for all patients. At the individual level, drugs and physiotherapy are selected. In addition, the patient will be advised to review their daily diet and make significant adjustments to their usual lifestyle. After all, the success of the therapeutic course also depends on it.
As soon as a person notices signs of nail psoriasis, they should immediately consult a dermatologist. What kind of symptoms will help to recognize the disease was discussed above.
Most doctors prescribe topical ointments and systemic pills
Medical therapy
For diseases like nail psoriasis, treatment can be done at home. The doctor will prescribe a series 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. Ointments 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 are not addictive, unlike more aggressive preparations for the external treatment of the nail plate.
If the patient has a severely affected nail, the doctor will recommend oral medication. It will also tell you how to treat nail psoriasis in this way and what dosage to follow.
The following drugs may be needed for nail psoriasis:
- Immunomodulators (vitamins);
- Antihistamines;
- Sedatives.
In most cases, medications are not stopped until the disease is gone.
Physiotherapy
Nail psoriasis is usually treated with physical therapy. A good result for such violations is provided by:
- PUVA therapy;
- X-ray therapy;
- UV irradiation;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Laser therapy.
In order for the result to be positive only after the procedures, it is necessary to correctly select the number and duration of physiotherapy sessions. This task must be entrusted to an experienced professional. Otherwise, the patient who is trying to understand how to cure psoriasis will encounter serious side effects from procedural treatment.
PUVA therapy is one of the most modern and effective methods.
Proper nail care
For treatment to be as effective as possible, a patient with psoriatic disease must pay attention to proper nail care. The disease severely injures the plaque, so this care will not be superfluous. Firstly, it consists in respecting hygiene rules. Doctors recommend doing the following for this diagnosis:
- The nails should be cut as short as possible;
- When doing household chores, it is advisable to wear protective gloves;
- Avoid work that could hurt your nails and the skin around them;
- You regularly need to monitor the cleanliness of the nail plates.
Medical methods will be more effective if, in addition to traditional and popular 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 specialists know which plant cures psoriasis that affects the nail plate. They recommend it, like many other herbs, when preparing home remedies for the treatment of dermatological diseases.
Patients can use the following folk remedies:
- Celandine broth.To prepare it, it is necessary to put 0. 5 liters of water, 2 tbsp. I. herbs. This mixture must be brought to a boil over low heat. On average, you should cook for about 30 minutes. Then, medicinal baths are made with the broth, in which arms and legs are lowered for 20-25 minutes;
- Natural oils.These foods work well with psoriasis. Sea buckthorn oil is especially beneficial. It moisturizes the skin around the nails and enriches them with beneficial trace elements. To treat the affected area with oil, simply apply it to a cotton wool and wipe it over the plate. It is recommended to repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day;
- Onion compaction.It is made from a medium onion, which is previously passed through a meat grinder. The resulting porridge is placed on the nails and covered with a clean gauze dressing. The compress must be left for 30 minutes;
- Bay leaf decoction.It can also be used during the preparation of medicinal baths. To make a decoction, you need to put 2 cups of hot water with 20 g of grass. Cook the mixture for a maximum of 10 minutes. The product is then cooled to a comfortable temperature and your hands or feet are placed on it. It is also allowed to ingest this decoction, 40 g three times a day;
- Herbal-based decoction.For baths, you can prepare a remedy for celandine, chamomile, oak bark, sage and string. They do the same as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal infusion.It is intended for oral administration. The home remedy is made from blueberry leaves, St. John's wort, calamus root, celandine and string. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The infusion is made from 1 tablespoon. I. collection and a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to take 50 g of the medicine twice a day.
Folk remedies should be used in combination with traditional treatment. Otherwise, they will have no effect.
Therapeutic diet
When the top layers of a person's skin are affected, poor diet may be to blame. Because of this, the body lacks useful trace elements to support the immune system and other systems. And as you know, due to failures, psoriatic disease occurs. Nails affected by psoriasis can be treated with a special diet. It must be hypoallergenic.
The nutrition of a patient with nail psoriasis must be balanced. It is highly recommended to exclude foods that may cause allergies. These are chocolate, strawberry, citrus and coffee. You will also have to give up salty, smoked, pickled, spicy and greasy treats. Ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard are prohibited.
During periods of exacerbation of an autoimmune disease, it is recommended to follow a mono-diet, which is designed for 1-2 days. This nutrition involves the use of only 1 product. They can be apples, kefir, fish or cereals.
A therapeutic diet should be enriched with fermented dairy products, fruits, vegetables, herbs and lean fish.
Foods that can cause allergies can also exacerbate psoriasis.
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 abandon fried, smoked, preserved and salted foods;
- It is advisable to regularly go to rest in places with favorable weather for the skin and the body as a whole;
- Take courses in vitamin and mineral complexes;
- Avoid damage to skin and nails;
- Treat infectious diseases in a timely manner.
Don't forget to take care of your skin and nails. This is the only way to protect against the development of psoriasis and its relapses.
Forecasting
Psoriasis is one of the diseases that is progressing all the time. Medication and physical therapy only temporarily interrupt the development process. Not a single person was able to fully recover. If the patient follows the recommendations of a specialist, 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 their development. If therapy is absent or chosen incorrectly, the patient is at risk of facing the complications and consequences of an autoimmune disease.
In nail psoriasis, the cardiovascular system can be severely affected. It is the vessels that threaten the greatest danger, since pathological changes occur under the influence of the disease.
Any form of psoriasis can cause psychological problems. They are directly related to the fact that others rarely relate normally to a person with similar defects in different parts of the body. Because of this, the patient withdraws in himself, starts to abuse alcohol, is constantly chased by a depressive state. In the context of a disturbed psyche, the likelihood of malignant processes in the skin cells increases.