One of the varieties of dermatological diseases that occur chronically is psoriasis of the nails. It can annoy an adult or a child if there are appropriate factors for its spread. The disease has many similarities to ordinary psoriasis, as it is also characterized by pathological layers of cells one on top of the other, resulting in severe deformation of the nail plates.
Causes of the disease
Some people believe that psoriasis of the toenails or nails develops in the presence of severe stress. Although it has been scientifically proven that strong emotional experiences cannot lead 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:
- Alteration of the immune systemwhich is responsible for the formation of healthy cells and the 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 plates;
- Predisposition to the development of psoriasis.In most patients, the propensity to develop pathology is inherent in the genes. You wake up immediately after certain factors negatively affect the body.
Several factors can lead to the activation of the disease:
- Hormonal failure;
- Metabolic problems;
- Long-term use of anti-inflammatories 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 fingernails or toenails develops along with 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 condition. They begin to bother a person from the first days of the development of the disease. Common signs of a disease process include:
- dents and grooves on the surface of the nail plates;
- Change the nail color to a darker one;
- Inflammatory process along the edge of the nails;
- The skin of the fingers feels itchy.
If treatment is not started early in the development of the disease, it will continue to grow and its clinical manifestations will be more pronounced.
Stages of the disease
What psoriasis looks like on the nails, you can find out by carefully studying the photo showing the affected plaques and fingers. At the initial stage 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 be covered with small dots, which are painted with a white or yellowish-brown tint. Over time, the papules increase in size. At this stage, psoriasis does not affect the deep layers of the nail, so it can heal quickly. There is no pain when pressing the affected area, but its surface is gradually peeling;
- Stationary.The dots stop appearing on the nails. Along with this, inflammatory processes slow down. However, discomfort or pain persists. Sometimes at this stage the skin next to the plaques is covered with rashes characteristic of the disease. She herself becomes very dry;
- Regressive.Previously formed rashes are actively disappearing. Whitish borders appear near the lesions. As a rule of thumb, at this stage of psoriasis development, patients experience excruciating itching.
By observing the development of a disease, clinicians 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 allow verifying the veracity of the conclusions drawn. To make a diagnosis, you may need:
- Complete blood count;
- Analysis of biopsies or psoriatic scales.
Instrumental diagnostics are not required for nail psoriasis.
How to treat nail psoriasis
Nail psoriasis in children and adults requires complex therapy. One tool or procedure for such a diagnosis is not enough. Treatment for psoriasis of the fingernails or toenails is standard for all patients. Individually, drugs and physiotherapy are selected. In addition, the patient will be advised to review her daily diet and make important adjustments to her usual lifestyle. After all, the success of the therapeutic course also depends on this.
As soon as a person notices signs of nail psoriasis, they should immediately consult a dermatologist. What kinds of symptoms will help to recognize the disease was discussed above.
Most doctors prescribe topical ointments and systemic tablets
Drug therapy
For a condition like nail psoriasis, treatment can be done at home. The doctor will prescribe a series of medications to 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 in demand for advanced forms of the disease.
Non-hormonal medications rarely cause side effects and complications. In addition, they do not lead to addiction, unlike the 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 medications may be needed for nail psoriasis:
- Immunomodulators (vitamins);
- Antihistamines;
- Sedatives.
In most cases, medications are not stopped until the disease has subsided.
Physiotherapy
Finger nail psoriasis is often treated with physical therapy. A good result for such violations is given by:
- PUVA therapy;
- X-ray therapy;
- UV irradiation;
- Ultrasound therapy;
- Laser therapy.
In order for the result to be only positive after the procedures, it is necessary to correctly select the number and duration of physiotherapy sessions. This task should be entrusted to an experienced professional. Otherwise, the patient who is trying to understand how to cure psoriasis will encounter serious side effects from the procedure 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 seriously damages your plate, so such care will not be superfluous. First of all, it consists in observing the rules of hygiene. Doctors recommend doing the following for this diagnosis:
- Nails should be cut as short as possible;
- When doing housework, it is advisable to wear protective gloves;
- Avoid work that could damage the nails and the skin around them;
- It is necessary to regularly check the cleanliness of the nail plates.
Medical methods will be more effective if, in addition to 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 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 home remedies:
- Celandine broth. To prepare it, you need to pour 0. 5 liters of water 2 tablespoons. l. herbs. This mixture should be brought to a boil over low heat. On average, it should cook for about 30 minutes. After that, medicinal baths are prepared from the broth, in which the arms and legs are lowered for 20-25 minutes;
- Natural oils.These foods work well for psoriasis. Sea buckthorn oil is especially beneficial. Hydrates the skin around the nails and enriches them with beneficial trace elements. To treat the affected area with oil, you just need to apply it on a cotton ball and then walk on the plate. It is recommended to repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day;
- Onion compress.It is made from a medium onion, which is previously passed through a meat grinder. The resulting gruel is placed on the nails and covered with a clean gauze bandage. The compress should be left on for 30 minutes;
- Decoction of bay leaf.It can also be used during the preparation of medicinal baths. To make a broth, 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 hands or feet are placed in it. It is also allowed to take such a decoction inside, 40 g three times a day;
- Herb decoction.For baths, you can prepare a remedy based on celandine, chamomile, oak bark, sage and rope. They do it in the same way as in the previous recipe;
- Herbal infusion.It is intended for oral administration. Homemade medicine is made from cranberry leaves, St. John's wort, calamus root, celandine and rope. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The infusion is made from 1 tablespoon. l. collection and a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to take 50 g of the drug 2 times a day.
Home remedies should be used in conjunction with traditional treatments. Otherwise they will have no effect.
Therapeutic diet
When the upper layers of a person's skin are affected, poor nutrition can be blamed. Because of this, the body lacks useful trace elements that 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 strongly recommended to exclude foods that can cause allergies. These are chocolate, strawberries, citrus, and coffee. You will also have to give up salty, smoked, pickled, spicy and greasy treats. Tomato sauce, 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. Such nutrition involves the use of only one product. It can be apples, kefir, fish or cereals.
A therapeutic diet should be fortified 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 must include plant foods in your diet;
- It is required to give up fried, smoked, pickled and salty foods;
- It is advisable to go regularly to rest in places with a favorable climate for the skin and the body in general;
- Take vitamin-mineral complexes in courses;
- Avoid damaging the skin and nail plates;
- Treat infectious diseases early.
Don't forget to take care of your own skin and nails. This is the only way to protect yourself from the development of psoriasis and its relapses.
Forecast
Psoriasis is one of the diseases that progresses all the time. Medication and physical therapy only temporarily stop 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 wrongly chosen, then the patient risks facing the complications and consequences of an autoimmune disease.
With nail psoriasis, the cardiovascular system can be severely affected. The greatest danger threatens precisely the vessels, since 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 defects in different parts of the body normally. Due to this, the patient withdraws into himself, begins to abuse alcohol, is constantly haunted by a depressive state. Against the background of an altered psyche, the probability of the appearance of malignant processes in skin cells increases.