One of the varieties of a dermatological disease, which manifests itself in a chronic form, 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 ordinary psoriasis, as it is also characterized by a pathological layering of cells on top of each other, as a result of which there is a strong deformation of the nails.
Causes of the disease
Some people are of the opinion that psoriasis of the toenails or fingernails occurs in a context of high stress. Although it has been scientifically proven that strong emotional experiences are unable to lead to such changes. Therefore, they cannot be considered the main cause of the development of the disease. Doctors identify 2 factors that can actually lead to a pathological process:
- Disorder of the immune system,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 nails;
- Predisposition to the development of psoriasis.In most patients, the propensity to develop disease is inherent in the genes. He wakes up immediately after the body has been adversely affected by some factors.
Several factors can lead to the activation of the disease:
- Hormonal failure;
- Metabolic problems;
- Long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs and beta-blockers;
- Climatic conditions (cold and dry climate);
- Chronic fatigue;
- Infectious lesions;
- Damage to the upper layers of the skin.
In half of cases, psoriasis of the fingernails or toenails develops along with the skin lesions.
Psoriasis can only affect the nails or other parts of the body as well.
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 nail surface;
- Change the nail color to a darker one;
- Inflammatory process along the edge of the nails;
- Felt itching on the skin of the fingers.
If treatment is not started at 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. At the initial stage of development, the manifestation of the 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 in the course of nail psoriasis:
- Progressive.At this stage, the nail begins to become covered with small spots, which are painted in a white or yellowish brown shade. Over time, the papules increase in size. At this stage, psoriasis does not affect the deep layers of the nail, so it can be quickly cured. There is no pain when pressing on the affected area, but its surface is gradually peeling;
- Stationary.The spots stop appearing on the nails. Along with this, inflammatory processes slow down. However, the discomfort or pain persists. Sometimes at this stage, the skin next to the dishes is covered with rashes characteristic of the disease. She herself becomes very dry;
- Regressive.Previously formed rashes are actively disappearing. The whitish edges appear near the lesions. As a rule, at this stage of the development of psoriasis, patients suffer from unbearable itching.
By observing the development of a disease, doctors should already understand where it is. 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 whether a person has nail psoriasis. Laboratory studies make it possible to verify the correctness of the conclusions drawn. To make a diagnosis, you may need:
- Complete blood count;
- Analysis of biopsy or psoriatic scales.
Instrumental diagnostics for nail psoriasis is not required.
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 for nail psoriasis found on the hands or feet is standard for all patients. On an individual basis, drugs and physiotherapy are selected. In addition, the patient will be advised to review his daily diet and make significant changes to his 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 kind of symptoms will help recognize the disease was discussed above.
Most doctors prescribe topical ointments and systemic tablets
Drug therapy
For a condition such as nail psoriasis, treatment can be done at home. The doctor will prescribe a number of medications that must be taken orally or applied to the affected areas.
In the early stages of dermatological disease, a topical agent should be used. Ointments and creams can be hormonal or non-hormonal. The former are required 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. She will also tell you how to treat nail psoriasis 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 resolved.
Physiotherapy
Nail psoriasis is often treated with physiotherapy. 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 positive only 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 figure out how to cure psoriasis will encounter severe 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 must pay attention to proper nail care. The disease severely damages their plate, so such care will not be superfluous. First of all, it consists in observing the rules of hygiene. Doctors recommend 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 injure your nails and the skin around them;
- It is necessary to regularly monitor the cleanliness of the nails.
Medical methods will be more effective if, in addition to traditional and traditional methods of therapy, the patient adheres to these rules.
In psoriasis it is particularly important to protect the hands from aggressive exposure.
Folk remedies
Traditional medicine experts know which plant treats psoriasis affecting the nail plate. They recommend it, like many other herbs, in the preparation of home remedies for the treatment of dermatological diseases.
Patients can use the following folk remedies:
- Celandine broth.To prepare it, you need to pour 0, 5 liters of water 2 tbsp. 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 made from the broth, in which the arms and legs are lowered for 20-25 minutes;
- Natural oils.These foods work well with psoriasis. Sea buckthorn oil is especially useful. It moisturizes the skin around the nails and enriches them with beneficial trace elements. To treat the affected area with oil, simply apply it on a cotton pad and then pass it on the plate. It is recommended to repeat the procedure up to 3 times a day;
- Compressed onion.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 leaves.Can also be used when preparing 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. Then the product is cooled to a comfortable temperature and the hands or feet are lowered into it. It is also permissible to take such a decoction inside, 40 g three times a day;
- Herbal decoction.For baths, you can prepare a remedy based on celandine, chamomile, oak bark, sage and string. They do it in the same way as the previous recipe;
- Infusion of herbs.It is intended for oral administration. Homemade medicine is made on the basis of cranberry leaves, St. John's wort, calamus root, celandine and twine. The ingredients are taken in equal proportions. The infusion consists of 1 tbsp. L. collection and a glass of boiling water. It is recommended to take 50 g of medicine 2 times a day.
Folk 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. Due to this, the body lacks useful trace elements that support the immune system and other systems. And as you know, due to the failures, psoriatic disease occurs. Psoriasis affected nails can be treated with a special diet. It must be hypoallergenic.
The nutrition of a patient with nail psoriasis should be balanced. It is highly 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 fatty delicacies. Ketchup, mayonnaise and mustard are prohibited.
During periods of exacerbation of an autoimmune disease, it is recommended to follow a mono diet, designed for 1-2 days. This nutrition requires the use of only one product. It can be apples, kefir, fish or cereals.
A therapeutic diet should be enriched with fermented milk 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 necessary to give up fried, smoked, pickled and salty foods;
- It is advisable to regularly go to rest in places with a favorable climate for the skin and for the body as a whole;
- Take complexes of vitamins and minerals in courses;
- Prevents damage to the skin and nails;
- Treats infectious diseases promptly.
Don't forget to take care of your 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 continuously. Medicines and physiotherapy only temporarily stop the development process. Not a single person has been able to fully recover. If the patient adheres to the recommendations of a specialist, he will be able to prevent repeated damage to the skin and nails.
Complications and consequences
Psoriatic nail lesions must be treated from the first days of their development. If therapy is absent or has been chosen incorrectly, the patient risks facing the complications and consequences of an autoimmune disease.
With nail psoriasis, the cardiovascular system can be severely affected. It is the vessels that threaten the greatest danger, since pathological changes occur in them under the influence of the disease.
Any form of psoriasis can cause psychological problems. They are directly related to the fact that others rarely normally treat a person with similar defects on different parts of the body. Because of this, the patient withdraws into himself, begins to abuse alcohol, is constantly haunted by a depressive state. Against the background of a disturbed psyche, the likelihood of the appearance of malignant processes in the skin cells increases.