Nail psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune skin condition that affects the nails. It is a subset of psoriasis, a disease that affects the skin and sometimes the joints and is characterized by inflammation and abnormal cell growth.
Although “nail psoriasis” might not trigger a sense of urgency, the condition can be challenging to manage, especially without an early and formal diagnosis. Not only does it affect the appearance of the nails, it can also alter the nail functions.
This article will explore nail psoriasis, its symptoms, potential causes, treatment options, and prevention measures.
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What is Nail Psoriasis?
Before familiarizing you with the causes, symptoms, etc., let us start with the basics. As the name suggests, nail psoriasis is a condition that mainly targets the fingernails and toenails in an individual.
The condition typically occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly targets the nail matrix, leading to an overgrowth or similar skin concerns.
Since nail psoriasis is said to be a subset of psoriasis, it is categorized as an autoimmune disorder, wherein the immune system’s T cells mistakenly attack healthy skin cells, triggering an inflammatory response.
As a result, there is an abnormal and accelerated production of skin cells in the nails. Not only does it affect aesthetically, but the condition can have painful repercussions, too.
Studies suggest that up to 80-90% of people with plaque psoriasis, the most common form of psoriasis may eventually develop nail involvement.\
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What are the Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis?
The majority of the patients that we treat at Kayakalp Global often struggle with identifying and distinguishing the symptoms of nail psoriasis.
People are well aware of psoriasis and know that the condition affects the skin and leads to redness, itching, and inflammation on the skin. But does the same disease affect people’s nails, too? This is one of the most common questions that our patients have.
The answer to that is yes. Nail psoriasis is also a type of psoriatic flare-up that needs a formal diagnosis and timely treatment to prevent further worsening of the condition.
Following are a few nail psoriasis symptoms that one needs to be aware of:
Pitting
One of the most common symptoms of nail psoriasis is the development of small pits or depressions on the nail surface. These pits may appear as shallow or deep divots. The symptom typically occurs due to the accelerated cell growth around the nail matrix.
Thickening and discoloration
Nails affected by psoriasis can become thicker than usual and may take on a yellowish or brownish discoloration. Thickened nails can be more prone to splitting. The inflammation that typically occurs around the nail matrix is the reason behind this symptom.
Onycholysis
This is a serious and painful condition where the nail separates itself from the nail bed, creating a ridge or gap in between. Not only is the symptom uncomfortable and painful, but it also affects the nail’s adhesion, leading to the separation.
Crumbling or grooving
OnycholysisNail psoriasis can also make the nails brittle, prone to crumbling, or developing longitudinal grooves. The abnormal cell growth generally causes structural deformities.
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Oil Spots
Some individuals with nail psoriasis may notice the appearance of small, yellowish-red spots under the nail. These spots are sometimes referred to as “oil spots.” These spots are generally due to an accumulation of the psoriatic cells, debris, or inflammatory material beneath the nail plate.
Subungual hyperkeratosis
Subungual hyperkeratosis refers to the accumulation of excess keratin under the nail. This can cause pain and affect the nail’s appearance.
Lifting of the nail plate
If left untreated, the nail might end up lifting off the nail plate, leading to an excruciating, painful experience. It can also affect the nail’s appearance, further contributing to self-esteem issues in some individuals.
If you or someone you know is experiencing one or multiple of these symptoms, it could indicate a possibility of nail psoriasis. Getting immediate help is quintessential, especially if you don’t want to let things progress and get out of hand.
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What are the Causes of Nail Psoriasis?
When talking about nail psoriasis causes, the condition is typically categorized as an autoimmune condition, which means that it is due to the body’s unregulated immune system response.
In standard cases, skin cells grow and regenerate every 28-30 days. However, in people with nail psoriasis, the new cells around the nail bed and matrix grow every 3-4 days, leading to overgrowth and inflammation.
The condition worsens gradually over time, so our specialists at Kayakalp Global often advise our patients to prioritize early diagnosis before things worsen.
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How is Nail Psoriasis Diagnosed?
The symptoms of nail psoriasis are the telltale signs of whether or not the patient has this condition. If you are noticing any of the above-mentioned symptoms, the first thing you need to do is consult a specialist. That’s where the process of an official diagnosis starts.
The specialist starts with a physical examination of the symptoms for the formal diagnosis. This is what confirms the diagnosis.
Once the specialist confirms the nail psoriasis diagnosis, the next step is to use the nail psoriasis severity index (NAPSI) to grade the severity of the condition. If you have brushed the symptoms aside for a long period instead of getting medical help, the condition has likely progressed to the advanced stages already.
A higher number in the NAPSI index indicates that you have a more severe category of nail psoriasis that would require a more rigorous treatment plan.
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Treatment Options for Nail Psoriasis at Kayakalp Global
With decades of experience and expertise under our belts, our specialists at Kayakalp Global have worked with 2,00,000+ patients suffering from psoriasis and vitiligo.
The number one reason our patients put their trust in us is the guaranteed results. Our integrated treatment approach and tailored treatment plan ensure satisfactory results that enable our patients to rejoice in their lives and stop the symptoms they are experiencing.
For the treatment of nail psoriasis, our specialists follow a comprehensive approach that starts with an initial consultation and a confirmed diagnosis. We understand that each patient is different, and so are their requirements. Hence, an initial consultation with one of our specialists is mandatory.
Depending on the patient’s medical history and the current state of their nail psoriasis, our specialists draft a customized treatment plan designed to work for their condition and show favorable results.
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At Kayakalp Global, our nail psoriasis cure plan is a 5-step process:
Evaluation and Consultation – The first step is when the patient contacts us via our teleconsultation number or gets an appointment to consult one of our specialists at our clinic. During this initial consultation, our specialist assesses the patient’s symptoms, tags the condition’s severity, and understands their medical history before drafting a tailored treatment plan.
Customized Treatment Plan – Based on the initial consultation and the confirmed diagnosis, an individualized treatment plan and prescription is written by our specialist. It includes a blend of topical treatments and blood-purifying herbs.
Psorcure Oil – Our exclusive psoriatic treatment magic is the Psorcure Oil, which is a topical treatment that’s oil-based to ensure quicker penetration into the skin for promising and efficient results in reversing the impacts of nail psoriasis in the patient.
Support – Getting medical help can be confusing and intimidating as well. Our specialists thus guarantee a welcoming and empathetic environment where the patient has complete freedom to ask their queries about every little detail related to the treatment.
Protection against Severity – Nail psoriasis, or any other psoriasis, is a progressive disease that can worsen over time. Our treatment plans are designed to slow the progression and protect the patient against worse conditions like psoriatic arthritis, etc.
Getting an earlier diagnosis is game-changing for nail psoriasis and its treatment. If you have been struggling with the condition and being in pain for too long, now is the time to change things and alleviate that discomfort with special care from our specialists at Kayakalp Global.
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What are the Prevention Strategies for Nail Psoriasis?
Preventing nail psoriasis is not always possible, given its autoimmune nature. However, some strategies may help reduce the risk of its development and minimize flare-ups from time to time.
Some of them include:
- If you aren’t eating a healthy and nutritious diet, now is the diet to make that switch. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet to reduce inflammation, reducing the risks of psoriatic development.
- Identifying and avoiding potential triggers like stress, infections, skin trauma, etc., for psoriasis can be an essential prevention strategy.
- Excessive sun exposure can trigger psoriasis flares. Using sunscreen and protective clothing can help prevent this exceptionally well.
- If you drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes quite frequently, that’s another habit that you must stop or quit to prevent further worsening of the nail psoriasis symptoms.
At the end of the day, nail psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that leads to inflammation and unregulated cell growth around the nails. Prioritizing good health and managing triggers is vital to preventing the condition.
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Conclusion
Nail psoriasis is a challenging condition that can significantly impact an individual’s quality of life due to its impact on the appearance and function of the nails. The advancements in medicine have now led to the availability of specific treatment options that have made symptom management of nail psoriasis much easier.
If you are wondering where to seek help, our specialists at Kayakalp Global await your presence. You don’t have to suffer in silence, especially when effective and guaranteed treatment options are within reach. For more details, kindly contact us.
