Nail psoriasis may be the most difficult part of psoriasis to treat. In some cases, nail psoriasis is the only symptom of psoriasis a person has. Nail psoriasis refers to the changes in finger and/or toenails caused by the the autoimmune disease psoriasis. Nail changes occur in 25-50% of people who have psoriasis, and they are more common in people who also have psoriatic arthritis.

Nail Psoriasis Symptoms

Nail psoriasis is predominantly a cosmetic problem. Nail psoriasis may cause pits on the nails, appearance of dark spots resembling oil droplets, and flaky skin under the nails. The nails may also develop a yellowish color and become thickened. Nail psoriasis may affect the nail plate, nail bed (the tissue under the nail), nail matrix (the tissue from which the nail grows), nail folds, cuticle, and the bones at the end of the fingers.

Nail psoriasis can sometimes be painful; one study reports that about one-half of patients with nail psoriasis restricted a daily activity due to pain. Typically, the unprotected nail bed becomes more sensitive to pressure or impact without the covering of the fingernail or toenail.

Psoriatic arthritis, which is the inflammation of the joints due to the autoimmune (or “self-attacking”) nature of psoriasis, is linked to nail psoriasis. It is unsure whether nail psoriasis causes psoriatic arthritis, or vice versa.

Conclusion

If you have symptoms of nail psoriasis, you should consult with a dermatologist to see if you have the disease. There may be a nail psoriasis treatment that will prevent the cosmetic deterioration that is caused by nail psoriasis.