Table of contents:
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disorder that causes skin cells to be produced very quickly. As a result, dead skin cells will build up and cause scaly, itchy, and inflamed skin. This disease can also attack the nails, causing damage to the nails. So, can this nail psoriasis be cured?
Can nail psoriasis be cured?
Nails are part of the skin because they are formed from the protein keratin. That is why psoriasis can also attack your nails, precisely in the area of the nail root under the cuticles.
Initially, psoriasis will cause small indentations in the nails. The color of the nails will then turn brownish yellow and brittle. Over time, the nail can be lifted and you can see blood under the nail.
Without treatment, the nails will get further damaged. As a result, daily activities that use hands and feet are disrupted.
Steve Feldman, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at the American Academy of Dermatology says that any form of psoriasis, including nail psoriasis, cannot be cured. The reason is, the root cause of this disease lies in the immune system which is wrong in carrying out its function.
So, how to deal with this condition?
Although it cannot be cured, treatment will focus on relieving the symptoms of nail psoriasis and preventing its severity. Talk to your doctor about the treatment you should choose.
Nails damaged by psoriasis can still grow. However, it takes longer and you need to take care of it painstakingly. Nail treatment is not only done once, but is continuous and routine.
If symptoms persist, you may need more than one treatment, even needing to combine two drugs for the drug to work more quickly. Some of the medications used to treat nail psoriasis include:
- Corticosteroids. Medicines that are tasked with relieving symptoms of psoriasis on the nails. Usually this drug is used once or twice a day.
- Calcipotriol. These drugs are as effective as corticosteroids in treating the buildup of dead skin cells under the nails.
- Tazarotene.This medication can help treat raised nails and discoloration of the nails.
The above drugs are usually given in tablet or ointment form. In some cases, the above treatments are not very effective. The doctor will recommend further treatment so that the symptoms of nail psoriasis can be cured.
The treatment includes injecting corticosteroids and other drugs directly into the affected nail area. These injections can treat the buildup of dead skin cells under the nails, thickening of the nails, and raised nails.
If this treatment does not show good results, the treatment will be changed in the following month, namely laser treatment. This treatment begins with the administration of the drug psoralen, then the affected part of the nail will be exposed to a UVA laser.
If psoriasis attacks other body skin, the doctor will prescribe drugs methotrexate, retinoid, cyclosporine, and apremilast. The part of the nail that has been infected, the doctor will re-check for pathogens whether the condition is caused by bacteria, fungi, or parasites.
In addition to treatment from a doctor, you also need to take care at home, such as:
- Use gloves when touching irritants, such as detergent, shampoo, or soap.
- Use a special moisturizer for nails and keep them clean and dry.
- Do activities with care so that you don't cause further damage to your nails.
