Resolved question:
Hi I was diagnosed by my doctor two days ago as having nail psoriasis. I have symptoms on all of my nails.
I've only ever had one case of psoriasis on my leg and this cleared up fairly quickly when I applied a steroid cream for a month or so. The only other skin problem I've had was dyshidorisis on my hands which also cleared up.
I'm just looking for some more information on nail psoriasis.
How severe is it likely to get? At the moment it's quite mild just some pitting and a white mark in a ring around the top of my fingernails, my toenails are slightly worse.
Will it cause a major change in the appearance of my nails?
Is there any treatment or cure available?
Is there any chance of it going away or is it a permanent condition?
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Dermatologist
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query at DoctorSpring.com. I can understand your concern.
Nail psoriasis can affect all the nails. It can cause severe damage to all the nails ultimately causing crumbling of the nail plate.
It can be treated with oral medications like methotrexate , cyclosporin etc. However, the decision to start these medications need to be taken by your physician in view of the side effects it can cause.
Topical cream like calcipotriol also is useful.
It can be treated but there can be a recurrence after the treatment is discontinued.
I would be glad to answer your follow-up queries.
Take care
Hi thanks for your response.
Just to follow up is there much of a range in terms of how severe the psoriasis will get? Would some cases only cause minor issues or does it usually end up getting to the level you mentioned, as I said my symptoms are quite mild at the moment.
Is there any possibility of it going away itself? I looked up the treatment options you mentioned and they do seem to have quite bad side affects.
Thanks again
Hello
Thanks for your reply.
The severity varies from patient to patient. It's really difficult to predict it. The severity nail n skin disease may not go hand in hand.
It doesn't go away by itself.
Please feel free to discuss further.
Take care