In some persons, their nails would have got discoloured and this is due to autoimmune condition nail psoriasis. Though it can affect anyone, nail psoriasis issues are mostly witnessed in those persons who are above the age of 40, having family history of psoriasis, having psoriatic arthritis condition etc. Many of us get confused thinking that nail psoriasis is a fungal based issue but actually it is not. It must be taken into account that nail psoriasis is not contagious and it doesn`t spread from person to person through skin-to-skin contact etc.
What causes nail psoriasis issues?
For every 28 to 30 days, new skin cells would grow in us. Especially in those with psoriasis conditions, new cells would grow and move to the skin surface every 3 to 4 days. This would result in skin rash.
There are certain signs of nail psoriasis and these are
Pitting on the nails:
Development of small dents or pits on the surface of the nails is one of the earliest signs of nail psoriasis in us. Abnormal growth of nail cells is responsible for the formation of pits that would vary in number and depth etc. The nails would look rough due to these dents etc. Please check for nail psoriasis, if you get pitting on the nails.
Discolouration of nails
Nail psoriasis can turn the nail yellowish brown coloured. It mostly begins as a small patch and later on would get spread across the nails. Nails might also develop reddish or white coloured patches in some nails.
Separation of nails:
When the nail starts to separate from the nail bed, then this condition is called onycholysis and this can be due to nail psoriasis. This can create a small gap between the nail and skin beneath. The area might be prone to infections. There might be a white or yellow coloured line between the nail and nail bed.
Thickened nails:
Nails could get thickened that are distorted or odd shaped also in some persons. This is also a sign of nail psoriasis. Truth is that psoriasis would speed up the production of skin cells leading to thickening.
Crumbling of nails:
Nails could become fragile or break or crumble easily when the nails get weak. This crumbling of nails is a sign of nail psoriasis. Persons would have discomfort due to this as maintaining nails wowould not be easy.
Treatments:
It is necessary to visit a skin doctor or dermatologist without fail. Treatments like topical medications, light therapy and systemic treatments etc could be superb for this nail psoriasis condition. The type of treatment that would be used would depend on the severity of the condition.