Nail psoriasis

Abstract

Psoriatic nail involvement is common and accompanies skin lesions on the body surface. The occurrence of nail psoriasis has been reported in up to 50 percent of patients, including children, adults, and the elderly. The characteristics of psoriatic nails are pitting, discoloration, onycholysis, subungual hyperkeratosis, as well as crumbling and grooving of nails and splinter hemorrhages. There is no consistently effective treatment for psoriatic nail involvement; nails are difficult to treat and respond slowly to therapy. Corticosteroids, 5-fluorouracil, systemic agents such as photochemotherapy, oral retinoids, and methotrexate, and nail avulsion are among the therapeutic approaches utilized. We offer suggested measures whereby patients may benefit in the prevention and control of their nail psoriasis.