- Pitting: Small dents or pits appear on the nail surface due to the loss of cells from the surface of the nail.
- Subungual Hyperkeratosis: Thickening of the nail bed occurs, leading to a chalky buildup under the nails.
- Leukonychia: White spots may appear on the nails.
- Oil Drop or Salmon Patch: A yellow-red discoloration may appear in the nail bed, resembling a drop of oil beneath the nail plate.
- Thickening of the nail.
- Discoloration – unusual nail coloration, such as yellow-brown.
- Deformation – alterations in the normal shape of the nail.
- Onycholysis – separation of the nail from the nail bed.
- It can increase the nail growth and thickness of the nail plate.
- T-Cell Activation: T-cells are activated due to some trigger (which could be stress, infection, injury, or other factors), leading to an inflammatory cascade.
- Inflammation: The activation of immune cells leads to the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-17 (IL-17), and others. These cytokines contribute to inflammation and rapid cell turnover.
- Keratinocyte Proliferation: Excessive production of keratinocytes (the cells that make up the bulk of the skin and nails) occurs, leading to thickening and other abnormalities in nail structure.
- Angiogenesis: New blood vessels may form in the nail bed, leading to discoloration and possibly contributing to the formation of small blood spots under the nail (splinter hemorrhages).
- Onycholysis: The nail may separate from the underlying nail bed, creating a space where debris and bacteria can accumulate.
- Pain
- Swelling and tenderness
- Difficulty in work
- Secondary fungal or bacterial infection
- Mental anxiety
- In most cases, keep the nails trimmed.
- Use a nail file to keep nail edges smooth.
- Keep nails as short as possible.
- Wear protective gloves for washing clothes or dishes.
- Don’t expose your hands to household cleaning products, including detergents.
- Wear gloves in cold weather and when gardening.
- Moisturize your nails and cuticles every day.
- Wear comfortable shoes with enough room for your toes.
- Don’t use your nails as a tool.
Nail Psoriasis Treatment in Ayurveda: Natural Cure
Psoriasis is not only limited to skin, but it can also affect both fingernails and toenails. Researchers say that nail changes can be seen in up to 50 percent of people with psoriasis and up to 80 percent of people with psoriatic arthritis. Ayurvedic Treatment for nail psoriasis depends on the condition of the disease.
What is Nail Psoriasis?
Nail Psoriasis is a disease usually associated with Psoriasis. When psoriasis starts impacting the nail and nail bed it causes nail dystrophy. It is commonly seen with the person who is suffering from any form of psoriasis. There are very few people who first showed the psoriatic symptoms in nails.
Signs and symptoms of Nail Psoriasis:
Signs and symptoms of nail psoriasis vary according to the part of the nail affected. The most commonly seen nail changes are:
What causes Nail Psoriasis?
The mechanism underlying nail psoriasis is not entirely understood but is believed to be related to an abnormal immune response that causes excessive inflammation and rapid turnover of skin cells. This immune dysregulation leads to the characteristic symptoms of psoriasis, including redness, scaling, and thickness of the skin. In the case of nail psoriasis, these effects manifest in the nails and the nail bed. Here are some more specific mechanisms involved:
Immune Response
Nail Bed and Matrix
Systemic Involvement
Nail psoriasis is often associated with psoriatic arthritis, a condition that involves inflammation of the joints. The same immune mechanisms contribute to both the skin and joint symptoms.
Because nail psoriasis is notoriously difficult to treat, therapies often aim to manage systemic inflammation with systemic medications like methotrexate, cyclosporine, or biologics that target specific cytokines like TNF-α or IL-17.
Complications of Nail Psoriasis
Nail psoriasis has an unpleasant look because of changes in its appearance and structural changes. The common complications are
Nail Psoriasis an Ayurvedic view
Nails are considered as the Malas (Waste product) of Asthi dhatu (Bone). During the dhatwagni paka the sara bhaga gets converted into the next dhatu i.e. Majja dhatu and during this process, the waste or mala of Asthi dhatu develops nails and hairs.
Most people who see the changes in nails are those who are previously suffering from psoriasis, but researchers say that Less than 5% of patients have solely psoriasis of the nails. According to Ayurveda when a disease is not treated on time the vitiated dosha’s gradually spreads to other Dhatu’s and produces diseases related to that dhatu. In psoriasis, if the dosas aggravated are not eliminated from the body those will enter into other dhatu like Asthi (bone) resulting in psoriatic arthritis and Nail psoriasis ( as the nail is mala of Asthi dhatu).
How does Ayurveda approach nail psoriasis?
In Ayurveda, nail psoriasis is often considered an imbalance of the doshas—Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Ayurvedic treatment typically includes a multi-pronged approach involving diet, lifestyle, and herbal remedies designed to restore the doshic balance and cleanse the body of toxins.
Nail Psoriasis Treatment in Ayurveda:
As psoriasis affects the nail when the nail is being formed, it has to be treated from the root. When psoriasis is treated effectively the nail psoriasis also subsides. In general, It can take six months to a year for an affected nail to grow out and be replaced by a new nail.
Nail Care Tips for Nail psoriasis sufferers :
How long may it take to see the changes in Nail psoriasis?
In general, it depends on many aspects like age, nature of the deformity, injuries, etc… The toenails take longer time than fingernails to respond to treatments.
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