Psoriasis is a condition in which the immune system attacks skin cells--and in some cases cells in other parts of the body--causing them to grow abnormally fast. This can cause scaly plaques to develop on the skin and can also affect the fingernails, causing the nails to pit, develop abnormal lines and crumble. Although some of these treatments can be done at home, it is better to have your treatment performed by a dermatologist, because psoriasis of the fingernails can be so difficult to treat.
Step 1
Trim back any parts of the nail that have become loosened from the nail bed to make sure that any topical medications are able to penetrate. Trim the nails back to the point at which the nail connects back with the nail bed.
Step 2
Rub over-the-counter or prescription creams or ointments on the nail and the surrounding area. These creams may contain chemicals that are derived from vitamins A and D or have corticosteroids in them. You can try over-the-counter creams (such as those that have cortisone or retinoids in them), but they are less potent than their prescription counterparts. These creams may not be able to penetrate through the nail so they are not always effective, but they are a good first option.
Step 3
Have steroids injected under the nail directly into the nail bed. This will help treat the inflammation that causes nail psoriasis.
Step 4
Receive a combination of psoralen and UV light. Psoralen is a prescription medication that sensitizes the nails and skin to UV light. The New Zealand Dermatological Society notes that UV light (particularly UVA) is a commonly used treatment for psoriasis because the damage that the high-intensity light causes to the skin can help halt the psoriasis. This kind of treatment works best under the supervision of a dermatologist who has special lamps for this kind of therapy.
Step 5
Have your nails surgically removed. This is a last resort that is used for patients who are not responding to other treatments and involves having the nail removed and the nail bed burned away to keep the nail from growing back.
