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Types of Psoriasis: Nail Psoriasis

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Many who suffer from “regular” skin psoriasis also suffer from nail psoriasis.  On some rare occasions a person will have only nail psoriasis and no skin psoriasis.

Since nails are closely related to skin and psoriasis is a skin condition, it is not surprising that nails should sometimes be affected by psoriasis.

Symptoms of nail psoriasis include (for both finder and toenails):

  • Nail discoloration (oily yellow and blood red coloring)
  • Pitting
  • Ridges that go against the natural grain of your nails (side to side instead cuticle to finger tip)
  • Thicker skin under the nails, which can lead to nail-loosening
  • Crumbling nails.
  • Other infections and inflammations around nail edges

Treatments include:

  • Ointments and lotions
  • Steroid injections under affected nails
  • UV light radiation

Definitely consult your doctor to confirm whether or not you have nail psoriasis.  Oftentimes pediatricians will do a biopsy (skin sample test) to confirm whether or not the condition you are experiencing is psoriasis.

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How My Psoriasis is Progressing

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

I have noticed a gradual spreading of the itchiness that psoriasis causes on my scalp.  This may or may not be in my head, or maybe it’s because I’m so accustomed to itching that I have started feeling like I should itch everywhere.

In any case, I have noticed some symptoms on my ears and forehead a few times throughout the day, whenever there is an inflammation.

One thing about psoriasis is that it’s unpredictable.  It can get worse, or it can go away altogether (for a while at least).  It can spread or it can stay on the same area it started and never spread.  In my case, I am hoping that, as the years go on, it does not spread very much, or at all.

I have noticed without a doubt that elevated levels of stress can inflame my psoriasis.  This is especially obvious when I’m at work, where I am constantly reminded of deadlines and the constant need to produce more or else.

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What Can Trigger a Psoriasis Inflamation?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

There are a variety of different outside forces that might trigger a psoriasis inflammation.

  • Alcohol.  I prefer not to acknowledge this possibility because I really enjoy drinking beer.
  • Smoking tobacco.  Smoking is unhealthy anyway.
  • Excessively high stress levels.
  • Heavy caffeine consumption.  I have experimented with this one and have found no conclusive evidence, since my Psoriasis comes and goes during long periods of time during which I am consuming caffeine.  At the same time, when I stopped consuming caffeine for a while, none of my Psoriasis symptoms improved.
  • Cold weather.  I have found that a combination of cold and dry weather is especially bad.
  • Too much sun (a sunburn) or not enough sun.
  • Certain drugs.   You should consult your doctor to confirm whether or not any drug you are taking might be irritating your Psoriasis.

I have also heard that basic foods such as eggs, dairy products, citrus and red meat can cause psoriasis inflammations.  Honestly, I am a bit skeptical of this list.

As a general rule, anything that alters your body might cause a psoriasis inflammation.   On a related point, the more healthy your body is, the better equipped it will be to fight off any disease (including psoriasis).

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How Far Does Psoriasis Spread?

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

I have found that, within the last few months the itchy sensation that my Psoriasis has caused in my scalp has been slowly migrating down my neck, mostly to the areas where my neck hair grows.  So, apparently, my particular case of Psoriasis has an affinity for skin that is covered with hair.

I have learned Psoriasis manifests itself in a variety of different forms, with a huge range of severity (from mild to unbearably severe).  It is also true (as my case demonstrates) that this skin condition changes as the years go on.  A steadily increasing area of my scalp has been affected as the years have passed to the point that now, as of a few months ago, it is beginning to spread out slowly from my scalp.

At this point I wonder how far it will spread.  I have read that Psoriasis will go into remission for years at a time — this is what I am hoping will happen sometime soon.

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