Nail Psoriasis Care: Tips You Should Know

Around 50% of people with psoriasis experience nail psoriasis, and nearly 90% will develop it at some point in their lives. This condition is more common in fingernails than toenails and can cause pain that interferes with daily activities.

Nails are particularly vulnerable areas, so even if psoriasis affects only a small part of the nail, it can still have a significant impact on quality of life.

Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis

The signs can vary, but are usually recognizable through the following patterns:

• Pitting: small or deep holes on the nail surface
• Deformation: changes in the shape of the nail
• Thickening of the nails
• Onycholysis: the nail lifts from the nail bed
• Color changes: often yellowish or brownish

Changes may occur in the nail plate, nail bed, or nail matrix. The affected area will determine the type of treatment needed.

How to Treat Nail Psoriasis

Currently, no cure completely eliminates nail psoriasis. However, treatments can help ease symptoms and reduce the risk of complications such as psoriatic arthritis, heart disease, or diabetes.

Medical treatment options include:

• Topical corticosteroids: help reduce inflammation.
• Calcipotriol (a vitamin D derivative): useful for buildup under the nails.
• Tazarotene (a vitamin A derivative): may help with pitting and nail discoloration.
• Corticosteroid injections: administered near the nail for more severe cases.
• Systemic treatments: for severe psoriasis that also affects the skin.

Results often take several months, as nails grow very slowly.

Healthy Habits for Nail Care

Alongside medical treatment, daily care is just as important:

1. Keep nails short

This helps prevent nails from lifting and reduces dirt buildup under the nails, which is a common issue in nail psoriasis.

2. Wear gloves during manual or wet work

Irritated skin or nails can trigger psoriasis flare-ups. For wet tasks like washing dishes, wear cotton gloves underneath vinyl or nitrile gloves. Latex gloves do not provide enough protection for nails.

3. Moisturize skin and nails regularly

Psoriasis causes dryness. Apply moisturizer after handwashing or bathing to lock in hydration.

4. Leave cuticles intact

Cutting or pushing cuticles can injure the skin and cause infection. Injured skin may trigger psoriasis flare-ups, known as the Koebner phenomenon.

5. Avoid nail biting or picking at the skin

Small wounds can trigger flare-ups and worsen nail psoriasis.

6. Skip artificial nails, but gentle nail polish is fine

Nail polish and gentle buffing can help hide pitting. However, artificial nails may increase the risk of nail separation, a common issue in nail psoriasis.

The Role of wund+™ Regeneration Cream in Nail Psoriasis Care

Nail psoriasis often makes the surrounding skin extremely dry, easily irritated, and prone to cracking. This worsens symptoms and may lead to secondary infections.

This is where wund+™ Regeneration Cream can help:

• Contains active ingredients that support skin regeneration
• Provides intensive hydration for dry, cracked skin
• Helps maintain elasticity around the nails, reducing the risk of minor injuries and irritation
• Supports comfort for people with nail psoriasis as a complement to medical treatment

Nail psoriasis can be difficult to treat, but it doesn’t mean it can’t be managed. With a combination of medical therapy, healthy habits, and supportive skincare products like wund+™ Regeneration Cream, symptoms can be relieved, skin can stay hydrated, and daily activities can be carried out with less pain and discomfort.

References

American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed in 2025. What is nail psoriasis, and how can I treat it?

American Academy of Dermatology. Accessed in 2025. 7 nail-care tips that can reduce nail psoriasis.

Psoriasis. Accessed in 2025. Nail Psioriasis.