Nail psoriasis

With nail psoriasis, the nails are affected by psoriasis. About half of all people with psoriasis also have changes to their fingernails or toenails – sometimes even before the skin is affected.

Typical signs

• pitting: small dents in the nail plate
• oil spots: yellowish-brown discolouration under the nail
• separation of the nail from the nail bed (onycholysis)
• thickening and crumbling of the nail plate (onychauxis)

Risk of confusion

Nail psoriasis often looks confusingly similar to nail fungus. A laboratory test provides clarity – because antifungals do not help with psoriasis.

What we can do

The underlying disease is treated by a dermatologist. We gently thin thickened nails, trim detached areas and relieve pressure-sensitive nails – which noticeably eases discomfort in shoes.