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Figure 8.5 Nail psoriasis. (Source: Reprinted
from Graham-Brown and Burns, 2006.) |
Psoriasis of the nails is relatively common affecting up to 50% of people who have psoriasis. Both finger and toe nails can be affected, although it would seem that fingernails are more commonly involved (Figure 8.5). The various different apparatus of the nail can be involved. If the nail matrix is affected, the way that the nail grows will be altered; this may be relatively mild with small pits appearing in the nail plate surface. However, more serious effects can be seen when psoriasis affects the nail bed leading to thickened nails; if the hyponichium is also affected, the result is lifting of the nail from the nail bed leading to onycholysis.
