Nail Psoriasis or Fungus? Differences, Symptoms, and Treatments

Our nails are windows to our well-being. Did you know that nails are one of the fastest-growing tissues in the body, and the way they grow reveals secrets about your health? They can indicate issues like nail psoriasis or fungus, two look-alikes with different stories. Let’s clear the confusion and learn to spot the differences so you can master the art of nail care.

What is Nail Psoriasis?

Nail psoriasis is an autoimmune response that targets the nail bed, causing changes that affect the surface. It’s where your body mistakenly attacks healthy nail cells.

Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis:

• Most often affects the fingernails and more than one finger at once.
• Causes pitting or small pinprick marks on the nail surface.
• Develops discoloration with yellowish-red spots, known as the ‘oil drop’ or salmon sign.
• Subungual Hyperkeratosis, a fancy name for the chalky buildup under the nail.

Psoriasis isn’t about unsightly looks as it can also be painful. But thankfully, it’s not contagious like fungus and there are ways to treat it once it’s accurately diagnosed.

What is Nail Fungus?

A nail fungal infection is medically known as onychomycosis. It’s a stubborn intruder that thrives in the warm, moist environment beneath your nail.

Symptoms of Nail Fungus:

• Often affects a single toe at first. Commonly co-occurs with athlete’s foot.
• Nails become unusually thick and discolored yellow, brown, gray, or green.
• They also turn brittle, with a tendency to crumble or split.

While fungal infections aren’t necessarily painful, they can spread and cause serious issues. Nail fungus takes a while to treat, but it’s essential to take care of it to avoid nail removal or worse.

Nail Fungus and Psoriasis: Differences at a Glance

While both conditions wreak havoc on nails, these telltale signs can help you tell them apart.

Nail psoriasis is most common among those who already have psoriasis on other parts of the body. The classic giveaway sign are the pinprick pits that develop on the nail. Those don’t happen with fungal infections.

Meanwhile, nail fungus causes discoloration but it’s different from the reddish spots that psoriasis causes. Instead, the fungus may appear gray, brown, green, or yellow.

Sadly, a person may have both nail problems at the same time! That’s one of the reasons why it’s wise to get medical advice for treating the nail problem you see.

It’s Wise to Get a Professional Diagnosis

There’s no substitute for a professional’s trained eye to spot the differences between psoriasis and fungus, ensuring the person gets the correct treatment without delay. They may also take a sample to confirm the diagnosis.

Treatment Options for Nail Psoriasis

There are several effective treatments for nail psoriasis. The least invasive are topical treatments like creams applied directly to the nail. You’ll need to apply them once or twice a day for several months and it may take days to weeks to notice an improvement.

For more severe cases, there are corticosteroids directly injected into the nail bed and oral medications. There’s also the pulsed dye laser that targets the overactive blood vessels contributing to psoriasis. The laser treatments take place every six months.

Antifungal Therapies for Nail Fungus

As for nail fungus, any of these treatments take weeks to months to complete. Like those for psoriasis, they need to be used once or twice a day and it may take days to weeks to notice an improvement. They include topical treatments like antifungal ointments or nail polish, or oral antifungal drugs like itraconazole or terbinafine. Unfortunately, the oral medications require blood tests to monitor the liver’s function.

In the case of a severe infection, the nail may need to be excised or removed. This typically resolves the infection, and the nail should grow back in six months to a year.

While treating a nail fungal infection, it's important to follow a few preventative measures. For one, keep your nails short to avoid further damage and infection. Moisturize regularly but keep the affected hands or feet from soaking in water. If it's a toenail that's affected, make sure to change socks regularly to keep toes dry. If it's a fingernail, avoid nail enhancements that may worsen the problem like acrylics, tips, or overlays. They can trap moisture and prevent topical treatments from penetrating.

Best Practices for Healthy Nails

Maintaining healthy nails requires regular maintenance. It’s not just trimming and filing, but also hydrating with cuticle oil and moisturizer. Well-hydrated skin and nails are less prone to infections of any kind. Flexible, healthy nails and moisturized cuticles are easier to shape and resistant to physical and chemical damage.

For nail techs, handling clients with nail disorders requires a gentle touch and an understanding of the condition. It’s crucial to be careful to avoid worsening any issues. Obviously, tool sterilization before use is non-negotiable as it prevents cross-contamination and ensures a safe environment for all clients.

But choosing the right products is also vital. Prioritize hypoallergenic and non-irritating options to minimize the risk of adverse reactions, especially for those with sensitive conditions. For example, we recommend LDS Healthy Nail Lacquer as it’s 9-free and non-toxic.

Moreover, those who are frustrated waiting for their damaged nails to grow out can benefit from products like nail strengthener or hardener. These unique polishes can be worn alone or painted, allowing the nails to look beautiful even without extensions.

Lastly, education about proper nail care and the signs of nail disorders has a significantly positive impact. A prompt referral to a medical professional will ensure the proper treatment and prevent complications.

Conclusion

Nail psoriasis and fungus are both nail disorders, but they’re distinct actors with their own scripts. Recognizing the differences is a step towards healthier nails and a more informed approach to nail care. We hope you’ll continue to educate yourself on these conditions and solutions for managing them. With awareness and attentive care, anyone’s nails can be a source of pride and beauty!

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Additional Resources:

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/nail-psoriasis-vs-fungus

https://www.verywellhealth.com/nail-psoriasis-vs-fungus-5496898