5 Natural Remedies To Fight Nail Psoriasis

As a chronic condition that can cause continuous attacks, nail psoriasis can be treated with natural remedies that will help relieve its symptoms and their discomforts. Discover for this purpose several natural remedies that will help you fight against nail psoriasis.

Psoriasis can be bothersome and even painful. This disease affects any part of the skin and it is common for it to start on the nails. In this article, we will offer you 5 natural remedies for nail psoriasis.

However, it is important to clarify that this is not a first-line treatment. In addition, these remedies lack evidence as to their effectiveness. Therefore, they  should be viewed as a mere supplement  and should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment.

What is psoriasis?

Psoriasis is a chronic disease that manifests as thickened, inflamed scaly lesions. It is not a contagious disease. However, as the skin conditions can be serious, it usually affects the patient’s quality of life.

Among the causes of its occurrence are: trauma, respiratory tract infections and endocrine factors during puberty, for example. Although there are many types, one of the most common is nail psoriasis or psoriasis.

The dead cells of the epidermis are replaced cyclically every 30 days. However, as detailed in a Drugs magazine publication  ,  nail psoriasis causes accelerated turnover of nail cells, altering their physical appearance.

Injuries are more common to the hands than to the feet and are often very painful. In addition, it is estimated to  affect 80-90% of patients with plaque psoriasis,  and it is even more common in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

It can manifest itself in several ways:

• Fragility.
• Loss of shine and rough appearance of the nail.
• Appearance of dust like sawdust under the nail.
• Thickening of certain areas or the entire nail.
• Yellowish or pink spots on the distal or protruding part of the nail, which can cause detachment of the lateral area (part of the nail).
• Dimples or depressions on the nail  , as if it had been pricked by a needle.

Since nail growth is usually slow, it is common for people affected by nail psoriasis to become discouraged that they do not see results quickly. The treatment of this disease requires patience before noticing the first results of medical treatment. The management of this type of psoriasis of the nail must be carried out by a regular medical check-up to avoid abandoning the treatment.

5 natural remedies to fight nail psoriasis

Specific treatments for removing psoriasis from the nails are generally not satisfactory. These are, moreover, generally intended for cases in which there is a functional deterioration or which considerably affect the aesthetic part of the nail.

According to information published in the journal  Brazilian Annals of Dermatology , it  is important to conduct a thorough symptom assessment  to determine the appropriate treatment.

Treatment  may involve the use of topical or intralesional corticosteroids,  0.05%  clobetasol propionate as a gel or cream, among other drugs.

However, there are several natural alternatives that you can use at home to combat the effects of psoriasis on the nails. Discover them all!

Creams with vitamin D to fight nail psoriasis

Vitamin D has anti – inflammatory properties and promotes healing of damaged nails.

Therefore, as a study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment concludes   ,  creams or lotions containing this vitamin are  useful for treating psoriasis nails.

• Rub vitamin D ointment or cream on the nail affected by psoriasis for about 5 minutes. Apply the treatment between 2 and 3 times a day until the improvement of the nail.
• Likewise, it is advisable to consume foods containing vitamin D so that the healing process also takes place from within.

The aloe vera

Aloe vera contains carricin, creatinine, emoline, phosphates, saponins and phytosterols which give it healing analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.

Therefore,  its topical application is a good remedy to calm the symptoms resulting from nail psoriasis. 

Research published in the  Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology indeed points out that aloe vera cream is more effective against psoriasis than  0.1% triamcinolone acetonide.

As a treatment, use the gel from an Aloe vera leaf   to rub the affected nails. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and wash the area.

You can also extract the sap from the shank and apply it directly to the nail surface overnight. Remember to always wash the area in the morning with plenty of water.

Epsom salts solution

To supplement some of the conventional treatments that traditional medicine uses to treat nail psoriasis, you can also use Epsom salts.

These types of salts appear to  relieve the itching and irritation resulting from psoriasis. However, scientific evidence is lacking to confirm this.

• Fill a container with lukewarm water and add 2 tablespoons of Epsom salt.
• Then, immerse the nails in this solution for 20 or 30 minutes.
• Then dry your hands well with a clean cloth and moisturize them with vitamin D cream or medicinal oil.

Arnica oil

Coinciding with a publication in the medical journal Planta Medica, this oil  has anti-inflammatory functions  . Therefore, it could be helpful in protecting the affected nails and speeding up their recovery.

• To prepare this remedy, mix 1 cup of olive oil and 2 cups of arnica flowers in a bowl.
• Marinate in a dark place for a week or 10 days. After the indicated time, strain the mixture and apply it frequently to the damaged nails.

Oats to fight

The  Avena sativa,  also useful in the cosmetic industry, offers many benefits in the  treatment of skin lesions such as eczema, dermatitis and itching, as shown by a review published in  Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology .

In the case of the nails, it  is considered to be moisturizing and restorative. However, there is no evidence that it works against psoriasis. In any case, this oatmeal treatment  is safe and very simple:

• Add the oatmeal to a bowl of lukewarm water and mix well.
• Then, immerse your hands in the preparation for about 20 minutes.
• You can also increase the amounts of oatmeal and water and take a full bath with this mixture. This technique will also help you improve the appearance of your skin.

Want to learn more about psoriasis? Consult your doctor

Although there is still no definitive cure for psoriasis, there are a large number of treatments available on the market, as well as various natural recommendations that can help treat this condition. The most important thing, however, is to   see a specialist as soon as the first symptoms appear.