Psoriasis Care

Nail psoriasis is a variation of the disease that affects the nail of people. Around 50 per cent of people with psoriasis and 80 per cent of psoriatic arthritis are affected by the disease. The disease usually causes hole in the nail, deformation of the nail, thickening of the nail, weird coloration of the nail or separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Treatment for nail psoriasis
Given the characteristics of the disease it is very difficult to treat with topical medicines and only injections can have an efficient effect on the disease. However this type of medications can have the disadvantage of being painful for the patient. Phototherapy treatment for psoriasis has proved to be quite successful in nail psoriasis. It is important that you seek the advice of your doctor on this type of treatment.
Taking additional precaution for your nails can also help to lessen the effect of nail psoriasis. For example wearing gloves or protective materials can prevent your nails from rubbing and hence get strained. It is often cited that trauma worsen psoriasis.
A mild moisturizer can certainly help to ease the effect of nail psoriasis. Soaking your nails in a solution of tar bath oil can also help to alleviate the effect of this disease. It is also important that you trim your nails carefully in order to avoid any added traumas. However be careful not to use any chemicals that may cause sensitivity reactions. This can be even worse for your nails. In any case you should be following the recommendations of your doctor.
Nail psoriasis can bring about some serious social inconveniences. Just as the psoriasis disease people may witness a loss of self esteem when they suffer from this disease and can cause problems when it is time to form relationships.

Pustular psoriasis is a form of psoriasis in which pustules are visible on the psoriasis plaques. It remains however a very rare case of the disease. There are also forms of the disease, the palmoplantar pustulosis, where pustules are visible only on the palms and soles. This disease also known as PPP is thought to be connected with psoriasis.
Causes of pustular psoriasis
Just as any other form of psoriasis, the disease is thought to be connected to some triggers such as stress. However, in the case of pustular psoriasis there seems to be a connection between this disease and smoking. Nevertheless, research remains underway in order to find the causes of the disease
Pustular psoriasis can also be caused by treatment with certain corticosteroid or the withdrawal of treatments. This is why it is important to take any medications under the supervision of a qualified dermatologist.
Treatment of pustular psoriasis
The treatment is done through topical treatments i.e. with creams and ointments to be used on the skin. This can however be complemented by phototherapy treatments in order to bring the disease under control. Normally medications containing salicylic acid are prepared because it helps to reduce the thick scale.
Sometimes people with heavy pustular psoriasis may require hospitalization because of loss of body fluid. The symptoms are feverish one and it is important to see a doctor if you do not feel well. Treatments are usually with antibiotics and topical treatments until the disease becomes under control

Tea tree oil is well known for its property against bacteria and its antiseptic properties and has been used successfully during the years to treat colds, headaches, toothaches and muscular pains. It has also been used in certain skin conditions. A variety of creams, lotions and other cosmetics products is based on tea tree oil and there are people that claims that this product is efficient against psoriasis. Tea tree oil is especially helpful in the treatment of scalp psoriasis.
There is not a lot of research that has been done on the treatment of psoriasis with tea tree oil and also on the amount of tea tree oil that must be used. Tea tree oil is a toxic product and should not be taken orally. Apply on the psoriasis lesions only. If there is some irritation that develop the treatment should be stopped immediately.
Tea tree oil remains however one of the topical treatment for psoriasis that most people claimed to work. But more research need to be undertaken on these claims.

Guttate psoriasis is another form of psoriasis that has the appearance of small spots on the skin. They are usually red-like individual drops. In fact, the word guttate in Latin means “drop” and those that understand French will recognize the word “goutte”. Guttate psoriasis usually starts in childhood or in adolescent and is usually a true pain for all the sufferers.

This kind of psoriasis appears mainly on the trunk, limbs and forearms and has a very unpleasant aesthetic effect on the body. It usually appears suddenly just as other psoriasis flares although the same psoriasis triggers may be at work. For example, stress, skin injury, certain medications (such as anti-malarial and beta-blockers) are known to foster the appearance of guttate psoriasis.

According to the Psoriasis Foundation, streptococcal infection of the throat can also encourage the development of guttate psoriasis. In this case, it is important to talk to your dermatologist or family doctor so that the appropriate test might be made. Usually antibiotics are used in order prevent this infection to act as a psoriasis trigger.

Treatment for guttate psoriasis is usually based on moisturizers that help to keep the dry skin moist. Most of the time topical preparations are used in order to treat the individual spots. You can also try to use some home remedies such as Aloe Vera or tea tree oil in combination with your medications to see if it yields the desired results. Phototherapy treatment is also thought to be highly effective against guttate psoriasis. Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor to find out.