Nail involvement is common at some point in the life of the patient with psoriasis. Simple
hand care, keeping nails cut short and avoiding nail trauma, will all help in management.
Medical interventions include topical therapies used for psoriasis at other body sites,
directed at the location of the disease within the nail unit. Individual digits may require
focused intensive treatment, such as steroid injections. Systemic therapy for psoriatic nail
disease can be justified when the disease presents in tandem with severe skin disease or
where function and quality of life are sufficiently diminished by nail involvement. Biological
therapy usually is indicated for widespread psoriasis, but studies show that therapy
directed at nail symptoms can be effective in the treatment of coincident nail disease.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 28:39-43 © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.

Nail involvement is common at some point in the life of the patient with psoriasis. Simple
hand care, keeping nails cut short and avoiding nail trauma, will all help in management.
Medical interventions include topical therapies used for psoriasis at other body sites,
directed at the location of the disease within the nail unit. Individual digits may require
focused intensive treatment, such as steroid injections. Systemic therapy for psoriatic nail
disease can be justified when the disease presents in tandem with severe skin disease or
where function and quality of life are sufficiently diminished by nail involvement. Biological
therapy usually is indicated for widespread psoriasis, but studies show that therapy
directed at nail symptoms can be effective in the treatment of coincident nail disease.
Semin Cutan Med Surg 28:39-43 © 2009 Published by Elsevier Inc.