ABSTRACT
Psoriasis is a chronic, autoimmune, T-cell-mediated disorder of unknown etiology affecting skin, nails, and joints. It affects 2% of the general population. Nail involvement is seen in approximately 40% of patients of psoriasis and 5%–10% of patients can have isolated nail psoriasis without skin involvement. Nail involvement is considered a harbinger of psoriatic arthritis and almost 80% of patients with psoriatic arthritis have nail involvement. Pitting, onycholysis, and subungual hyperkeratosis are common signs of nail psoriasis. Nail involvement in psoriasis can cause pain and social embarrassment. Treatment options include topical therapy like topical steroid, calcitriol, and retinoid; systemic therapy like methotrexate, cyclosporine, and biologics; intralesional steroid and methotrexate and physical therapy like photodynamic therapy.
