Contents:
- Medical Video: Nearly Similar Symptoms, Recognize the Differences in Nail Psoriasis and Nail Fungus Here
- Get to know nail psoriasis and nail fungus
- Even though it looks similar, these are different symptoms of both
- Symptoms of nail psoriasis
- Symptoms of nail fungus
Medical Video: Nearly Similar Symptoms, Recognize the Differences in Nail Psoriasis and Nail Fungus Here
Nail psoriasis and nail fungus can look the same, but both are different conditions. Nail fungal infections are contagious, while psoriasis is not. Knowing the difference between nail psoriasis and nail fungus can prevent symptoms from getting worse and getting proper treatment.
Get to know nail psoriasis and nail fungus
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes the immune system to become overactive. This immune system change triggers skin cells to grow faster than normal.
Psoriasis is actually a skin disease that can attack any part of the body, but half of people with symptoms experience symptoms in the nail.
Meanwhile, nail infection occurs when you come in contact with something that has been infected with a fungus before. Nail fungus thrives in a humid and warm environment, so people whose hands and feet are often wet are very susceptible to it.
However, people with weakened immune systems due to diabetes or HIV can have wounds that do not heal after a fungal infection, so rapid treatment is very important. The earlier the treatment starts, the better the results. Delayed treatment can permanently damage the nail bed.
Even though it looks similar, these are different symptoms of both
Symptoms of nail psoriasis
Different types of psoriasis produce different symptoms, and symptoms can change or worsen over time. In order not to be confused, you better know what are the symptoms of nail psoriasis.
Occurs in the injured area
Symptoms of nail psoriasis often appear on the part that has just been injured, for example the toes. The part is often crammed into narrow shoes or you accidentally stumble, of course it will cause injury to the toes.
While open wounds in the hands or feet will not trigger a fungal infection. Most people with fungal infections don't get injured before the infection begins.
Notched nails
Psoriasis shows a yellowing pattern of nails that makes the hole deeper. Nails may begin to look rather dry, then bumps appear that eventually form a deep gap or even a hole.
Nail is released
Nail psoriasis tends to cause the nail to escape from the nail bed. Nails may fall completely or only partially break. Before the nail falls, a gap usually forms between the nail and the fingertip.
Fungal infections tend to change the shape and appearance of nails but rarely cause nails to fall.
Changes in nail color and structure
Keratin is a protein that helps form the skin and nails. Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This is called subungual hyperkeratosis.
People with this symptom may see a white, calcareous substance under the nails. When this occurs in toenails, the feet can become painful due to pressure. Especially if you're wearing shoes.
Symptoms of nail fungus
Fungal infections usually affect the toes, not the nails. This is because the toes are more likely to come into contact with fungi when walking barefoot.
People who do regular manicures or often wet hands are equally susceptible to fungal infections of the nails. Some symptoms of fungal infections in the nails include:
Nail color
Fungal infections can cause hyperpigmentation, which means the color of the nails changes starting with faint gray, green or brown dots that become darker and wider for weeks or months.
Meanwhile, psoriasis usually does not cause black spots on the nails.
Nail form changes
Unlike psoriasis, fungal infections do not cause holes in the nails. Conversely, nails tend to change over time. Nails may thin out or thicken, and sometimes break.
Nail growth pattern
Nail fungus often grows with nails. It attaches to a certain part of the nail, and when the nails grow, the part of the nail moves, so does the fungus. Because fungi tend to spread, this pattern is difficult to detect.
Spread
Both psoriasis and fungal infections tend to get worse over time. However, psoriasis, does not spread with contact such as fungal infections, so fungal infections tend to spread faster.
People with fungal infections of the toe nails can see discoloration between the toes, or other signs that the infection has spread to the skin between the toes.
Infection also eventually spreads to the nails or spreads from one toe to several other toes.
