Psoriasis on your hands and nails can make daily activities or delicate tasks difficult to carry out. Hand and nail psoriasis can be difficult to cope with. The plaques are often more visible than those on the body or scalp, and using your hands is a very important part of  interpersonal relationships, like shaking hands in social and professional situations.

• A flare-up of psoriasis on the palm of the hand is often accompanied by cracking, blisters and swelling. 
• In around half of cases, psoriasis on the hands affects the nails. 
• Holes in the nails – also called pitting – is the most common characteristic. 
• Nails may become white and thick. As a result of dryness, lines can also appear running across the nail. 
• When the cuticles are affected they can no longer act as a protective barrier. Inflammation can also spread under the nails.

Psoriasis on hands

Can you get psoriasis on your hands? 

Psoriasis on hands is characterised by red, raised, inflamed patches of skin that have a silvery, scaly appearance. The skin may be cracked, itchy, bleeding and sore. Your hands may be swollen, and your joints sore. Nail changes take place in around 50% of those suffering with psoriasis. This usually occurs as thickening of the nails, discolouration, separation of the nail from the nail bed, deformation and pitting. Using the correct treatment, symptoms of psoriasis on hands can be alleviated in some cases or reduced.  

Symptoms of psoriasis on hands

Symptoms of psoriasis on hands include raised, red skin that has a scaly, silvery appearance. Psoriasis patches may feel sore and itchy and there may be cracking, bleeding, swelling and blisters. Nail changes can occur, such as the thickening of the nails, discolouration, separation of the nail from the nail bed, deformation and pitting. 

Precautionary measures for psoriasis on the hands

Precautionary measures of psoriasis on hands include wearing cotton gloves to prevent skin injury when undertaking household chores, washing with soap substitutes, reducing stress, eating a healthy, balanced diet and limiting your intake of alcohol. Moisturising your hands will help to keep the skin soft and smooth.

Psoriasis on nails

Fingernail psoriasis is common in around 50% of people suffering from psoriasis. Psoriasis nails are characterised by changes in the nail. Fingernail psoriasis is more common than toenail psoriasis. Symptoms can be mild or severe and the severity does not depend on psoriasis elsewhere on the body.

You can protect your nails by keeping them short and wearing gloves for cleaning chores. Psoriasis on the nails can be a cosmetic problem for many, however, psoriasis and acrylic nails are not always a good combination as the glue used during acrylic nail application can contain chemicals that can cause sensitivity.

UK/IE MAT-09232 Date of prep: May 2017