Ridges in nails and psoriasis

Psoriasis may produce tiny pits, horizontal or vertical ridges, yellow-brown colour, crumbling, or separation from the nail bed. The skin around the nail may be tender or scaly, and changes can involve one or several nails. Nail findings may occur with plaques elsewhere, but some people notice nail changes before obvious skin symptoms.

A clinician distinguishes nail psoriasis from fungal infection, injury, eczema, or another nail disorder by looking closely and sometimes testing nail material. A history of joint stiffness or swollen fingers is worth mentioning because psoriasis can involve joints.

Keep nails short and file rough edges gently. Wear gloves for wet work, avoid cutting or pushing back cuticles, and do not scrape under a lifted nail. Moisturise the hands and nail folds regularly, and remove artificial nails if they worsen lifting or tenderness.

Book a dermatology review if changes persist or interfere with daily tasks. Treatment depends on whether the matrix, nail bed, skin, or joints are involved; options may include prescribed medicine applied to the nail or treatment directed at psoriasis elsewhere.

Seek prompt care for rapidly worsening pain, warmth, swelling, pus, or a nail that becomes markedly detached. New dark colour under a single nail, especially when it spreads onto nearby skin, also needs timely examination rather than being assumed to be psoriasis.

Ask whether the appearance fits nail psoriasis or needs a fungal test, whether joint symptoms change the assessment, and how to protect the nail while prescribed treatment takes effect.