Nail Psoriasis vs. Fungus: Differences, Symptoms, and Treatment

Does your nail look discoloured, thick, or brittle? Are you confused about whether it is a fungal infection or psoriasis?

Nail psoriasis and nail fungus are two types of nail conditions that affect the presence and health of your nail. They both share similar symptoms but it is difficult to tell the difference with the naked eye. Because both lead to discolouration and thicken and brittle nails. It is a bit difficult to identify the culprit without proper examination. However, they are fundamentally different in their causes, manifestations, and treatment.

Today, we bring you an article that will help you compare and understand the Difference Between Nail Psoriasis and Fungus.

What is Nail Psoriasis: A Brief Overview

Nail Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition. It is a type of psoriasis on the skin which affects the nails. When there is an abnormal immune response in the body, it leads to inflammation and rapid turnover of nail cells. Hence, it causes thick and brittle nails.

Skin disease or Skin Psoriasis causes skin cell turnover It also causes the formation of scales and red patches. When it affects the nail, it results in various changes.

Here Are the Symptoms of Nail Psoriasis-

• Pitting: Skin Pitting is one of the signs of nail Psoriasis. It has a small dent, and pinpoint depression on the surface of the nail. These pits can vary in depth and size from person to person.
• Discoloration: Affected nails, start looking yellow, brown, or even red. The discolouration is typically uneven.
• Thicken Nails: Individuals with Psoriasis have thicker nails as compared to the normal nail. When abnormal nail cells build up, it results in thickened nails.
• Separation: The nail starts to separate from the nail bed in Nail Psoriasis. It is also called an onycholysis condition. It is a very uncomfortable symptom.
• Crumbling: In severe nail psoriasis, nails become brittle, which leads to crumbling at the edges.

According to the health line, nail Psoriasis is linked with other forms of psoriasis on the skin. It is non-contagious and cannot spread from one person to another.

Nail Fungus

Nail fungus is also known as onychomycosis. It is a fungal infection that affects the nail and develops from various pathogenic fungi like dermatophytes, yeast, and mould. Nail fungus develops when pathogenic fungus targets keratin in the nail or skin.

Here Are the Symptoms of Nail Fungus:

• Discolouration: Infected nail turns yellow, white or darker over time. The colour change appeared due to the buildup of debris in the nail.
• Thick nail: Like nail psoriasis, nail fungus also causes thicken or brittle nails. It is very uncomfortable.
• Crumbly Texture: Infected nails may become brittle and crumble, and even break easily. It results in an uneven appearance.
• Odour: If there is a foul smell from your nails, then it is a sign of fungal infection. Sometimes fungal infections produce a bad smell.
• Separation: Like nail psoriasis, nail fungus also separates the nail from the nail bed. It is a very uneasy and painful situation.

According to Healthline, nail fungus is contagious and can spread from one person to another person as well as from one surface to another. It is very important to keep hygiene in nail fungus.

Key Differences Between Psoriasis and Onychomycosis

Let’s understand the difference between Nail Psoriasis and Nail Fungus aka Onychomycosis-

Cause: Nail psoriasis and nail fungus may look similar, but their causes are entirely different. To diagnose and treat the diseases, it is important to distinguish the cause.

• Nail Psoriasis: It is an autoimmune condition that results in inflammation and rapid nail growth.
• Nail Fungus: It is a fungal infection which is caused by various pathogenic fungi.

Contagiousness: When it comes to contagiousness, nail psoriasis and nail fungus are different. One of these is Contagiousness and the other is not.

• Nail Psoriasis: Nail Psoriasis is not contagious. Because it is a genetic condition.
• Nail Fungus: Nail Fungus is contagious. Infection spreads through direct contact or contaminated surfaces.

Symptoms: Nail psoriasis and nail fungus, both affect the nails, but their symptoms are different. Symptoms are the first sign to diagnose the disease or problem.

• Nail Psoriasis: It is characterised by pitting, blood under the nail, and nail colour change and thickness change
• Nail Fungus: It is characterised by the nail’s crumbly texture, foul odour, and more uneven discolouration.

Associated Conditions: Nail psoriasis and nail fungus do not just differ by cause or symptoms. It is also different from where it is associated with. Understanding the associated conditions helps to manage the diseases.

• Nail Psoriasis: It is associated with other forms of skin diseases like psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
• Nail Fungus: It is associated with or occurs alongside athlete’s foot or other fungal infections.

Treatment: The treatment of nail psoriasis or nail fungus varies with their differing causes. Symptoms and proper diagnosis are important for treatment approaches.

• Nail Psoriasis: Treatment may include topical steroids, systemic medications and phototherapy.  Treatment is centred on managing the autoimmune response.
• Nail Fungus: Treatment typically involves antifungal medications, either topical or oral. Treatment is centred on eradicating the fungal infection.

Diagnosis and Treatment Option

The symptoms are not just enough to find out, if Is it a nail psoriasis or nail fungus, you need to visit a professional. Through clinical examination, you can find the main cause of nail problems. A professional visual inspection is a must. Because the dermatologist is occupied with the training and nail disorders.

Diagnostic process: The first step to diagnosis involves a proper examination of the nails and their surrounding skin.

• For Nail Psoriasis, the presence of pitting, ridges, and discolouration is a basic diagnosis.
• For Nail Fungus, the presence of discolouration like yellow and brown, thickening and brittle texture. In addition, foul smell is also associated with nail fungus.

Patient history: A physical examination is not enough. Your professional will ask about your medical history too like past psoriasis treatment or fungal infection. In addition, make sure to share a family history of skin psoriasis and lifestyle.

Microscopic examination. KOH test or culture test is a test to check the nail problem in laboratories. You can go for any of these examinations.

Biopsy: Biopsy is also a medical treatment process conducted after the diagnosis process. A small sample of nail or surrounding skin is taken by a professional to examine it in laboratories.

Treatment Option

Nail psoriasis or nail fungus is two types of skin disease. Hence, the treatment process varies for both- skin psoriasis or fungus.

Nail Psoriasis Treatment: If you diagnose nail psoriasis, then there are several treatments –

• Corticosteroid: The tropical use of corticosteroids helps to reduce inflammation as well as symptoms. In addition, you can apply cream to the affected area.
• Vitamin D analogues: Medications like calcipotriene can help slow down nail growth and promote more normal nail development.
• Phototherapy: Phototherapy is highly used for psoriasis conditions. If you have a nail psoriasis exposure to ultraviolet light or UV therapy is used. It is done by a professional dermatologist only.

Nail fungus treatment: if you are diagnosed with nail fungus, read out some treatment options-

• Topical antifungals: There are some tropical creams like clotrimazole, terbinafine, or ciclopirox available in the market to treat mild cases. You can apply directly on the nail or surrounding area.
• Oral antifungals: There are many oral antifungals available in the market, which is suitable to use if you have an extensive anal fungal infection.
• Surgical option: When the nail is highly affected and painful, healthcare professionals recommend surgically removing the nail. It is the last option when medication doesn’t work out for you.