Hi. I'm 15 and I have had P for about a year and it really sucks. I have been reading alot of posts and everyone is talking about P. on the skin. I have that too. It wasn't much of a problem because it was on my thigh and I could hide it. But 6 months ago I got P in my nails. They look nast, the flake, abnormal looking and are covered with white cracks and bubbles. I really self concious. I'm a boy so it's not like i can put nail polish over it. Or hide it in anyway for that matter. I'm getting sick of hear "Dude waht happen to your nails?" or "What the hell is that?". I have been getting injections into my cuticles for about 2 months but the results have not been worth the unspeakable pain of having a needle stuck into your nail bed on every finger and toe. Does anybody else hear have nail P and if so what treamant, if any, are you getting? Thanks.
Tyler

Hi Tyler,
Welcome to the Board! :cool: Nice to meet you. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through such a rough time. I also have psoriasis on my nails so I have a pretty good idea of what you're going through. I've had mixed results using a prescription ointment called Tazorac (www.tazorac.com.) It helped my fingers nails. They're no longer dry and brittle and they don't have any more white streaks and/or bumps in them. It hasn't helped my toenails at all. They look just as bad as they always have.
I use the Tazorac by rubbing it onto my nails. It's a very slow process because the diseased nail has to grow out. You have to be careful not to get it onto your skin because it can cause skin irritation.
I hope this helps.
Good luck and please keep us posted.
Mike

Those shots can be painful as hell!
I found that getting a steroid solution such as lidex and applying a drop to the nail and nail bed that my nails would stay pretty clear. Lidex solution is a fast drying liquid so you don't have to worry about having sticky or greasy fingers either.
You can also soak your fingers and toes in a coal tar solution every night and that is supposed to help some.
The stuff Mike mentioned, tazorac, is also a good option. I've read studies where they have been using the tazorac cream on the nails with success.

Hi Tyler,
I have this on the palm of my hands. I had injections one time. They made me worse. The medicine was Kenalog. I can't imagine having injections in my nails, that has got to be very painful. I got tears in my eyes when I read this. I used to wrap gauze around my hands to prevent people from shaking hands with me.
I can't advice you about what others think or how to handle kids. I got this when I was 24. Sometimes kids can be very cruel. Maybe your school or one class could do a program about skin problems. It could include the things that bother most teens, what is contagious and what is not. Ask your teacher or school nurse.
You will need to accept the facts about this disease. It's hard to do. As of now there is no cure, only help. Just know that you did not cause this. Make sure you have a good derm and follow directions with your meds. When you have done all you can, you can feel good about yourself. Keep communications open with your parents, I'm sure they will help you. Maybe they will read some of the messages on this site, it will help them understand.
I wish you the best,
Granny

Thanks everyone. I went to my Derm today and he perscribed the Tazorac cream that Mike said (Thanks) and a thing called Cordan tape. It is impregnated with something called flurandrenolide. You applie it every night to your cuticles and remove it in the morning. No more shots!! :) He said that Tazorac cream alone dosen't always penatrate the to the nail bed which is why the shots are more effective. However when the cream is used as well as the tape he said my results could better. My derm said he was suprised I made it two months with the shots. He said most people give up after the first injection. Thanks every one for your help.

Hi Tyler,
I have used Cordran Tape and it does help. A word of caution--and I hope you read this before you remove that tape.
If the tape pulls a little piece of skin it can hurt like the dickens and sometimes make it bleed. If that happens you will have another place to heal.
Soak you hands in some warm water, or leave the tape on while you shower. It will loosen and come off easier. Be very careful. Any time you injure your skin if will hurt more and be sore longer. And it can make your p worse.
If you have trouble keeping the tape on, you can buy some cotton gloves at a pharmacy and put them over the tape.
I hope this helps you.
Granny