Guide To The Conditions That Trachyonychia Can Indicate

Psoriasis

Psoriasis patients have also been reported to have nail manifestations that include trachyonychia. Psoriasis is a condition characterized by the acceleration of the life cycle that cells that make up the skin go through. This malfunction results in non-malignant patches and scales on the skin that can be painful. The spots that occur in individuals with psoriasis can range from excessive eruptions of large body regions to small spots with dandruff sized scaling.

Psoriasis is characterized by episodic cycles that flare up for weeks to months and then go into remission or subside. It is not uncommon for the fingernails and toenails of psoriasis patients to present with symptoms. The nails can become discolored, grow abnormally, develop pits, become loose, and develop trachyonychia. The mechanism that connects psoriasis to trachyonychia is not precise, but it is known to be associated with the nail bed inflammation caused by skin cell overgrowth. Between approximately thirteen and twenty-six percent of individuals affected by trachyonychia are also affected by psoriasis.

Immunoglobulin A Deficiency

There seems to be a direct link between trachyonychia and immunoglobulin A deficiency. This means that a patient has low or no immunoglobulin A. Immunoglobulin A is a protein mainly found in mucous membranes of the body in the respiratory and digestive tracts and body fluids such as saliva, breastmilk, and tears. If a patient’s immunoglobulin level is below five percent, it is considered low. Besides, it is more common than most individuals think. At least one in four hundred to two thousand individuals in the general population suffer from this condition. Research shows that trachyonychia can be a manifestation of immunoglobulin A deficiency.

Treatment options mainly consist of identifying underlying conditions, preventing and reducing risks of infections, and treating existing disorders with antibiotics. However, there is no cure for the underlying disease. In general, the prognosis is good, except for some cases in which complications are linked to the autoimmune disease itself.