Having psoriasis can mean that you’re constantly applying lotion, hiding your flare-ups, and searching for the next and best remedy.
Having psoriasis on your hands can be more difficult because your hands are constantly on display and in use. The psoriasis patches may also crack and bleed from washing or using your hands.
Fortunately, there are ways that you can improve your condition. Learn more about home care and the causes of hand psoriasis.
What is psoriasis?
Psoriasis is a skin condition caused by an autoimmune issue. It causes pain, swelling, redness, and scaly skin.
Psoriasis appears as thick patches of skin with scales. The skin underneath is usually red and irritated. Some people with psoriasis also have arthritis, which is called psoriatic arthritis.
Psoriasis affects about 3 percent of the population of the United States.
Here are some of the types of psoriasis:
- Plaque psoriasis. This is the most common type and often appears on the knees, scalp, elbows, and lower back.
- Guttate psoriasis. Guttate psoriasis usually affects the torso and limbs. It manifests in small spots.
- Inverse psoriasis. Shiny lesions appear in the places where skin folds, such as under the breasts and armpits and between the legs.
- Pustular psoriasis. This form isn’t as common as the others. It produces pus-filled sores.
- Erythrodermic psoriasis. This is a rare form of psoriasis and affects most of the body with burn-like rashes.
Can psoriasis move to my hands?
Yes, psoriasis can make an appearance on any part of your skin, including your hands and fingers. It can manifest as cracking, swelling, or blistering.
However, psoriasis is not spread by touch. And it’s not contagious. It can, however, be genetically linked. Having a family member with the disease may increase your risk.
Palm psoriasis
Palmar and plantar psoriasis affect only the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet. If you’re experiencing psoriasis symptoms on your palms, you may have this form of psoriasis.
Between 12 and 16 percent of those living with psoriasis have this type.
This can be accompanied by pus-filled bumps on your hands. Treatment for this includes aggressive use of topical corticosteroids.
Fingers and knuckles
Psoriasis can also appear on fingers, knuckles, nails, and on the tops of your feet. Peeling and dryness can make using your hands for daily tasks painful and uncomfortable.
Symptoms in nails occur in about 50 percent of those with psoriasis. Symptoms in nails can include:
- Changes in shape or thickness. Nails may become thicker due to a fungal infection called onychomycosis, or a weakening in the structure can cause crumbling.
- Pitting. Psoriasis in nails can cause a loss of keratin cells, which results in small pits forming.
- Nail bed separation. The nail itself can separate from the nail bed, leaving a gap.
- Discoloration. A yellowish-red patch or yellow-brown color can occur on the nail bed. Crumbling nails may turn white. Darkening of the nails can occur, especially if bacteria has grown under a separated nail bed
Hand psoriasis causes
Psoriasis of the hand is caused by white blood cells called T cells that help protect the body from disease. These cells are triggered within the body by mistake.
The increased activity of the T cells shortens the life span of the skin cells in your hand. This, in turn, causes a faster turnover of the cells, leading to skin buildup and swelling.
Hand psoriasis can make certain daily tasks like washing dishes difficult, as the skin is prone to cracking or bleeding.
If you’re a healthcare provider, nurse, or food service provider, you may be more susceptible to bouts of hand psoriasis since you’re frequently washing and drying your hands.
Certain environmental factors can make your symptoms worse, including:
- stress
- weather changes
- medications
- dry air
- excess sunlight or too little sunlight
- infections