Toenail Psoriasis and Podiatry treatments

1. Toenail Psoriasis and Podiatry Treatments Non-surgical as well as surgical treatments are provided in podiatry practices to treat toenail psoriasis and other fungal infections. Psoriasis can affect the skin as well as fingernails and toenails. Toenail psoriasis can interfere with the ability of a nail to protect the toe or to perceive touch. The pain related to this condition can restrict movement, making it difficult for the affected person to walk normally. Podiatrists may have to treat such foot conditions and these treatments may be reimbursable. Podiatry medical billing services provided by experienced medical billing companies can help practices deal with their claim submission tasks. A damaged psoriatic nail can make the nail plate more susceptible to fungal infections and can be associated with a serious condition known as psoriatic arthritis. Causes and Symptoms The condition is mainly caused due to genetic components. Other causes include usage of certain drugs and medications, and lifestyle factors such as drug and alcohol abuse, stress, smoking, and obesity are all known to exacerbate existing cases. Environmental factors such as excessive heat or dryness can also have this effect. Key symptoms of this condition include Pitting of the nail, shallow or deep holes in the nail Deformation or changes to the normal shape of the nail Build up of nebris Fungal infection that can cause thickening of the nails or onychomycosis www.outsourcestrategies.com 918-221-7769

2. Pain and tenderness in the nails Small white spots on the nail known as leukonychia Discoloration - unusual nail coloration, such as yellow-brown, that may look like a fungal infection Small bleeding spots under the nail that are visible as dark lines In severe cases, the nail may begin to separate from the nail bed, leading to a condition known as onycholysis. With the start of this condition, a white or yellowish patch will develop at the tip of the nail and this then extends down to the cuticle. Infection and discoloration of the nail will often be mistaken for melanoma under the nail. Diagnosis and Treatment Diagnosis of toenail psoriasis is often complicated, as the symptoms can be confused with toenail fungus or onychomycosis or other related conditions. One common diagnosis method that is recommended to distinguish fungal infections from other skin disorders is the KOH wet mount. This test involves taking a specimen from under the nail and examining it under a microscope. For KOH tests that are open to doubt, a sample of nail will be taken for biopsy. Based on diagnosis, the podiatrist will provide treatment. Often, topical corticosteroid creams or ointments, or non-steroidal alternatives like Tazorac or Dovonex will be prescribed. Other treatments include phototherapy (treating the nails with topical or systemic psoralen compounds), intralesional steroid injections (injecting cortisone into the base of the nail and into the nail folds alongside it, and removal of nails (surgery may be recommended to remove nails), but the nails may still often grow back with an abnormal appearance. Related ICD-10 codes for toenail psoriasis include L40.8 Other psoriasis L40.9 Psoriasis, unspecified Proper care of feet and nails is crucial for those with psoriasis. Podiatrists may also recommend certain nail care tips such as - Keeping the nails short and trimming them regularly www.outsourcestrategies.com 918-221-7769

3. Protecting nails from damage to avoid further damage Avoid cleaning debris from beneath the nail with a sharp object or a nail brush, as it makes the situation worse Applying moisturizers to soften the tails Cut straight across the toenail, which helps prevent it from becoming ingrown Busy podiatry practices can rely on a professional podiatry medical billing company to simplify their claims processing tasks. www.outsourcestrategies.com 918-221-7769