Many times when people think about alopecia, they only think about hair loss. While this is the most likely cause of the condition, that doesn’t mean it’s the only issue you have to look out for. According to several studies, up to 50 percent of people with alopecia areata can expect to see changes in their nails as well.
How Alopecia Affects Your Nails
Based on clinical research, doctors have estimated that alopecia affects the nails for the same reason that it causes hair loss – your body’s abnormal immune system response causes inflammation in the nail beds and associated areas. As a result, you might see pitting, white spots, ridges, and lines in your nails.
For some people, the nails become as rough as sandpaper, get red, become sunken, or become significantly brittle. Additionally, it’s been reported that nail changes can be significant enough to affect functionality so people may have trouble with playing an instrument or typing.
In many cases, the changes in your nails will be in line with the severity of your alopecia but there are times when persons see worse nail changes than their hair loss would indicate.
How The Condition Is Diagnosed
Nail problems caused by alopecia are usually diagnosed through a physical exam. However, your doctor may request further tests to rule out other causes of the issues you’re having.
For example, some of the nail changes that occur with alopecia can also be caused by atopic dermatitis, anemia, vitamin deficiencies, psoriasis, digestive disorders, heart disease, or another autoimmune disease like lupus. Depending on what your nails look like, your doctor might also want to ensure that you haven’t injured them.
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How It’s Treated
Since the nail problems have the same cause as the hair loss, your treatment regimen will likely be the same. Generally, alopecia is treated with corticosteroids. These can be administered as oral or topical medication. There are also injections available.
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe medication to be directly applied to the affected nails while you also take oral medication. Other forms of treatment that may be helpful for your nails include phototherapy and topical creams.
In phototherapy, specialized UV light is used to lessen the symptoms of the illness. This form of treatment can be effective for