I have suffered from psoriasis for years but it is only in the last 10 years or so that I have had nail psoriasis. My finger nails have become pitted but my main problem is my big toe nails. I visited a chiropodist about this and she confirmed it was nail psoriasis and just to keep them trim but they are very thick and raised and seem to grow up and thicker rather than out like normal nails. I have terrible trouble trying to file them down so I can put my shoes on, hence have trouble wearing shoes at all. I was hoping someone would be able to tell me the best file I could use to thin these nails out. I have tried nail softening creams but they don't seem to make any difference. I have got an electric manicure set which helps somewhat but I seem to need something more powerful to file them down to a reasonable thickness.

My finger nails, according to other descriptions, are atypical. There is no spotting or lifting. There is, primarily, longitudinal cracking and splitting. Some of the cracks peel a bit from the surface, laterally. The worst (oldest affected) are deforming, "dishing", both longitudinally and laterally. I have no other signs of psoriasis (my son does have psoriasis--skin and joints) and my nails began to change at age 79. My toe nails are now beginning to show signs approx 18 months later.

I have had nail psoriasis for 2 years and visited a naturopath who changed my diet and cut out wheat and dairy, I also had acupuncture. All this kept it under control but the nails did not grow, they just stayed thick and crumbly. Last month I saw a homeopath and she put me on a daily dose of Syphilinum 200, it is 5 weeks later now and my nails are growing, they are thinning out and starting to look really healthy, it looks like I have finally found something that works!