Nail psoriasis is a common and disabling manifestation of cutaneous plaque-type psoriasis. Treatment of nail psoriasis is often unsuccessful and frequently requires prolonged and tedious treatment regimens to achieve or maintain remission. The clinician may choose from a variety of treatment modalities, including topical, intralesional, radiation, and systemic modes of therapy. The objective of this review is to summarize the available treatment options and assess their effectiveness for the treatment of nail psoriasis.
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