common nail diseases and disorders

8/18/2019 Common Nail Diseases and Disorders

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Common Nail Diseases and

DisordersCommon Nail Diseases and Disorders

Nails are made up of keratin, the same protein found in our skin and hair. Healthy nails are indicative of good health andare evenly colored and smooth to feel and look at. On the other hand, badly discolored nails, varied nail growth rate are

indicative of nail diseases and disorders. The clinical term for nail disease and deformity is Onychosis and is different

from skin diseases and requires the attention of a physician or dermatologist and not that of a nail spa technician. A nail

disease can be identified through subtle changes in the nail structure and health.

Unhealthy nail formations like ridges, clubbing, spooning, unusual thickness, thinness of nails, nail bed discoloration are

all associated with certain kinds of deficiencies of the body and diet and are indicative of many diseases like heart, lungs

kidneys and liver. It is important that you identify and treat these problems at the onset to avoid health problems.

Some common nail diseases are:

Psoriatic nails – characterized by roughened nails, damaged nail bed, discolored reddish brown nails, this condition

affects most of those who already have the skin condition psoriasis. The nail may at times also split from the nail bed.

Swelling and redness of the nails is also common. This condition needs the attention of a dermatologist and a nail tech

should not attempt to treat the client nails on their own.

Paronychia – an infection of the nail fold which happens when there is a tear in the proximal or lateral fold of the nail

This causes bacteria and fungus to enter the folds and causes redness, swelling and pain. This condition occurs mostly in

people who are over exposed to water and is very contagious.

Pseudomonas – a bacterial infection between the nail plate and nail bed pseudomonas live in moist places and an

indication that the infection has spread deep is the discoloration it causes on the nails. An extreme infection may also

cause the nail plate to separate from the nail bed

Tinea Unguis – also known as nail ringworm is a fungal infection and makes the nail thick and deformed causing

eventual breakage of the nail plate.

Onycholysis – where the exposed portion of the nail is loosened beginning at the free edge and continuing to the lunula

This maybe caused due to allergic reactions to nail products, fungus, trauma or as a side effect of drugs.

Onychatrophobia –is a condition where the nail becomes small, loses its shine or may also shed altogether.

Onychogryposis – is a thickening of the nail which maybe hereditary or as a result of neglect to nail hygiene. This

condition is also known as rams horns nails.

Onychauxis – is a condition with a very thick nail plate caused due to internal problems.

Onychorrhexis – a condition characterized by a vertical split or ridges on the nails. Usually inherited, this condition may

also be acquired by the usage of strong detergents and cleaning agents. The nail can usually be repaired through

treatments.

Koilonchia –is a result of iron deficiency and the nail appears very thin and curves up.

Onychoptosis – a periodic shedding of nails in part or whole this condition maybe caused by trauma, a side effect of

drugs, stress, fever or as a result of such diseases like syphilis.

Onychophosis –is the growth of thick epithelium tissue on the nails.

Onychomadesis –is the falling off of a nail from its bed as a result of either chemotherapy, injury or even a long illness

The nail grows back as soon as the disease is cured

Subungual hematoma – is the collection of blood under the nail due to injury or trauma. As this condition is very painful

the blood is often released by making a hole in the nail.

Pterygium – is the formation of skin on the nail plate and is usually the result of some surgical procedure due to which a

scar tissue forms on the nail. It can be removed by a physician.

Melanonychia – also known as nail moles are formed as dark spots on the nail matrix.

Petrygium inversum unguis –where the live tissue is attached to the underside of the nail. This condition may be

hereditary or the result of nail enhancement treatments. Never try to remove this tissue on your own as it may cause

blood flow.


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Nail patella syndrome – is a genetic disorder which is characterized by skeletal and nail deformity. It usually occurs in 2

out of every 100,000 persons and is transmitted in the ABO blood type.

Other nail disorders like lunulae changes, changes in markings and color, discoloration of the nail bed, changes in growth

rate should all be looked into carefully by a physician as they signify various body disorders. Identified early, these can be

used to give you preventive medicine and treat any ailments you may have before they are out of control.

Ingrown Toenail

An ingrown toenail occurs when edges from a nail intrudes into the

surrounding skin. It most commonly occurs on the big toe as a result of

improper nail trimming or wearing shoes that are too tight. The condition

may cause pain and, redness, and can lead to infection. Trimming the

toenail straight across without tapering at the ends may help prevent

ingrown toenails. In some cases, a doctor or podiatrist may perform minor

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/ingrown_toenails/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/ingrown_toenails/article_em.htm


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surgery to remove part of the nail, the nail bed, and excess skin to correct

the problem.

Clubbed Nails

Clubbed nails are an exaggerated downward curvature of the nails that may

be indicative of systemic disease. Clubbing may occur in cases of cirrhosis

cystic fibrosis, inflammatory bowel disease, congenital heart disease, and

other conditions. Some cases of clubbed nails are hereditary.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/cirrhosis/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/inflammatory_bowel_disease_ibd/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/coronary_heart_disease/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/cirrhosis/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/inflammatory_bowel_disease_ibd/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/coronary_heart_disease/article_em.htm


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Discoloration of Nail Plates

The nails are susceptible to discoloration by a variety of agents. otassium

permanganate is known to stain nails a brownish!purple color. Silver nitrate

will turn the nails black. The pictured stains are due to resorcinol. "ail stains

may not look very nice, but they are not dangerous.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-resorcinol_topical/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/drug-resorcinol_topical/article_em.htm


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Nail-Patella Syndrome

"ail!patella syndrome. This entity, also known as hereditary osteo!

onychodysplasia, is a genetic disease linked to a mutation in the gene

encoding transcription factor #$%&', mapped on the long arm of

chromosome ( )(*+-. The manifestations include fingernail dysplasia

absent or hypoplastic patellae, the presence of posterior conical iliac horns

and abnormalities of the radial heads. atients are also at risk for kidney

disease and glaucoma.

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Leukonychia Striata

#eukonychia striata are white streaks that appear on the nails due to

trauma, manicuring, or certain systemic diseases. ften, the cause of

leukonychia striata cannot be identified and the white streaks resolve

without treatment. Some cases of leukonychia striata are inherited.


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Leukonychia Totalis

#eukonychia totalis is an inherited disorder that causes discoloration of thenails. "ails affected by the condition are largely white due to abnormal

keratini/ation beneath the nail plate. Inheritance of the condition is through

an autosomal dominant pattern.


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Onychomycosis (ungal Nail Infection!

nychomycosis is fungal infection of the nails. 0ungal nail infectioncausesnails to become thick, white, opa*ue, and brittle. 1arm, damp conditionscreate a favorable environment for fungus to flourish. #ocker rooms,swimming pool areas, and showers may harbor fungus. In2ury to the nailsmay increase the risk of fungal nail infection. 1earing acrylic nails that trap

moisture may promote fungal nail infection.

$edical conditions that impede blood flow or depress immunity mayincrease the risk of fungal nail infection. 3iabetes and circulatory disordersmay impair blood flow to the nail beds, increasing the chance of fungalinfection.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/onychomycosis/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/diabetes_mellitus_type_1_and_type_2/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/onychomycosis/article_em.htmhttp://www.emedicinehealth.com/diabetes_mellitus_type_1_and_type_2/article_em.htm


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Onycholysis " Lifted Nail

nycholysis is a condition in which the nail separates from the nail bed. The

condition may be caused by infection or in2ury. The separated portion of the

nail may turn yellow, white, or green. Treatment consists of clipping off the

affected portion of the nail. It is important to keep the affected nail dry.

4loves should be worn when washing or cleaning. 5ealing occurs within 6

to + months.


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Alopecia Areata (Nails)

Alopecia areata can affect the nails causing pitting, splitting, and other

changes. The surface of the nail may appear rough or have lines or white

spots. Sometimes nail changes may be the first manifestation of alopecia.ne or more nails may be affected.


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Melanonychia

$elanonychia is brown or black pigmentation of the nail unit. $elanonychia commonly

presents as pigmented band arranged lengthwise along the nail unit, and this

presentation is known as longitudinal melanonychia )#$- or melanonychia striata. The

most concerning cause of melanonychia is subungual melanoma, although a variety ofother causes includes physiologic longitudinal melanonychia, systemic disorders,

trauma, inflammatory disorders, fungal infections, drugs, and benign melanocytic

hyperplasias.


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Bitten Nail


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Brittle Nail

Splitting fingernails or onychoschi/ia is a widespread problem noticed by dermatologists

Symptoms include brittle, split nails or soft, thin nails. Splitting fingernails is more common in

women. 0ortunately, there are various ways in which you can deal with brittle nails to restore

them to a healthy condition.


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Causes of 'rittle "ails

Some of the causes of brittle nails are in2ury, infections, diseases, poisons, or medications.

• In2uries to the nail from constant exposure to water or nail polish can cause them to

become brittle and peel off. The base of the nail could also get crushed and deform.

• 0ungal, bacterial, and viral infections could cause your nail to get damaged.

• The diseases that can affect your nails are eating disorders, deficiency of biotin,

hypothyroidism, disease of the liver, lung or kidney, psoriasis, skin cancers, and aggressive

melanoma. Anorexia can also result in brittle nails, as cutting down on your food intake

drastically reduces the nutritional intake that your body re*uires to stay healthy.

• 'iotin which is a component of ' complex enables your body metaboli/e amino acids

that aid in the growth of healthy nails. 'iotin deficiency causes your nails to become brittle.

4etting it treated by a doctor should help, but if it is a chronic condition the brittle nails will

remain. 5ypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland is unable to produce sufficient

amounts of the thyroid hormone.

• Contact with silver and arsenic could poison your nail. 1hile certain antibiotics can

cause the nail to lift from the nail bed.

SHAPE OF NAILS

Round

This simple shape is perfect for short nails (even nail biters!),

extending only slightly past your nail bed and maintaining its natural

shape.

http://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/14556/information-on-ridges-in-fingernails-my-fingernail.htmlhttp://www.home-remedies-for-you.com/askquestion/14556/information-on-ridges-in-fingernails-my-fingernail.html


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Square

If you want a shape other than your natural rounded one that doesn't

take a ton of effort to maintain, ask for a square shape with the tip filed

flat. You don't need much of an edge to achieve it, so it's great for

relatively short nails.

Rounded Square

This simple shape is perfect for short nails (even nail biters!), extending

only slightly past your nail bed and maintaining its natural shape.


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Oval

If you have longer nails and desire a slimmer, more feminine look, try

this shape. Oval nails also make your hands look longer, so if you want

to slim the appearance of your fingers, this is a good option.

Squoval

As you probably can guess, this style combines the length of oval

nails with the contouring of square nails.


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Ballerina

If you have naturally long, sturdy nails (or are willing to get fake ones)

and have the urge to try something unconventional, ask for this

shape.

Stiletto

While impractical, this nail shape is undeniably cool. But these long

talons can make day-to-day functioning a little tough. So if you want to

try it out, look for pointy press-on nails to experiment with beforehand.

Lipstick

Thisfunky shape has a bit of a niche fan base. It could be fun for a

special event — we just hope you don't wear contacts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM8Rxv6FJOIhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UM8Rxv6FJOI


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common nail diseases and disorders

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