A nail disease or onychosis is a disease or deformity of the nail. Although the nail is a structure produced by the skin and is a skin appendage, nail diseases have a distinct classification as they have their own signs and symptoms which may relate to other medical conditions.
What are the common nail diseases?
Brittle nail, simple chronic paronychia, and onycholysis represent three of the most prevalent nail disorders. Brittle nails are characterized by increased fragility of the nail plate due to damage to the nail matrix or changes to nail plate cohesion, caused by internal and/or external factors.
What are the five nail diseases?
This article therefore helps clinicians to find the right treatment of the 5 most common nail disorders (brittle nails, onycholysis, paronychia, psoriasis, and onychomycosis) and provides practical tips that might improve patients’ compliance.
What causes nail disease?
Common causes of nail problems include injury, infection and skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis. Some conditions need professional treatment from a doctor or a dermatologist. People with diabetes or compromised immune systems have a higher risk of fungal nail infections.
What is the disease of nails called?
Infectious Nail Diseases
Onychomycosis: a fungal infection of the nails that causes discoloration, thickening, and separation from the nail bed.
What does nail infection look like?
Nail fungus can cause the nail to become thick or ragged and appear yellow, green, brown or black. An infected nail may separate from the nail bed. Nail fungus is a common condition that begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail.
How do you treat nail disease?
Remedies typically involve the use of antifungal medication. People may need a prescription, or a doctor can fully remove the nail. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) , it can take more than a year for successful treatment.
What are 8 common nail disorders?
Local Nail Abnormalities
- DYSTROPHIC NAILS (SELF-INDUCED) Dystrophic nails (Figure 2) can be caused by repeated manipulation of the nail plate (e.g., manicures/pedicures, biting, rubbing). …
- LEUKONYCHIA. …
- LONGITUDINAL MELANONYCHIA. …
- ONYCHOMYCOSIS. …
- PARONYCHIA. …
- SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA. …
- SUBUNGUAL HEMATOMA.
Apr 15, 2012
Can your nails show signs of illness?
Did you know your nails can reveal clues to your overall health? A touch of white here, a rosy tinge there, or some rippling or bumps may be a sign of disease in the body. Problems in the liver, lungs, and heart can show up in your nails.
What do renal failure nails look like?
Kidney disease can affect the appearance of your fingernails, toenails, or both. People who have advanced kidney disease can develop: A white color on the upper part of one or more nails and a normal to reddish brown color below, as shown here (half-and-half nails) Pale nails.
Can nail fungus be cured?
Treatment. Fungal nail infections can be difficult to cure, and they typically don’t go away without antifungal treatment. The best treatment for a fungal nail infection is usually prescription antifungal pills taken by mouth. In severe cases, a doctor might remove the nail completely.
What is the white hard stuff under my toenails?
Nail psoriasis sometimes causes too much keratin to grow under the nail. This overgrowth is called subungual hyperkeratosis. People with hyperkeratosis may notice a white, chalky substance under the nail. When this occurs in the toenails, the pressure of shoes pushing down on the nails might cause pain.
What type of doctor do you see for nail problems?
A doctor who specializes in treating nail and skin disorders is called a dermatologist. You may see your regular doctor about your nail health concerns, and he or she may refer you to a dermatologist. You can also find a dermatologist online at www.aad.org or by calling (888) 462-DERM.
What is toenail dystrophy?
Dystrophic nails are fingernails or toenails that are deformed, thickened or discolored. They can have various causes, ranging from toenail fungus to a skin condition.
What is onycholysis of the nail?
Onycholysis is characterized by a spontaneous separation of the nail plate starting at the distal free margin and progressing proximally. In onycholysis, the nail plate is separated from the underlying and/or lateral supporting structures.
What does iron deficiency nails look like?
Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail. The nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia. Leukonychia is white streaks or spots on the nails often due to drugs or disease.
What vitamin deficiency causes vertical lines in fingernails?
Iron deficiency anemia can also trigger vertical ridges and changes to your nails that make them concave, or spoon-shaped.
Can B12 deficiency cause nails?
Vitamin-B12 deficiency can present with glossitis, pigmentary changes of nails, hairs, and skin or more serious features like megaloblastic anemia and neuropsychiatric symptoms.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause nails?
Most vitamin deficiencies are due to either inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption. Vitamin D, which can be obtained through sun exposure, is one of the few exceptions. Lack of these nutrients may affect the nail, the nail bed, or both and may present on physical exam or with biopsy.
How do you know if you have a biotin deficiency?
The signs and symptoms of biotin deficiency typically appear gradually and can include thinning hair with progression to loss of all hair on the body; scaly, red rash around body openings (eyes, nose, mouth, and perineum); conjunctivitis; ketolactic acidosis (which occurs when lactate production exceeds lactate …