Nails can be involved by many diseases: Bacteria, fungi, viruses, chemicals, etc. sometimes a disease invades the nail directly, other times the nail suffers as a consequence of a systemic disease. Nail diseases are discussed here generally and this article can’t be used for diagnosis or treatment by non-physicians. So if you have any doubts about your nails just refer to your Doctor. You can also ask us any questions and or comments. We have avoided unnecessary specific terminology, however they are mentioned sometimes for better understanding about the disease.
White spots on the nails are very common and usually recur. These small, semi-circular spots result from injury to the base (matrix) of the nail, where nail cells are produced. They are not a cause for concern, and will eventually grow out.
They run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, are fairly common. These ridges typically become more prominent with age. Vertical ridging doesn’t indicate serious illness. Phytocharm Renovate can diminish these lines.
Ingrown toenails are a common nail problem. The great toenails are particularly vulnerable. Improper nail trimming, tight shoes, or poor posture can cause a corner of the nail to curve downward into the skin. Ingrown nails can be painful and sometimes even lead to infection. Seek treatment for the condition rather than attempting to cut away the nail yourself, as infection may result.
A disruption of blood vessels in the nail bed can cause fine, splinter-like vertical lines to appear under the nail plate. Splinter hemorrhages are caused by injury to the nail or by certain drugs and diseases. However, trauma is the most common cause. Splinter hemorrhages resolve spontaneously.
A fungal infection of the nail occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. Onychomycosis (on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis) usually begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges—an unsightly and potentially painful problem. Nail fungal infections account for about half of all nail disorders. They usually develop on nails continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. The infection isn’t the same as athlete’s foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet.
Are viral infections that affect the skin surrounding or underneath the nail and can be found near any portion of the nail unit. The nail plate can change shape or be destroyed as a result of the tumor or wart growth. They are painful and can sometimes cause limited use of the affected finger or toe. Treatment of warts usually involves freezing or chemical application for removal.
White spots on the nails are very common and usually recur. These small, semi-circular spots result from injury to the base (matrix) of the nail, where nail cells are produced. They are not a cause for concern, and will eventually grow out.
They run from the cuticle to the tip of the nail, are fairly common. These ridges typically become more prominent with age. Vertical ridging doesn’t indicate serious illness. Phytocharm Renovate can diminish these lines.
Ingrown toenails are a common nail problem. The great toenails are particularly vulnerable. Improper nail trimming, tight shoes, or poor posture can cause a corner of the nail to curve downward into the skin. Ingrown nails can be painful and sometimes even lead to infection. Seek treatment for the condition rather than attempting to cut away the nail yourself, as infection may result.
A disruption of blood vessels in the nail bed can cause fine, splinter-like vertical lines to appear under the nail plate. Splinter hemorrhages are caused by injury to the nail or by certain drugs and diseases. However, trauma is the most common cause. Splinter hemorrhages resolve spontaneously.
A fungal infection of the nail occurs when fungi infect one or more of your nails. Onychomycosis (on-i-ko-mi-KO-sis) usually begins as a white or yellow spot under the tip of your fingernail or toenail. As the fungal infection spreads deeper into your nail, it may cause your nail to discolor, thicken and develop crumbling edges—an unsightly and potentially painful problem. Nail fungal infections account for about half of all nail disorders. They usually develop on nails continually exposed to warm, moist environments, such as sweaty shoes or shower floors. The infection isn’t the same as athlete’s foot, which primarily affects the skin of the feet.
Are viral infections that affect the skin surrounding or underneath the nail and can be found near any portion of the nail unit. The nail plate can change shape or be destroyed as a result of the tumor or wart growth. They are painful and can sometimes cause limited use of the affected finger or toe. Treatment of warts usually involves freezing or chemical application for removal.
Is a bacterial infection of the nail fold? The proximal and lateral nail folds act as a barrier, or seal, between the nail plate and the surrounding tissue. If a tear or a break occurs in this seal, the bacterium can easily enter. This type of infection is characterized by pain, redness and swelling of the nail folds. People who have their hands in water for extended periods may develop this condition, and it is highly contagious.
Can occur between the natural nail plate and the nail bed, and/or between an artificial nail coating and the natural nail plate. The ‘green’ discoloration is commonly seen. The darker the discoloration, the deeper into the nail plate layers the bacteria has traveled. The nail plate might lift from the nail bed.
Is a systemic dermatologic disease. When it attacks the nail plate, it will leave it pitted, dry, and it will often crumble. The plate may separate from the nail bed and may also appear red, orange or brown, with red spots in the Lunula. Do not attempt salon treatments on a client with Nail Psoriasis. Consult with a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
That’s a hard habit to break and is a common problem, especially among young children. While the habit typically disappears with age, it has been linked to anxiety with older children and adults. Not only does nail biting ruin the look of the nails, it is also a good way to transfer infectious organisms from the fingers to the mouth and vice versa. Nail biting can also damage the skin surrounding the nails, allowing infections to enter and spread. How can one break the habit? Many people are cured by applying bad tasting nail polishes or liquids to the nail.
Is characterized by a thickened nail plate that curves inward, pinching the nail bed and sometimes requires surgical intervention to relieve the pain. It is often the result of advanced age, trauma, fungal infection, and diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
This condition can be detected when the growth of the nail is very slow and the free edge of the nail is not visible even the luster on the nail is missing. Nails sometimes shed entirely. This takes place due to a major injury or a disease in which the matrix is damaged.
Is a bacterial infection of the nail fold? The proximal and lateral nail folds act as a barrier, or seal, between the nail plate and the surrounding tissue. If a tear or a break occurs in this seal, the bacterium can easily enter. This type of infection is characterized by pain, redness and swelling of the nail folds. People who have their hands in water for extended periods may develop this condition, and it is highly contagious.
Can occur between the natural nail plate and the nail bed, and/or between an artificial nail coating and the natural nail plate. The ‘green’ discoloration is commonly seen. The darker the discoloration, the deeper into the nail plate layers the bacteria has traveled. The nail plate might lift from the nail bed.
Is a systemic dermatologic disease. When it attacks the nail plate, it will leave it pitted, dry, and it will often crumble. The plate may separate from the nail bed and may also appear red, orange or brown, with red spots in the Lunula. Do not attempt salon treatments on a client with Nail Psoriasis. Consult with a dermatologist for diagnosis and treatment.
That’s a hard habit to break and is a common problem, especially among young children. While the habit typically disappears with age, it has been linked to anxiety with older children and adults. Not only does nail biting ruin the look of the nails, it is also a good way to transfer infectious organisms from the fingers to the mouth and vice versa. Nail biting can also damage the skin surrounding the nails, allowing infections to enter and spread. How can one break the habit? Many people are cured by applying bad tasting nail polishes or liquids to the nail.
Is characterized by a thickened nail plate that curves inward, pinching the nail bed and sometimes requires surgical intervention to relieve the pain. It is often the result of advanced age, trauma, fungal infection, and diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
This condition can be detected when the growth of the nail is very slow and the free edge of the nail is not visible even the luster on the nail is missing. Nails sometimes shed entirely. This takes place due to a major injury or a disease in which the matrix is damaged.
Is evidenced by over-thickening of the nail plate and is usually seen in advanced age, trauma, fungal infection, diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
When the nail matrix is suffered by a serious disorder it produces a low quality nail that appears later, when the nail grows outwards. It is seen as a horizontal line of darkened cells and linear depression. This disorder can be caused by trauma, illness, malnutrition, major metabolic condition, chemotherapy or other damaging event, interrupting the protein formation of the nail plate, resulting in a low quality nail. It resolves as the nail continues to grow out, as the causative agent does no longer exist.
Is usually caused through iron deficiency anemia. These nails show raised ridges and are thin and concave. Seek a physician advice and treatment.
Are vertical pigmented bands, often described as nail ‘moles’, which usually form in the nail matrix because of increased number and activity of pigmenting cells. Seek a physician. It could signify a malignant melanoma or lesion. Dark streaks may be a normal occurrence in dark-skinned individuals, and are fairly common.
The nail bed bleeds because of trauma to the nail plate, and the blood is trapped between the nail bed and the nail plate. Hematoma may result in nail plate separation and infection because the blood can attract fungi and bacteria. If several days have passed and the blood clot becomes painful, the nail plate may require removal so the nail bed can be cleansed.
Is evidenced by over-thickening of the nail plate and is usually seen in advanced age, trauma, fungal infection, diseases such as diabetes mellitus.
When the nail matrix is suffered by a serious disorder it produces a low quality nail that appears later, when the nail grows outwards. It is seen as a horizontal line of darkened cells and linear depression. This disorder can be caused by trauma, illness, malnutrition, major metabolic condition, chemotherapy or other damaging event, interrupting the protein formation of the nail plate, resulting in a low quality nail. It resolves as the nail continues to grow out, as the causative agent does no longer exist.
Is usually caused through iron deficiency anemia. These nails show raised ridges and are thin and concave. Seek a physician advice and treatment.
Are vertical pigmented bands, often described as nail ‘moles’, which usually form in the nail matrix because of increased number and activity of pigmenting cells. Seek a physician. It could signify a malignant melanoma or lesion. Dark streaks may be a normal occurrence in dark-skinned individuals, and are fairly common.
The nail bed bleeds because of trauma to the nail plate, and the blood is trapped between the nail bed and the nail plate. Hematoma may result in nail plate separation and infection because the blood can attract fungi and bacteria. If several days have passed and the blood clot becomes painful, the nail plate may require removal so the nail bed can be cleansed.
