Download NAIL CONDITIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS BRITTLE NAILS This

NAIL CONDITIONS AND CHARACTERISTICS
BRITTLE NAILS
This is a condition in which the nail plate is so hard that mechanical trauma to the nail will cause
the free edge to snap or shatter. Most often seen in middle aged and older people because the
nail plate generally becomes thicker and more brittle with age.
BRUISED NAILS
Bruised nails are dark purplish spots of congealed blood beneath the nail plate. This is normally
caused by an injury to the nail bed. Sometimes a bruised nail will fall off during the healing
process. Bruised nails should be avoided.
DISCOLOURED NAILS
The most common causes of a yellow nail are fungal nail infections or nail psoriasis.
Green-black nails can be caused by overgrowth of bacteria called pseudomonas, especially
under loose nails.
Grey nails can be caused by medication
Brown nails can sometimes be caused by thyroid disease, pregnancy, malnutrition and frequent
use of nail varnish without applying a base coat
If the discolouration looks like a drop of oil under the nail plate or is the colour of
salmon, you may have the skin condition psoriasis
Fingernails that are half white and half brown (brown near the tips) can be a sign of kidney
failure, where the kidneys stop working properly.
CIBTAC ©
1
V1.1 26/03/13
DRY NAILS
Mainly caused by everyday activities such as washing dishes and using harsh cleaning products
LOSS OF SKIN SENSATION
Numbness of the skin, also known as paresthesia or sensory loss, can occur anywhere on the
body but the most common parts are the fingers, hands, toes and feet. It may be caused by
several reasons which include diabetes, circulatory problems, extreme temperatures, injuries,
nerve disorders and stress.
WEAK NAILS
Weak fingernails are prone to breakage, peeling, and slow growth. Some of the major causes of
fragile nails include frequent wetting of nails, increased dryness, nutrient deficiencies, aging,
hormonal imbalance, and some underlying health conditions.
SEPSIS
The presence of bacteria (bacteremia), other infectious organisms, or toxins created by
infectious organisms in the bloodstream with spread throughout the body. Sepsis may be
associated with clinical symptoms of systemic illness, such as fever, chills, malaise, low blood
pressure, and mental-status changes. Sepsis can be a serious situation, a life-threatening
condition that requires urgent and comprehensive care. Treatment depends on the type of
infection but usually begins with antibiotics or similar medications. Also known as blood
poisoning and septicemia.
VERTICAL RIDGES
Vertical nail ridges are fairly common and nothing to worry about.
Vertical nail ridges extend from the cuticle to the tip of the nail. Vertical nail ridges often become
more numerous or prominent with age, possibly due to variations in cell turnover within the nail.
TRANSVERSE RIDGES
Horizontal nail ridges may indicate the presence of an underlying illness or medical condition,
although this is not always the case. Horizontal nail ridges run from one side of the nail
lengthwise across to the other side. One special type of horizontal nail ridge that may indicate
underlying illness is called Beau's lines.
BEAU’S LINES
Beau's lines are horizontal shallow or deep ridges across the nail plate. These lines can occur
after illness, injury to the nail, drugs, pregnancy, psoriasis, dermatitis, paronychia, false nails or
excessive dieting.
CIBTAC ©
2
V1.1 26/03/13
BLUE NAIL
Blue nail is when there is a bluish tinge to the colouring around the Lunula. This is caused by a
lack of oxygen in the bloodstream, usually resulting from poor circulation or heart disease.
HANG NAILS
A hangnail is a small, torn piece of skin next to a fingernail or toenail. Hangnails are usually
caused by dry skin, nail biting, and may be prevented with proper moisturisation and regular
manicures.
KOILONYCHIA (spoon nails)
These are flat or spoon shaped nails, often thin and soft. Can be caused by iron deficiency,
anaemia, excessive exposure to oils and soaps or even congenital.
CIBTAC ©
3
V1.1 26/03/13
LAMELLAR DYSTROPHY
Lamellar dystrophy also called onychoschizia is the splitting or peeling of the fingernail due to
too much moisture or other causes. The symptoms of lamellar dystrophy entails breakable,
splitting nails that are either very dry or soft and flimsy.
LEUCONYCHIA
These are white spots or lines within the nail plate. Cause could be trauma to the nail plate.
ONYCHATROPHIA (atrophy)
These are thin fragile nails which split easily, loose shine, smell and separate. Caused by an
injury to the matrix or a systemic problem (e.g. poor circulation, diabetes or chronic infection)
CIBTAC ©
4
V1.1 26/03/13
ONYCHAUXIS (hypertrophy)
This is a thickening or overgrowth of the nail plate. Caused by Psoriasis, trauma, fungal
infection, old age and pressure on the nail (especially on the toes)
ONYCHIA
Onychia is an inflammation of the nail folds (surrounding tissue of the nail plate) of the nail with
formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic
pathogens through small wounds.
ONYCHOMYCOSIS (tinea ungium)
Tinea unguium is also known as the ringworm of the nail. It is a common disease of the nail that
causes thickening and yellowish appearance of the nails. The affected nail becomes crumbly
and can separate off from the nail bed. The cause of this condition is a fungal pathogen like
Candida and nondermatophytic molds like Trichophyton rubrum.
CIBTAC ©
5
V1.1 26/03/13
ONYCHOCRYPTOSIS (unguis incarnates, ingrowing nail)
Can affect either the fingers or the toes. In this condition, the nail cuts into one or both sides of
the nail bed, resulting in inflammation and possibly infection. The relative rarity of this condition
in the fingers suggests that pressure from the ground or shoe against the toe is a prime factor.
The movements involved in walking or other physical disturbances can contribute to the
problem. Mild onychocryptosis, particularly in the absence of infection, can be treated by a
Chiropodist or Podiatrist. More advanced cases, which usually include infection, are treated by
surgically excising the ingrowing portion of the nail down to its bony origin and thermally or
chemically cauterizing the matrix, or 'root', to prevent recurrence.
ONYCHOGRYPHOSIS
When there is increase as well as thickening of the curvature of the nail, it leads to a condition
called onychogryposis. The nails appear like a ram's horn or like an animal's claws. This
condition occurs due to a trauma or presence of a peripheral vascular disorder. It also affects
people who neglect cutting of nails for long periods.
CIBTAC ©
6
V1.1 26/03/13
ONYCHOCHOLYSIS
This is the lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed. Can be caused by fungal or bacterial
infection or trauma.
ONYCHOPHAGY
This is caused by severe biting of the nails.
ONYCHOPTOSIS
This is the periodic shedding of one or more nails, in whole or part. This condition may follow
certain diseases such as syphilis, or can result from fever, trauma, systemic upsets or adverse
reaction to drugs.
CIBTAC ©
7
V1.1 26/03/13
ONYCHORRHEXIS
The nails become brittle and begin to split vertically or form vertical ridges. Onychorrhexis may
be a hereditary condition or as a result of reaction with household cleaning solutions. This
condition can be treated using paraffin oil that helps in rehydrating the nails.
PARONYCHIA (whitlow)
This is a bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet. The skin typically presents
as red and hot. These infections can be painful. Pus is usually present, along with gradual
thickening and browning discoloration of the nail plate. Acute paronychia is usually caused by
bacteria. Paronychia is often treated with antibiotics, either topical or oral. Chronic paronychia is
most often caused by a yeast infection of the soft tissues around the nail but can also be traced
to a bacterial infection. If the infection is continuous, the cause is often fungal and needs
antifungal cream or paint to be treated.
CIBTAC ©
8
V1.1 26/03/13
PITTING
Nail pitting is small depressions in the nails. Nail pitting is most common in people who have
psoriasis — a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin. Nail pitting can also be
related to connective tissue disorders, such as Reiter's syndrome, and alopecia areata — an
autoimmune disease that causes hair loss.
PTERYGIUM
Pterygium is the inward advance of skin over the nail plate. Usually the result of trauma to the
matrix.
CIBTAC ©
9
V1.1 26/03/13