Nail diseases
- This article should be merged with diseases of the nails
Finger- and toenails are susceptible to a variety of diseases. Any disease that shows symptoms of infection or inflammation requires medical assistance and cannot be treated at a beauty parlor. Any deformity or disease of the nails is called onychosis.
- Onychia is an inflammation of the matrix (surrounding tissue) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds.
- Onychocryptosis, commonly known as "ingrown nail", can affect both the fingers and the toes. In this condition, the nail cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed. The movements involved in walking, or other disturbances, can contribute to the problem. Mild onychocryptosis, particularly in the absence of infection, can be treated by trimming and rounding the nail. More advanced cases, which usually become infected, are treated by surgically excising the ingrowing portion of the nail down to its bony origin and cauterizing the "root" to prevent recurrences.
- Onychogryposis, also called "ram's-horn nail", is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail. It is usually the result of injury to the matrix. It may be partially hereditary and can also occur as a result of long-term neglect. It is most commonly seen in the great toe but may be seen in other toes as well as the fingernails. An affected nail has many grooves and ridges, is brownish in color, and grows more quickly on one side than on the other. The thick curved nail is difficult to cut, and often remains untrimmed, exacerbating the problem.
- Onycholysis is a loosening of the exposed portion of the nail from the nail bed, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing to the lunula. It is frequently associated with an internal disorder, trauma, infection, nail fungi, allergy to nail enhancement products, or side effects of drugs.
- Onychomadesis is the separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed. Common causes include localized infection, minor injury to the matrix bed, or severe systemic illness. It is sometimes a side effect of chemotherapy or x-ray treatments for cancer. A new nail plate will form once the cause of the disease is removed.
- Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail, which often follows from a case of simple athlete's foot. It is best treated by powerful oral medications, but sometimes responds to a combination of topical medication and periodic filing of the nail surface.
- Onychophosis is a growth of horny epithelium in the nail.
- Onychoptosis is the periodic sheddng 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.
- Paronychia is a bacterial infection of the tissues surrounding the nail. Pus is usually present, along with gradual thickening and browning discoloration of the nail plate. Paronychia around the entire nail is sometimes referred to as runaround paronychia. 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. Individuals who work with their hands in water, such as health care workers and food processors, are quite prone to this type of infection.
- Subungual hematoma occurs when trauma to the nail results in a collection of blood, or hematoma, under the nail. It may result from an acute injury or from repeated minor trauma such as running in undersized shoes. Acute subungual hematomas are quite painful, and usually are treated by releasing the blood via a hole drilled in the nail.
- Tinea unguium is a contagious infection of the nails caused by the same fungal organisms which cause ringworm of the skin. When it occurs on the foot, it is known as tinea pedis, or "athlete's foot".
