CONDITIONS
NAIL DISORDERS
What are nail disorders?
Healthy nails are smooth and have a consistent colour. When the fingernails or toenails don’t grow properly, or their appearance isn’t normal, this may indicate a nail disorder. Abnormalities such as spots, discolouration and nail separation may result from injuries to the fingers and hands such as viral warts, infections and some medication like the ones used for chemotherapy.
Types of nail disorders:
- Beau’s lines
Depressions that run across your fingernails are called beau’s lines. These may be an indication of malnourishment, zinc deficiency, uncontrolled diabetes, scarlet fever and peripheral vascular disease. - Fungal nail infection (Onychomycosis)
Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the fingernails or the toenails by forms of fungi or yeast. The fungus grows under the growing portion of the nail and then spreads up to the finger. This may cause discolouration, flaking and thickening of the nail. Fungal nails may appear brittle, broken and lifted or separated from the nail bed. - Nail lifting (Onycholysis)
Onycholysis is a nail disorder where the fingernail or toenail is loose or separate from its nail bed. - Nail splitting (Onychoschizia)
Onychoschizia is a condition which causes splits within the nail due to excessively wetting and drying the hands, overuse of nail cosmetics such as manicure and pedicure, injury, skin diseases such as psoriasis, and medical problems such as endocrine diseases and malnutrition. - Bacterial nail infection (Paronychia)
Paronychia is a bacterial infection of the skin around your fingernails and toenails. This may cause redness around your nail, tenderness of the skin around your nail, pus-filled blisters and may change the shape, colour and texture of your nail.
What are the possible treatment options?
Treatment for nail disorders depends on what type of nail disorder you have and its underlying condition.
- Beau’s lines
Treatment for beau’s line depends on the underlying condition. If you have eczema, Dr Ndongeni may prescribe ointments to treat eczema first. If you have low levels of minerals, he may advise that you adjust your diet or take supplements to boost your levels. - Fungal nail infection or Onychomycosis
To treat fungal nail infections, Dr Ndongeni may prescribe oral antifungal drugs to clear the infections, antifungal nail polish to apply on the infected nail and surrounding skin and medicated antifungal nail cream to rub on your infected nail. - Nail lifting or Onycholysis
Treatment depends on the underlying condition. If your fingernails are affected by psoriasis, Dr Ndongeni will first treat psoriasis with topical vitamin D or corticosteroids. - Nail splitting or Onychoschizia
If eczema or psoriasis is the cause of your nail splitting, the dermatologist may recommend injecting, orally taking or applying topical corticosteroids to reduce the underlying cause of inflammation. Dr Ndongeni may also inject steroids directly into your nails to improve your nail’s appearance. - Bacterial nail infection or Paronychia
Dr Ndongeni may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection and medicated nail cream to apply on your infected nail.
Treatment for nail disorders varies from one patient to the next, depending on the cause, which may be due to trauma, infections or the use of certain medications.
Yes, some nail disorders can cause pain.
Nail disorders aren't significant and can be easily remedied in most circumstances.
Nail damage can be prevented through various actions. These actions can include not removing hangnails and not biting your nails, among numerous other actions.
