| A nail disorder is a condition caused by injury to the nail | | | | been bitten enough to become deformed. This |
| or disease or imbalance in the body. Most, if not all, of | | | | condition can be greatly improved by regular |
| you have had some type of common nail disorder. | | | | manicures or artificial nails. It is not realistic to tell a nail |
| When in doubt, please see your physician for the | | | | biter to come back for artificial nails after they have |
| proper diagnosis. Distorted, discoloured or otherwise | | | | grown a free edge. Artificial nails can help this person |
| unsightly 'abnormal' fingernails and toenails are very | | | | break the biting habit. There are also nail biting topically |
| common problems experienced by people of all ages | | | | applied remedies available. |
| in the community. Damage to the nail may be caused | | | | Leukonychia - Is a condition in which white spots |
| by an injury, fungal disease, or other skin conditions | | | | appear on the nails. It is caused by air bubbles, a bruise |
| such as psoriasis or eczema. The nail unit is made up | | | | or other injury to the nail. |
| of several components which form, support, protect | | | | Leukonchia can not be corrected but it will grow out. |
| and frame the nail itself. These include the nail matrix, | | | | Furrows - Also known as corrugations, are long ridges |
| the nail plate, the cuticle, the nail bed and nail folds. The | | | | that run either lengthwise or across the nail. Some |
| nail unit protects fingertips, enhances fine touch and is | | | | lengthwise ridges are normal in adults. |
| important as a cosmetic structure. | | | | These ridges increase with age and can also be |
| Types of Nail Disorders | | | | caused by psoriasis, poor circulation and frostbite. |
| Paronychia infections - of the nail fold can be caused | | | | Ridges that run across the nail are caused by high |
| by bacteria, fungi and some viruses. The proximal and | | | | fevers, pregnancy & measles. |
| lateral nail folds act as a barrier, or seal, between the | | | | Yellow nail syndrome: - Slow growing, excessively |
| nail plate and the surrounding tissue. If a tear or a | | | | curved and thickened yellow nails which are |
| break occurs in this seal, the bacterium can easily | | | | associated with peripheral lymphoedema and |
| enter. this type of infection is characterized by pain, | | | | exudative pleural effusions. |
| redness and swelling of the nail folds. If the bacteria | | | | Paronychia is inflammation of the tissue around the |
| has entered between the nail plate and the nail bed, it | | | | finger nail, with pus accumulating between the cuticle |
| will cause the same discolorations and may also cause | | | | and the nail matrix. The area may become swollen, red |
| the nail plate to lift from the nail bed. | | | | and tender. |
| Pseudomonas bacterium - trapped between the nail | | | | Treatment and Diagnosis of Nail Disorders |
| plate and the nail bed. | | | | Nail disorders diagnosis is by inspection. Early treatment |
| A fungal or yeast infection which results in | | | | is warm compresses or soaks and an |
| Onychomycosis, can invade through a tear in the | | | | antistaphylococcal antibiotic. Other treatment ptions |
| proximal and lateral nail folds as well as the | | | | include: |
| eponychium. This type of infection is characterized by | | | | Eliminate potential food allergens, including dairy, wheat |
| onycholysis (nail plate separation) with evident debris | | | | (gluten), corn, preservatives, and food additives. Your |
| under the nail plate. It normally appears white or | | | | health care provider may want to test for food |
| yellowish in color, and may also change the texture | | | | sensitivities. |
| and shape of the nail. The fungus digests the keratin | | | | Eat calcium rich foods, including beans, almonds, and |
| protein of which the nail plate is comprised. | | | | dark green leafy vegetables (such as spinach and |
| Leuconychia is evident as white lines or spots in the | | | | kale). |
| nail plate and may be caused by tiny bubbles of air | | | | Eat antioxidant foods, including fruits (such as |
| that are trapped in the nail plate layers due to trauma. | | | | blueberries, cherries, and tomatoes), and vegetables |
| This condition may be hereditary and no treatment is | | | | (such as squash and bell peppers). |
| required as the spots will grow out with the nail plate. | | | | Avoid refined foods such as white breads, pastas, and |
| Koilonychia is usually caused through iron deficiency | | | | sugar. |
| anemia. these nails show raised ridges and are thin and | | | | Eat fewer red meats and more lean meats, |
| concave. Seek a physicians advice and treatment. | | | | cold-water fish, tofu (soy) or beans for protein. |
| Melanonychia are vertical pigmented bands, often | | | | Green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) standardized extract, |
| described as nail 'moles', which usually form in the nail | | | | 250 - 500 mg daily, for inflammation and antibacterial |
| matrix. Seek a physicians care should you suddenly | | | | or antifungal effects. You may also prepare teas from |
| see this change in the nail plate. It could signify a | | | | the leaf of this herb. |
| malignant melanoma or lesion. Dark streaks may be a | | | | Cat's claw ( Uncaria tomentosa ) standardized extract, |
| normal occurrence in dark-skinned individuals, and are | | | | 20 mg three times a day, for antibacterial or antifungal |
| fairly common. | | | | effects. |
| Onychophagy - Is the medical term for nails that have | | | | |