Nail changes: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 13:39, 8 August 2012
Template:DiseaseDisorder infobox Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]
Synonyms and keywords: nail abnormality; nail disorders; nail signs
Overview
Nail diseases are distinct from diseases of the skin. Although nails are a skin appendage, they have their own signs and symptoms which may relate to other medical conditions. Nail conditions that show signs of infection or inflammation require medical assistance and cannot be treated at a beauty parlor. Deformity or disease of the nails may be referred to as onychosis.
Classification Scheme
Acrocyanosis
Doctor definition: Acrocyanosis is a persistent blue or cyanotic discoloration of the digits.
Patient definition: Acrocyanosis is a blue discoloration (cyanosis) of the fingers and the fingernails.
Beau's lines
Doctor definition: Beau's lines are deep grooved lines that run from side to side on the fingernail.
Patient definition: Beau's lines are deep grooved lines that run from side to side on the fingernail.
Bowen's disease
Doctor definition: Bowen's disease is a sunlight induced skin disease considered either as an early stage or intraepidermal form of squamous cell carcinoma.
Patient definition: Bowen's disease is a sunlight induced skin disease considered an early stage for of skin cancer.
Digital clubbing
Doctor definition: Digital clubbing is a deformity of the fingers and fingernails that is associated with a number of diseases, mostly of the heart and lungs.
Patient definition: Digital clubbing is a deformity of the fingers and fingernails that is associated with a number of diseases, mostly of the heart and lungs.
Half and half nails
Doctor definition: Half and half nails refer to a change in the appearance of the nails due to internal diseases and nutritional deficits.
Patient definition Half and half nails refer to a change in the appearance of the nails due to internal diseases and nutritional deficits.
Koilonychia
Doctor definition: Koilonychia refers to nails (usually of the hand) which have lost their convexity, becoming flat or even concave in shape.
Patient defintion: Koilonychia literally means spoon nails. It is when your nails become flat or sunken in.
Leukonychia
Doctor definition: Leukonychia is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails.
Patient defintion: Leukonychia is a medical term for white discoloration appearing on nails.
Mee's lines
Doctor definition: Mees' lines are lines of discoloration across the nails of the fingers and toes after an episode of poisoning with arsenic or thallium or other heavy metals.
Patient definition: Mees' lines are lines of discoloration across the nails of the fingers and toes after an episode of poisoning with arsenic or thallium or other heavy metals.
Muehrcke's lines
Doctor definition: Muehrcke's lines are white lines across the nail associated with hypoalbuminemia.
Patient definition: Muehrcke's lines are white lines across the nail associated with low levels of the most abundant blood protein (albumin).
Onychomadesis
Doctor definition: Onychomadesis is a periodic idiopathic shedding of the nails beginning at its proximal end.
Patient definition: Onychomadesis is a periodic, spontaneous shedding of the nails beginning at the end closer to the finger.
Onychia
Doctor definition: Onychia is an inflammation of the matrix of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail.
Patient definition: Onychia is an inflammation of the surrounding tissue (matrix) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail.
Onychocryptosis
Doctor definition: Onychocryptosis is a painful condition in which the nail grows or cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed.
Patient defintion: Onychocryptosis is a painful condition in which the nail grows or cuts into one or both sides of the nail bed.
Onychodystrophy
Doctor definition: Onychodystrophy is a deformation of the nails that can result from cancer chemotherapy which includes bleomycin, hydroxyurea, or 5-fluorouracil.
Patient definition: Onychodystrophy is a deformation of the nails that can result from certain cancer drugs (bleomycin, hydroxyurea, or 5-fluorouracil).
Onychogryphosis
Doctor definition: Onychogryposis, also called "ram's-horn nail", is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail.
Patient definition: Onychogryposis, also called "ram's-horn nail", is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail.
Onycholysis
Doctor definition: 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.
Patient definition: 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 crescent-shaped whitish area of the bed of a fingernail or toenail.
Onychomycosis
Doctor definition: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails.
Patient definition: Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails.
Paronychia
Doctor defintion: Paronychia is an often tender bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet at the side or the base of a finger or toenail.
Patient definition: Paronychia is an often tender infection where the nail and skin meet at the side or the base of a finger or toenail.
Psoriatic nails
Doctor definition: Psoriatic nails is a common nail disease associated with people who have psoriasis.
Patient definition: Psoriatic nails is a common nail disease associated with people who have a scaly skin rash (psoriasis).
Splinter hemorrhage
Doctor defintion: Splinter hemorrhages are tiny lines that run vertically under the nails.
Patient definition: Splinter hemorrhages are tiny lines that run vertically under the nails.
Subungual hematoma
Doctor definition: A subungal hematoma is a hematoma underneath a toenail or fingernail which often results from a traumatic injury such as slamming a finger in a door.
Patient definition: A subungal hematoma is a collection of blood underneath a toenail or fingernail which often results from a traumatic injury such as slamming a finger in a door.
Yellow nail syndrome
Doctor definition: Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis).
Patient definition: Yellow nail syndrome is characterized by yellow nails that lack a cuticle, grow slowly, and are loose or detached (onycholysis).
Nail discoloration
Nail pitting
Onychorrhexis
Pachyonychia
Platonychia
Ridged nails
Subungual hyperkeratosis
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A normal nail
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Normal fingernails
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Normal toenails
Diseases
- Onychophosis is a growth of horny epithelium in the nail.
- Onychoptosis 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.
Associated Conditions with Nail Changes
Nail inspection can give a great deal of information about the internal working of the body as well, and like tongue or iris inspection, has a long history of diagnostic use in traditional medical practices such as Chinese medicine.
Pliability:
- Brittleness is associated with iron deficiency, thyroid problems,[1] impaired kidney function, circulation problems, and biotin deficiency[2]
- Splitting and fraying are associated with psoriasis and deficiencies of folic acid, protein and Vitamin C.
- Unusual thickness is associated with circulation problems.
- Thinning nails and itchy skin are associated with lichen planus[3].
Shape and texture:
- Flatness can indicate a B12 vitamin deficiency[3] or Raynaud's disease[4]
- Ridges across the nail indicate stress.
- Ridges along the nail are associated with arthritis[2].
- Grooves along the nail are associated with kidney disorders, aging, and iron deficiency[2].
- Beading is associated with rheumatoid arthritis[2].
- Nails that resemble hammered brass are associated with (or portend) hair loss[3].
- Short small beds are associated with heart disease.
Coloration of the nail bed:
- White lines across the nail are associated with heart disease, liver disease, or a history of a recent high fever[3].
- Opaque white nails with a dark band at the fingertip are associated with cancer, cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, diabetes and aging[3].
- Paleness or whitening is associated with liver or kidney disease and anemia[3].
- Yellowing of the nail bed is associated with chronic bronchitis, lymphatic problems, diabetes, and liver disorders.
- Brown or copper nail beds are associated with arsenic or copper poisoning, and local fungal infection.
- Grey nail beds are associated with arthritis, edema, malnutrition, post-operative effects, glaucoma and cardio-pulmonary disease.
- Redness is associated with heart conditions.
- Dark nails are associated with B12 deficiency.
- Stains of the nail plate (not the nail bed) are associated with nail polish[2], smoking, and henna use.
Markings:
- Pink and white nails are associated with kidney disease[3].
- Red skin at the base of the nail is associated with connective tissue disorders[3].
- Blue lunulae are associated with silver poisoning or lung disorder[3].
- Blue nail beds are (much like blue skin) associated with poor oxygenation of the blood (asthma, emphysema, etc)[3].
- Small white patches are associated with zinc or calcium deficiency or malabsorption, parasites, or local injury[4].
- Receded lunulae (fewer than 8) are associated with poor circulation[4], shallow breathing habits or thyroid mysfunction[3].
- Large lunulae (more than 25% of the thumb nail) are associated with high blood pressure.
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
- History of psoriasis
- Family history
- Occupational history
- Hobbies
Laboratory Studies
- Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS)
- Fungal cultures
- Bacterial cultures
Other Diagnostic Studies
- Nail matrix biopsy
- Possible dermatology referral
Differential Diagnosis of Causes of Nail changes
Blue discoloration
Brown-black discoloration
Green-black discoloration
Pitted Nails
Pinpoint depressions in the nails
Yellow nails
Yellow-greenish discoloration of the nails (some or all) with subsequent onycholysis
- Congenital hypoplasia / dysplasia of peripheral lymph vessels
- Diseases of the bronchial tubes
- Diseases of the paranasal sinuses
- Smoker's fingers
Pathological Findings
-
Trophic Changes: Gross natural color distorted nails and thick skin typical of chronic ischemia
-
Renal failure, chronic with nail changes; half and half nails. Left hand more typical. Unusual asymmetrical
-
Hydroxyurea Nails; Nail changes associated with Hydroxyurea therapy in a patient with essential thrombocythemia.
-
Nail disease, brown banding
-
Nail disease, secondary to psoriasis
-
Paronychia due to Candida; nail diseases
-
Nail disease; white banding
-
Nail changes in Scleroderma. Posterior nail fold.
-
This is a subungual radial growth phase of acral-lentiginous type with two amelanotic vertical growth phase tumor nodules. Radial growth phase is just beginning to grow onto the cuticle of the nail, displaying a subtle example of "Hutchinson's sign."
-
Tuberous sclerosis; Subungual fibroma; Beneath the Left Index Nail
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Tuberous sclerosis, Periungual Fibroma; Lateral Side of Left Great Toe Nail
-
Traumatic nail changes
-
Secondary atherosclerosis caused nail disorders.
-
Onychomycosis
-
Splitting
-
Nail changes secondary to wart.
-
Onycholysis
-
Herpes simplex caused nail disease.
-
Nail changes is Lichen planus
-
Skin carcinoma
Treatment
Acute Pharmacotherapies
- Systemic antifungals
- Intralesional steroids
- Topical paint-on ciclopirox
- Systemic antipsoriatic therapies