Common nail disorders and their causes include:
1-Nail fungal infections (Onychomycosis)
Cause: Fungi such as dermatophytes, yeasts, and molds infect nails, often due to trapped fungi beneath a cracked nail. Risk factors include nail trauma, athlete’s foot, sweaty feet, and immunosuppression.
Symptoms: Thickened, discolored, brittle, or cracked nails.
Treatment: Antifungal medications or nail removal in severe cases.
2-Paronychia
Cause: Infection around the nail fold due to trauma, irritation, or allergens. It can be acute (often bacterial) or chronic (frequent exposure to irritants).
Symptoms: Redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes pus around the nail edges.
Treatment: Hygiene, antibiotics, or antifungal treatment depending on cause.
3-Brittle Nail Syndrome
Cause: Aging, frequent hand washing, chemical exposure, infections, or inflammatory diseases.
Symptoms: Nail splitting, peeling, and fragility.
Treatment: Protect nails from trauma and hydration; treat underlying causes.
4-Nail Psoriasis
Cause: Autoimmune disorder causes changes in nail color, thickness, pitting, and deformities.
Symptoms: Nail pitting, rough surface, discoloration.
Treatment: Medications targeting psoriasis systemically or topically.
5-Ingrown Toenails
Cause: Nail growing into the skin often caused by improper trimming, tight shoes, or injury.
Symptoms: Pain, redness, swelling, possible infection.
Treatment: Proper nail care, sometimes surgery.
6-Onycholysis
Cause: Separation of nail from the nail bed due to trauma, infections, psoriasis, allergic reactions, or overexposure to water.
Symptoms: Nail discoloration and detachment.
Treatment: Depends on underlying cause, avoid irritants.
7-Beau’s Lines
Cause: Transverse depressions on nails caused by systemic illness, trauma, or medications.
Symptoms: Lines or grooves across nails.
Treatment: Address underlying conditions.
Additional disorders include yellow nail syndrome, hangnails, clubbing, and other structural or infectious conditions affecting the nails.
These nail disorders often reflect both local and systemic health issues, and treatment depends largely on the cause and severity. Consulting healthcare professionals is recommended for diagnosis and management.
