Your nails aren't just for looking good and showing off the colour of the moment— they can also tell you a lot about your overall health. In this post, we’ll explore common nail diseases and disorders, what causes them and how to spot them.
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Nails are made of keratin and reflect internal health (just like hair and skin).
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Early signs of illness or nutritional deficiency can show up in your nails first.
Always remember, we are not doctors! We do not have to diagnose a client with any nail diseases or disorders. We have to know when it safe to carry out a treatment or when our client should seek medical help first.
ONYCHOLYSIS- A nail disorder that occurs when the nail plate separates from the nail bed.
Symptoms: a person experiencing onycholysis may notice that the nail will start to lift away and peel upward away from the security of the nail bed. This may be uncomfortable but is usually not painful. The affected nail may become discoloured with a yellow, green, purple, white or grey hue, depending on the cause of the onycholysis.
Causes: the first step in treating onycholysis is to determine what is causing the nail to lift from the nail. Treating the correct condition will allow the nail to heal and reattach to the new skin as it grows out.
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Injuries may not require much additional treatment. However, if the skin is open or is cut, it is important to keep the area clean, dry, and prevent infection from occurring. Take care not to clean under the nail, as the water may push bacteria or fungus deeper under the nail and cause even further problems.
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Fungal infections require antifungal medication to heal the underlying infection. Typically, fungus medication is administered through medicated creams and ointment applied near or on the nail. Also a tea tree oil has natural antifungal properties and might mean a person does not have to seek further treatment.
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Thyroid issues can cause onycholysis and often require medication to help the thyroid regulate hormone production.
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Vitamin and mineral deficiencies are often treated with dietary changes. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe or recommend supplements. A person with brittle or detaching nails may be required to take iron supplements to help the nails regain strength.
GREEN NAIL SYNDROME (GNS) is a common bacterial nail infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. It leads to a greenish discoloration of the nail plate.
Causes: Pseudomonas bacteria are found in soil, water, and even on our skin. They thrive in moist environments, so anyone with nails frequently exposed to water is more at risk.
Two main risk factors include:
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Onycholysis (when the nail lifts or separates from the nail bed), which allows moisture and debris to collect underneath the nail — the perfect spot for bacteria to grow.
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Artificial nails, especially if applied without proper cleaning and disinfection. Trapped moisture under fake nails creates an environment where bacteria can multiply.
Paronychia is a nail disease that can often present as a tender infection, on the hand or foot where the nail and skin meet at the sidewalls, or at the base of the fingernail or toenail near the cuticles.
Symptoms: usually develop over several hours or days, and sometimes take even longer. Symptoms appear where the nail meets the skin, around the proximal nail fold and cuticle. The sides of the nail can also be affected.
Paronychia symptoms include:
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Pain, swelling and tenderness around the nail
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Skin that is red and warm to the touch
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Pus that builds up under the skin.
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A white to yellow, pus-filled abscess may form. If an abscess forms, it may require antibiotics and/or drainage
Causes: common skin bacteria entering the skin around the nail that has been damaged by trauma, such as nail/cuticle biting, finger sucking, dishwashing, or chemical irritants, as well as incorrectly removed cuticles during the manicure service.
Onychomycosis, Nail Fungal Infections: is a fungal infection of the nails that causes discolouration, thickening and separation of the nails from the nail bed. These are infections that affect either the fingernails or the toe nails. Fungal infections normally develop over time. Onychomycosis occurs in around 10% of the general population. It occurs in 20% of people older than 60 years, and 50% of those older than 70 years.
Symptoms:
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Onycholysis
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Odour coming from the infected nails
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Brittle or crumbly nails
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Thickening and distortion of the nails
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Ridges and build up of debris around and under the nails
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Discolouration of the nails, (white, black, yellow or green)
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Pain or discomfort particularly when using or applying pressure on the affected toe or fingernail
Causes: fungal nail infections are caused by various fungal organisms, or fungi. The most common cause is a type of fungus called dermatophyte. Dermatophytes are fungi that require keratin for growth. Yeast and moulds can also cause a fungal nail infection. Fungal nail infections can develop in people at any age, but it is most common in older adults. The resulting cracks that then appear in the nails with age allow fungi to enter. Other factors such as reduced blood circulation to the feet and a weakened immune system may also play a large role in the development of an infection.
