Hard as Nails

Nail Diseases & Disorders

Hangnails

These are small pieces of epidermis which have split away from the cuticle and nail walls. Sometimes they catch and tear the skin, providing a route for bacteria. They are common in nail bitters and can also occur as a result of dry cuticles. Use cuticle oil or cream daily to help prevent them.

Dry Flaky nails

Fat and moisture keep the nails flexible and the layers of cells compacted into a smooth plate. They can be removed easily if the hands are not looked after. Flaking nails and chapped skin are usually caused by poor protection, exposure to harsh weather, contact with chemicals and poor diet. Salon treatments and the daily use of hand creams are a good way of softening the cuticles and skin.

Split nails

Split nails are usually brittle nails. The most common causes are excessive use of solvents and detergents, careless filing, poor diet and ill health. Regular manicures and a good home care routine are important for prevention.

Pitted nails

A few pits or dimples are common in nails, deep pitting on the nails may be caused by psoriasis, dermatitis, alopecia chronic paronychia.

Longitudal Ridges:

Ridges that appear down the length of the nail are often caused by the ageing process. They result from irregular keratin production and can also appear as a result of minor external injury. As the nails grow, healthy cells replace the damaged ones and the problem disappears.

Discoloured Nails

Some nail varnishes can cause the nails to dis-colour especially if worn without a basecoat. You may see brown stains on the nails and skin if you are a smoker. These are harmless and may be removed using a very mild bleaching agent.

White Spot: (Leukonychia)

Leukonychia spots are a common disorder seen in the nail plate. Leukonychia spots are identified as small white spots "embedded" in the natural nail plate which grows out with the natural nail or sometimes even fade with time. (As new nail cells are pushed upward and outward from the matrix, they are white and round. as they are pushed upward and outward the nail cells undergo a process called "differentiation". this is when the round, white nail cells slowly compress and flatten which causes them to become translucent.)

Paronychia

Paronychia is another condition that closely resembles the appearance of cysts. this condition causes redness, swelling and tenderness of the eponychium and/or lateral sidewalls. Bacteria cause paronychial infections, and it is one the lesser likely pathogens know to cause "greenies" under enhancements. Greenies are often caused by bacteria called staphylococcus aureus.

Spoon Shaped Nails:

Some people are born with this condition, but for others it can be a sign of anaemia and when it is treated will disappear. They are due to the accumulation of cells under the free edge.

Eggshell

These nails are very thin, pale and very flexible compared to normal nails, they also curve upwards at the free edge. The usual cause for this is chronic illness or a nervous disorder.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection and can cause permanent nail damage. It is a difficult condition to clear and can last several months. The disease is highly infectious and the hands must be covered to avoid spreading infection. People with weak nails are most likely to develop the condition which usually spreads by direct contact. all types of ringworm must be treated with antibiotics.

Severe nail separation: (Onycholysis)

This is a condition in which the nail loosens from the nail bed, beginning at the free edge and continuing to the Lunula- but does not come off. it is caused by an internal disorder, trauma, infection or certain drug treatments.

Bruising

This is a condition whereby a clot of blood forms under the nail plate. The clot is usually caused by injury to the nail bed. In some cases the nail will fall off during the healing process.

Onychophagy

Onychophagy is the medical term for nails that have been bitten enough to become deformed. This condition can be improved by professional manicuring techniques and any artificial tips and wraps can hide deformed nails.

Blue nails

Nails with a bluish tinge to their colouring around the lanula. The causes of this if due to lack of oxygen in the blood stream, usually resulting from poor circulation or heart disease.

Whitlow

A localized red, swollen and painful area at the side or base of the nail plate, infection (pus) is often present. This condition is the result of a bacterial infection that has been allowed to enter via a break in the skin (eg. biting or accidental)