Nail Theory•Nail Structure

•Nail Growth

•Nail Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions

OnychologyThe study of nails.

Nail Structure1. Free Edge – Extends past the

skin.2. Nail Body – Visible nail area.3. Nail Wall – Skin on both sides

of nail.4. Lunula – Whitened half-moon5. Eponychium – Lies at the

base of the nail, live skin.6. Mantle – Holds root and

matrix.

Nail Structure7. Nail Matrix – Generates cells that

make the nail.8. Nail Root – Attached to matrix9. Cuticle – Overlapping skin

around the nail10. Nail Bed – Skin that nail sits on11. Nail Grooves – Tracks that nail

slides on12. Perionychium – Skin around nail13. Hyponychium – Underneath the

free edge

Hyponychium

Nail Body

Nail GrooveNail Bed

LunulaEponychium

Nail Root

Matrix

Free Edge

Nail Bed

Eponychium

Matrix

Nail Root

Nail Growth• Keratin – Glue-like protein

that hardens to make the nail.• Rate of Growth

– 4 to 6 month to grow new nail– Approx. 1/8” per month

• Faster in summer

Injuries• Result: shape distortions or discoloration

– Nail lost due to trauma.– Nail lost through disease.

Nippers Nail Clippers

Cuticle Pusher Emery Board

or orangewood stick

Types of Nail Implements

Nail Diseases, Disorders and Conditions

• Onychosis – Any nail disease• Etiology – Cause of nail disease, disorder

or condition.• Hand and Nail Examination – Check for

problems• Six signs of infection – Pain, swelling,

redness, local fever, throbbing and pus

Symptoms• Coldness – Lack of circulation• Heat – Infection• Dry Texture – Lack of moisture• Redness – Infection• Color of Nail Bed – Bruise• Condition of Free Edge – Nail biter• Tenderness/stiffness – Arthritis• Nail Plate Thickness - Filing

Nail Irregularities•Refer to a physician!!–Do not diagnose!!

Onychomycosis• Tinea Unguium /

Ringworm• Cause – fungus• Thick, turns colors,

deformed• See physician• No services may be

performed!!!

Tinea Manus• Hand Ringworm• Fungus• Blisters & flakes• See physician• No services may be

performed!!

Tinea Pedis• Athletes Foot / Foot

Ringworm• Fungus• Itching & red blisters• See Physician• No services may be

performed!!

Paronychia• Inflammation• Bacterial Infection• Shows signs of infection• May grow out irregular• See physician• No service may be

performed!!

Onychoptosis• Shedding of Nails• Disease• Sensitive, nail loss

– Will re-grow• Needs to be protected• No service may be

performed!!

Onychia• Inflammation of Matrix• Bacterial Infection• Signs of infection• Nail may not grow back

– If it does grow, may be deformed

• Needs to be protected• No services may be

performed!!

Onychatrophia• Wasting away of the nail• Injury• Shrinkage, separation• May improve in 3 – 6

months• No services may be

performed!!

Onycholysis• Loosening of Nail• Systemic• Partially loose nail,

becomes detached• See physician• No services may be

performed!!

Blue Nails• Blue nails• Systemic• Blue in color, poor

circulation• Manicure with

caution!

Corrugations• Ridges across nail• Injury/systemic• Ridges

– Buff lightly– Ridges may disappear

while growing out.• Lightly buff, apply base

coat

Kolionychia• Spoon Nails• Systemic• Concave, unusual

shape, unlikely to disappear

• File carefully, polish to protect

Furrows• Vertical Lines• Injury• Buff lightly, may grow

out, may be permanent• Lightly buff and apply

base coat

Onychogryposis• Claw Nails• Systemic• Thick, curved, claw-

like• Physician may

remove– Difficult to clean and

cut.• Clean under free

edge.

Extreme Case of Onychogryposis

Onychocryptosis• Ingrown Nails• Environmental• Signs of infection: No

Service• Refer to physician• If not infected: Soften

skin, trim nail• DO NOT CUT OUT

INGROWN NAIL!!

Onychauxis• Hypotrophy• Injury• Thickness, easily

recognizable• Lightly buff

Agnails• Hang Nail• Dry Cuticle• Skin breaks at corner

of nail, trim• May heal in 2 to 3

days• Trim Hangnail and

Moisturize

Bruised Nails• Purple Nails• Trauma• Discoloration under nail,

normal growth will continue

• No pressure on nail plate.

Leuconychia• White spots • Injury or liver disease• Small separation from

nail bed, grows out with nail.

• Perform nail service as usual.

Pterygium• Overgrown cuticles• Sticky cuticle• Excess cuticle that splits

and eventually tears.• Soften, massage

cuticles and push back– Unless skin is broken,

then no service.

Extreme Case of Pterygium

Onychophagy• Bitten Nails• Habit• Easily recognizable,

will re-grow if biting stops

• Perform nail service weekly

Onychorrhexis• Split Nails• Injury (improper filing

or harsh chemical contact)

• Easily recognizable, file with emery board carefully, may be permanent

• Soften nails, use hot oil manicure