The most commonly reported nail conditions, seen by podiatrists, are:
Onychocryptosis, 26% Onychauxis & onychogryphosis 22.8%
Onychophosis 18.8%Onychomycosis 8.3%
Nail Matrix Disorders Nail Fold DisordersNail Bed DisordersNail Plate Disorders
ONYCHIA
an inflammation of the matrix (surrounding tissue) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds.
Onychocryptosis
commonly known as "ingrown nails" (unguis incarnatus), can affect either the fingers or the toes.
Onychogryposis
also called "ram's-horn nail", is a thickening and increase in curvature of the nail. It is usually the result of injury to the matrix.
Onychorrhexis
Spontaneous longitudinal splitting or breaking of the nails.
Psoriasis
Nail plate appears course, ridged surface with pitting.
Demotophyte infection
Yellowish brown discolouration and crumbling of the nail plate which starts at the free edge and spreads proximally.
Onycholysis
a loosening of the exposed portion of the nail from the nail bed, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing to the lunula.
Onychomadesis
separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed.
Plicatured Nail
A transverse curvature of the nail plate, which may appear natural but can become acutely, curved into the sulci. Comes in three types: tile shaped describes an oblong nail flanged with symmetrical curvature into the sulci. Plicatured nails remain flat in the central part with either one side (uni) or bilateral (both sides) curvature to the sulci. Omega nails present extreme curvature of the nail plate.
Leukonychia Striata
Leukonychia describes localised hyperkeratosis, which causes the middle nail plate to separate from the ventral nail plate or the nail plates complete from the nail bed. This gives the appearance of white spots within the nail plate.
Onychauxis
Nail plate hypertrophy usually as a result of traumatic damage to the nail matrix.
Onychomycosis
also known as tinea unguium, is a contagious infection of the nail caused by the same fungal organisms which cause ringworm of the skin.
Onychoschizia
layering of the free edge of the nail e.g. brittle nails. Often associated with repeated episodes of wetting and drying and hence affects the fingernails more than toe nails.
Onychitis
Onychitis is shedding of the nail plate.
Koilonychia
Thought to be hereditary in some instances but also associated with iron deficiency anaemia in children. More common in fingernails but also seen in toenails.
Terry nails
Beau Lines
Onychophosis
growth of horny epithelium in the nail.
Can be the result of overzealous pedicure persistent micro trauma from tight shoes or presence of overlying nail.
Pyogenic granuloma
tumours often caused by trauma to the nail
Onychoptosis
sheddng of one or more nails, in whole or part.
which literally means "falling nail" in Greek
Synonym: nail bed.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Stroma, bedding
<psychology> Habitual nailbiting.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Phago, to eat
Complete shedding of the nails, usually associated with systemic disease.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Madesis, a growing bald, fr. Madao, to be moist, (of hair) fall off
Synonym: ingrown nail.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Krypto, to conceal
Enlargement with increased thickening and curvature of the fingernails or toenails.
Synonym: gryposis unguium, onychogryphosis.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Gryposis, a curvature
Marked overgrowth of the fingernails or toenails.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Auxe, increase
Abnormal brittleness of the nails with splitting of the free edge.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Rhexis, a breaking
Swelling or hypertrophy of the nails.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Phyma, growth
Any disease of the nails.
Synonym: onychonosus, onychosis.
Origin: onycho-+ G. Pathos, suffering
Paronychia
bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet.
Onychomycosis
Subungual hematoma
trauma to the nail results in a collection of blood under the nail
“Bruised Nails”
ReferencesAlbert SF 1996 Disorders of the nail unit In Harkless LB Clinics in podiatric medicine
and surgery 13:16-12.Baran R, de Berker D, & Dawber R 1997 Manual of nail disease and surgery Oxford
Blackwell Science. Beaven D W, Brooks S E 1993 A Colour Atlas of The Nail in Clinical Diagnosis.
London: Wolfe Medical Publications,Bodman MA 1994 Pedal nails and skin problems In Robbins JM Primary Podiatric
Medicine Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co. 283-295.Hunter JAA 1995 Diseases of the skin In Edwards CRWW et al (eds) Davidson’s
principles and practice of medicine (17th edition) Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone 946-966.
Johnson M 2002 The human nail and its disorders In Lorimer D et al (eds) Neal’s disorders of the foot: Diagnosis and management Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
262-275.Rayner VR 1973 An investigation into nail hypertrophy The Chiropodist 28:9 294-302
Sammon P D 1995 The nails in disease (5th ed.) London: Heinemann Medical. Butterworth-Heinemann.
Springett K & Merriman L Assessment of the skin and its appendages In Merriman L & Tollafield DR (eds) Assessment of the lower limb. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone
209-214.Therapeutics Guidelines: Dermatology Melbourne: Therapeutic Guidelines Limited
Version 1 1999 163-174.