Many disorders can affect the nails, including deformity and dystrophy Deformities, Dystrophies, and Discoloration of the Nails The terms deformities and dystrophies are often used interchangeably, sometimes even by doctors. However, their meanings are slightly different. Deformities: Changes in nail shape... read more 
, injuries Fingernail and Toenail Injury Fingernails and toenails can be damaged by injuries. Even a minor injury to the finger or toe may cause changes in the nail. Severe damage to the nail bed (the soft tissue underneath the nail... read more , infections, and ingrown toenails Ingrown Toenail An ingrown toenail is a condition in which the edges of the nail grow into the surrounding skin. (See also Overview of Nail Disorders.) An ingrown nail can result when a deformed toenail grows... read more 
. Infections can involve any part of the nail and may or may not change the nail's appearance. Most nail infections are fungal (onychomycosis Onychomycosis Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nails. (See also Overview of Nail Disorders.) About 10% of people have onychomycosis, which most often affects the toenails rather than the fingernails... read more 
), but bacterial and viral infections occur.
The nail unit is made up of the nail plate (the hard part of the nail made of the protein keratin) and the surrounding structures. The nail bed is underneath the nail and attaches the nail to the finger. The nail matrix is located at the base of the nail and is where nail growth originates. The cuticle connects the top of the nail plate to the skin behind it. The lunula is the half-moon shape at the base of the nail. The nail folds are the folds of hard skin at the base and sides of the nail plate where the nail and the skin meet.
Causes of Nail Disorders
Some of the causes of nail disorders include the following:
Infections (such as paronychia Acute Paronychia Acute paronychia is a bacterial infection of the nail fold. In acute paronychia, bacteria (usually Staphylococcus aureus or streptococci) enter through a break in the skin resulting from... read more
, retronychia Retronychia Retronychia is a less common form of paronychia. Retronychia occurs when the nail plate (the hard part of the nail made of the protein keratin) grows into the nail fold. Multiple generations... read more 
, warts Verruca Vulgaris Verruca vulgaris is the common wart. Verrucae vulgaris are common warts, which are caused by infection with human papillomavirus. Such warts can develop anywhere on the skin around the nail... read more 
, and green nail syndrome Green Nail Syndrome Green nail syndrome is infection with Pseudomonas, a type of bacteria. (See also Overview of Nail Disorders.) The photo on the left shows green nail syndrome with onycholysis of the fourth... read more 
)Internal diseases (such as certain lung diseases, which can cause yellow nail syndrome)
Spotlight on Aging: Nail Disorders
With aging, nails become dry and brittle and flat or concave instead of convex. They may develop ridges along their length. Nail color may change to yellow or gray. Brittle nails may split. Toenails require special attention in older people and in people with diabetes ( see Foot problems in diabetes Foot problems in diabetes People with diabetes mellitus have many serious long-term complications that affect many areas of the body, particularly the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, and kidneys. (See also Diabetes Mellitus... read more |
