Splitting / Peeling / Brittle Nails

FEW COMMON NAIL CONDITIONS

“Did you know that Nails can reveal clues to your overall health?”

1) Ridging of the Nail

Longitudinal ridging causes

• Prominent with increasing age
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Lichen planus
• Injury to the nail.
• Transverse ridging causes:
• Longstanding or severe eczema around the nail fold
• Trauma

2) Thickening of the Nail: Seen frequently in the toenails of the elderly.

Causes

• Long term use of ill-fitting footwear / Neglect of the nails.
• Psoriasis
• Fungal infection

3) In growing Toenail:

Often presents with pain, but may progress to infection results in difficulty while walking.

Causes

• Improperly trimmed nails
• Hyperhidrosis
• Poorly fitting shoes.

4) White Nail

• Congenital
• Minor trauma
• Hypoalbuminaemia in chronic liver disease
• Renal failure
• Fungal infection.

5) Nail becomes detached from its bed at base and side

Causes

• Psoriasis
• Idiopathic or inherited
• Systemic disease, e.g. thyrotoxicosis
• Skin disease e.g. psoriasis
• Local causes e.g. trauma or chemicals.

6 ) Depressions across the fingernail seen in:

• Illness
• Injury to the nail
• Malnourished.

7) Brittle nails:

• Aging.
• Certain diseases and conditions.

8) Also called as spoon-shaped nails.

• Nail has raised ridges and is thin and curved inward.
• Associated with iron deficiency Anaemia.

9) Pitting of nail plate:

• Small Depressions on the Nail Surface
• Eczema
• Psoriasis
• Alopecia Areata

Diagnosis

Depending on duration, various causes, symptoms, appearance, any co-existing medical illness or skin disease, medications history, occupational details, diagnosis is made and if any underlying condition is present it is addressed immediately.

Treatment at Skin and You

Based on causative factors it can be combination of oral and topical treatment – such as topical and oral antifungals, topical and oral antibiotic, nail supplements, or steroid based injection to control the progression of disease such as in cases of psoriasis.

Why Skin & You Clinic for Nails Infections?

We, at Skin and you, assess, examine and treat all dermatological conditions with utmost care.