Koilonychia – a.k.a. the ‘spoon nail’ – relates to many causes!

FINGERNAIL DISORDERS: Koilonychia

What is koilonychia? Koilonychia (a.k.a. ‘spoon nails’) occurs when the free edge of the nail is turned inside out (everted), resulting in a concave fingernail. What causes koilonychia? Two common causes of koilonychia are: • thyroid abnormalities; • iron deficiency anemia. But koilonychia can also be caused by direct trauma, excessive use of oils and soaps, or other more rare medical problems such as: • impaired peripheral circulation; • musculoskeletal conditions; • systemic lupus erythematosus; • hemochromatosis; • renal disease; • Nail Patella Syndrome; • Raynaud’s Disease; • Hypoplastic Patella. One must also be aware that in the hands of children a ‘spoon nail’ may occur as a normal condition of the nail (not caused by a disease). MORE ABOUT THIS FINGERNAIL DISORDER: Koilonychia – also knows as a ‘spoon nail’

PHOTO – An example of ‘spoon nails’ (koilonychia):

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING:
• Common disorders in the fingernail & toe nail!
• News about fingernails!
• Koilonychia is a common nail disorder in the hands of children

Fingernail disorders in the hands of children!

Fingernail disorders in the hands of children!

Fingernail disorders in the hands of children! Many people consider fingernail disorders merely as a ‘cosmetic problem’, nevertheless fingernails provide important signs related to your health. Let’s take a look at the fingernails of children! The long version of this article describes the normal development of fingernails during childhood, including some ‘normal’ nail disorders (which are usually harmless) + an overview of the ‘serious’ nail problems in infants & children.

The following nail problems are relatively normal fingernail disorders in the hands of children (usually these are ‘harmless’): (1) Beau’s lines, (2) fragile nails, (3) pits of the nail plate, (4) koilonychia, (5) v-ridging (chevron nails), (6) punctate leukonychia, and (7) periungual pigmentation. You can read more about the ‘harmless’ nail disorders in children, at: • Normal fingernail disorders in the hands of children However, many other nail disorders are often related to various congenital, familial or acquired disorders. Examples of these ‘worrisome’ fingernail disorders in the hands of children are: (A) anonychia, (B) micronychia, (C) polyonychia, (D) epidermolysis bullosa, (E) pachyonychia congenita, (F) ectodermal dysplasias, (G) veillonella infection, (H) ingrowing toenail in infancy, (I) racket nails, and (J) the nail-patella syndrome. You can read more about the ‘worrisome’ nail disorders in children, at: • Worrisome fingernail disorders in the hands of children