Is your fingernail turning white or yellow at the distal part – it could be nail onycholysis!

FINGERNAIL DISORDERS: Onycholysis

What is onycholysis? Onycholysis concerns the (painless) loosening of the nail plate from the nail bed. This nail condition is usually featured with a changing color in the distal part of fingernail – often turning whitish (white nails) or yellowish (yellow nails), reflecting the presence of air under the fingernail plate. What causes onycholysis? Onycholysis is often a harmless nail condition caused by a nail trauma/injury – in general you can reduce the risk for having this nail condition by keeping your nails short (and dry)! Less common causes of onycholysis are: • Skin conditions, such as psoriasis or lichen planus; • Medical conditions, such as thyroid dysfunction; • Fungal infections; • Side-effects of medication; • Adverse effects of chemicals, such as nail polish remover; • Prolonged immersion in water. What is the treatment for onycholysis? The treatment for onlycholysis is simple when caused by a nail trauma/injury: trim the nail short, do not clean under the nail, and be patient. It generally takes 2 to 3 months to clear up. In other cases you must try to ‘tackle’ the cause. THE TREATMENT OF THIS FINGERNAIL DISORDER: Onycholysis – also known as a ‘loosening nail plate’

PHOTO – An example of ‘onycholysis’ featured with various colors:

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER READING:
• Find the cause of your nail problem in 3 steps!
• Common disorders in the fingernail & toe nail!
• Koilonychia – causes + treatment of the ‘spoon nail’
• Leukonychia – having ‘white spots’ on your fingernails (white nails)

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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