Disorder & Disease

bed epithelium

A thin layer of tissue between the nail plate and the nail bed.

cuticle

The dead, colorless tissue attached to the nail plate.

eponychium

Living skin at the base of the nail plate and covering the matrix area.

free edge

The part of the nail plate that extends over the tip of the finger or toe.

hyponychium

A slightly thickened layer of skin between the fingertip and free edge of the nail plate. Forms a protective barrier that prevents microorganisms from invading and infecting the nail bed.

lateral nail fold

Folds of normal skin that line the sides of the nail plate, also known as the sidewall.

sidewall

See lateral nail fold.

ligament

A tough band of fibrous tissue that connects bones or holds an organ in place.

matrix

An area where the nail plate cells are formed; composed of matrix cells that make up the nail plate.

nail bed

Portion of the living skin that supports the nail plate as it grows toward the free edge.

nail folds

The folds of normal skin that surround the nail plate.

nail groove

A slit or furrow on the sides of the nail.

nail plate

A hard keratin plate on top of and slowly sliding across the nail bed as it grows; the most visible and functional part of the nail unit.

natural nail unit

All the anatomical parts of the fingernail necessary to produce the natural nail plate.

natural nail

The hard protective plate located at the end of the finger or toe.

onyx

The technical term for nail of the fingers or toes.

onychosis

Any nail condition, deformity, or disease of the nails.

nail disorder

An unhealthy condition of the nail that is either hereditary or caused by injury or disease of the nail unit.

Beau's lines

Visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate. Due to slowing production of matrix cells (plate grows thinner); usually the result of serious illness or injury.（Disorder, Ok service ）

bruised nail bed

A blood clot forms under the nail plate, forming a dark purplish spot; usually due to small physical injury to the nail bed. Can usually be covered with nail polish or camouflaged with an opaque nail enhancement product.( Disorder, service Ok)

discolored nail

Nails turn a variety of colors; may indicate surface staining, a systemic disorder, or poor blood circulation.( disorder, Ok service)

eggshell nail

Noticeably thin, white nail plate that is more flexible than normal. Usually caused by improper diet, heredity, internal disease, medication, or overfiling with an abrasive.(Disorder, Ok service)

hangnail

Damaged skin around the nail plate (often on the eponychium) becomes split or torn. Can be carefully trimmed, provided the living skin is not cut or torn in the process.(Disorder Ok service)

infected finger

Visible redness, pain, swelling, broken skin, or pus. Refuse nail service. Medical referral required.(Disorder, Refuse service)

leukonychia

Whitish spots/discoloration of the nails; usually caused by minor injury to the nail matrix. Do not indicate disease and will disappear as the nail grows.(Disorder, Ok service)

melanonychia

Significant darkening of the fingernails or toenails caused by increased pigment cells (melanocytes). Black band from base to free edge, or may affect the entire plate. Fairly common in African Americans or Asians; in Caucasians it could be an indicator of disease.

（Disorder, Service ok）

nail psoriasis

Noninfectious. Nail surface pitting, roughness, onycholysis, and bed discolorations (reddish spots), randomly or evenly spaced. Plate may look filed with a coarse abrasive and/or the free edge may be ragged.(Disorder)

nail pterygium

Abnormal stretching of the eponychium or hyponychium around the nail plate; usually from serious injury or an allergic skin reaction. Creams or conditioning oils may be helpful; NEVER attempt to treat or push back nail pterygium with any instrument.(Disorder)

onychophagy

Bitten nails. Frequent manicures and proper care of the hands can often help overcome this habit.(Disorder)

onychorrhexis

Abnormal split or brittle nails with surface roughness (lengthwise ridges). Causes: heredity, injury to the matrix, excessive exposure to cuticle removers, harsh cleaning agents, or aggressive filing techniques.

(disorder, ok service)

pincer nail

Also known as trumpet nail. Dramatically increased curvature of the free edge (increased curvature of the matrix); may curl in on itself or be deformed on only one sidewall. Extreme, unusual, or painful cases must be referred to a doctor. Using a brace-type product to straighten these nails is medical practice and cannot be done in a salon.(disorder)

trumpet nail

Same as pincer nail. The edges of the nail plate curl around to form the shape of a trumpet or sharp cone at the free edge.

(disorder)

plicatured nail

Also known as a folded nail. A highly curved nail plate often caused by injury to the matrix; may be inherited. Often leads to ingrown nails.

(Disorder, Ok service)

ridged nail

Lengthwise (vertical) grooves in the plate, often mistaken for ridges; seen in normal aging. Never file these so-called ridges; it thins and weakens the entire nail plate.

(Disorder, ok service)

splinter hemorrhage

Damage to the capillaries under the nail; looks like a lengthwise small splinter underneath the nail plate. Caused by physical trauma or injury to the nail bed.

(Disorder, Ok service)

onycholysis

Separation of the nail plate and bed, often due to injury or allergic reactions. When the cause is removed, the area will slowly begin to heal. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service

onychocryptosis

Ingrown nails on either hands or feet; the nail grows into the sides of the tissue around the nail. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service

onychomadesis

Separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed (fingernails or toenails). Can be caused by infection, injury to the matrix, a systemic illness, or a medical procedure such as chemotherapy. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service

onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the nail plate. Whitish patches that can be scraped off the surface, or long whitish/pale yellowish streaks within the plate; a third form makes the free edge crumble and may affect the entire plate. Often invades the free edge and spreads toward the matrix. Medical referral required.

Disease No service

onychia

Inflammation of the matrix and shedding of the nail, caused by infection or injury. Possible medical referral required.

Disease, No service

paronychia

Bacterial inflammation of the tissues around the nail plate, causing pus, swelling, and redness. Often seen in dry or chapped hands from excessive exposure to water and detergents. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service

pseudomonas aeruginosa

Rapidly growing and contagious bacteria that can cause infection. Early stage: yellow-green spot; becomes darker in the advanced stage (yellow → green → brown → black). Also the test microorganism for a hospital disinfectant, the type used in a salon. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service

pyogenic granuloma

Severe inflammation of the nail, in which a lump of red tissue grows up from the nail bed to the nail plate. Medical referral required.

Disease, no service

tinea pedis

Medical term for fungal infections of the feet; athlete's foot. Red patches or scaling of the skin on the bottom of the feet and/or between the toes. Can be spread by dirty tools and equipment. Medical referral required.

Disease, No service