Milady Chapter 10: Nail Diseases and Disorders

Beau's lines

Visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate; usually a result of major illness or injury that has traumatized the body.

bruised nails

Condition in which blood clot forms under the nail plate, causing a dark purplish spot. These discolorations are usually due to small injuries to the nail bed.

discolored nails

Nails turn a variety of colors; may indicate surface staining, a systemic disorder, or poor blood circulation

eggshell nails

Noticeably thin, white nail plates that are more flexible than normal and can curve over the free edge.

hangnail

Also known as agnail; a condition in which the living tissue surrounding the nail plate splits or tears.

leukonychia spots

Also known as white spots; whitish discolorations of the nails, usually caused by injury to the matrix area; not related to the body's health or vitamin deficiencies.

melanonychia

Darkening of the fingernails or toenails; may be seen as a black band within the nail plate extending from the base to the free edge.

nail disorder

Condition caused by an injury or disease of the nail unit.

nail psoriasis

A noninfectious condition that affects the surface of the natural nail plate causing tiny pits or severe roughness on the surface of the nail plate

nail pterygium

Abnormal condition that occurs when the skin is stretched by the nail plate; usually caused by serious injury, such as burns, or an adverse skin reaction to chemical nail enhancement products.

onychia

Inflammation of the nail matrix, followed by shedding of the natural nail.

onychocryptosis

Also known as ingrown nails; nail grows into the sides of the tissue around the nail.

onycholysis

Lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed without shedding, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing toward the lunula area.

onychomadesis

The separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed; affects fingernails and toenails.

onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the natural nail plate.

onychophagy

Also known as bitten nails; result of a habit of chewing the nail or chewing the hardened skin surrounding the nail plate.

onychorrhexis

Split or brittle nails that have a series of lengthwise ridges giving a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate.

onychosis

Any deformity or disease of the natural nails.

paronychia

Bacterial inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nail causing pus, swelling, and redness, usually in the skin fold adjacent to the nail plate.

pincer nail

Also known as trumpet nail; increased crosswise curvature throughout the nail plate caused by an increased curvature of the matrix. The edges of the nail plate may curl around to form the shape of a trumpet or sharp cone at the free edge.

plicatured nail

Also known as folded nail; a type of highly curved nail usually caused by injury to the matrix, but may be inherited

Pseudomonas aeruginosa

One of the several common bacteria that can cause nail infection.

pyogenic granuloma

Server inflammation of the nail in which a lump of red tissue grows up from the nail bed to the nail plate.

ridges

Vertical lines running through the length of the natural nail plate that are caused by uneven growth of the nails, usually the result of normal aging.

splinter hemorrhages

Hemorrhages caused by trauma or injury to the nail bed that damage the capillaries and allow small amounts of the blood flow.

tinea pedis

Medical term for fungal infections of the feet; red, itchy rash of the skin on the bottom of the feet and/or in between the toes, usually found between the fourth and fifths toe.

pincer nail

dramatically increased curvature

fungus

parasites that cause infection on hands and feet

healthy nails

Firm but flexible. The surface is shiny, smooth, and unspotted with no wavy ridges, pits, or splits. Whitish and translucent in appearance, with the pinkish color of the nail bed showing through.

two ways to help a client with a nail disorder

tell the clients that they may have a disorder and refer them to a physician, if required -or- cosmetically improve certain nail plate conditions if the problem is cosmetic and not a medical condition or disorder

nail or skin that is infected, inflamed, broken, or swollen

situation in which a nail service should not be performed

warm, moist, and dark

conditions that fungal organisms favor for growth

nail infection

cannot offer treatment and advice for

ingrown nail

treat if no sign of discharge or pus

two common causes of onycholysis

when nails are filed too aggressively, nail enhancements are removed improperly