nails disorders/diseases

Leukonychia

White spots on the nail plate, usually caused by minor injury to the matrix. It is not contagious, and service may be performed.

Melanonychia

Dark brown or black pigmentation or vertical bands in the nail. It is not contagious, but a new or changing dark band should be examined by a doctor.

Onychophagy

The medical term for bitten nails. Service may be performed only if the skin is not broken, bleeding, swollen, or infected.

Onychorrhexis

Brittle nails with lengthwise ridges that split easily. It is not contagious, and a gentle service may be performed.

Onychauxis

Abnormal thickening of the nail plate. Service may be performed cautiously if there are no signs of infection.

Onychatrophia or onychatrophy

Wasting away, shrinking, or thinning of the nail plate. Use caution and refer the client to a doctor if the cause is unknown.

Onycholysis

Separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, usually beginning at the free edge. Avoid the separated area and do not apply enhancements. Refer if infection is suspected.

Onychocryptosis

The medical term for an ingrown nail, where the nail grows into the surrounding skin. Nail technicians cannot treat or remove an ingrown nail.

Beau’s lines

Deep horizontal depressions across the nail caused by a temporary interruption of nail growth. They are not contagious, and service may usually be performed.

Furrows or corrugations

Grooves or uneven depressions in the nail plate. They are usually noncontagious. Do not aggressively file them away.

Vertical ridges

Raised lines running from the cuticle to the free edge, commonly caused by aging or dryness. Service may be performed.

Eggshell nails

Very thin, white, flexible nail plates that curve over the free edge. Perform services very gently.

Plicatured nail

A nail plate with an increased or highly curved shape. Service may be performed cautiously.

Pincer or trumpet nail

A nail whose sides curve inward and may pinch the nail bed. Do not attempt to correct it and refer the client if it is painful.

Koilonychia or spoon nails

Thin nails with a concave, spoon-shaped surface. It may be associated with iron deficiency. Perform services gently and recommend medical evaluation.

Hangnail or agnail

A split or torn piece of skin beside the nail plate. Carefully trim only loose dead skin and never cut living tissue.

Bruised nail or nail-bed hematoma

Dark red, purple, or black discoloration caused by blood trapped underneath the nail following an injury. Avoid pressure and refer if painful or severely damaged.

Splinter hemorrhages

Thin red or brown lines underneath the nail caused by tiny damaged blood vessels. Unexplained or repeated cases should be referred to a doctor.

Blue nails

A bluish nail-bed color that may indicate poor circulation or inadequate oxygen. Postpone the service and recommend medical evaluation if it is new or unexplained.

Nail psoriasis

A noncontagious condition that can cause nail pitting, thickening, discoloration, crumbling, or separation. Avoid service if the skin is broken, bleeding, or severely inflamed.

Nail pterygium

Abnormal skin or scar tissue that grows forward over the nail plate. Never push back or cut the attached living tissue.

Onychomadesis

Separation and shedding of the nail plate beginning near the matrix or base of the nail. Do not apply enhancements and refer the client to a doctor.

Onychoschizia

Splitting or peeling of the nail plate into layers at the free edge. A gentle service may be performed.

Onychomycosis or tinea unguium

A contagious fungal infection of the nail that may cause thick, yellow, white, brittle, crumbly, distorted, or separated nails. Do not perform a service.

Onychia

Inflammation or infection of the nail matrix, often causing redness, swelling, pain, or pus. Do not perform a service.

Paronychia

Inflammation or infection of the tissue surrounding the nail, causing redness, swelling, pain, or pus. Do not perform a service.

Pseudomonas or green nail

A bacterial infection that produces green, yellow-green, or dark discoloration, commonly underneath a lifted enhancement. Do not cover it with more product; discontinue service and refer.

Pyogenic granuloma

A red, swollen growth that bleeds easily and may develop around the nail. Do not perform a service and refer the client to a doctor.

Tinea pedis or athlete’s foot

A contagious fungal infection of the feet that causes itching, peeling, cracking, redness, or blisters, especially between the toes. Do not perform a pedicure.

Tinea manuum

A contagious fungal infection of the hands that may produce dry, scaly, itchy, or ring-shaped areas. Do not perform a service.

Plantar warts or verruca

Contagious viral growths commonly found on the bottom of the feet. They may have tiny black dots and interrupt the natural skin lines. Do not service the affected area.

Herpetic whitlow

A contagious herpes infection on a finger that commonly produces painful, grouped, fluid-filled blisters. Do not perform a service.

Impetigo

A contagious bacterial skin infection that may produce blisters or honey-colored crusts. Do not perform a service.

Scabies

A contagious mite infestation that causes intense itching, a rash, and small burrow marks. Do not perform a service.

Ringworm or tinea corporis

A contagious fungal infection that usually appears as a red, scaly, ring-shaped rash. Do not perform a service.

What is a nail disorder?

A nail condition that is generally not contagious. A cautious service may be performed if there is no infection, inflammation, open wound, or broken skin.

What is a nail disease?

An abnormal condition caused by infection or another medical problem. A nail technician must not diagnose or treat it.

What must a nail technician do when an infection is suspected?

Refuse or postpone the service and refer the client to a medical professional.

What signs prohibit a nail service?

Pus, swelling, heat, open sores, active bleeding, foul odor, painful inflammation, unexplained severe discoloration, blisters, or suspected fungal, bacterial, or viral infection.

Can nail technicians diagnose nail diseases?

No. Nail technicians recognize suspicious conditions, refuse unsafe services, and refer clients to medical professionals.

What is the state-board rule for contagious conditions?

Do not perform the service, do not attempt to treat the condition, and refer the client to a medical professional.