Nail diseases and disorders

beau's lines

visible depressions running across the width of the natural nail plate

bruised nails

condition in which a blood clot forms under the nail plate, forming a dark purplish spot, usually due to injury.

corrugations

wavy ridges, caused by uneven growth of the nails usually a result of illness or injury

eggshell nails

Noticeably thin, white nail plate that is more flexible than normal.

furrows

depressions in the nail that run either lengthwise or across the nail; result from illness, injury, stress or pregnancy.

hangnail or agnail

condition in which the eponychium or other living tissue surrounding the nail plate becomes split or torn.

infected finger

redness, pain, swelling or pus; refre to phys.

leukonychia spots

Whitish discoloration of the nails, usually caused by injury to the matrix area; white spots.

melanonychia

Darkening of the fingernails or toenails; may be seen as a black band under or 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

Condition that affects the surface of the natural nail plate, causing it to appear rough and pitted, as well as causing reddish spots on the nail bed and onycholysis.

nail pterygium

Abnormal conditions that occurs when the skin is streched by the nail plate; usually caused by serious injury or allergic reaction.

onychatrophia

Atrophy or wasting away of the nail; caused by injury or disease

onychauxis ( hypertrophy )

overgrowth in thickness of the nail; caused by local infection, internal imbalance, or may be hereditary

onychia

inflammation of the nail matrix with shedding of the nail.

onychocryptosis

ingrown nail

onychogryposis

Thickening and increased curvature of the nail

onycholysis

loosening of the nail without shedding.

onychomadesis

the separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed; can occur on fingernails and toenails

onychomycosis

Fungal infection of the natural nail plate.

onychophagy

bitten nails

onychophosis

Growth of horny epithelium in the nail bed.

onychoptosis

Periodic shedding of one or more nail

onychorrhexis

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

onychosis

any disease or disorder of the nails

paronychia ( felon )

Bacterial inflammation of the tissue around the nail; pus, thickening, and brownish discoloration of the nail plate.

plicatured nail

A type of highly curved nail plate often caused by injury to the matrix, but may be inherited; also called "folded nail".

pseudomonas aeruginosa

one of several common bacteria that can cause nail infection

pterygium

Forward growth of the cuticle.

pyogenic granuloma

severe 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 the length of the natural nail plate, usually related to normal aging.

tile-shaped nails

Increased crosswise curvature throughout the nail plate

tinea pedis

medical term for fungal infections of the feet

tinea ( ring worm )

reddened patches of small blisters; slight or severe itching.

tinea unguium

Whitish patches on the nail that can be scraped off or long yellowish streaks within the nail substance.

trumpet nails ( pincer nails )

edges of the nail plate curl around to form the shape of a trumpet or cone around the free edge.

blue nails ( discolored nails )

nails turn variety of colors; may indicate systemic disorder

healthy nail

firm and flexable, and should be shiny and slightly pink in color, with more yellow tones in some races. Smooth unspotted, without any pits or splits.