Nail disorders

Slideshow

  • Typically painless, treatment involves draining and removing the cyst.

    Synovial cyst

    Typically painless, treatment involves draining and removing the cyst.

  • A large increase in the speed of epidermal cell production causes scaly patches to form on the nails. Psoriasis may be caused by infection, stress, or be drug-induced.

    Psoriasis of the nail

    A large increase in the speed of epidermal cell production causes scaly patches to form on the nails. Psoriasis may be caused by infection, stress, or be drug-induced.

  • Clubbing (acropachy) often occurs as a symptom of conditions associated with a decrease in oxygen levels of the blood (e.g., kidney failure, lung disorders, bowel disease, and some heart disorders).

    Clubbed fingers

    Clubbing (acropachy) often occurs as a symptom of conditions associated with a decrease in oxygen levels of the blood (e.g., kidney failure, lung disorders, bowel disease, and some heart disorders).

  • You can skip this ad in 3 seconds.
  • This patient

    Discolored nails

    This patient

  • A Beau

    Beau

    A Beau

  • Psoriasis occurs when excessive growth of skin cells leads to plaques of itchy, scaly, and thickened skin that may become infected.

    Psoriasis of the nail

    Psoriasis occurs when excessive growth of skin cells leads to plaques of itchy, scaly, and thickened skin that may become infected.

  • You can skip this ad in 3 seconds.
  • Onychogryphosis is a distortion of the toenails attributable to chronic irritation and inflammation.

    Onychogryphosis

    Onychogryphosis is a distortion of the toenails attributable to chronic irritation and inflammation.

  • The two types of melanonychia, a nail discoloration caused by melanin are transverse and longitudinal (shown here), which may be a sign of subungual melanoma.

    Melanonychia

    The two types of melanonychia, a nail discoloration caused by melanin are transverse and longitudinal (shown here), which may be a sign of subungual melanoma.

  • Tineal infections are caused by dermatophytes and may be acquired from an infected person, an animal, soil, or shower floors.

    Onychomycosis (tinea unguium)

    Tineal infections are caused by dermatophytes and may be acquired from an infected person, an animal, soil, or shower floors.

Understanding nail disorders, how to treat them, and when to refer to a dermatology specialist are essential skills for the primary-care clinician.