Nail Diseases

Signs and symptoms of nail diseases vary depending on the underlying cause. Your fingernails and toenails are made up of a hardened protein called keratin. The purpose of your nails is to protect the skin at the tip of fingers and toes.

Signs and symptoms that may indicate a nail disease include:

• Dark (black, brown, or blue) streak under the nail

• Nail lifting

• Thickening of the nail

• Nail discoloration

• Crumbly nail

• Redness or swelling around the nail

• Pitting (dents in the nail)

• Yellow nails

• Deep grooves or ridges

• Thin or spoon-shaped nails

• Curved nails

Nail diseases are often a symptom of some other health conditions. For example, spoon-shaped nails may indicate a nutrient deficiency and yellow nails are a sign of lung disease.

There are many types of nail diseases. Examples include:

Paronychia

Paronychia is a nail infection. It may appear as redness and swelling at the tip of the nail (ingrown nail) or a greenish black color under the nail (bacterial infection)

Onychomycosis

Onychomycosis is a nail fungal infection. This is a common nail problem that causes discoloration, nail thickening, and nail lifting.

Acral lentiginous melanoma

Acral lentiginous melanoma is a type of melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer, that affects the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the nails. This type of nail disease may appear as a black streak under the nail.

Clubbing

Clubbing is when the nail curves downward. Though clubbing is sometimes an inherited condition, it’s also a symptom of diseases that affect vital organs like the lungs, liver, or heart.

Treatment for nail diseases depends on the cause. The team at Central Utah Dermatology conducts thorough evaluations when you come in with concerns about the health of your nails to determine the underlying disease so you get the most effective treatment.

Treatment for nail diseases may include lifestyle modifications, medications to clear up an infection, or removal of the nail. If the team suspects your nail condition is a sign of some other health issue (lung disease or liver disease), they refer you to your primary care provider (PCP) for further treatment.

Your nails tell you a lot about your health. To find out if your abnormal nail is a nail disease, call the nearest Central Utah Dermatology office or book a visit online today.