Caleb Foster
Dystrophic nails are a deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix. They are often the result of a fungal infection, but can also be caused by trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer. In this article, we will explore the causes, symptoms, and treatments of dystrophic nails.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix |
| Cause | Fungal infection, trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer |
| Symptoms | Thickening, ridging, onycholysis, pterygium, or complete nail loss |
| Treatment | Drilling a small hole in the nail plate using a sterile, large-bore needle |
| Type | Median nail dystrophy, onychomycosis, onychorrhexis |
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What You'll Learn
- Nail dystrophy describes any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix
- Onychomycosis, a fungal infection, is the most common cause of nail dystrophy
- Nail dystrophy can be a symptom of internal diseases or a side effect of medications
- Median nail dystrophy is a rare condition characterised by a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate
- Nail dystrophy can be caused by trauma to the nail, such as a crush injury
Nail dystrophy describes any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix
Median nail dystrophy is a rare condition characterised by the formation of a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate that extends from the cuticle to the edge of the nail. It usually appears on the thumb, has no further symptoms, and typically resolves on its own within a few years. In some cases, this is caused when the cuticle is pushed backwards, but in many cases, the cause is unknown. Nail dystrophy can also be a symptom of internal diseases or a side effect of medications. For example, onychorrhexis is a condition characterised by brittleness of the fingernails and toenails that is the result of overexposure to certain chemicals such as strong soap or acetone (nail polish remover), or a side effect of oral retinoids such as isotretinoin (accutane).
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Onychomycosis, a fungal infection, is the most common cause of nail dystrophy
Nail dystrophy describes any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix. Onychomycosis, a fungal infection, is the most common cause of nail dystrophy. It is also known as tinea unguium and affects the nail matrix, nail bed, and/or nail plate. The infection causes the nail to thicken and become discoloured, usually yellow but sometimes black, green, or white.
Onychomycosis occurs in about 10% of the adult population, with older people and men more frequently affected. It is caused by a variety of different types of fungus, including dermatophytes and Fusarium. Risk factors include athlete's foot, other nail diseases, exposure to someone with the condition, peripheral vascular disease, and poor immune function.
The diagnosis of onychomycosis is usually suspected based on the appearance of the nail and can be confirmed by laboratory testing. Direct microscopy and fungal culture are required for an accurate diagnosis. Treatment is important as the infection can cause pain and potentially undermine work and social lives.
In addition to onychomycosis, nail dystrophy can also be caused by trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer.
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Nail dystrophy can be a symptom of internal diseases or a side effect of medications
Nail dystrophy describes any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix. It can be caused by a plethora of conditions and diseases, including fungal infections, trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer.
Nail dystrophy can also be a symptom of internal diseases or a side effect of medications. For example, onychorrhexis is a condition characterised by the brittleness of the fingernails and toenails that is the result of overexposure to certain chemicals such as strong soap or acetone (nail polish remover). It can also be a symptom of anemia, hypothyroidism, or eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia. In some cases, it may be a side effect of oral retinoids such as isotretinoin (accutane).
Median nail dystrophy is a rare condition characterised by the formation of a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate that extends from the cuticle to the edge of the nail. This can be caused by the cuticle being pushed backward, but in many cases, the cause is unknown. It typically appears on the thumb and usually resolves on its own within a few years.
Nail dystrophy can also be a common manifestation of cGVHD, with thickening, ridging, onycholysis, pterygium, or complete nail loss. Periungual telangiectasias are occasionally present. These changes can affect single or multiple nails and often correlate with the duration of the disease.
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Median nail dystrophy is a rare condition characterised by a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate
Nail dystrophy is any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix. It is often caused by a fungal infection, but can also be the result of trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer.
Onychomycosis, also known as tinea unguium, is a fungal infection of the nail matrix, nail bed, and/or nail plate that causes the nail to grow thick and discoloured. This is the most common cause of nail dystrophy in adults, but it is unusual in children before puberty.
Dystrophic nails can also occur as a complication of underlying dermatoses, such as psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus, and alopecia areata. Trauma to the nail can cause a subungual hematoma, resulting in a brown-black discolouration. This is particularly likely after crush injuries.
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Nail dystrophy can be caused by trauma to the nail, such as a crush injury
Nail dystrophy is any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix. It is often caused by a fungal infection, but can also be caused by trauma to the nail, such as a crush injury.
Trauma to the nail can cause a subungual hematoma, which results in a brown-black discolouration of the nail. This is particularly likely after crush injuries. Usually, the diagnosis is simple, unless the trauma is subtle. Although most hematomas resolve without treatment, large, painful collections of blood may be drained by drilling a small hole in the nail plate using a sterile, large-bore needle.
Nail dystrophy can also be a symptom of internal diseases or a side effect of medications. For example, onychorrhexis is a condition characterised by the brittleness of the fingernails and toenails that is the result of overexposure to certain chemicals such as strong soap or acetone (nail polish remover). It is also a symptom of anemia, hypothyroidism, eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa or bulimia, or a side effect of oral retinoids such as isotretinoin (accutane).
Median nail dystrophy is a rare condition characterised by the formation of a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate that extends from the cuticle to the edge of the nail. In some cases, this is caused when the cuticle is pushed backwards, but in many cases, the cause is unknown. It typically appears on the thumb, has no further symptoms, and usually resolves on its own within a few years.
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Frequently asked questions
Nail dystrophy describes any deformity or abnormality of the nail plate, bed, or matrix.
Symptoms include thickening, ridging, onycholysis, pterygium, or complete nail loss. In some cases, a central longitudinal depression in the nail plate that extends from the cuticle to the edge of the nail can occur.
Nail dystrophy can be caused by a fungal infection, trauma, congenital abnormalities, psoriasis, lichen planus, benign tumours, and occasionally cancer.
