Liam Carter
Onychomadesis is the medical term for nail shedding, derived from the Greek words onyx meaning nail and madesis meaning a growing bald. It is a periodic idiopathic shedding of the nails beginning at the proximal end, possibly caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Onychomadesis |
| Cause | Temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix |
| Cause in children | Hand, foot, and mouth disease |
| Definition | Nail plate's detachment from the matrix, its continuous connection to the nail bed, and, frequently but not always, shedding |
| Linked to | Autoimmune diseases, physical trauma, pharmacological side effects, and viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses |
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What You'll Learn
- Onychomadesis (nail shedding) is linked to autoimmune diseases
- Beau's lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates
- Nail shedding is a symptom of hand, foot, and mouth disease
- Nail shedding is caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix
- Nail shedding is a side effect of viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses
Onychomadesis (nail shedding) is linked to autoimmune diseases
Onychomadesis (nail shedding) is a periodic idiopathic shedding of the nails beginning at the proximal end, possibly caused by the temporary arrest of the nail matrix's function. The word comes from the Greek word "onyx" meaning "nail," and the Greek word "madesis" meaning "a growing bald." Onychomadesis is defined by the nail plate's detachment from the matrix, its continuous connection to the nail bed, and, frequently but not always, shedding. Beau lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates. Onychomadesis might be considered a more severe version of Beau lines.
Onychomadesis has been linked to autoimmune diseases, physical trauma, pharmacological side effects, and viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses. It is believed that onychomadesis does not represent a persistent infection but rather indicates that the host has been infected by a virus in the past. One cause of onychomadesis in children is hand, foot, and mouth disease. This generally resolves without complication and the nail(s) grow back without any other associated difficulties.
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Beau's lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates
Beau's lines are indicative of a past viral infection, rather than a persistent infection. This is because viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that can only be maintained inside living cells. Nail plates are composed of specialised keratin, which does not represent a persistent infection.
Beau's lines and onychomadesis can be distressing for those who experience them, but it is important to note that onychomadesis generally improves without any complications. In other words, the nails will grow back without any other associated difficulties.
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Nail shedding is a symptom of hand, foot, and mouth disease
Onychomadesis is the medical term for nail shedding. It is a symptom of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), which is caused by a virus. Nail shedding is thought to be a result of the virus infecting the nail plate, which is composed of specialised keratin. This can lead to the nail plate detaching from the matrix and shedding. Beau lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates that can also occur following HFMD.
Onychomadesis is generally considered a benign condition that resolves without complication. The nails typically grow back without any associated difficulties. However, it can be a sign of a more severe condition, such as an autoimmune disease or physical trauma. In some cases, it may be a side effect of certain medications.
The exact mechanism of nail changes following HFMD is still unknown. Studies have been conducted to elucidate the mechanism, including collecting nail samples from patients with onychomadesis following HFMD and performing real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing for human enteroviruses (HEV). These studies have found the presence of Coxackievirus A6 (CVA6) and Echovirus in nail samples from patients with onychomadesis following HFMD.
If you are experiencing nail shedding, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
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Nail shedding is caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix
Onychomadesis is a periodic shedding of the nails, beginning at the proximal end. It is defined by the nail plate's detachment from the matrix, its continuous connection to the nail bed, and, frequently but not always, shedding. It is caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix. Beau lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates, and onychomadesis might be considered a more severe version of Beau lines.
Onychomadesis is often caused by hand, foot, and mouth disease, and has been linked to autoimmune diseases, physical trauma, pharmacological side effects, and viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses. However, it generally resolves without complication, and the nails grow back without any other associated difficulties.
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Nail shedding is a side effect of viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses
Onychomadesis is the medical term for nail shedding. It is defined by the nail plate's detachment from the matrix, its continuous connection to the nail bed, and, frequently but not always, shedding. It is a side effect of viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses.
Onychomadesis is a periodic idiopathic shedding of the nails beginning at the proximal end, possibly caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix. It is generally considered a more severe version of Beau lines, which are transverse ridges on the nail plates. Beau lines are also linked to viral infections, specifically hand, foot, and mouth disease.
Nail shedding is not a persistent infection, but rather an indication that the host has been infected by a virus in the past. It is believed that viruses are obligate intracellular parasites that can only be maintained inside living cells, and as nail plates are composed only of specialized keratin, they are susceptible to viral infections.
Onychomadesis is usually a temporary condition that resolves without complication, and the nails grow back without any associated difficulties.
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Frequently asked questions
Nail shedding is known as onychomadesis, which comes from the Greek word "onyx" meaning "nail" and the Greek word "madesis" meaning "a growing bald".
Onychomadesis is possibly caused by the temporary arrest of the function of the nail matrix. It has been linked to autoimmune diseases, physical trauma, pharmacological side effects, and viral infections, especially coxsackieviruses.
Onychomadesis is defined by the nail plate's detachment from the matrix, its continuous connection to the nail bed, and, frequently but not always, shedding. Beau lines are transverse ridges on the nail plates.
Onychomadesis generally improves without any complications and the nail(s) grow back without any other associated difficulties.
