
Diseases of the nails are known as onychosis. They are distinct from other skin conditions because they have their own signs and symptoms, which may relate to other medical conditions. Some nail conditions that show signs of infection or inflammation may require medical assistance. Onychia, for example, is an inflammation of the nail folds (surrounding tissue of the nail plate) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds. Other nail diseases include onychoptosis, the periodic shedding of one or more nails, and onychorrhexis, also known as brittle nails.
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What You'll Learn
- Onychoptosis: the periodic shedding of one or more nails
- Onychorrhexis: brittle nails
- Paronychia: a bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet
- Koilonychia: when the nail curves upwards (becomes spoon-shaped) due to an iron deficiency
- Subungual hematoma: a collection of blood under the nail due to trauma

Onychoptosis: the periodic shedding of one or more nails
Onychoptosis is the periodic shedding of one or more nails, in whole or part. This condition may follow certain diseases such as syphilis, or can result from fever, trauma, systemic upsets or adverse reactions to drugs.
Onychoptosis is a type of nail disease, or onychosis, which is a distinct classification of disease as it has its own signs and symptoms. Some nail conditions that show signs of infection or inflammation may require medical assistance. Onychia, for example, is an inflammation of the nail folds (surrounding tissue of the nail plate) of the nail with formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds.
Nail discolouration, abnormalities of the cuticle and nail fold, abnormalities of nail shape, loss of nails, and lesions around nails are all signs of nail disease. Nail plate abnormalities are often due to inflammatory conditions affecting the matrix or nail bed. Specific diagnoses may be made from characteristic appearances. For example, nail pitting may be a sign of eczema, psoriasis and alopecia areata. Transverse ridging of a nail may be a sign of eczema, paronychia, psoriasis, parakeratosis pustulosa, and shrimp nail. A Beau line is a transverse depression affecting all nails, due to acute systemic illness stopping nail growth.
Nail erosion is due to trauma or malignant tumours, such as squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma. Yellow nail syndrome refers to multiple yellow nails due to lymphatic obstruction in cardiopulmonary disease. Green nails are associated with Pseudomonas or Candida infection.
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Onychorrhexis: brittle nails
Onychorrhexis, also known as brittle nails, is a nail disease characterised by the brittleness and breakage of fingernails or toenails. It is a common condition that can be caused by a variety of factors, including ageing, lichen planus, psoriasis, fungal nail infection, Darier disease, or the habit of nail-picking. Onychorrhexis can result in longitudinal ridging of the nail plate, which is the surface of the nail.
Nail diseases, also known as onychosis, are distinct from other skin conditions due to their unique signs and symptoms, which may be indicative of underlying medical conditions. Some nail conditions, such as those showing signs of infection or inflammation, may require medical attention.
Inflammatory conditions affecting the nail matrix or nail bed can lead to nail plate abnormalities. These abnormalities can include discolouration, cuticle and nail fold issues, abnormal nail shapes, and nail loss. Specific diagnoses can often be made based on the characteristic appearance of the nail. For example, nail pitting may indicate eczema, psoriasis, or alopecia areata, while transverse ridging of a nail can be a sign of eczema, paronychia, psoriasis, parakeratosis pustulosa, or shrimp nail.
Yellow nail syndrome, characterised by multiple yellow nails, is associated with lymphatic obstruction in cardiopulmonary disease. Green nails are often linked to Pseudomonas or Candida infections. In some cases, nail discolouration may be due to onycholysis, which is the lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed, commonly seen in psoriasis.
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Paronychia: a bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet
Paronychia is a bacterial or fungal infection that occurs where the nail and skin meet. It is one of several conditions that affect the nails, others include onychosis, onychia, onychoptosis, onychorrhexis, trachyonychia, koilonychia and subungual hematoma.
Onychosis is a general term for any disease or deformity of the nail. Onychia is an inflammation of the nail folds (the surrounding tissue of the nail plate) with the formation of pus and shedding of the nail. This is caused by the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds. Onychoptosis is the periodic shedding of one or more nails, in whole or part. This can be caused by diseases such as syphilis, or by fever, trauma, systemic upsets or adverse reactions to drugs.
Onychorrhexis, also known as brittle nails, is the brittleness and breakage of fingernails or toenails. Trachyonychia means rough nails and is characteristic of lichen planus. Twenty nail dystrophy is trachyonychia of all nails. Koilonychia is when the nail curves upwards and becomes spoon-shaped due to an iron deficiency. Subungual hematoma occurs when trauma to the nail results in a collection of blood, or hematoma, under the nail.
Nail discolouration can be caused by a number of conditions. Yellow nail syndrome, for example, refers to multiple yellow nails due to lymphatic obstruction in cardiopulmonary disease. Green nails are associated with Pseudomonas or Candida infection.
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Koilonychia: when the nail curves upwards (becomes spoon-shaped) due to an iron deficiency
Koilonychia is a disease of the nails, which causes them to curve upwards and become spoon-shaped. This condition is caused by an iron deficiency. The normal process of change is: brittle nails, straight nails, spoon-shaped nails.
Nail diseases are distinct from other skin conditions as they have their own signs and symptoms, which may relate to other medical conditions. Some nail conditions that show signs of infection or inflammation may require medical assistance.
Onychia is an inflammation of the nail folds (surrounding tissue of the nail plate) of the nail with the formation of pus and shedding of the nail. Onychia results from the introduction of microscopic pathogens through small wounds.
Nail discolouration can be a sign of a disease. For example, yellow nail syndrome refers to multiple yellow nails due to lymphatic obstruction in cardiopulmonary disease. Green nails are associated with Pseudomonas or Candida infection.
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Subungual hematoma: a collection of blood under the nail due to trauma
Onychosis is the term for any disease of the nails.
Subungual haematoma is a collection of blood under the nail due to trauma. This condition can be caused by a bacterial or fungal infection where the nail and skin meet. It is characterised by the formation of pus and shedding of the nail.
Subungual haematoma is often the result of microscopic pathogens entering through small wounds. It can also be caused by an adverse reaction to drugs, fever, trauma, or systemic upsets.
The symptoms of subungual haematoma include nail discolouration, abnormalities of the cuticle and nail fold, and loss of nails. In some cases, there may be lesions around the nails.
Nail plate abnormalities are often due to inflammatory conditions affecting the matrix or nail bed. Specific diagnoses can be made based on the characteristic appearances of the nails. For example, nail pitting may be a sign of eczema, psoriasis, or alopecia areata. Transverse ridging of a nail may indicate eczema, paronychia, psoriasis, parakeratosis pustulosa, or shrimp nail.
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Frequently asked questions
Onychosis.
Onychia.
Onychoptosis.
Onychorrhexis.
Paronychia.











































