Enlarged nail plates are a disease. Non-fungal nail diseases

The nail plate acts as an appendage of the skin. Like other parts of the human body, toenails also get sick. The cause of the lesion is uncomfortable shoes, fungal infection, weakened immune system, injury, poor diet, heredity and other factors.

Diseases of toenails in dermatology are divided into two large groups. The first includes diseases caused by fungi. The second group is pathologies that are not associated with the activity of fungal microorganisms. Treatment differs depending on the cause and clinical manifestations.

When there is a disease of the nail plates, the symptoms appear clearly. Nails may turn yellow, crack, break, peel, or curl. Sometimes the problem is deeper, so the symptoms affect both soft fabrics next to the plate - they swell, become very inflamed, red and painful.

Let's look at diseases of the fingernails, photos and descriptions of diseases of the toenails, main symptoms and methods of drug treatment.

What is this article about?

Diseases of the toenails

Indicator of good immunity and good health- state nail plate. It should be smooth, shiny, pale pink in color. There should be no spots, dots, stripes, bumps, etc. If there is a change in color, deformation, or the nail begins to turn yellow, black, blue or green, then a disease is suspected.

In dermatological practice, toenail diseases are classified into two large groups - fungal and non-fungal. In the second case, the causes are related to congenital diseases, infections, injuries, malnutrition, poor quality care, and bad shoes.

Nails change and become deformed due to exposure to chemicals, usually when they are in contact with the nail plate for an extended period of time. Provoking factors include deficiency of vitamins and minerals, low immunity, and serious chronic diseases.

Infectious diseases caused by fungus are the most common cause of nail damage lower limbs. At an advanced stage, the disease requires long-term therapy. The etiology is due to the following factors:

Failure to comply with basic hygiene rules in a sauna, public bath, shower, etc.;
Wearing someone else's shoes;
Working indoors with unfavorable conditions;
Aging;
Endocrine pathologies.

The symptoms of the disease depend on the cause of the pathology. For example, with a strong blow, the nail turns blue and pain is present. Over time, the nail plate begins to turn black. It is easy to recognize such signs; usually the blow does not go unnoticed by a person. With severe inflammation there will be pus.

Signs of a fungal infection are based on the specific type of pathogen. Common symptoms include:

The nail becomes thick.
The fragility of the plates appears.
Detachment of nails.
Cracking.
Change of shade.
Damage to nearby soft tissues.

If treatment is not started at an early stage of the disease, it will progress. The patient's nail color becomes yellow, black or brown, irregularities and bumps, dystrophy appear, and the nail fold becomes inflamed.

All this leads to complete destruction of the nail.

Fungal diseases of toenails

Onychomycosis

The fungal disease onychomycosis develops due to the activity of various fungi. The disease is diagnosed equally in adult men and women, as well as children. Infection occurs through contact with fungal scales that have fallen off in sick people.

Provoking factors include varicose veins, flat feet, diabetes mellitus, psoriasis, and immunodeficiency. As well as prolonged use of glucocorticosteroid and antibacterial drugs orally.

The disease is classified depending on the type of microorganism and the location of the pathological process. Based on changes in the structure of the nail plate, onychomycosis is of normotrophic, hypertrophic and atrophic type.

Treatment regimen for onychomycosis:

Antifungal medications are used;
The affected areas are treated local means– antifungal ointments, creams, gels or varnishes;
Prescribe medications to increase blood circulation;
Physiotherapy is also focused on restoring proper blood flow.

In case of severe thickening and total damage, surgical treatment is recommended. It allows you not only to remove the diseased nail, but also to clean the bed from epidermal scales, which contain a lot of fungal spores.

Athlete's foot

This disease is of fungal origin. Most often it occurs in adults; children rarely get sick. The fungus affects not only the nails, but also the feet. The disease is contagious. It tends to spread, which leads to the development of the inguinal form of epidermophytosis.

TO early symptoms include the appearance of stripes and spots on the toenail. Over time, they spread, affecting almost the entire plate. The nail is thick, concave, curved, and increased fragility is observed. If left untreated, the plate begins to quickly deteriorate.

A dermatologist or podologist diagnoses the disease. Diagnosis can be made based on visual examination. But to identify the type of fungus, a microscopic examination of the scraping is performed. It is taken from the affected plate.

Conservative treatment is rarely prescribed. In most cases, the diseased plate is removed, and the nail bed is treated with aniline dyes and fungicidal balm. Next, apply a bandage with antifungal gel and prescribe oral tablets.

Ringworm

Patients are mistaken in believing that this disease only affects the skin and scalp. In medicine, 20% of cases of ringworm occur in diseases of the fingernails and toenails.

With pathology, the nail plates may turn yellow or become brown, they thicken, peel off from the nail plate, and longitudinal grooves appear. At first there are few of them, but the disease progresses quickly, and the grooves become more numerous. When the form is advanced and there is no treatment, the nail simply falls off.

Close contact with a sick person or sharing common household items.
provoking factors:
decreased immunity;
long-term bacterial infection;
chronic diseases, etc.

Ringworm isolated - only damage to 1 or more nails, rarely occurs. More often, the pathological process affects the nail plates, skin, and scalp.

Types of fungi that affect toenails

Fungi that affect nails are classified into three groups - mold type, dermatophytes and yeast-like. Most often, dermatophytes are the cause of nail problems; others are rarely found.

In turn, dermatophytes are divided into species. They are presented in the table:

Type of fungus	Features of the disease
Red Trichophyton	The lesion is observed on thumb legs. Over time, the skin becomes affected. The plate becomes thick or thin. The first symptom is the appearance of a spot. There is no pain.
Mentagrophytes	First, irritation appears in the interdigital space. If you do not consult a doctor at this stage, the disease spreads to the nail plates. Symptoms: yellowing of nails, thinning. The thumb and little finger are most often affected.
Epidermophyton flocculus	Itching, burning and peeling of the skin. When scratching, painful sensations appear. Over time, the nails atrophy, curl up and resemble a bird's beak.

There are two types of Candida fungi. White ones are often combined with onychomycosis of the nails, which is caused by the activity of dermatophytes. Atrophic changes are detected, inflammatory process affects the cuticle, the nail becomes “rotten”. A distinctive feature is the gray shade of the nail and the curves along the edge.

Parapsilosis is a type of yeast-like fungus. The nail is affected along the distal edge. First a black spot appears, then it begins to quickly increase. As a result, the nail plate falls away from the bed.

Candida fungi lead to disruption of local metabolic processes, paronychia becomes inflamed, and the nail becomes covered with grooves. Swelling of the epidermis is observed. In advanced cases, skin problems appear.

Molds rarely cause diseases of the fingernails and toenails. Scopulariopsis mold most often affects the thumb. Aspergillus niger manifests itself against the background of a sharp decrease in immune status.

Non-fungal nail diseases

Non-fungal diseases are caused by other reasons. However, during their course, infection with a fungus often occurs, which aggravates the clinical picture and delays the patient’s recovery process.

Melanonychia

The pathology is characterized by the deposition of melanin in the nail structure. Usually complements some other disease. Causes include fungal infections, prolonged contact with solutions based on potassium permanganate, chronic injuries, wearing uncomfortable shoes, and inflammatory diseases.

Longitudinal stripes appear on the nail. The problem may affect only one finger, or several at once. The color changes - yellowish and cinnamon shades predominate, sometimes black. The big toe is most often affected.

The disease is diagnosed equally often in men and women. People over 55 years of age are at risk. In children, the disease is rarely detected.

During diagnosis, it is imperative to examine the patient for subungual melanoma, a malignant tumor.

Leukonychia

Serious illness. Manifests itself mainly by the appearance. Symptoms are always different. Sometimes single signs of the disease appear, that is, the nail plate is affected in a targeted manner. And in some cases, complete damage to the nail is diagnosed.

Etiology is due negative influence external factors - chronic trauma, exposure to chemicals and toxic substances. The impetus for the occurrence can be internal pathologies:

Slowing down metabolic processes.
Severe chronic infections.
Pathologies of the central nervous system.

Contrary to popular belief, mineral and vitamin deficiencies do not lead to the appearance of white spots.

Anonychia

The disease is characterized by the absence of the nail plate. It can be congenital or acquired. In the first case, the clinical picture is complemented by other congenital defects, for example, improper functioning of the sweat glands, changes in hair structure. The disease is inherited.

The acquired form is a consequence of exposure to external factors - injuries. In some cases, they occur due to other nail diseases. It may also be due to a malfunction of the central nervous system.

There is no treatment for this specific pathology. Therapy involves influencing the disease that caused anonychia.

Chromonychia

Painting nails in different shades of yellow. The reasons are varied. Internal and external factors influence. In medicine, false chromonychia is also distinguished. This is when the nail turns yellow due to exposure to chemicals.

There are no specific medications to treat chromonychia. True illness treated with vitamin and mineral complexes. They allow you to eliminate the problem of yellowness for several months.

Ingrown nail

The main reason is uncomfortable or ill-fitting shoes. The disease most often occurs in older people. Other reasons:

Incorrect pedicure;
Valgus foot;
Fungus;
Genetic predisposition;
Injuries;
Bacterial diseases, etc.

The most obvious symptom is pain. It tends to intensify while wearing shoes, and sometimes appears even from a light touch to the nail. The tissues next to the plate become swollen and red, and granulation appears around. With this pathology, the likelihood of infection is high. In severe cases, the body temperature even rises.

Conservative, orthopedic and surgical methods are used for treatment. In the latter case, laser treatment is popular. Removing a nail with a laser is quick, relapse is relatively rare, the rehabilitation period is short, and the reviews are good.

The disadvantage of manipulation is its high cost.

Other non-fungal diseases

There is a huge list of diseases that affect the toenail plates. Most often they are chronic.

Pledge beautiful nails- not necessarily a high-quality manicure and colorful varnish.

They look attractive and grow well only in healthy people. Nail diseases are a widespread phenomenon that occurs in both women and men. They lead to the loss of their aesthetic properties by these protective plates on the fingers, their damage and destruction.

Nail diseases are divided by origin into fungal - that is, caused by a certain type of fungus - and non-fungal. Often the cause of a particular pathology is the person himself. We can provoke this type of illness in ourselves and not suspect it.

Factors that lead to diseases of the nail plates are the following:

Those who like to bite their nails cannot boast of their beauty. Also, those who are keen on extensions often encounter problems with fragility and delamination of the “native” plates.

Diseases of fingernails and their treatment

Fingernail diseases of non-fungal origin generally signal serious problems in the body, but can also be an independent phenomenon.

The most common of these are:

Diseases of the fingernails, like any other, require treatment. You can get rid of non-aesthetic phenomena if you change your attitude towards the plates and start taking care of them:

Avoid frequent filing. It is recommended to do this in the same direction to avoid delamination.
do not cut your hair too short;
hand massage with special creams helps improve blood circulation;
Before a manicure, steam your hands well, keeping them in hot water for some time to avoid inflammation;
take vitamin complexes containing iodine, calcium and magnesium;
eat right, include fish, vegetables and fruits, meat in your diet;
get rid of bad habits- quit smoking and stop biting your nails;
Do not use acetone to remove nail polish, or use it to a minimum.

For manicures, you should visit only proven, reputable salons.

Treatment of hand nail diseases is also effective folk remedies- chamomile and mint baths, vegetable oil, horsetail, rubbing with lemon juice.

Some signs can indicate the presence of health problems. Diagnosis of some abnormalities in the functioning of the body using nails is within the power of any person:

Peeling or gouging is often the result of interaction with chemicals.

Fungal nail diseases

These ailments are more serious, and preventive measures are not enough to eliminate them - adequate therapy is necessary:

Candidiasis of the ridges - characterized by pain, redness and swelling of the area. The fungus is introduced when a cut occurs during manicure procedures, and its reproduction causes illness.
Athlete's foot - together with the nails, the skin is damaged, it becomes inflamed and peels, and itching occurs. Nails change color and shape, become loose, flake, bulge and thicken.
ringworm - white or yellow stripes, detachable spots;
Panaritium is an inflammatory process in the nails and fingers, it can be both superficial and deep, penetrating into the tendons and joints. The causative agent is pyogenic microbes that get into cuts.

Treatment of such diseases involves the use of special ointments, as well as taking medications and vitamin complexes.

Diseases of the toenails

They often go unnoticed, and people do not always pay attention to unattractive phenomena on the nail plates of the feet. The most common among them:

Fungus. Many people experience this phenomenon on their legs and feet, and it almost always affects their nails. The main symptoms are discoloration, delamination, separation, hardening and thickening. Fungal infection occurs in public places - swimming pools and saunas, beauty salons. Fungal diseases of the toenails are difficult to treat, and almost every person has encountered them.
Ingrowth into the fingers, causing redness and pain. Common reason- wearing uncomfortable, tight shoes.
an infectious disease of the toenails occurs due to cuts received during a pedicure;
injury to the plate followed by the formation of a hematoma after a fall or strong friction with shoes;
infection of the tissue around the nail.

Treatment of ailments caused by fungus is accompanied by the use of special ointments and sprays, as well as enhanced hygiene using individual household items. This process is long and complex.

Experienced doctors can even use early diagnosis on the fingernails, because concave, convex or too flat nail plates cannot be considered healthy. Such deviations indicate certain problems, sometimes requiring serious treatment. Medicine confirms that the condition of the nail plates directly depends on human health. They are used to diagnose fungus, lung problems, anemia and other pathologies. There are several criteria for determining the disease by fingernails.

Diagnosis by fingernails

Even ancient people associated the appearance of nail plates with the state of a certain internal organ. Today this has been proven by medicine, so it is often used to diagnose the body. Several characteristics are studied: color, structure, shape, hole and spots on the nail plate. Deviations for each of these criteria indicate a number of specific pathologies.

What does a healthy person's nail plate look like?

A nail plate without any cracks, tubercles, grooves, or spots is considered normal. She has an even pink, smooth surface, slight shine. The plate itself is slightly transparent, and the tips are white or ivory. The nail of a healthy person is moderately flexible, hard, and dense. At its base is a crescent-shaped lunula. Its color ranges from white to pale pink. The shape of the nail plate can be different, as it depends on hereditary factors.

Structure of the nail plate

When diagnosed, the surface of a healthy plate does not have pits, dents or bumps, is smooth, and evenly colored. It consists of dozens of layers of translucent smooth keratinized cells that are located close to each other. Thanks to its porous structure, it absorbs all substances that fall on its surface. This helps treat fungal diseases through local medications. When diagnosing, you can see several parts of the plate:

eponychium is living skin at the base;
hyponychium, or subungual plate - consists of spinous and basal cells;
free leading edge – protrudes beyond the edge of the finger;
lunula, or hole - white area at the base in the shape of a crescent.

What organs are the fingernails responsible for?

One of the most “talking” parts of the body is the nail plates. Each of them reflects the state of a specific organ. Nail diagnostics are based on this principle. Organs for which each finger is responsible:

lungs, bronchi, brain - thumb;
teeth, mouth - index finger;
heart, blood vessels - medium;
nerves, kidneys - ring finger;
intestines, female reproductive organs - little finger.

How to determine the disease by fingernails

To determine the health of your fingernails, you need to carefully examine the plates. Knowing their normal state, you can notice some deviations. During nail diagnostics, changes in the following characteristics indicate the presence of problems in the body:

plate colors;
shape or relief of the nail surface;
lunula states;
structures of the nail plate.

Nail color and disease

A healthy nail plate is pink. If it suddenly begins to change its shade, then this is a clear sign of a problem in the body. In this case, diseases of the fingernails are identified by the following diagnostic signs:

Two-color plate. Its upper part is much darker than the lower part, which indicates kidney disease and renal failure.
A dark stripe dividing the nail in half. Talks about the development of a malignant human skin tumor – melanoma.
Brown shade. It is a signal of diabetes mellitus, diseases of the endocrine system, kidney failure, Addison's disease.
Leukonychia is the appearance of small white spots on the plate. Develops against the background of a lack of calcium, iron and zinc. The body also lacks vitamins C, E and A. When spots grow and take the form of stripes, this indicates protein deficiency, poor circulation, kidney failure, and problems with the colon.
Sineva. Indicates to a person pathologies of the respiratory system, including infectious diseases lungs. If Blue colour appeared at the base of the plate, then the diagnosis may be diabetes mellitus.
Completely white nail plate. Appears in patients with liver cirrhosis or diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Yellow coloring of nails. They acquire this shade in case of liver disease and poor digestion, pathologies of the lymphatic system or lungs.
Redness of nails. Occurs when the number of red blood cells – erythrocytes – increases.
Cloudy yellowish color. It speaks of a fungal infection if, against the background of a change in shade, there is a thickening of the plate and its separation from the bed.

Shape and relief of the nail plate

In addition to color changes, some diseases may cause deformation of the plate. Diagnosis of fingernails allows one to identify the following associated ailments described in the table:

Changes	What pathologies are indicated?
Convex nail that looks like a watch glass	Is a sign of chronic liver disease or heart weakness. It is also observed in blood diseases, thyroid diseases, congenital pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis, colitis, and malabsorption in the intestines. In rare cases, it may indicate the onset of cancer.
Concave nail that looks like a spoon	It is a sign of iron deficiency in the body.
Flat nail plate, split at the end	Indicates a helminthic infestation.
Triangular nail	It is a characteristic sign of spinal diseases.
Hole nail	Indicates pathologies of the spleen.
Short flat nail with elevation	Indicates organic heart disease.
Longitudinal grooves	Appear against the background of the development of rheumatism or inflammation of the teeth and sinuses.
Transverse frangible grooves	They signal pathologies of the liver and gastrointestinal tract, symptoms of spleen diseases. Often, transverse grooves appear due to a lack of zinc in the body.
Arced lines	They develop due to a lack of protein.
Small dimples throughout the plate	They talk about the beginning of inflammation in the joints, accompanying psoriasis.

Nail hole

When diagnosing nails, the condition of the lunula is also taken into account. Its absence on at least one finger and a pale nail bed are a sign of decreased hemoglobin and red blood cells. These are diseases such as anemia and anemia. If the hole has become thinner or completely disappeared on a certain finger, then this also indicates problems in the body:

On the thumb. The hole here reflects the condition of the skull and brain. If it disappears, then the person has serious problems with his head.
On index finger. On it, the hole disappears in diseases of the liver, lungs, large intestine and gynecological problems.
On average. The disappearance of the hole here indicates diseases of the circulatory system, problems with blood vessels and pressure.
On the nameless one. The hole on this finger reflects the state of the lymphatic system and metabolism.
On the little finger. Here the lunula reflects problems with the small intestine and heart rhythm disturbances and other heart diseases.

Grooves and stripes

Diagnostically detected transverse grooves are often a sign of improper hand care. In addition, they may appear due to stress, an infectious or other disease. A lack of zinc in the body and poor nutrition also manifests itself as grooves on the nail plates. Longitudinal lines do not appear as often. Their causes may be:

acute malnutrition;
severe arterial disease;
arthritis;
lichen planus;
excessive consumption of carbohydrates;
intestinal diseases;
lack of iron.

Diagnosis of diseases using fingernails when a pattern appears

Problems in the body are indicated not only by a change in color, but also by the appearance of various patterns in the form of spots, lines, bruises, etc. In a normal state, this should not be observed. A healthy nail plate has a uniform pink color. The appearance of any pictures on it indicates the following diseases:

White spots. They talk about low hemoglobin, reduced immunity, symptoms of neurosis, and lack of vitamins.
Black spots. Appear against the background of endocarditis.
Pairs of horizontal stripes. Observed when there is a lack of protein in the diet. He is in large quantities excreted from the body in case of kidney disease.
Divide crosswise into 2 halves different colors– milk and normal. Indicates kidney pathology in an advanced stage.
A line that did not appear due to mechanical impact. Appears in case of fever and high temperature. Indicates previous illnesses.
Brown or beige stain. Is a warning about the development of cancer.
A brown or yellow spot at the edge of the nail plate indicates psoriasis.
Crumbling grooves or white flake-like spots. They are a sign of fungal diseases.
Bruising. Observed when there is a mechanical impact on the nail plate. The reason is the rupture of the blood vessels underneath and hemorrhage into the soft tissue.

Problems with fingernails and nutrition

The main cause of nail problems is poor diet. Based on specific changes in the plate, you can easily diagnose a deficiency of certain microelements or identify an unbalanced diet. As a result, the nail plates become fragile and often break. Their beautiful, healthy appearance can be restored only after identifying the cause of the deterioration. Diagnosis of fingernails with signs that indicate a lack of microelements or nutritional imbalance will help with this.

Lack of vitamins and microelements

Healthy nails grow without burrs, and there are no cracks around them. With a lack of vitamins of a certain group, some deviations from the norm appear:

cracking along and across the plate, nail plates bend and peel - due to a lack of vitamin C;
deep hangnails – with a deficiency of vitamins A or E;
numbness of the fingers – due to a lack of B vitamins;
white spots – with low zinc levels;
slow growth– with calcium deficiency;
brittle nails - due to magnesium deficiency.

Imbalanced diet

An excess or lack of certain foods in a person’s diet also affects the condition of the nails. In this case, the following changes may be observed:

white spots on the plate - excess sugar in the blood;
horizontal dents - a sharp change in diet;
concave plates are a sign of anemia (iron deficiency);
vertical grooves – poor absorption nutrients;
any changes in shape and color indicate insufficient protein.

Diagnosis of toenails

Similar to the diagnosis of fingernails, the health status of the feet is also studied. In this case, the following signs are taken into account:

absence of lunula – decreased number of red blood cells in the blood, anemia;
two-color nail (light at the base, dark at the edge) – renal failure;
discoloration and dark longitudinal stripe – skin cancer (melanoma);
yellow against the background of delamination and separation from the nail bed - an advanced stage of a fungal disease.

Deterioration in the appearance of nails

Sudden deterioration appearance nails can manifest themselves in different ways. More often their growth slows down. In addition, they become too brittle and brittle. The phenomenon of delamination and splitting of the plate is not uncommon. All this indicates problems in the body. If you take timely measures, you can restore the condition of the nail plates, returning them to a healthy appearance with an even, smooth structure, matte pink color, and pale pink lunula.

Why is this happening?

If the nail plates become brittle and brittle and grow slowly, then the main cause of this condition is a metabolic disorder. Such changes may result from:

lack of iron, vitamins B, A;
deterioration of the thyroid gland or kidneys;
poor blood supply.

When the nail peels or splits, the cause is energy depletion of the digestive system. This is also observed with poor blood circulation. Other causes of delamination:

malfunction of the nervous system;
problems with the genitals;
regular application of varnish, removal of the coating with a liquid containing acetone;
dry air, gap between the temperature of the street and the house;
circumcision with pliers or scissors;
using household cleaning products without gloves.

What to pay attention to

The first thing that fingernail diagnostics advises you to pay attention to is your diet. If you are deficient in vitamins, you should include more fresh fruits and vegetables in your menu. When cleaning the house or washing dishes, be sure to wear gloves and wipe your nails after contact with aggressive agents. apple cider vinegar. Hands should be given a break from polish at least once every 2 weeks. For filing, it is better not to use a metal plate, because it severely damages the nail plate.

Nails and body diseases with photos

Video

Diseases of the nails, in which their shape and size change, always cause great discomfort in a person and significantly reduce his quality of life. Nails are a mirror that reflects the state of human health, and are often the first to indicate serious diseases of the body. Half of all cases of disease are. At different stages of the development of this disease, changes in the nails are expressed in one form or another and are often very similar to a number of other diseases. Nails are often affected by lichen planus, psoriasis and eczema.

Nail diseases in some common diseases

Fungal infection (onychomycosis)

With onychomycosis, color changes, shine is lost, stripes and spots appear, and the thickness of the nail plates increases. Over time, nails become deformed, crumble, break, or become detached from the nail bed.

Rice. 1. The photo shows onychomycosis.

Lichen planus

Thinning of the nail plates, changes in their color, delamination at the free edge, separation from the nail bed and damage to the nail folds are the main signs of lichen planus. Nails decrease in size. Often cracks and ribbing appear on their surface. The causes of lichen planus have not yet been established. The development of the pathological process is influenced by many factors.

Rice. 2. The photo shows lichen planus.

Psoriasis

The causes of psoriasis have not yet been established. The disease is considered multifactorial. There is no doubt that changes in the immune system play a large role in the development of the disease. Nail plates with psoriasis change long before the appearance of the main manifestations of the disease - psoriatic plaques on skin. The more the matrix is involved in the pathological process, the more pronounced it is.

The main manifestations of psoriatic lesions in primary psoriasis: pinpoint depressions and weariness, separation from the nail bed, the appearance of smoky lines, increasing dryness of the nails, their fragility, the development of subungual keratosis.
In the secondary form of the disease, the nail plates change shape, scales and deep grooves appear on their surface, the color changes, and delamination and peeling are often observed.

Rice. 3. The photo shows nails with psoriasis.

Eczema

Eczema, like lichen planus and psoriasis, is a multifactorial disease. When diseased, the nail plate changes its shape and splits. Its surface is dull and rough, streaked with transverse grooves. The degree of damage to the nail matrix affects the thickness of the nail itself. Frequent inflammation leads to the fact that the nail skin disappears, cracks and wounds appear.

Articles in the section "Fungal diseases (mycoses)"Most popular

Nails are horny plates located on the back surface of human fingers. They are one of the areas most susceptible to various diseases and injuries, along with the skin and mucous membranes, as they are constantly in contact with an aggressive external environment. Pathological processes can cause violations of the integrity of the nail and the appearance of all kinds of complications. To avoid the development of pathologies, you should promptly pay attention to alarming symptoms and begin treatment.

Onychomycosis is a fungal infection of the nail plate. The disease can spread to one nail or several. In severe cases, the epidermis, epithelial membranes and hair are also affected. Most often, the pathology develops due to the proliferation of dermatophyte fungi in the patient’s body, which feed on keratin.

Attention! In most cases, onychomycosis initially affects the nail plates on the toes, and why does the patient himself transfer the infection to his hands?

Infection most often occurs when the patient visits public places, where the most favorable conditions are created for the reproduction and transmission of the pathogen. The fungus can persist for a long time in warm and humid areas. Cork and wooden surfaces pose a particular epidemic risk, as they have a porous surface. In these microholes, the fungus can exist for several years in a spore state.

Attention! Autoimmune onychomycosis also occurs. With this pathology, pathogens present in the human body, due to a severe weakening of the immune system, begin to actively multiply and infect the nail plates.

The disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:

feeling of itching and burning of the skin around the nail;
deformation of the nail plate, the appearance of depressions, “waves” and creases;
change in nail color, appearance of gray, whitish or yellowish spots on the nail;
delamination and fragility of the nail plate;
peeling of the skin around the nail, the appearance of dry plaques and cracks;
formation of weeping papules in the interdigital spaces.

Therapy for onychomycosis includes the following measures:

Treatment of the nail and nail bed with products with an antiseptic effect. It is recommended to select drugs with a fungicidal, that is, antifungal, effect. The most commonly used solution Fukortsin or Castellani. You need to wipe the affected area twice a day.
Keratolytic patches are used to peel off nails affected by fungus: Mycospor, Junlei etc.
Application of special varnish coatings to the nail plate to destroy the pathogen: Irunin, Lotseril.
The use of ointments and gels with fungicidal action. Most drugs also have an analgesic, cooling and antipruritic effect. The most popular are Acyclovir, Mycomax, Terbizil and etc.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic disease of non-infectious origin, which in most cases affects the epidermis. This pathology is included in the group of lichens, but is of an autoimmune nature and is not transmitted from person to person. Psoriatic nail lesions are quite rare. In most cases, it manifests itself as a syndrome of psoriasis of the epidermis or joints.

Attention! In rare cases, nail psoriasis develops as an independent disease. In this case, it can be quite difficult to differentiate it from onychomycosis.

Symptomatic manifestations of the pathology directly depend on the form of psoriasis. Most often, patients experience the following: manifestations diseases:

Itching and burning of the epidermis around the nail, peeling and the appearance of scales and cracks.
The appearance of an inflamed, hyperemic border around the perimeter of the affected nail bed.
Changes in the structure and color of the nail. The nail plate quickly deteriorates and becomes grayish or yellow-brown in color. When pressed hard, the nail bends or crumbles.
On the surface of the nail plate, grooves, depressions and loose areas of dull yellow color are formed.
Due to the thinning of the nail, capillaries and petechiae - small subcutaneous hemorrhages - can be visible through it.

Damage to the nail plate with psoriasis

Treatment nail psoriasis is usually based on the use of topical agents:

Creams containing steroids. Hormone-containing drugs are aimed directly at eliminating the pathological autoimmune process. In most cases, specialists prescribe Triamcinolone or Prednisolone.
Medicines with vitamin D3. They are necessary to strengthen the nail plate and stop the formation of psoriatic plaques. Used for the treatment of psoriasis Taklonex, Tacalcinol And Daivonex.
Medicines with a dermatotropic effect. They are aimed at reducing the formation of pathological cells and, as a result, reducing the clinical symptoms of the disease or forming remission. For psoriatic nail lesions it is used Dithranol, Dimexide, Anthralin.
Salicylic acid solution. You need to wipe the affected area with this product daily to remove keratinized particles and plaque that have formed on the surface of the nail.

Attention! It is recommended to use products containing corticosteroids for no more than 5-7 days in a row. Only a doctor can prescribe the medication regimen and dosage.

Physiotherapy is also used as part of complex therapy: magnetic wave procedures, phonopheresis, ultraviolet treatment and local baths.

Attention! Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease. To prevent relapse of the pathology, it is necessary to maintain the normal functioning of the immune system.

Onychoschisis is a disorder in which the nail plate is destroyed due to destructive-dystrophic processes. Pathology can develop as independent process caused by exogenous or endogenous factors, and in the form of a syndrome with various diseases, for example, with a fungal infection of the nail.

Externally, the disorder manifests itself as fragility and brittleness of the nail plate. During a clinical examination by a specialist, a change in the color and texture of the nail is often noted. Onychoschisis can develop due to the following provoking factors:

mechanical damage to the nail;
use of low-quality varnishes and means for their removal;
deficiency of vitamins and minerals in the patient’s body;
autoimmune pathological reactions, including allergies;
direct contact with aggressive substances, household chemicals;
thermal burn.

To quickly restore the nail plate, the patient is advised to use vitamins of group A. In most cases, it is necessary to take the drug for at least 4-6 months. The patient is also prescribed a course of intramuscular injections vitamins B6-B12.

Various oils are used for local action directly on the damaged nail: sea buckthorn, olive, anise etc. It is also recommended to do every 3-4 days hand baths with gelatin and masks made of natural wax.

If the pathological process has completely affected the nail and the skin around it, then the patient needs to apply antiseptic dressings. Place sterile gauze soaked in a weak solution of potassium permanganate or hydrogen peroxide directly on the nail. The compress is secured on top with a clean bandage. This dressing will help prevent infection from getting on the wound surface and prevent the development of complications.

For onychoschisis, it is also carried out physiotherapy. It includes phonophoresis procedures and baths with the addition of essential oils.

Attention! Onychoschisis often develops as a result of a deficiency of nutrients and elements in the patient’s body. To prevent this disease, it is recommended to take a course of vitamins A and E once every 6-12 months.

Video - Diagnosis by nails

Felon

Panaritium is an acute inflammatory process, which usually results in the formation of suppuration at the base of the nail. In most cases, pathology occurs against the background of a local infectious process. Panaritium can also form on the palmar surface of the hand, but much more often it affects the nail and the area of skin around it. This is due to the abundance of small wounds, cracks and hangnails. Through such damage to the epidermis, the infection easily enters the body and causes acute inflammation. Pathology extremely rarely occurs in an erased form. There are a huge number of nerve endings located in the periungual area of the finger, which is why the panaritium gives the patient intense pain.

In a typical course, the disease manifests itself with the following symptoms:

intense, throbbing pain in the affected area;
suppuration, the formation of a strip of pus at the base of the nail;
pronounced hyperemia, tension of the skin of the periungual fold;
local hyperthermia of the affected area, burning sensation;
when the infection spreads - throbbing pain in the hand, acute deterioration in health, fever.

Attention! Panaritium is a dangerous disease. The specific anatomy of the finger contributes to the rapid development of the infectious process and damage to deep tissues, including bones and joints. That is why, when pathology appears, you must immediately contact a surgeon.

Panaritium is treated with operational interventions. If necessary, the doctor anesthetizes the affected area, although in most cases the skin around the abscess loses sensitivity. After the panaritium is opened and thoroughly drained. If necessary, after surgery the patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs of both local and general action. Most widely used erythromycin And tetracycline ointment.

If the panaritium is immature, then to stimulate the formation of an abscess the patient is advised to undergo physiotherapy: ultraviolet treatment, heat exposure and darsonvalization of the affected area.

The operation to remove felon is performed on an outpatient basis and lasts about 10-15 minutes. After the procedure, a sterile bandage with an antibacterial agent is applied to the affected area.

Nail damage as a symptom

In some cases, a violation of the integrity of the nail plate indicates the development of more extensive and severe pathological processes in the body. In this case, destruction or deformation of the nail is only a sign of an underlying disease that requires urgent attention to a specialist.