Ingrown toenailsOnychocryptosis (ingrown toenails) is where a small nail spike or tear on the side of the nail pierces the skin leading to pain and infection. This normally occurs along the sides of the nails from improper nail cutting techniques or trauma. See Photos
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Curved NailsInvoluted nails have a higher curvature of the nail than usual. In some cases the curvature of the nail is so severe that the tip of the nail culrs around in a circle leading to pinching of the skin causing pain, discomfort, and infection.
Involuted nails are often painful and can develop into ingrown nails. The tendency for involuted nails often runs in families. Ill-fitting shoes and incorrect nail cutting, particularly cutting down the sides of the nails can aggravate involuted nails. |
Nail FungusOnychomycosis (tinea unguium) is another name for a fungal infection of the toe nails (toenail fungus). This infection is contagious and will often travel from the skin to the nail especial after a trauma has occurred to the nail bed. It can result in discoloration, thickening, chalkiness or crumbling of the nails. Fungal infections in the nails can take on a number of appearances and should be assessed by a podiatrist. It is also important to note, however, that nail scrapings are not always accurate way to diagnose onychomycosis.
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Thickened NailsOnychogryphosis (ram's horn nails) is a general thickening of the nail/nails. It can often occur as a result of injury to the matrix such as dropping a brick on a toe, long term neglect (especially elongated nails), or a number of repetitive knocks such as those that occur with continuous use of poor fitting shoe wear. In addition to increased thickness and curvature of then nail, it may also become discolored with a brown tinge and may grow more quickly of one side than the other. When nails get too thick to cut, you may need regular nail care from a podiatrist to reduce the thickness of the nails and to help trim them back as required.
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Nail StainsNail polish, chemicals and tobacco can all stain the nails. Nail stains are easy to distinguish between other conditions as the staining will grow out with the nail if the ofending cause is illiminated.
In many cases you may be able to remove the stain it if is limited to the surface of the nails by buffing it off with a nail file. In other cases a small amount of lemmon juice rubbed into the nail may also be effective. The stains in this photo were caused by Potassium permanganate |
Lifting of the NailOnycholysis is the painless separation of the nail from the nail bed. Onycholysis can occur in response to illness, prolonged water exposure, skin diseases such as psoriasis, irritation from chemicals including alcohol, shellac, or nail beauty products, infections such as a tinea (onychomycosis), sunburn in photosensitive people, or the result of injury or repetitive trauma and irritation such as from tight shoes or high heels. In the event of all the nails being affected it can be a sign of iron deficiency or thyroid over-activity. It is also a complication of chemotherapy. Onycholysis should always be tended to as the loose portion of the nail can become a hive of activity for fungal, bacterial or yeast infections which will inhibit the nail from reattaching.
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