10 Horrible Nail Disorders That You Should Know About

Your nails will tell you a great deal about your health. The skin under and around your nail is prone to many types of disorder. Warning signs of other health issues can also appear on your nails.

Good nail care is vital because it helps to avoid many common nail disorders. In addition to taking good care of your nails, see a board-certified dermatologist if you find any of the following signs on or around your nails.

Here are 10 nail disorders that you should know about:

1. Ingrown Nail Disorder

Painful ingrown nails can be congenital, caused by an over-curvature of the nail, or by a mismatch between the nail plate’s width and the nail bed. Toe accidents that alter the contour of the nail can also lead to an ingrown nail. Toe deformities (such as a bunion that causes the big toe to lean towards the second toe), high-heeled or narrow, pointed shoes may place pressure between the nail and soft tissues, or even force the nail to develop into the skin.

Redness, swelling, and inflammation make the toe very painful. Ingrown nails may be followed by disorders of the toe, such as the excess of the surrounding tissue or the bone’s outgrowth under the nail.

2. Fungal Infections

The different forms of fungi are present anywhere in the world. The dark, wet atmosphere provided by the shoes and the stockings makes the legs especially susceptible to fungal infection. This is one of the most horrible nail disorders. Most fungi are harmless until they enter the skin.

The fungus can invade via minor cuts or after injury or recurrence of the toes caused the nail to separate from the bed. Fungal infections of the nail plate and the nail matrix are very common.

The fungus can cause a nail disorder. As the fungus grows, foul-smelling, damp debris can be seen. Pressure from a thick nail or a build-up of debris may render the toe painful.

3. Blood Beneath the Nail

It is one of the most common nail disorders. Blood or hematoma under the toenail is a very common consequence of active lifestyles. In individuals who jog or play tennis, hematomas are particularly common. It is caused by the repeated rubbing of the toes against the shoe. A hematoma can indicate a broken bone, particularly after injury (e.g., drop-in of a heavy object at the end of the toe). The toe should be checked by the podiatric foot and ankle surgeon, which could require an X-ray to assess the most suitable treatment.

4. Injured Nail

Bleeding underneath the nail can cause a fine red to a reddish-brown vertical line under the nail. This is referred to as a splinter hemorrhage. Often certain medicines and medical disorders may cause reddish lines to appear on the feet, so if you see a new red mark, see a board-certified dermatologist.

Minor nail injuries typically result in tiny white spots. They normally fade on their own when the nail grows out and does not need medication. However, you can see your dermatologist if you see a lot of white spots and you don’t recall hurting your nail or if the white spots don’t expand. This may mean that you have an infection or some medical condition.

5. Bacterial Nail Disorder

Bacterial nail infection most often occurs when the nail or underlying skin is infected. This is one of the most horrible nail disorders. This form of infection can cause redness, swelling, or pain. Pus may also accumulate in the skin around the nail, and the nail may produce a greenish color.

Treatment is necessary if you have a bacterial nail infection. The dermatologist also removes the pus and prescribes an antibiotic.

6. Nail Disorder: Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a skin disease that may damage the nails and cause pits, ridges, and discoloration. The skin beneath the nail can turn reddish-brown. Reddish lines can appear as well. Nails are able to break, divide, and detach from the skin.

These changes in the nails can occur in people with any form of psoriasis. Often, nail changes are the first sign of psoriatic arthritis, a form of arthritis that some psoriasis can develop. Nail psoriasis can affect one or more nails and may be painful. Various treatments, including phototherapy, systemic medications, and cortisone injections, can help manage nail psoriasis.

7. Skin Cancer around Nail

Many different skin cancer forms, including melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma, can grow under or around the nail. See a board-certified dermatologist if you see growth in these fields. Skin cancer is highly treatable when it is diagnosed early.

Melanoma, the most deadly type of skin cancer, may appear as a dark streak or a mark on the nail. People with colored skin are susceptible to this form of melanoma. Many nails are harmless, and they are common in people of color. However, it’s important to see a board-certified dermatologist if you find a dark streak or mark on your nail and you don’t recall hurting it.

8. Growths Around The Nails

The growth of the skin around the nail is also a wart. Warts are popular on both hands and legs. When warts develop close to the nail or grow under the nail, they should be handled. Care will get rid of the wart, allowing you to use your finger or toe as usual. Dermatologists provide a broad range of remedies for warts.

On the skin above the cuticle, jelly-like growths called mucinous cysts may occur. These cysts may be painful. If it is allowed to expand, the cyst will damage the nail or cause it to deform. A board-certified dermatologist may prescribe the right treatment for this form of the cyst.

9. Nail splitting Disorder

The nail can, as it grows, flake into layers due to:

• Continuous application and removal of nail polish
• Hands at daily exposure to water
• Overuse with the fingernails

10. Rare conditions affecting the nails

• Congenital Nail Anomalies: Nails can be malformed or missing from Nail Patella Syndrome.
• Nail bed tumors: Subungual melanomas and other skin cancers can occur under the nail.
• As a sign of toxicity: Sometimes, poisoning symptoms can manifest as changes in the nail as a nail disorder. For example, arsenic produces white lines, while silver toxicity may produce a bluish tint.

The Bottom Line

Changes in the nails can sometimes suggest serious systemic disease. Much of the time, nail symptoms are self-limited and appear to remedy themselves. Patience is a must to work with nails because their turnover is sluggish. It will take several months for the broken nail to be replaced appropriately.