Chapter 10 - Nail Disorders and Diseases

condition in which a blood clot forms under the nail plate, causing a dark purplish spot. These discolorations are usually due to small injuries to the nail beds.

Nails turn a variety of colors; may indicate surface staining, a systemic disorder, or poor blood circulation.

noticeably thin, white nail plates that are more flexible than normal and can curve over the free edge.

also known as agnail; a condition in which the living tissue surrounding the nail plate splits or tears.

also known as white spots; whitish discolorations of the nails, usually caused by injury to the matrix area; not related to the body's health or vitamin deficiencies.

darkening of the fingernails or toenails; may be seen as a black band within the nail plate extending from the base to the free edge.

condition caused by an injury or disease of the nail unit.

a noninfectious condition that affects the surface of the natural nail plate causing tiny pits or severe roughness on the surface of the nail plate.

abnormal condition that occurs when the skin is stretched by the nail plate; usually caused by serous injury, such as burns, or an adverse skin reaction to chemical nail enhancement products.

inflammation of the nail matrix, followed by shedding of the natural nail.

also known as ingrown nails; nail grows into the side of the tissue around the nails.

lifting of the nail plate from the nail bed without shedding, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing toward the lunula area.

the separation and falling off of a nail plate from the nail bed; affects fingernails and toenails.

fungal infection of the natural nail plate.

also known as bitten nails; result of a habit of chewing the nail or chewing the hardened skin surrounding the nail plate.

split or brittle nails that have a series of lengthwise ridges giving a rough appearance to the surface of the nail plate.

any deformity or disease of the natural nails.

bacterial inflammation of the tissues surrounding the nail causing pus, swelling, and redness, usually in the skin fold adjacent to the nail plate.

also known as trumpet nail; increased crosswise curvature throughout the nail plate caused by an increased curvature of the matrix. the edges of the nail plate may curl around to form the shape of a trumpet or sharp cone at the free edge.

also known as folded nail; a type of highly curved nail usually caused by injury to the matrix, but may be inherited.

severe inflammation of the nail in which a lump of red tissue grows up from the nail bed to the nail plate.

vertical lines running through the length of the natural nail plate that are caused by uneven growth of the nails, usually the result of normal aging.

hemorrhages caused by trauma or injury to the nail bed that damage the capillaries and allow small amounts of blood flow.

medical term for fungal infections of the feet; red, itchy rash of the skin on the bottom of the feet and/or in between the toes, usually found between the fourth and fifth toe.