NAIL DISEASES

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NAIL DISEASESDISORDERS
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BEAUS LINES
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Single horizontal ridge
caused by a severe, short term illness, such as a
heart attack, measles, etc.
ACTIONS Mild cases treat with gentle buffing and
refer more severe cases to medical practitioner.
NON CONTAGIOUS
3
BRUISED NAIL
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Dark, congealed spots of
blood between nail plate and bed
ACTION Gentle manicure. May need to refer to a
medical practitioner
NON CONTAGIOUS
4
BUNIONS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE A projection of the medial
metatarsal and phalanges of the big toe causing
the big toe to turn towards the others. This is
caused by joint weakness and ill fitting shoes.
ACTION Normal pedicare, no rasping/callus
smoothing and gentle massage over area.
NON CONTAGIOUS
5
CHILBLAINS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An itchy, sore, tingly, red
area resulting in broken skin caused by prolonged
exposure to cold and poor circulation.
ACTION Area may be infectious so should be
covered. Gentle massage in area may improve
circulation.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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VERRUCA VULGARIS(COMMON WARTS)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE A viral infection which
causes raised lumps of horny tissue in areas of
pressure, the warts are caused by the human
papilloma virus.
ACTION Do not manicure. Refer client to medical
practitioner.
CONTAGIOUS
7
VERRUCA PLANTARIS(PLANTAR WARTS)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Plantar warts are warts
caused by the human Papilloma virus. They are
small lesions that appear on the sole of the foot
and are cauliflower in appearance and may have
small black specks within them. Due to pressure
on the soles of the feet, a layer of hard skin
forms over the wart. A plantar wart may or may
not be painful. It can be spread in communal
showers, around swimming pools, sharing shoes
etc.
ACTION Do not pedicure. Refer client to medical
practitioner
CONTAGIOUS
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CORNS CALLUSES
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Corns are nodules of hard
skin. Calluses are plaques of hard skin, on an
area of pressure or constant friction.
ACTION Regular manicure or pedicure with
exfoliation and moisturiser on affected areas.
Refer to podiatrist for removal.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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DERMATITIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An inflammation of the skin
caused by an allergic reaction or contact with an
irritant. Typical symptoms of dermatitis include
redness and itching.
ACTION Do not manicure or pedicure infected,
inflamed, broken or swollen skin.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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DIABETES
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Inability to produce to
insulin form the pancreas. Can have poor healing
qualities. May have concerns with circulation in
the extremities and sensations of heat and cold.
Ulcers and Gangrene are a regular concern for
Diabetics.
ACTION Perform treatment with care, check heat
levels and no sharp metal implements to be used.
Any broken skin, eg. ulcers refer to medical
practitioner, do not perform treatments.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ECZEMA OF THE NAIL
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Can affect the eponychium,
nail plate and bed, causing pitting and
onycholysis. This is rare.
ACTION Do not manicure or pedicure. Refer to
medical practitioner.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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EGGSHELL NAIL
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Nail plate is thin and
abnormally flexible. It curves at the free edge
and the nail plate can separate from the nail
bed. This is caused by chronic illness of
systematic or nervous origin.
ACTION Gentle manicure may help.
NON CONTAGIOUS
13
HANG NAILS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Usually caused by minor
injury or constant irritation through biting. The
cuticle splits and appears as a small spike or
hard nail growing alongside the nail plate. Dry
cuticles or careless cutting away of cuticles can
also cause this condition. Hot oil manicures and
regular use of a cuticle oil will help. The spike
can be clipped so it does not catch on things.
ACTION Gentle manicure with emphasis on cuticle
work. Give homecare routine.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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HEEL FISSURES
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Dry skin build up from
calluses. Deep cracks sometime appear in these
and become red and sore. These made bleed if the
client removes the callus once body weight is
applied.
ACTION Pedicure rasping/Callus smoothing must be
very careful and must not be performed on
directly over fissures. Daily use of heal
remedial products may help. Refer to pharmacist
NON CONTAGIOUS
15
KOILONYCHIA(SPOON NAIL)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Flat or spoon shaped nail
often thin and soft and is caused by iron
deficiency (anaemia), excessive exposure to harsh
chemicals etc, or is a congenital condition.
ACTION Manicure with care.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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LEUCONYCHIA SPOTS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Small white spots are groups
of whitish nail cells trapped inside the nail
plate These spots are caused by minor trauma to
the Matrix. Pseudoleukonychia/False Leukonychia
surface layers develop a whitish flaky appearance
due to a lack of moisture in the nail plate
sometimes caused by picking off or removal of
nail polish.
ACTION The white area grows out so there is no
special treatment required. Conduct manicure and
pedicure service as usual nail polish will
disguise the problem. Surface dryness can be
gently buffed away. Recommend cuticle oil.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHATROPHIA
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE The wasting away of the nail,
causing it to lose its lustre and become smaller.
The nail can also shed completely. This condition
is mainly caused by injury or disease.
ACTION Manicure gently, if the condition is not
severe.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHAUXIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An overgrowth of the nail, in
thickness rather than in length. Usually caused
by an internal disturbance, such as a local
infection.
ACTION Do not manicure or pedicure .
CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHIA
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Inflammation of the nail
matrix, accompanied by pus formation.
Inflammation within the nail plate.
ACTION Do not manicure or pedicure.
CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHOCRYPTOSIS(INGROWN NAILS)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Also known as ingrown nails.
May affect either the fingers or toes. The nail
grows into the sides of the flesh and may cause
infection. Filing the nails too much in the
corners and failing to correct hang nails can
cause the condition as well.
ACTION Do not manicure or pedicure if infection
is present. Refer to medical practitioner.
CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHOLYSIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Most commonly associated with
external trauma to the nail. Nail plate separates
from the nail bed. Can also be associated with
an internal disorder.
ACTION If possible, keep the nail short to avoid
the free edge catching on things and resulting
in further separation. Can be permanent if
condition is long term. If so, refer to a medical
practitioner.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHOMYCOSIS(TINEA UNGUIUM)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An infectious fungal disease
mainly seen as white spots that can be scraped
off the surface, or long yellowish streaks within
the nail substance. The disease attacks the free
edge and moves its way to the matrix. The
infected portion is thick and discoloured.
ACTION Do not perform manicure or pedicure
seek medical advice.
CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHOPHAGY
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Bitten nails, often no free
edge is visible. Nails look ragged and distorted,
skin and nail bed can be exposed and raw.
ACTION Regular manicure or apply nail
enhancements to discourage the client from biting
their nails.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCOPHOSIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Refers to the growth of the
horny epithelium in the nail bed. In other words
a callus like growth on the nail plate.
ACTION Buff nail to reduce any thickness
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHOPTOSIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Periodic shedding of one or
more nails, either in whole or parts. This
condition may follow certain diseases such as
syphilis.
ACTION Do not work on the area - refer the
client to their medical practitioner.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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ONYCHORRHEXIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Split or brittle nails.
Caused by injury to the finger or exposure to
harsh chemicals
ACTION Hot oil manicures will improve the
condition. Homecare advice needs to be given.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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PARONYCHIA
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An infectious and
inflammatory condition of nail folds. Infection
is bacterial. Chronic paronychia may weaken
defences and increase the risk of developing a
fungal infection of the nail or may permanently
deform the nail plate.
ACTION Do not work on the area - refer the
client to their medical practitioner.
CONTAGIOUS
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PSORIASIS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE A skin disease which can
affect the nail. It appears as silvery scales
that build up to form a plaque which, when
removed, leave a raw, red patch of skin. Plaques
which form around the nail plate can cause
pitting. Those which form beneath the nail plate
can cause onycholysis.
ACTION Do not work on the area - refer the
client to their medical practitioner
NON CONTAGIOUS
29
PTERIGIUM
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE An abnormal winged like
growth of skin (living tissue) on the nail plate.
The skin is slowly stretched and dragged along
the bed. Most commonly caused by severe trauma
such as warts, burns blood circulation
disorders.
ACTION Do not attempt to remove the wing of
skin as it is quite possible that there is no
nail plate growth under the wing. NOTE PTERIGIUM
SHOULD NOT BE USED TO DESCRIBE THE CUTICLE (NON
LIVING TISSUE).
NON CONTAGIOUS
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RIDGES, FURROWS, CORREGATIONS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Multiple shallow/ deep ridges
due to illness or injury, excessive dieting,
incorrect removal of nail enhancements,
pregnancy, etc.
ACTION Gently manicure, if severe refer to a
medical practitioner. Can sometimes be buffed
smoother or can use a ridgefiller base coat.
NON CONTAGIOUS
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TINEA PEDIS(ATHLETES FOOT)
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Fungal infection, in acute
conditions, small blisters form and spread over
the sole of the foot and between the toes. Where
they rupture, the skin becomes red and oozes.
Feet can be itchy and smell. Can be caught from
bathroom floors, gyms etc.
ACTION In extreme cases DO NOT TOUCH, highly
contagious, seek medical advice.
CONTAGIOUS
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DISCOLOURED NAILS
DESCRIPTION/ CAUSE Exposure to chemicals
including dyes nicotine. Some medications,
bacterial infections and systemic disorders may
also cause nail discolouration .
ACTION Application of coloured polish or nail
enhancements can hide this condition but
lifestyle changes or medical advice may be
required to fix the problem.
NON CONTAGIOUS