Oncholysis is distal separation of the nail plate from the nail bed, normally seen as an increased white area from the free edge. Usually due to build up of debris which attracts fungus and bacteria under the nail plate, also associated with injury, trauma, infection, allergy to nail enhancements products and reaction to drugs. Non infected nails can be treated but only if there is no infection presented, but severely separated nails should not be treated.

Onychorrhexis

Onychorrhexis is a very common disorder which results in brittle nails, which peel and have lengthwise ridges and sometimes these even become vertical splits down the nail, this disorder can be hereditary but is sometimes caused by using strong detergents/solvents, rough filing, overuse of cuticle remover, nail polish remover or injury to finger. Strong healthy nails can be encouraged by careful treatment that will help avoid splitting

Onychocryptosis

Onychocryptosis or ‘unguis incarnates’ is an ingrown nail on either the finger or toe, the nail grows into the tissue surrounding the nail, and may cause infection, most often found on toenails that have been cut incorrectly, the treatment can be carried out as long as no infection is present, although the digit may be painful to touch.

Onychophagy

Onychophagy is the medical term for nails which have been bitten enough to become deformed and is also known as the habit of nail biting, the nail can be chewed from the free edge down to the nail bed and sometimes the skin around the nail is chewed too. The fingers/nail beds can be very sore. Treatment will help improve the condition of nail and surrounding skin. This can also lead to bacterial infection as germs can be spread from under fingernails to mouth and vice-versa.

Paronychia

Paronychia is infammation of the soft tissue surrounding the nail. This can happen because the seal around the cuticle/eponychium is broken and allows bacteria to penetrate. It is very common and can be very red and swollen around the cuticle and sidewall area. Sometimes pus will be present under the cuticle and it is normally quite painful. Some causes for Paronychia are, biting, hangnail, breaks/cuts in the skin becoming infected, bad manicures or constantly having hands in water and storng detregents. This condition is very contagious and should not normally be treated. However if it was only on one finger, you could localise it and treat the remaining digits.

Hangnail

Hangnail or ’agnail’ is a very common disorder, caused by dry cuticles and aggravated by improper trimming. The nail fold if neglected will often stick to nail plate and as it grows is pulled with it, this leaves the skin overstretched and so it results in splitting leaving loose flaky dry pieces of skin. These can become very sore and infected and sometimes progress into Paronychia or other bacterial infection if not treated correctly.


Pterygium

Pterygium is overgrowth of the cuticle, if left untreated the cuticle can grow up to the free edge, this is usually caused by trauma to the matrix from a surgical procedure or a bad cut to the nail plate. This condition can and should be treated, regular manicures will help remove the cuticle from the nail plate, although this could take weeks or even months to remove completely

Leuconychia

Leuconychia is a common disorder when white spots or lines appear on the nail, usually caused by a bruise or injury to the nail, this spot is where the nail plate has seperated in a small area, and may be tiny bubbles trapped in the layers of the nail plate due to trauma and although this cannot be corrected , it will normally grow out, it does not usually indicate infection or disease, nor its it linked to calcium deficiency as often suggested! In fact it can often be hereditary.