Nail Theory•Nail Structure

•Nail Growth

•Nail Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions

Onychology

The study of nails.

Nail Structure1. Free Edge – Extends past the

skin.

2. Nail Body – Visible nail area.

3. Nail Wall – Skin on both sides of nail.

4. Lunula – Whitened half-moon

5. Eponychium – Lies at the base of the nail, live skin.

6. Mantle – Holds root and matrix.

Nail Structure7. Nail Matrix – Generates cells that

make the nail.

8. Nail Root – Attached to matrix

9. Cuticle – Overlapping skin around the nail

10. Nail Bed – Skin that nail sits on

11. Nail Grooves – Tracks that nail slides on

12. Perionychium – Skin around nail

13. Hyponychium – Underneath the free edge

Hyponychium

Nail Body

Nail Groove

Nail Bed

Lunula

Eponychium

Nail Root

Matrix

Free Edge

Nail Bed

Eponychium

Matrix

Nail Root

Nail Growth

• Keratin – Glue-like protein that hardens to make the nail.

• Rate of Growth

– 4 to 6 month to grow new nail

– Approx. 1/8” per month

• Faster in summer

• Toenails grow faster

Injuries• Result: shape distortions or discoloration

– Nail lost due to trauma.

– Nail lost through disease.

Nippers Nail Clippers

Cuticle Pusher Emery Board

or orangewood stick

Types of Nail Implements

Nail Diseases, Disorders and

Conditions

• Onychosis – Any nail disease

• Etiology – Cause of nail disease, disorder or condition.

• Hand and Nail Examination – Check for problems

• Six signs of infection – Pain, swelling, redness, local fever, throbbing and pus

Symptoms• Coldness – Lack of circulation

• Heat – Infection

• Dry Texture – Lack of moisture

• Redness – Infection

• Color of Nail Bed – Bruise

• Condition of Free Edge – Nail biter

• Tenderness/stiffness – Arthritis

• Nail Plate Thickness - Filing

Nail Irregularities

•Refer to a physician!!

–Do not diagnose!!

Onychomycosis• Tinea Unguium /

Ringworm

• Cause – fungus

• Thick, turns colors, deformed

• See physician

• No services may be performed!!!

Tinea Manus• Hand Ringworm

• Fungus

• Blisters & flakes

• See physician

• No services may be performed!!

Tinea Pedis• Athletes Foot / Foot

Ringworm

• Fungus

• Itching & red blisters

• See Physician

• No services may be performed!!

Paronychia• Inflammation

• Bacterial Infection

• Shows signs of infection

• May grow out irregular

• See physician

• No service may be performed!!

Onychoptosis

• Shedding of Nails

• Disease

• Sensitive, nail loss

– Will re-grow

• Needs to be protected

• No service may be performed!!

Onychia• Inflammation of Matrix

• Bacterial Infection

• Signs of infection

• Nail may not grow back

– If it does grow, may be

deformed

• Needs to be protected

• No services may be performed!!

Onychatrophia

• Wasting away of the nail

• Injury

• Shrinkage, separation

• May improve in 3 – 6 months

• No services may be performed!!

Onycholysis

• Loosening of Nail

• Systemic

• Partially loose nail, becomes detached

• See physician

• No services may be performed!!

Blue Nails• Blue nails

• Systemic

• Blue in color, poor circulation

• Manicure with caution!

Corrugations• Ridges across nail

• Injury/systemic

• Ridges

– Buff lightly

– Ridges may disappear

while growing out.

• Lightly buff, apply base coat

Kolionychia• Spoon Nails

• Systemic

• Concave, unusual shape, unlikely to disappear

• File carefully, polish to protect

Furrows• Vertical Lines

• Injury

• Buff lightly, may grow out, may be permanent

• Lightly buff and apply base coat

Onychogryposis• Claw Nails

• Systemic

• Thick, curved, claw-like

• Physician may remove– Difficult to clean and

cut.

• Clean under free edge.

Extreme Case of

Onychogryposis

Onychocryptosis• Ingrown Nails

• Environmental

• Signs of infection: No Service

• Refer to physician

• If not infected: Soften skin, trim nail

• DO NOT CUT OUT INGROWN NAIL!!

Onychauxis

• Hypotrophy

• Injury

• Thickness, easily recognizable

• Lightly buff

Agnails• Hang Nail

• Dry Cuticle

• Skin breaks at corner of nail, trim

• May heal in 2 to 3 days

• Trim Hangnail and Moisturize

Bruised Nails• Purple Nails

• Trauma

• Discoloration under nail, normal growth will continue

• No pressure on nail plate.

Leuconychia• White spots

• Injury or liver disease

• Small separation from nail bed, grows out with nail.

• Perform nail service as usual.

Pterygium• Overgrown cuticles

• Sticky cuticle

• Excess cuticle that splits and eventually tears.

• Soften, massage cuticles and push back

– Unless skin is broken,

then no service.

Extreme Case of Pterygium

Onychophagy• Bitten Nails

• Habit

• Easily recognizable, will re-grow if biting stops

• Perform nail service weekly

Onychorrhexis• Split Nails

• Injury (improper filing or harsh chemical contact)

• Easily recognizable, file with emery board carefully, may be permanent

• Soften nails, use hot oil manicure