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Onycholysis Information - Causes, Sign & Symptoms, Cure, Treatment of Onycholysis

Alternative names of onycholysis :: Beau's lines, Fingernail abnormalities

What is Onycholysis ?

Onycholysis is the painless separation of the nail from the nail bed. Onycholysis is a common problem. It can be a sign of skin disease, an infection or the result of injury, but most cases are seen in women with long fingernails. Onycholysis can be a sign of skin disease, an infection or the result of injury, but most cases are seen in women with long fingernails.

Discoloration underneath the nail may occur as a result of secondary infection.
Spontaneous separation of the nail plate starts at the distal free margin & progresses proximally. Nail plate separation can be confined to the nail's lateral borders (rare).

Fungal infection & the skin disease psoriasis can cause onycholysis. These often cannot be told apart by examining alone, & a test for fungus needs to be done. Certain medications (Oxsoralen, Tetracycline, Minocycline, Naproxen) makes a person have abnormal sensitivity to light. One can get sunburn under the nails, which reason onycholysis. In rare cases all the nails are affected & then it can be a sign of iron deficiency or thyroid over-activity.

What are the reason of Onycholysis ?

Onycholysis condition is usually self limiting. Some common reason of Onycholysis includes :-

• A crush injury to base of the nail or the nail bed may produce a permanent deformity. This is one of the common cause of onycholysis.
• Chronic exposure to moisture or to nail polish can produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail .
• Prolonged immersion of nails in water.
• Chronic exposure to moisture or to nail polish can produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail.
• Overzealous manicure, e.g. manicure tools pushing beneath the nail to clear dirt & overuse of nail cosmetics
• Moisture are the most common reason of onycholysis
• Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety, chronic tension or uncontrollable compulsion
• Chronic picking or rubbing of the skin behind the visible portion of the nail can produce a washboard nail.

What are the signs & symptoms of onycholysis?

• Discoloration underneath the nail may occur as a result of secondary infection.
• It is usually painless as the separation occurs gradually. Pain may occur if nail is further detached from the nail bed as result of trauma or if active infection sets in.
• Larger portion of the nail is opaque, can be whitened or discoloured to yellow or green.

Treatment & Cure of Onycholysis :

Some of the common home treatment for the oncholysis are

• For nail abnormalities like Onycholysis, due to nail biting, picking, & tearing, stop these behaviors. Get psychological help (in extreme cases) or encouragement to stop as needed. Keep hangnails clipped.
• For brittle nails, keep the nails short & avoid nail polish. Use an emollient (skin softening) cream after washing or bathing.
• Affected person with Onycholysis should wear light cotton gloves under vinyl gloves for wet work.
• Affected person with Onycholysis do not wear shoes that squeeze the toes together, & always cut the nails straight across along the top.
• Avoid injuring the affected nail, & keep the nail bed dry.
• Avoid exposure to contact irritants such as nail enamel & enamel remover or solvents & detergents.