Handcare | Nail D It

Dry skin, also known as xerosis or xeroderma, is the most common cause of cracked fingertips. Dry hands are usually caused by environmental factors such as weather, chemicals, excessive hand washing, or certain medical conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Thus leading to reduced circulation and inflammation, resulting in dry, peeling, and cracked skin. It is important that persistent symptoms are addressed and that medical help is sought.

Cracked Hands or Fingers

Melanocytes are specialized cells that produce melanin, the pigment responsible for skin and hair colour, and they play a role in protecting against UV radiation. Recent research suggests that melanocytes also play a role in the immune system, secreting cytokines and interacting with other immune cells. Disorders involving melanocytes or melanin production can lead to conditions like vitiligo (loss of pigment), albinism (lack of pigment), and certain types of skin cancer.

Melanocytes

Lamellar Dystrophy or Onychoschizia, refers to a condition where the nail plate splits or peels off in horizontal layers, leading to a loss of intracellular adhesion. Frequent washing and drying of the hands and- exposure to harsh solvents, detergents, and nail cosmetics can be common causes. Occupational exposure to chemicals, trauma, and nail procedures can also contribute

Lemellar Dystrophy

Onycholysis, or nail lifting, is the painless separation of a fingernail or toenail from its nail bed, often caused by trauma, infection, or certain skin conditions, and the detached portion will not reattach. Injury to the nail, even slight and repetitive trauma, can cause onycholysis. Fungal or bacterial infections can lead to onycholysis.

Psoriasis, eczema, and other skin conditions can affect nail health and cause detachment, including allergies to nail products.

Onycholysis

Beau’s lines are horizontal depressions or ridges on the nail plate. They occur due to disruptions in nail growth at the nail matrix and can indicate underlying health issues or trauma. These lines are linked to medical conditions such as uncontrolled diabetes, circulatory problems, and viral infections that temporarily halt nail growth. They can also result from injuries to the nail or prolonged exposure to certain drugs, chemicals, or toxins.

Beau's Lines

Dermatitis, often called eczema, refers to various inflammatory skin conditions. In medical terms, "-itis" indicates inflammation, so dermatitis means skin inflammation. Numerous factors biological, chemical, mechanical, physical, and internal can trigger this condition. Common symptoms include redness, swelling, itchiness, and pain. Inflammation of the nail matrix or nail bed is rare, as the nail's immune system typically prevents it.

Dermatitis

Habit-tic deformity, also known as habit-tic nail deformity, is a nail condition caused by repetitive, often unconscious, trauma to the nail matrix, typically from picking or manipulating the cuticle, leading to nail plate changes. The deformity can manifest as a midline grrove running down the nail plate, horizontal lines across the nail, damage or absence of the cuticle, or a washboard appearance of the nail.

Habit-tic

A hangnail is a small, torn piece of skin that appears at the edge of a fingernail or toenail, often caused by dry skin or trauma, and can be painful or irritating. Picking, biting, or rough handling of the cuticles; frequent handwashing; sanitizers; chlorinated pools; and certain skin conditions also contribute. Dry air, during winter, can make skin brittle and prone to cracking. If hangnails get infected, show of redness, swelling, pus, increased pain, you should seek professional medical advice.

Hangnail

Hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, arises from overactive sweat glands and often affects the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. The exact cause is unclear, but research suggests the nervous system plays a key role. While nails are not typically involved, excessive sweat can lead to discomfort and skin issues, including bacterial and fungal infections, especially on the feet.

Hyperhidrosis

Chloronychia, also known as green nail syndrome, is a nail disorder characterized by greenish-black discoloration of the nail plate, often accompanied by onycholysis (nail separation from the nail bed), caused by a bacterial infection, specifically Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Risk factors: prolonged exposure to water, soaps, or detergents. Nail trauma biting or picking, paronychia and underlying nail disorders such as psoriasis

Chloronychia

Erythronychia refers to a group of nail issues often overlooked in nail salons and podiatrist offices. It describes red discoloration of the tissues beneath the nail, which contrasts with the pale pink nail bed and cream-coloured lunula. Usually results from factors such as inflammation, blood vessel proliferation, and thinning of the nail plate. The exact causes can vary, it's critical that a medical specialist correctly diagnoses.

Erthronychia

Hapalonychia, "eggshell nails," is a condition where nails become abnormally soft, thin, and fragile, easily bending or breaking. These can be inherited conditions, lack of nutrients such as iron, calcium, or vitamin B. Illnesses such as thyroid problems and Raynaud's phenomenon can affect nail health. Exposure to chemicals or harsh chemicals can weaken the nails and overall health or malnutrition can can cause hapalonychia

Hapalonychia

Heller’s Median Nail Dystrophy, or solenonychia, is a rare condition characterized by a midline or paramedian ridge in the nail plate of either thumb. It usually results from a temporary defect in the nail matrix, leading to abnormal nail formation. Common causes include:

Early abnormal keratinization within cells below the stratum granulosum. Localized infections affecting the area between the proximal nail fold and the nail matrix.

Injury to the nail or nail bed.

Heller's Median Nail Dystrophy

Koilonychia, or "spoon nails," is a condition where nails lose their natural curve, becoming flat or concave. Affected nails are soft, thin, and fragile, making them prone to breakage, and may lack part of the nail groove in the lateral folds. Its symptoms indicates change in the nail matrix, nail bed, or nail plate. It can affect both fingernails and toenails, but most commonly seen in fingernails.

Heller's Median Nail Dystrophy

Leukonychia is a medical term for white discoloration on the nails, derived from the Greek words "leuko" (white) and "onyx" (nail). This condition, also known as white spots or lines, affects the matrix cells of the nail.

It indicates that keratin synthesis is incomplete, with defective cells growing out along with the nail plate. Leukonychia can occur in any part of the matrix, affecting any of the three layers of the nail plate.

Leukonychia

The nail plate is a hard, translucent structure made of keratin and is typically not pigmented.
Melanocytes are usually dormant in the proximal nail matrix, where the nail begins. While the nail plate is generally semitransparent due to a lack of melanin, melanin can sometimes cause discoloration known as melanonychia.

Melanonychia

Onychophagia, or nail biting comes from the Greek word "phagos," meaning "to eat." This condition involves biting one's nails and cuticles and can develop into a nail tic if not treated. Commonly triggered by stress, severe nail biting may also signal mental health issues or compulsive disorders. It can lead to bacterial infections, skin damage, and onycholysis, which is the separation of the nail from the nail bed.

Oncychophiagia

Melanonychia