NAILS IN HEALTH AND DISEASE.
Introduction:
The nails are present at the end of each finger tip on the dorsal surface.The main function of nail is protection and it also helps for a firm grip for holding articles.It consists of a strong relatively flexible keratinous nail plate originating from the nail matrix. Under the nail plate there is a soft tissue called nail bed.Between the skin and nail plate there is a nail fold or cuticle.Normal healthy nail is slight pink in colour and the surface is convex from side to side.Finger nails grow 1 cm in three months and toe nails take 24 months for the same.
Importance of nails in disease diagnosis:
The colour ,appearance,shape and nature of the nails give some information about the general health
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h) Red dots are seen in nails due to splinter haemorrhages in subacute bacterial endo carditis, rheumatoid arthritis, trauma, collagen vascular diseases.
i) Blunt injury produces haemorrhage and causes blue/black discolouration. j) Nails become brown in kidney diseases and in decreased adrenal activity.
k) In wilsons disease blue colour in semicircle appears in the nail.
l) When the blood supply decreases nail become yellow .In jaundice and psoriasis also nail become yellowish.
m) In yellow nail syndrome all nails become yellowish with pleural effusion.
3) Shape of nails:-
a) Clubbing: Here tissues at the base of nails are thickened and the angle between the nail base and the skin is obliterated. The nail becomes more convex and the finger tip becomes bulbous and looks like an end of a drumstick. When the condition becomes worse the nail looks like a parrot beak.
Causes of clubbing:-
Congenital Injuries
Severe chronic cyanosis
Lung diseases like empyema,bronchiactesis,carcinoma of bronchus and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Abdominal diseases like crohn's disease,polyposis of colon,ulcerative colitis,liver cirrhosis
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b) Koilonychia:-
Here the nails become concave like a spoon.This condition is seen in iron deficiency anaemia.In this condition the nails become thin,soft and brittle.The normal convexity will be replaced by concavity.
c) Longitudinal ridging is seen in raynaud's disease.
d) Cuticle becomes ragged in dermatomyositis.
e) Nail fold telangiectasia is a sign in dermatomyositis ,systemic sclerosis and SLE.
4) Structure and consistancy:-
a) Fungal infection of nail causes discolouration,deformity,hypertrophy and abnormal brittleness.
b) Thimble pitting of nail is charecteristic of psoriasis ,acute eczema and alopecia aereata. c) The inflamation of cuticle or nail fold is called paronychia.
d) Onycholysis is the seperation of nail bed seen in psoriasis,infection and after taking tetracyclines.
e) Destruction of nail is seen in lichen planus,epidermolysis bullosa.
f) Missing nail is seen in nail patella syndrome.It is a hereditary disease.
g) Nails become brittle in raynauds disease and gangrene.
h) Falling of nail is seen in fungal infection,psoriasis and thyroid diseases. 5)
There are various methods of diagnosing Raydaund syndrome. Cold water emersion is one method. In this method, patients’ hands are immersed in cold water to observe any clinical features. Another mode of diagnosis looks at medical conditions that are associated with Raynaud syndrome, such as CTD, scleroderma, and lupus. A third technique includes physical examination of the ulnar and radial vessels, nail folds in the capillaries, presence of digital inflammation, sclerodactyly (sleroderma, hardening of the skin, of the fingers and toes), or telangiectasia (chronic dilation of groups of capillaries
Cyanosis is a disorder which causes “bluish discoloration” to the skin, specifically around the mucus membranes or nail beds. There are two types of Cyanosis disorders, depending on where the cyanotic discoloration is occurring. For example, if the cyanotic discoloration is occurring around the nasal or oral tissue membranes, this type of cyanosis would be described as Central Cyanosis. In the same matter, if the bluish discoloration is occurring in extremities such as toes or fingers, it would be called peripheral cyanosis (acrocyanosis). Both of these types of cyanosis disorders derive from problems in hemoglobin oxygen intake, however the body reacts differently towards central cyanosis as opposed to peripheral cyanosis.
The nail is a complex cutaneous structure that consists mainly of the nail matrix, nail plate, nail bed, cuticle (eponychium), and nail folds. The cuticle is an outgrowth of the proximal fold, which is situated between the skin of the digit and the nail plate, providing a waterproof seal from external irritants and pathogens.
Water might seep through and create infection. It may also create a gap between the natural nail and the acrylic nail which can also lead to fungus or bacteria growth.
time. The result of this method dried the skin of the body into a leathery
Bed of nails is originated at India and the practice is used today as primarily form of entertainment in festivals, shows and other events meant to surprise and impress the audience. A nail can certainly be harmful, but a certain amount of force can be applied to a nail head before pain takes place. A person’s weight can spread out over many nails and feel no pain. If a person lay on a bed of nail, the person’s weight is more or less evenly distributed on a nail. Since each nail undergoes a small amount of weight, the person experienced no pain. The general purpose of this study is to find out why some people can lay safely on a bed of nail without getting injured and prevent skin damage.
Psoriasis can appear on any part of the body. It is more likely to develop on the scalp, elbows, hands, groin, knees, legs and feet. It can also cause thick, discolored finger and toe nails. Psoriasis is known to be hereditary, meaning that the gene that causes the disease ca...
A. Walks on toes, can look very odd when moving in general and appears rigid or droopy in posture.
Several infections and injuries can occur in the skin, some of which include burns, abrasions, ulcers, abscess, and tinea. All of these infections and injuries affect the dermis and should be treated according to individual cases. An abscess would be classified as a pus containing caused by bacteria and requires antibiotic drugs. Tinea is a skin infection brought on by fungus that feed on the epidermal cells. It should be treated immedi...
OM can be referred to as a localized infection of the nail, caused by a pathogenic fungi. It is characterized by discoloration and thickening of the nail, and thus, the nails are often thick, yellow, or brittle. OM can cause pain and discomfort, but it is mainly a receptacle for infection (Mooney, 1993).
White or yellow spots on the toe that are caused by the fungus dislodging the skin on the toe
On examination, she has hyperkeratosis(HK) and a haloma durum(HD) build up on the left 4th plantar MTPJ. Her sensations were within normal limits and she was very anxious with the pain. Corns are result from ‘hypertrophy of the stratum corneum with excess keratinisation’ and are frequent problems in diabetic foot, which a sharp debridement is the best intervention (Foster, Edmonds, Das & Watkins, 1989).
Biting my nails is a great because it relieves stress and helps with boredom. It is unwanted however because it leaves my finger nails in an undesired state.
as often. The correct nail shape is the jurisdiction of the individual and may need to be accommodated to their lifestyle.
· Poorer blood circulation. Ie . gray and pale skin, easy to freeze , and cold hands and feet.