Nail health should not be overlooked. Here are some common nail diseases to watch out for.
While it is easier to track skin conditions and infections that may affect your body, nails and nail diseases are often overlooked. Toenails and fingernails are made of keratin and are meant to protect the tips of your fingers and toes from trauma. However, nails are susceptible to a variety of conditions that can cause pain and infection. The following are a few common nail conditions to know:
Ingrown Nails
Ingrown nails are common and occur when a nail curves down into the surrounding skin. An ingrown nail can be painful and lead to infection if not treated properly. Make sure that you are trimming your nails correctly, which is straight across or with a slight curve of the nail. Trauma or tight footwear can cause an ingrown toenail. In some case, a dermatologist will have to remove the ingrown nail depending on the severity.
Elevation Of The Nail Plate
Another nail disease is onycholysis, commonly known as elevation of the nail plate, which is often caused by repetitive trauma to the nail, such as through tapping of long nails on a computer keyboard. Often, the nail plate may gradually and painlessly lift off the bed, which allows for bacteria to get beneath the nail and cause infection. Your nail may look yellowish, green, or white and may have pitting or a deformed shape. Psoriasis or systemic conditions, such as anemia, have been shown to cause the nail plate to elevate.
Paronychia
Paronychia is an infection of the skin around your nails and may have symptoms such as tenderness or redness of the skin around your nails, pus-filled blisters, or changes in your nail’s color, shape, or texture. Paronychia is often caused by bacteria and Candida yeast and may be made worse if your feet or hands are often in water or other moist environments.
SCS CAN MEET ALL OF YOUR GENERAL AND COSMETIC DERMATOLOGY NEEDS
Skin Care Specialty Physicians has been serving the residents of the greater Baltimore area for over ten years. From skin cancer screenings to treatments for hair loss, eczema, acne, and more, we treat conditions affecting your skin, hair, and nails. We diagnose a wide range of skin conditions each day and work with you to select treatment options that best fit you and your skin. We also offer variety of cosmetic treatments and procedures, ranging from Botox to microneedling, to fit you and your aesthetic goals. If you are interested in any of our services, contact us at 410.252.9090. You can also follow SCS Physicians on Facebook & Twitter.