Kallgren Dermatology Clinic in Boulder treats a variety of skin disorders, from eczema to skin cancer. What many people don’t know is that a dermatologist also treats disorders of the fingernails and toenails. We’ve put together a list of common disorders of the nail and nail bed.
Ingrown nail
- This can be quite painful and can become infected.
- It is a result of improperly cut nails, or nails that broke off low and as they grow, grow into the skin of the surrounding toe.
Fungal Infections
- These make up about 50% of nail disorders.
- The medical term is onychomycosis.
- The nail becomes thick and discolored, turning yellow, black or green.
- The nail will become brittle and break away.
- This is caused by fungus or molds in cold climates and Candida in tropical climates.
Clubbing
- Enlarged finger tips and nails that curve around the end of the fingertip.
- Can be a sign of low oxygen in the blood as a result of a lung disease.
- Also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, AIDS, and liver disease.
Nail discoloration
- A stripe of color on a nail can be the result of a hematoma – a bruise
- Any pigment more than 3mm wide needs to be looked at more carefully as it can signal something serious, such as cancer.
Thickening of the nail
- This is common in the elderly.
- Can be the result of injury, poor blood supply, or ill-fitting shoes.
Terry’s Nails
- The nail appears almost all white, with no well-defined moon at the bottom.
- Causes include malnutrition, congestive heart failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, liver failure and cirrhosis.
Nails reveal much about a person’s health and habits. If you need your nails examined, call 303.444.8100 for an appointment.
