Onycholysis - Causes, Symptoms and treatment of Onycholysis

Onycholysis is the separation of nail plate from the nail bed. The separation occurs gradually and is very painless.

Symptoms of Onycholysis

The symptoms are manifest; when a nail has lifted from its bed at its end and presents an irregular border between the pink portion of the nail, the white outside edge of itself and a greater portion of the nail is opaque.

In some rare cases of onycholysis the spontaneous nail plate separation can be confined to the nails lateral borders although it usually starts at the distal free margin and progressing proximally.

Discoloration to yellow or green underneath, the nail may occur as consequences of secondary infection the same as some medical conditions deforming the nail plate's shape with pits or indentations in the nail surface.

What are the causes of Onycholysis ?

Onycholysis may occur in any person whether he may be a male or a female. But studies have shown that females are are more prone to this condition than males. It can be an infection or skin disease or the result of injury but it is seen more in women especially those having long fingernails.

It results from the traumatic effect of having the tips of their finger nails hitting against hard objects. 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. Chronic exposure to moisture or to nail polish can produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail. Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety, chronic tension or uncontrollable compulsion.

Treatment of Onycholysis

Applying some preventive measures will make the onycholysis less likely to occur.

• Avoid trauma to the affected nail, and keep the nail bed dry.
• For nail abnormalities due to ingrown toenails, wear shoes that don't squeeze the toes together, and always cut the nails straight across along the top.
• Affected person with Onycholysis do not wear shoes that squeeze the toes together, and always cut the nails straight across along the top.
• Avoid frequent exposure to harsh chemicals including nail polish remover, wear light cotton gloves under vinyl or rubber gloves for repetitive immersion of nails in water because they expand with moisture and then shrink while drying.
• Patients should clip the affected portion of the nail, and keep the nails short.

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