Onychodystrophy

Characteristics

Onychodystrophy is a very broad term encompassing all pathological deformities and changes within the nail, in addition to a change in color (nail dyschromia). Onychodystrophy can therefore manifest as changes in the shape (spoon nails), texture (furrows), brittleness (splitting), size, direction of growth (clubbed nails), and thickness of the nails (excessive thickening or thinning), in both hands and feet. Onychodystrophy can occur regardless of age or gender.

Causes

Onychodystrophy can be caused by many factors. If there is no cause that could be responsible for onychodystrophy, we speak of an idiopathic variety of this condition. The most common causes of nail changes include:

• Nail diseases – such as onychomycosis, nail psoriasis or ankylosis
• Skin diseases – e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, lichen planus
• Cancers
• Internal diseases – including chronic heart and kidney failure and cirrhosis
• Taking anticancer and other medications
• Drug use
• Genetic background
• Mechanical nail trauma

Types

There are many conditions associated with onychodystrophy
nail changes. The most common include:

• Onychorrhexis (longitudinal depressions and thinning of the plaque)
• Onychogryphosis (thickening of the nail with a change in shape – clawed nails)
• Onychauxis (thickening of the nail without change in shape)
• Pachyonychia (congenital thickening of the nails)
• Koilonychia (spoon nails)
• Onycholysis (separation of the nail plate from the nail bed)
• Onychoschisis (distal nail plate delamination, commonly called nail splitting)
• Unguis inflexus (or knuckle nails, growing downward)
• Beau lines (transverse furrows on the nail)

Diagnostics

Proper diagnosis of onychodystrophy is extremely important because it guarantees implementation of effective, targeted treatment. The most important factor in the treatment of the disease is to determine its cause, so during the interview the physician will ask you about the diseases and pharmacotherapy you are using. If your known medical history does not predispose you to the condition, your physician may recommend additional examinations to discover the cause of onychodystrophy. During your visit, your physician will perform a thorough examination of your nails, skin, mucous membrane and hair. When diagnosis of the disease is not possible from the clinical picture alone, the physician will order laboratory tests. Depending on the problem, material for examination may be scraped from the nail, taken from the nail bed, or from the edge near the free edge of the nail. Once the physician has a complete picture of the problem, effective treatment can be instituted.

Treatment methods

Onychodystrophy may not only be a serious cosmetic defect and affect the well-being of the affected person, but it may also indicate the presence of other, more serious diseases. If the nail condition is caused by another disease, treatment is based on alleviating or curing the existing condition. If nail changes have occurred concurrently with a deterioration of general health, treatment must be combined with the diagnosis of a potential disease and its stabilization or cure. Therefore, detecting the cause of onychodystrophy is crucial in its treatment. To improve the appearance of the nails or to reconstruct them, the physician may recommend specialized nail polishes or medical resin. In many cases, proper filing and filing of the nails significantly improves not only their appearance, but also the Patient’s well-being.

If you notice any unusual changes in your hands or toenails, or you are concerned about the condition of your nails, we invite you to a professional dermatological consultation, during which we diagnose the problem and present available treatment methods.

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