During consultation look for diseases and disorders that may restrict or contraindicate the treatment. You may need to recommend alternate or other treatments, specific homecare, aftercare or retail, rebook the appointment or refer to a specialist.
You can complete a full treatment, with maybe some adaptions.
Condition |
Cause |
Appearance |
Treatment |
Homecare |
|
Onychorrexis On-Ee-Co-Rex-Sis |
Products that over-dry the nail plate, Illness |
Brittle, split flaking nails |
Warm oil manicures weekly |
Always wear rubber gloves when cleaning |
|
Hangnail |
Biting skin around the nail, dry or cracking cuticle |
Skin around the nail cracks and a small piece of skin protrudes between the nail wall and nail plate It may be red and painful |
Regular manicures Warm oil treatments, gently nipper the dead piece of skin with cuticle nippers |
Use a rich hand and cuticle cream, wear gloves when cleaning, regular manicures |
|
Longitudinal ridges or corrugations |
Illness, damage to the matrix, age, uneven growth |
Superficial vertical ridges in the nail plate, the nail plate grows forward in a rail and groove effect running from the cuticle to the free edge of the nail |
Buff nails over a course of regular manicures, keep nails hydrated using a good quality oil Use ridge filler as base coat |
General manicure advice |
|
Pterygium Te-Rij-Ee-Um |
Neglect of the nails |
Overgrown cuticles that are tightly adhered to the nail plate, can cause splitting of the cuticle and infection |
Regular manicures Warm-oil treatments weekly. Once softened remove dead cuticle with nippers DO NOT TREAT IF INFECTED! |
Use rich cuticle cream |
|
Transverse furrows or beau’s lines |
Poor nutrition, illness or trauma to the matrix |
Deep horizontal ridges in the plate running from side to side |
Regular manicures May want to avoid polish, so as to not highlight the deep ridges |
General manicure advice |
|
Leukonychia Lu-Co-Nic-Ee-Ah |
Caused by tiny bubbles of air trapped in the nail plate layers due to trauma at the nail root Infection |
White spots or marks on the nail plate will grow out |
General manicure treatment, white spots will grow out with the nail plate |
Be careful not to bump or knock nails |
|
Blue nails |
Usually, a sign of bad circulation Can be linked to anemia or a heart condition |
Nail bed takes on a bluish appearance |
Regular massage and warming treatments may help |
Exercises to increase circulation |
|
Subungual hematoma (Bruised nail) |
Occurs when trauma to the nail results in a collection of blood, or hematoma, under the nail. It may result from an acute injury or from repeated minor trauma such as running in undersized shoes |
Dark purple/blue/black patch on the nail, it will grow out with the nail |
Don’t apply pressure to the damaged nail, if severely bruised avoid nail completely Are quite painful and are usually treated by releasing the blood by creating a small hole in the nail. Drilling and thermal cautery are common methods for creating the hole |
Be careful not to knock it again or it may fall off |
|
Melanonychia Mela-No-Key-Ah |
Trauma, Systemic disease or medication, May signify a malignant melanoma but can also be normal |
Vertical pigmented bands often described as nail ‘moles’ usually formed in the matrix |
If this is a sudden change seek medical advice, otherwise treat as normal |
General manicure advice |
|
Brittle Nails |
Most cases are characteristic of the natural aging process or overexposure to water and chemical solvents |
Vertical splitting or separation of the nail plate layers at the distal (free) edge of the nail plate |
Re-hydrate the nail plate layers with a good quality cuticle and nail oil |
Cuticle oil or cream |
|
Onychomadesis |
Localised infection, minor injury to the matrix bed, or severe systemic illness Can be a side effect of chemotherapy or x-ray treatments for cancer |
Separation and falling off of a nail from the nail bed A new nail plate will form once the cause of the disease is removed |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
Onychomatricoma |
A rare, benign tumor of the nail matrix |
Usually affects fingers, nail plate yellows and thickens and becomes over curved |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
Erythronychia |
A number of causes from some inflammatory conditions |
Red bands in the nail which contrast with the pale pink of the nail bed |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
Complete treatment with care and/or adaptions.
Condition |
Cause |
Description |
Treatment |
Homecare |
|
Lamellar Dystrophy |
Caused by harsh chemicals |
Characterised by flaking, peeling, breaking of the nail plate |
Regular manicures using moisturising products |
General manicure advice Use gloves |
|
Onychomalacia On-Ee-Chom-al-a-c-ah (Eggshell Nails) |
Illness, medication or stress Poor diet leading to deficiencies |
Nails are weak, thin and soft like eggshells Nail plate may separate and curve at the free edge Can appear cloudy |
Nail strengtheners and/or hardeners may help Treat gently and take extra care |
Always wear gloves when using chemicals or detergents |
|
Psoriasis |
Systemic disorder |
Pitting in the nail plate Severe cases – nail plate separates from nail bed Skin around nail has small red patches covered by silvery scales |
Not contagious Contra-indicated if lesions are open |
General manicure advice |
|
Eczema or Dermatitis |
Systemic condition, Allergies to products |
Skin around nail very dry/red May crack and flake and usually very itchy |
Proceed with manicure taking care Clients can be allergic to lanolin, resin, hardener, polishes, choose products carefully Note any contra-actions |
General manicure advice |
|
On-Ee-Co-Gri-Fo-Sis Claw Nail |
Common in older people, Poor health, circulation and nutrition, Injury, Ill-fitting shoes |
Thickened and curved nail Often affects the big toe |
Regular maintenance of nails as there is no known cure – may require surgery to eliminate pain |
Seek medical advice as may need to be surgically removed |
|
Onychophagy On-Ee-Co-Fa-Jee |
Nail biting – nervous habit |
Weak nails, ragged edges which often expose hyponychium, can lead to infection |
Soften cuticles and buff to encourage growth Regular manicures |
Bitter tasting nail paint can be used |
|
On-Ee-Co-Til-O-Ma-Ne-A |
Constant picking at nails and/or trying to tear them off, Nervous disorder |
Damaged skin and nails |
Treat gently if no broken skin |
General manicure advice Regular moisturising |
|
On-e-corx-sis |
Systemic disorders, Infection, Trauma |
Excessive thickening of nail plate, sometimes separating from nail bed |
File nail smooth, buff and shape as normal Contra-indicated if infection is present |
General manicure advice |
|
Onychoptosis |
Often linked to illness |
Shedding of the nail, whole or partial |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
Pterygium Inversum Unguis |
Possible causes are systemic, hereditary, or from an allergic reaction to acrylics or solvents |
Forward growth of the hyponychium characterized by live tissue firmly attached to the underside of the nail plate, which contains a blood supply and nerves |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
Coy-Lo-Nic-Ee-Ah |
Trauma to the nail Exposure to solvents Systemic disorder, Genetic, Anaemia or overactive thyroid |
Spoon shaped nails Nails are flat and concave |
Seek medical advice Treat gently and regularly |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
On-Ee-Co-Crip-Toe-Sis |
Ill-fitting shoes, Neglect, Hereditary |
Mainly affects toes, Nail plate grows into nail wall creating an ingrown nail |
If infection is present, rebook pedicure and refer to GP May need to avoid the nail, as it is often very painful |
Cut toenails straight across as opposed to cutting corners off |
|
Weakened vein walls and valves allowing blood to pool in these areas |
Twisted and swollen veins Sometimes painful, itchy, burning sensation |
Do not massage around or over the veins |
Refer to a physician for diagnosis and treatment |
|
|
Poor circulation, Cold and damp exposure |
Can affect hands and feet Common in elderly Painful, itchy areas |
Adapt treatment to suit the pain levels |
Keep area warm, avoid tight fitting footwear |
|
|
Ill-fitting shoes |
Build-up of hard skin in a small area, usually a pressure area |
Can be painful to touch, may need to adapt treatment |
Wear comfortable shoes; avoid standing for long periods of time |
|
|
Continuous wearing of ill-fitting shoes |
Displaced big toe joint, a lump protrudes from the below the big toe |
Can be painful, may need to adapt treatment |
Wear comfortable low-heeled shoes |
|
|
Joint inflammation, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Joint injury |
Can affect hands and feet Swelling, restricting movement and causing pain |
If severe, do not massage Handle the fingers or toes carefully |
Massage and warming treatments may bring relief from pain |
|
Do Not Treat Seek medical advice & Refer to a GP for diagnosis and treatment.
Condition |
Cause |
Description |
|
On-Ee-Com-Ee-Co-Sis |
Fungal infection Ringworm of the nail caused by a fungus entering the nail at the free edge |
Discoloured & thickened nail Nail plate becomes brittle rough and opaque; separation of nail plate can occur due to the build-up of scales under the nail plate. The nail plate can appear thick and yellow Can have a greenish tinge |
|
Paronychia Par-Oh-Nik-Ee-Uh |
Bacterial infection of the nail fold |
Matrix is inflamed, swollen and red Pus may be present Nail may fall off |
|
Whitlow |
Small abscess at side or base of nail |
Skin around nail becomes soft and open to infection |
|
On-Ee-Cat-Row-Fee-Ah |
Injury to matrix Disease |
Atrophy of the nail, gradually becoming smaller, can waste away completely Dull or opaque look |
|
Virus that infects compromised skin |
Raised, small patches Can be discoloured and rough |
|
|
Onycholysis On-Ee-Co-Li-Sis |
Systemic conditions, Trauma, Poor circulation, Allergies, Fungal infection |
Nail plate slowly detaches from nail bed but does not completely come away from nail bed |
|
Verruca if the verruca is covered it is safe to perform a treatment |
Virus that infects compromised skin |
Wart that grows into the skin, usually on soles of feet Small black dots cover the surface |
|
Parasitic infestation – they burrow beneath the skin |
Irritated skin, with tiny, silvery lines just under skin surface, usually very itchy Often found on arms or legs |
|
|
Athletes Foot |
Fungal infection Ringworm of the skin on the feet |
Itchy, cracked, red and scaly skin Often found between toes |
|
Fle-By-Tis |
Surgery Injury to vein |
Inflammation of a vein Superficial phlebitis – pain, swelling and redness, skin around vein may be itchy Deep phlebitis – can result in a DVT Phlebitis can appear on the arms as well |
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