Nail Disease

Nails in good condition can be very attractive.  They also reflect an individual’s personal habits – good or bad.  Aside from their cosmetic appeal, nails serve many important functions.  They help us pick up and manipulate objects and support the tissues of the fingers and toes.  Patients with unsightly or painful nails due to nail disease  may  suffer emotionally and physically. A common misperception is that all nail disease is due to fungus.  Many diseases including psoriasis, lichen planus, trauma and yeast can cause nail problems.  Proper diagnosis is essential to correct treatment

Some interesting facts about nail growth:

• They are composed primarily of keratin, a hardened protein also found in skin and hair.
• The average growth rate for nails is 0.1 mm each day.
• Fingernails grow faster than toenails.
• Nails also grow more rapidly in the summer than in the winter.
• Nails on a person’s dominant hand (right vs. left) grow faster.
• Nail growth is affected by disease, hormone imbalance and the aging process.

Symptoms of nail disease

Symptoms of nail disease include thickening, discoloration and soreness of the nails. In its early stages, nail disease can cause minor discoloration of a portion of the nail which can eventually spread to include the entire nail. Nail disease is more commonly found in toenails rather than fingernails. In more advanced cases, sensitivity or soreness in the infected nails can impair physical activities.

A consultation with Dr. Shideler will help determine the best treatment for an individual as each patient is unique and different approaches may work better for some patients than others. Nail disease is easier to treat early, so consultation should not be delayed.

Treatment of nail disease

For any stage of a nail  infection, a patient should consult with a qualified dermatologist in order to determine the best course of treatment. There are a variety of treatments available for nail disease. The most common include:

• Topical medications: Available by prescription for treatment of nail disease. They are most effective at the early stages of the infections.
• Prescription oral medications: This treatment requires a  course of treatment to be effective. These drugs can very rarely have serious side effects, including liver involvement, so their use should be monitored carefully.
• Surgical removal: The most serious infections may have to be treated by of the infected nails, in combination with oral and topical therapies.

A visit to Carmel, Indiana area dermatologist Dr. Shideler can help you get quick treatment to problems associated with nail disease.  Call Shideler Dermatology and Skin Care Center today at 317.846.2396 for a free consultation.