1. Nail Structure Nail Growth Nail Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions
Nail Theory
Nail Structure
Nail Growth
Nail Diseases, Disorders, and Conditions

2. Onychology
The study of nails.

3. Nail Structure Free Edge – Extends past the skin.
Nail Body – Visible nail area.
Nail Wall – Skin on both sides of nail.
Lunula – Whitened half-moon
Eponychium – Lies at the base of the nail, live skin.
Mantle – Holds root and matrix.

4. Nail Structure 7. Nail Matrix – Generates cells that make the nail.
8. Nail Root – Attached to matrix
9. Cuticle – Overlapping skin around the nail
10. Nail Bed – Skin that nail sits on
11. Nail Grooves – Tracks that nail slides on
12. Perionychium – Skin around nail
13. Hyponychium – Underneath the free edge

5. Hyponychium
Nail Body
Nail Groove
Nail Bed
Lunula
Eponychium
Nail Root
Matrix

6. Free Edge
Nail Bed
Eponychium
Matrix
Nail Root

7. Nail Growth Keratin – Glue-like protein that hardens to make the nail.
Rate of Growth
4 to 6 month to grow new nail
Approx. 1/8” per month
Faster in summer

8. Injuries Result: shape distortions or discoloration
Nail lost due to trauma.
Nail lost through disease.

9. Types of Nail Implements
Nippers Nail Clippers
Cuticle Pusher Emery Board
or orangewood stick

10. Nail Diseases, Disorders and Conditions
Onychosis – Any nail disease
Etiology – Cause of nail disease, disorder or condition.
Hand and Nail Examination – Check for problems
Six signs of infection – Pain, swelling, redness, local fever, throbbing and pus

11. Symptoms Coldness – Lack of circulation Heat – Infection
Dry Texture – Lack of moisture
Redness – Infection
Color of Nail Bed – Bruise
Condition of Free Edge – Nail biter
Tenderness/stiffness – Arthritis
Nail Plate Thickness - Filing

12. Nail Irregularities
Refer to a physician!!
Do not diagnose!!

13. Onychomycosis Tinea Unguium / Ringworm Cause – fungus
Thick, turns colors, deformed
See physician
No services may be performed!!!

14. Tinea Manus Hand Ringworm Fungus Blisters & flakes See physician
No services may be performed!!

15. Tinea Pedis Athletes Foot / Foot Ringworm Fungus
Itching & red blisters
See Physician
No services may be performed!!

16. Paronychia Inflammation Bacterial Infection Shows signs of infection
May grow out irregular
See physician
No service may be performed!!

17. Onychoptosis Shedding of Nails Disease Sensitive, nail loss
Will re-grow
Needs to be protected
No service may be performed!!

18. Onychia Inflammation of Matrix Bacterial Infection Signs of infection
Nail may not grow back
If it does grow, may be deformed
Needs to be protected
No services may be performed!!

19. Onychatrophia Wasting away of the nail Injury Shrinkage, separation
May improve in 3 – 6 months
No services may be performed!!

20. Onycholysis Loosening of Nail Systemic
Partially loose nail, becomes detached
See physician
No services may be performed!!

21. Blue Nails Blue nails Systemic Blue in color, poor circulation
Manicure with caution!

22. Corrugations Ridges across nail Injury/systemic Ridges
Buff lightly
Ridges may disappear while growing out.
Lightly buff, apply base coat

23. Kolionychia Spoon Nails Systemic
Concave, unusual shape, unlikely to disappear
File carefully, polish to protect

24. Furrows Vertical Lines Injury
Buff lightly, may grow out, may be permanent
Lightly buff and apply base coat

25. Onychogryposis Claw Nails Systemic Thick, curved, claw-like
Physician may remove
Difficult to clean and cut.
Clean under free edge.

26. Extreme Case of Onychogryposis

27. Onychocryptosis Ingrown Nails Environmental
Signs of infection: No Service
Refer to physician
If not infected: Soften skin, trim nail
DO NOT CUT OUT INGROWN NAIL!!

28. Onychauxis Hypotrophy Injury Thickness, easily recognizable
Lightly buff

29. Agnails Hang Nail Dry Cuticle Skin breaks at corner of nail, trim
May heal in 2 to 3 days
Trim Hangnail and Moisturize

30. Bruised Nails Purple Nails Trauma
Discoloration under nail, normal growth will continue
No pressure on nail plate.

31. Leuconychia White spots Injury or liver disease
Small separation from nail bed, grows out with nail.
Perform nail service as usual.

32. Pterygium Overgrown cuticles Sticky cuticle
Excess cuticle that splits and eventually tears.
Soften, massage cuticles and push back
Unless skin is broken, then no service.

33. Extreme Case of Pterygium

34. Onychophagy Bitten Nails Habit
Easily recognizable, will re-grow if biting stops
Perform nail service weekly

35. Onychorrhexis Split Nails
Injury (improper filing or harsh chemical contact)
Easily recognizable, file with emery board carefully, may be permanent
Soften nails, use hot oil manicure