How to Cure Onycholysis?

Nail disorders are judged differently from skin diseases and though nails are also a part of the skin adjunct, their symptoms and treatment vary. Onycholysis is one such deformity of the nails that may require medical attention sometimes.

Causes of Onycholysis:

Onycholysis is a loosening of the exposed portion of the nail from the nail bed, usually beginning at the free edge and continuing to the lunula. This nail disorder is often linked to an internal disorder, trauma, infection, nail fungi, allergy to nail enhancement products or to the side effects of drugs taken by the afflicted person. Onycholysis is a very common problem and involves a painless separation of the nail from the nail bed. Onycholysis is a warning sign of skin disease, an infection or the result of injury, but most cases are seen in women with long fingernails.

Symptoms of Onycholysis:

One way of determining Onycholysis has set in to check for signs of discoloration underneath the nail since this may occur as a result of secondary infection. The painless and spontaneous separation of the nail plate starts at the distal free margin and gradually progresses proximally. Larger portion of the nail may become opaque, get whitened or discolored to yellow or green and this calls for medical attention.

Tests for Determining Onycholysis

If the cause of Onycholysis is fungal infection, merely examination alone will not be enough to tell it apart and a test for fungus may be called for. Use of strong medications like Tetracycline, Minocycline, Naproxen make a person abnormally sensitive to light and such persons are at risk of getting sunburn under the nails, which causes Onycholysis. In extremely rare cases, all the nails are affected and then it can be a sign of iron deficiency or thyroid over-activity.

If there is noticeable discoloration underneath the nail, the cause may be a secondary infection and this may require the people to take some antibiotics to rid themselves of the underlying cause. Since Onycholysis is usually painless and the separation occurs gradually, it is only in rare cases that a person may experience severe discomfort. This is linked to trauma or the setting in of active infection.

Treatment and Cure of Onycholysis:

• Some of the remedial measures one can take for Onycholysis at home include regular trimming of nails to ensure they remain short and clean (manageable too) and using a skin softening hand cream to nourish the nails and hands.
• If Onycholysis has set in due to nail biting, picking or tearing, the person can consider seeking psychological counseling to get the necessary encouragement and guidance to underlying problems to stop this behavior.
• Persons suffering from Onycholysis should wear light cotton gloves under vinyl gloves for wet work and avoid keeping their hands immersed for prolonged periods in water.
• If Onycholysis has set in on the feet, one should avoid wearing tight shoes and trim the nails straight across the top only.