Chapter 10

Chapter 10
Nail Disorders
Nail Disorders and Diseases
& Diseases
 Learning Objectives
• List and describe the various disorders and
irregularities of the nails.

• Recognize diseases of the nails that should not be

treated in the salon.

• Perform a hand, nail, and skin analysis on a client.

 Introduction
• Nails are an interesting and surprising part of the
human body.
• The nail is a mirror into an individual’s general
health.
• Certain health conditions may first be revealed by
a change in the nails.
• Some conditions are easily treated in the salon but
some are infectious and cannot be treated by
salon professionals.
• Carefully studying this chapter will vastly improve
your knowledge and expertise in caring for nails.
Pinpoint Common and Uncommon Nail Disorders
• Nail disorders are caused by injury, heredity, or
disease.

• Disorders must be referred to a physician.

• Only cosmetic problems can be treated by a

licensed cosmetologist or nail technician.
 Common Nail Disorders
• Beau’s lines

• Blue fingernails

• Bruised nail beds

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 Common Nail Disorders (continued)
• Discolored nails
• Eggshell nails
• Hangnail

© FCG/Sutterstock.com
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 Common Nail Disorders (continued)
• Koilonychia
• Leukonychia spots
• Melanonychia

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 Common Nail Disorders (continued)
• Onychophagy
• Onychorrhexis
• Plicatured nail

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 Common Nail Disorders (continued)
• Ridges
• Splinter hemorrhages
 Uncommon or Abnormal Nail Disorders
• Onychauxis
• Onychogryposis
• Nail pterygium
• Pincer nail
 Recognize Nail Diseases
• Onychosis
• Infectious nail diseases
– Any nail disease that shows signs of infection or
inflammation should not be diagnosed or treated in
the salon.
– Medical examination is required for all nail
diseases and treatment will be determined
by the physician.
 Infectious Nail Diseases
• Onychia • Fungi
• Onychomycosis • Paronychia

© Courtesy of Robert Baran, MD (France)

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 Infectious Nail Diseases (continued)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Pyogenic granuloma
• Tinea pedis
© murat5234/Shutterstock.com
 Noninfectious Nail Diseases
• Nail psoriasis
• Onychocryptosis
• Onycholysis
• Onychomadesis
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 Perform Hand, Nail, and Skin Analysis
• Allows a cosmetologist to identify disease,
disorders, and conditions
• Cleanse the hands of the cosmetologist and client

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 Perform Hand, Nail, and Skin Analysis (continued)
• Observe the moisture, temperature, condition,
tenderness of skin and length of nails.
• Share with your client.
 Summary and Review
• Well-manicured nails have always been recognized as an
indication of good grooming.
• Nails originate in the epidermal layer of the skin and, like hair,
their condition is dependent upon the individual’s overall health.
• You will want to identify and help correct any unhealthy nail
conditions and advise clients on when they need to see a
physician.
• Your creativity in providing quality nail services must be grounded
in a thorough knowledge and awareness of the structure and
physiology of the nails.
• Working on unhealthy nails can be dangerous to both you and
your clients.
 Chapter Review Questions
1. In what situation should a nail service not be
performed?
2. Name at least eight common nail disorders and
describe their appearance.

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 Chapter Review Questions (continued)
3. What conditions do fungal organisms favor for
growth?
4. What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa? Why is it
important to learn about it?

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 Chapter Review Questions (continued)
5. What is the most effective way to avoid
transferring infections among your clients?
6. Can a cosmetologist offer treatment advice for a
client who has developed a nail infection?
7. Can a cosmetologist treat an ingrown toenail if
there is no sign of pus or discharge? Why?
8. Name two common causes of onycholysis.