Onycholysis

Onycholysis
Left hand onycholysis: ring and little fingers affected
Pronunciation
  • /ˌɒnɪˈkɒlɪsɪs/

Onycholysis is a common medical condition characterized by the painless detachment of the nail from the nail bed, usually starting at the tip and/or sides.[1] On the hands, it occurs particularly on the ring finger but can occur on any of the fingernails. It may also happen to toenails.

Onycholysis can occur in many conditions, including psoriasis.[2] In thyrotoxicosis, it is thought to be due to sympathetic overactivity.[3] It may also be seen in infections or trauma.[4]

Causes

Treatment

Most instances of onycholysis without a clear cause will heal spontaneously within a few weeks. The most commonly recommended treatment is to keep the nail dry as much as possible and allow the nail to slowly reattach. Trimming away as much loose nail as can be done comfortably will prevent the nail from being pried upwards. Cleaning under the nail is not recommended as this only serves to separate the nail further. Bandages are also to be avoided.[10] When kept dry and away from further trauma, the nail will reattach from the base upward (i.e., from proximal to distal).

If the underlying cause of the condition is not found and the nail continues to detach despite conservative treatment, the nail bed may begin to form a granular layer of abnormal cells on its surface. After six months of detachment, this layer is likely to prevent the adhesion of any new nail tissue, possibly leading to permanent deformity.[11]

Etymology

The word onycholysis comes from onycho-, from Ancient Greek ὄνυξ ónuks 'nail', and Ancient Greek λύσις lúsis 'a loosening'.

Additional images

  • Psoriatic onycholysis
    Psoriatic onycholysis
  • Drug-induced onycholysis
    Drug-induced onycholysis
  • Erythronychia, onycholysis
    Erythronychia, onycholysis

See also

References

  1. ↑ Freedberg; et al. (2003). Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine (6th ed.). McGraw-Hill. p. 660. ISBN 978-0-07-138076-8.
  2. ↑ Dennis, Mark; Bowen, William Talbot; Cho, Lucy (2012). "Onycholysis (Plummer's nail)". Mechanisms of Clinical Signs. Elsevier. p. 542. ISBN 978-0729540759; pbk{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
  3. ↑ Talley&O'Connor (2006). Clinical Examination A Systematic Guide to Physical Diagnosis (5th ed.). Elsevier. p. 262. ISBN 978-0-7295-3762-9.
  4. ↑ Weber&Kelley (2010). Health Assessment in Nursing (4th ed.). Wolters Kluwer Health and Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins. pp. 193. ISBN 978-0-7817-8160-2.
  5. ↑ Mayon-White, R. T.; Hodgson, G. (1971-08-07). "Acute onychia and onycholysis due to an enzyme detergent". Br Med J. 3 (5770): 352. doi:10.1136/bmj.3.5770.352. ISSN 0007-1447. PMC 1798590. PMID 5558190.
  6. ↑ Al-Kathiri, Lutfi; Al-Asmaili, Abla (2016). "Diclofenac-Induced Photo-Onycholysis". Oman Medical Journal. 31 (1): 65–68. doi:10.5001/omj.2016.12. ISSN 1999-768X. PMC 4720947. PMID 26816569.
  7. ↑ Alevizos, Alevizos; Gregoriou, Stamatis; Larios, George; Rigopoulos, Dimitris (2008-02-01). "Acute and Chronic Paronychia". American Family Physician. 77 (3): 339–346. ISSN 0002-838X. PMID 18297959. Archived from the original on 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  8. ↑ Hazin, Ribhi; Tamimi, Tarek I. Abu-Rajab; Abuzetun, Jamil Y.; Zein, Nizar N. (October 2009). "Recognizing and treating cutaneous signs of liver disease". Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 76 (10): 599–606. doi:10.3949/ccjm.76A.08113. ISSN 0891-1150. PMID 19797460. Archived from the original on 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  9. ↑ Shah, Selina (April 2010). "Pointe shoes complicate biomechanics of ballet". Lower Extremity Review Magazine. Archived from the original on 2021-08-28. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  10. ↑ "Onycholysis". American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  11. ↑ Richard K. Scherr (1 December 1997). "The Nail Doctor: Onycholysis, or Nail Separation, Has Different Varieties". Nails Magazine. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
Classification
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