Nail Disorders

Some common causes of nail disorders are:

• Some types of hair loss, such as alopecia areata
• Anemia
• Skin infections (paronychia, ringworm, athlete's foot)
• Eczema
• Lichen planus (an inflammatory immune response)
• Psoriasis

Many other conditions can change the nails, especially those that affect the amount of oxygen in the blood such as:

• Heart conditions
• Lung disease and lung cancer
• Liver disease
• Thyroid disease

Symptoms of nail disorders depend on the specific source of the problem. Some common symptoms include:

• Inflammation under and around the nails
• Changes in nail color
• Brittle nails
• Bumpy or grooved nails
• Split nails
• Thin nails

Nails that look different can be upsetting to children and teens. If the nails are painful, this may impact the ability to perform simple tasks like holding a pencil. A dermatologist can work with you to determine the cause of your child’s nail disorder and provide the best treatment possible.

Diagnosis of Nail Disorders

If your child shows signs of nail abnormalities, a pediatric dermatologist can perform the following exams and tests to make a diagnosis:

• Physical exam. The dermatologist will examine your child’s fingernails and toenails as well as other areas of the body.
• Nail culture. Clippings of the nails may be taken for further study. Nail clippings can be sent to a lab and placed in a culture dish to encourage bacteria, viruses or fungus to grow. What appears in the culture allows the doctor to determine exactly what may be causing nail changes or an infection.
• Biopsy. In rare cases, a cuticle biopsy (sample of tissue from the cuticle) is taken for further study under a microscope to help make a diagnosis.