Nail disorders are a large group of conditions that affect the appearance of fingernails and toenails. Nails can reveal a lot about your child’s health. Infections caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses, underlying conditions and inherited ailments can all cause abnormalities in the nails.
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.
Treatments
Treatments
Medicines are available to treat nail infections and reduce symptoms. Types of medicines used to treat nail disorders include:
- Anti-inflammatory creams. These topical creams reduce inflammation and redness.
- Antibiotics. Topical antibiotic creams and oral antibiotics fight bacterial nail infections.
- Antifungal medicines. When a nail disorder is fungal in nature, oral and topical antifungal medicines are used to destroy the fungus.
Key Points to Remember
Key Points to Remember
- Nail disorders affect the appearance of fingernails and toenails.
- Bacteria, fungus and viruses can cause nail infections.
- Skin conditions such as alopecia areata, eczema and psoriasis also affect the nails.
- Underlying conditions such as heart, lung, liver and thyroid conditions also change the nails.
- Medicines are available to treat many nail disorders.
Support Services & Resources
Support Services & Resources
Visit the trusted websites below to learn more about nail disorders.
We offer a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.
Learn more about the different types of nail diseases on this U.S. National Library of Medicine website.
The American Academy of Dermatology provides information about nail care, including tips for keeping nails healthy.
Locations
Locations
Locations
In addition to our primary hospital location at the Academic Health Center in Indianapolis, IN, we have convenient locations to better serve our communities throughout the state.
Sort through 3 facilities offering Nail Disorders care by entering your city or zip below.