The nails protect the tips of the toes and fingers and are normally hard, shiny and strong.The nails develop from hardened skin cells and contain a protein called keratin. Nails begin their growth in the matrix, located under the cuticle, and grow out along the nail bed at a rate of 1 to 3mm a month, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Nail disorders can occur due to infections, damage, hereditary factors or environmental causes.
Fungal Infections
According to Merck Manuals, fungal infections cause more than half of all nail deformities. Fungal infections, also called onychomycosis, are more common in toenails than in fingernails but can occur in either. Infected nails may have white or yellow spots and may become crumbly as the infection progresses. The nail may curl up and separate from the nail bed, eventually falling off completely.
Ingrown Nails
Ingrown nails usually occur on the feet and develop when the edge of the nail curves down and grows into the side of the toe. Most common in the big toe, ingrown nails may cause infection if left untreated, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Ingrown toenails may develop due to heredity, nail trauma or improperly fitted footwear. Simple cases of ingrown toenail can be treated at home by gently lifting the impacted edge and soaking the feet daily. More serious cases require surgery to free the trapped nail.
White Spots on Nails
White spots may develop when a nail undergoes trauma. These typically disappear on their own as the nail grows out, although persistent white spots may be a sign of something more serious such as an underlying infection of the nail.
Splitting or Brittle Nails
Nails may become brittle or split for a wide variety of reasons. Sometimes the cause is repeated exposure to wet and dry conditions, such as when someone frequently washes the hands or soaks the hands in dishwater. Other causes include vitamin deficiencies or disease. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons states that brittle or splitting nails are more common in women than in men.
Green Nail Syndrome
The Merck Manual describes a condition called green nail syndrome in which the nail becomes green. Green nail syndrome is caused by the Pseudomonas bacteria It is treated using antibiotics and a daily soak in an acetic acid solution.
Warts
Common warts, also known as verruca vulgaris, are typically caused by the human papillomavirus and can infect the cuticle or the nail bed beneath the nail. Cryotherapy, freezing the affected area with liquid nitrogen, can be used to destroy the wart.
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