Nails on the ends of the fingers and toes serve several important roles for the body. The nails serve to protect the ends of the fingers and toes and assist with itching, and they can alert a physician of an underlying medical condition in the body, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Nail growth varies between individuals, and fingernails tend to grow faster than toenails. Several conditions can cause a disruption to the nails. Most conditions cause cosmetic changes, but others can cause complications if left untreated.
Ingrown Nails
Ingrown nails can occur on any toe and the fingers but are more common on the big toe. Symptoms of an ingrown nail include pain, swelling at the site and redness. Shoes that crowd the toes, improper toenail clipping and injury to the toenails can cause the ingrown nail. To treat the ingrown nail, soak the nail in warm water several times each day and apply antibiotic cream, according to MayoClinic.com. For severe ingrown nails, a physician cuts away the nail and sometimes the surrounding tissue. Conditions such as diabetes or decreased circulation in the feet increase the risk of complications associated with ingrown nails. Without treatment, the ingrown nail can lead to an infection or a foot ulcer.
Nail Fungus
Fungal infections can occur in the fingernails and the toenails, and they make up around half of all nail disorders, according to Skinsight. This condition, also referred to as onychomycosis, occurs from a fungus or yeast growing under the nail. Older adults, especially those with a medical condition such as diabetes, have fungal nail infections more frequently than younger individuals. Symptoms of nail fungus include a discoloration of the affected nails and a thickened nail. The nails can appear black, white or yellowed. Treatments for the condition include taking oral antifungal medications and applying topical lacquer infused with medication on the nail. Treatments may take up to a year to treat the condition. A physician may need to surgically remove the nail if the fungal infection persists.
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is a skin condition that affects the nails in around 50 percent of the individuals with the condition, according to PsoriasisNet. Some individuals may only experience psoriasis in the nails and no other areas of the body. Changes in the nails include areas of white under the nail, pitted areas and a yellowish color to the nail. Crumbly patches of yellow may also be found on nails. Bumping the nails can cause the psoriasis to worsen. Psoriasis is a chronic condition for which there is no cure as of 2010, but medications are available to treat the condition.
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