Nail disease can be an independent medical problem, not related to other symptoms. An example of such disease is onychomycosis.
Onychomycosis usually affects the nails of the feet, but it can also occur within the nails of the hands. Nails change color, become thickened and fragile. Treatment consists of general antifungal drugs. Changes disappear slowly, usually at the rate at which the nails grow, which is usually 1 mm per month.
Similar symptoms can occur in nail psoriasis. In these cases, they often accompany psoriatic lesions on the skin. Usually, general medications in tablets or injections are used in the treatment.
Another common nail disease is lichen planus. In this disease the most common symptom is the development of longitudinal grooves within the nail plates. Other unique symptoms of lichen planus may also occur.
Dr. Marta Sar-Pomian specializes in nail diseases and surgery. She also performs diagnostic biopsies of nail changes and nail dermoscopy.