Onycholysis

MEDICAL EDITOR

Prab R. Tumpati, MD — Editor-in-Chief, WikiMD Medical Encyclopedia
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Onycholysis
Onycholysis affecting the ring and little fingers
Synonyms
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Nail separation from the nail bed
Complications	Infection
Onset
Duration
Types	N/A
Causes	Trauma, psoriasis, fungal infection, allergic reaction
Risks
Diagnosis	Clinical diagnosis
Differential diagnosis	Onychomycosis, psoriasis, trauma
Prevention	Avoiding trauma, keeping nails dry
Treatment	Addressing underlying cause, keeping nails trimmed
Medication	Antifungal agents, topical steroids
Prognosis	Good with treatment
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Onycholysis is a common medical condition characterized by the loosening or separation of a fingernail or toenail from its nail bed. It primarily affects adults and can involve one or more nails.

Causes

Onycholysis can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, infection, and systemic diseases.

• Trauma: This is the most common cause of onycholysis. It can occur as a result of an injury to the nail, such as hitting the nail against a hard object or excessive manicuring.
• Infection: Fungal, bacterial, and viral infections can cause onycholysis. The most common type of infection is onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nails.
• Systemic diseases: Certain systemic diseases, such as psoriasis, thyroid disease, and iron deficiency anemia, can cause onycholysis.

Symptoms

The main symptom of onycholysis is the separation of the nail from the nail bed. This can cause the nail to appear white, yellow, or green. Other symptoms may include pain, redness, and swelling around the nail.

Treatment

Treatment for onycholysis depends on the underlying cause. If the cause is trauma, the nail will usually reattach as it grows out. If the cause is an infection, antifungal or antibacterial medications may be prescribed. If the cause is a systemic disease, treatment of the underlying disease is necessary.

Prevention

Prevention of onycholysis involves avoiding injury to the nails, maintaining good nail hygiene, and managing underlying health conditions.