Diseases of the Nail
Diseases of the Nail
The nails can provide important clues about overall skin and systemic health. Nail disorders may result from infection, inflammation, trauma, aging, nutritional deficiencies, or underlying medical conditions. Common symptoms include discoloration, thickening, brittleness, lifting of the nail plate, or changes in nail shape. One of the most common nail diseases is onychomycosis, a fungal infection of the nail plate and surrounding structures. Other nail conditions include bacterial infections, chronic paronychia, psoriasis, trauma-related nail damage, inflammatory nail disorders, and changes associated with vitamin or mineral deficiencies such as iron, zinc, or biotin deficiency.
Nails grow slowly, so improvement takes time. Fingernails grow about 3 mm per month, while toenails grow approximately 1 mm per month, meaning nail diseases may take several months to fully resolve as the damaged nail grows out and is replaced by healthy nail.
Because many nail conditions look similar, accurate diagnosis is important for proper treatment. At Aesthetics and Medical Lasers of Colorado, we evaluate a wide range of nail disorders and offer advanced treatments to restore healthy nail growth and improve nail appearance. If you notice persistent changes in your nails, a professional evaluation can help determine the cause and guide appropriate treatment.
