Beautiful hands with smooth healthy nail plates have always been a kind of a person’s business card. Any deviations interfere with normal communication, provoke the formation of complexes. A fairly common disease, onychogryphosis of nails, leads to deformation of the plates, which begin to look like ram's horn. Pathology can occur on the arms and legs, but more often affects the lower extremities. The causes of the curvature of nails are different.
What is Onychogryphosis
The name of the disease speaks for itself: pathology is related to griffins - ram's horn nail. This is the kind that the nail plates of a person with onychogryphosis acquire. Over time, the disease progresses, walking is difficult, and the quality of life decreases. It becomes impossible to wear shoes, transverse flat feet appear. In any case, specific treatment is required.
This term was introduced into dermatological practice by the German physician and physiologist R. Virchow. Onychogryphosis is a type of onychodystrophy, which is characterized by twisting of the nails and their curvature in the form of a claw of a mythical bird or ram's horn – a griffin. The disease has no seasonal or gender component. As a rule, the onychogryphosis-type deformity is found on the lower extremities in elderly patients. Onychogryphosis is rarely diagnosed in children.
General information
Onychogryphosis is a rare dystrophic lesion of the nail plate, mainly localized on the legs, associated with changes in the periungual tissues, hypertrophy of the horny plates, their compaction, twisting of the stratum corneum, and curvature in the form of a claw of a mythical bird or ram's horn, (griffin). In modern dermatological practice, the term "onychogryphosis" was introduced by the German physician and physiologist R. Virchow. As a rule, onychogryphosis is a disease of elderly and senile patients, in very rare cases it can even occur in children.
Often, onychogryphosis is diagnosed in athletes. Frequent comorbidity is flat... The pathological process does not have a gender and seasonal component, it is not endemic. The urgency of the problem is associated with a possible mycotic or syphilitic etiology of onychogryphosis, pain that occurs when walking, and a decrease in the quality of life of patients.
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Onychogryphosis Causes
What causes Onychogryphosis?
The etiology of the pathological condition has not been precisely established. Nevertheless, in medicine, factors (triggers) are isolated that provoke the appearance of onychogryphosis. They are mainly associated with disorders of nutrition, blood supply. A hereditary tendency to the appearance of deformities of the nail plate like a bird's claw or ram's horn is also among the predisposing factors. Onychogryphosis occurs under the influence of:
Exogenous factors :
-
- frostbite.
- trauma.
- local skin infections.
- anhidrosis.
- wearing tight shoes.
- local disturbance of the blood supply to the periungual tissues.
endogenous factors :
-
- pathology of immunity.
- age-related endocrine disorders.
- keratosis.
- varicose veins.
- chronic dermatoses.
- skin sensitization.
The pathogenesis of the disease is not fully understood. Malnutrition of the nail plate is the only established cause of the development of onychogryphosis. In a situation where frostbite or trauma is the basis of the pathology, a hematoma is formed, which squeezes the nearby tissues. As a result, the nutrition of the nail plate is disrupted.
The stratum corneum thickens due to the intracellular retention of pathological exudate. At the same time, the affected keratinocytes release cytokines that initiate the inflammatory process. T-lymphocytes produce interleukins, which enhance proliferative and exudative processes in the periungual tissues and matrix.
The horny cells of the epidermis, altered under the influence of these processes, begin to actively divide with the subsequent layering of keratinocytes. As a result of excessive thickening of epidermal cells, the connection between the nail and the nail bed is disrupted and a hypertrophied plate is formed. If the cause of onychogryphosis is hypohidrosis or infection, chronic inflammation occurs, which provokes infiltration of the nail bed and the development of keratinization processes in the matrix.
In a situation where the disease is caused by endogenous factors, pathological changes are based on immune disorders against the background of age-related changes in the properties of the skin and its appendages. Over time, a decrease in the thickness of the matrix is observed. Impaired nutrition of the skin appendages contributes to the development of trophic changes. Under these conditions, any negative effect on the dermis provokes inflammation, enhances the proliferation of keratinocytes, against the background of which subungual hyperkeratosis occurs, followed by the formation of a claw.
Why is onychogryphosis diagnosed more often in elderly people? The reason is the physiological aging of the skin with malnutrition of the nail bed. When the amount of moisture and fat in the nail matrix decreases as it becomes thinner, some blood vessels stop functioning. As a result, trophic changes and disturbances in the chemical composition of the nail occur, which leads to hyperkeratosis. Much more often, onychogryphosis develops in people over 70 years old in combination with varicose veins and other vascular diseases.
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Onychogryphosis Symptoms
What are the Symptoms and the stages of Onychogryphosis?
Depending on the severity of the disease, two stages are distinguished:
Early. The nail thickens, becomes cloudy, takes on a yellow, gray, or brown tint. Its surface loses its smoothness, becomes bumpy, rough. The plate is slightly curved, rises above the bed;
Late. The nail is twisted, its structure changes. Multiple longitudinal, transverse stripes appear. The shape becomes convex, already clearly reminiscent of a "bird's claw and, ram's horn".
The early signs of the disease include discomfort in the area of the nail plate. For example, pain, itching, discomfort when putting on shoes or walking. Such symptoms are especially strongly felt on the thumb, and with pressure or squeezing they intensify.
Then the texture is distorted, the direction of growth of the nail. It becomes convex, grows first upward, and then extends beyond the nail bed, wraps itself up. In shape, the affected nail resembles a spiral, screw, horn, or is simply bent downward. When rolled, its length reaches 5 - 6 cm and more.
Often, changes affect not only the nail but also the surrounding soft tissues. Decubitus ulcers, inflammatory processes are noted.
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What are the Complications of Onychogryphosis
Onychogryphosis is not only an aesthetic problem. It worsens the quality of life, leads to complications, causes difficulties in nail care and shoe selection. Due to the inability to put on shoes and severe pain that occurs when walking, the disease limits a person’s motor activity.
With claw-like deformity, infectious complications are quite common. The wrong direction of growth of the plate leads to ingrowth of the nail, the development of a purulent inflammatory process.
Onychogryphosis classifications
The disease can start not with changes in the nail, but with unpleasant sensations in the area of the nail plate: pain, itching, discomfort when putting on shoes, when walking. Such symptoms are especially pronounced in the area of the thumb, and they become stronger with pressure, squeezing.
In the future, the disease develops according to the following stages :
In practical dermatology is customary to distinguish between congenital and acquired onychogryphosis. This is important for the appointment of adequate therapy, which depends on the cause of the pathological process. Clinically, there are two stages of onychogryphosis development. At an early stage of the disease, pain occurs in the soft tissues near and under the nail plate. Such sensations give patients discomfort when walking since the pathological process is localized most often on the big toes.
The pain increases with the slightest pressure on the nail plate. Over time, the nail begins to thicken, an unnatural horny build-up occurs, rising above the level of the nail bed. If the thickness of the nail exceeds 1 mm, we can already talk about the beginning of onychogryphosis. The nail darkens, becomes dense, difficult to process, the edges of the nail plate can grow into the skin.
In the second stage of onychogryphosis, deep transverse and longitudinal stripes appear on the hypertrophied nail plate. The color of the nail changes to a dirty yellow with a black-gray tint. The stratum corneum begins to twist while becoming so hard that wearing even comfortable shoes causes severe pain.
It is not possible to process the nail without preliminary softening, it extends beyond the tip of the finger and begins to bend inward, acquiring the shape of a bird’s beak. Sometimes the direction of growth of the nail becomes helical or spiral, it twists. Its length reaches 4-6 cm, the surface acquires a brown hue, tubercles and roughness appear on it. The shape resembles an animal’s horn. Patients cannot put on shoes without assistance, they can hardly move.
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Onychogryphosis Diagnosis
How is onychogryphosis diagnosed?
Diagnosis of this disease includes an external medical examination, the collection of anamnestic data, and the subsequent conduct of all necessary analyzes. If there is a suspicion of onychogryphosis, it is required to clarify the existing injuries of the limbs and nail plates, in addition, it is necessary to exclude all factors that injure the nail plates.
A patient with a suspicion of this ailment is sent for tests, namely :
A blood test for sugar, diabetes mellitus may be the cause of such a serious modification of the nail plates. Blood donation for RW, analysis is required to exclude probable syphilis. Analysis for fungal infection of the nail plates. To carry out this analysis, a laboratory assistant scrapes the surface of the nail plate or part of it. The resulting material shall be examined under a microscope. If the fungus is detected during the analysis, the laboratory assistant conducts an additional analysis to identify the fungal genus.
Onychogryphosis refers to the type of disease that must be treated at the first symptoms. Many patients do not pay attention to many diseases, as for the modification of the nail plates, some people do not attach any importance to them for a long time. Often, doctors have to cure this ailment at a late stage.
After the diagnosis is made, a dermatologist selects an individual treatment plan, depending on the stage of the disease, the general condition of the nails and the reason that caused the change in the shape, shade, and relief of the nail plates. Onychogryphosis can develop due to some other ailments that do not seem to be the root cause of the possible condition of the nails. The patient is sent for a full examination, and if the diseases that provoked onychogryphosis are detected, full counseling and treatment will be required.
Onychogryphosis Treatment
How is Onychogryphosis treated?
Its tasks:
-
- eliminate the provoking factor;
- reduce the thickness of the nail, correct the shape, improve the look;
- remove painful symptoms, inflammation;
- restore physical activity.
To correct the shape, medical hardware pedicures, keratolytic are used, which help to soften the hardened plate, facilitate the reduction of its thickness.
For the treatment of onychogryphosis, an integrated approach is needed, including drug therapy, hardware treatment, physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic baths, strengthening immunity, and improving local blood circulation.
When a fungal infection is detected, the affected areas of the nail plate are cleaned, and fungicidal drugs are prescribed.
Also, with onychogryphosis, the following drugs can be prescribed:
-
- Antibiotic ointments to relieve bacterial complications;
- Vitamin and mineral complexes containing selenium, calcium, silicon, zinc, retinol, tocopherol. They help speed up the recovery processes, replenish nutritional deficiencies, and improve immunity;
- Drugs that relieve inflammation.
If onychogryphosis is associated with other internal diseases, the person is referred to a narrow specialist who deals with their treatment.
In advanced cases, if there is no improvement from conservative therapy, they resort to surgical treatment. It consists in cleaning off the hard stratum corneum, removing the affected areas of the plate. In the absence of a result, complete removal of the nail is recommended.
For the surgical treatment of claw-like curvature of nails or onychogryphosis, the following are used:
-
- Removal of the affected nail with a scalpel. The method is traumatic, requires suturing, heavy rehabilitation. Soreness persists for a long time, which makes
- it difficult to move, confident support on the leg.
Phenolization or cauterization of the germ zone with phenol. After this procedure, the nail no longer grows back. The method is used for hereditary forms of the disease when it is impossible to eliminate the cause. - Radio wave removal. The nail is removed with a radio knife using the "Surgitron" installation. The method does not injure healthy tissue, the treated area heals quickly.
- Laser removal, when the affected plate is vaporized by a laser beam. The recovery period lasts several days.
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Onychogryphosis Treatment at Home
Is it possible to cure nail onychogryphosis by oneself?
Self-treatment at home is more likely to lead to infectious complications and injuries than to good results.
There are different recommendations on the Internet :
-
- Steaming in soda solutions.
- Herbal baths.
- Removal of damaged plates with salicylic acid or urea patches ;
- Dressings with kombucha, aloe leaves, celandine juice ;
- Compresses with essential oil of tea tree, lavender, fir oil.
Treatment of onychogryphosis at home is ineffective. Before deciding to use such methods, you need to think. Will you harm yourself? Do you know why your nail has changed so much? Are you sure that such treatment is not contraindicated for you? In the best case, you will not get the result, and in the worst case, you will bring in an infection, cause irritation, inflammation, tear off a part of the nail, and get injured.
The claw-like deformity is a serious disorder, therefore, medical assistance and care are needed here. Before trying to treat nail onychogryphosis with folk remedies, consult a doctor.
Treatment of onychogryphosis with folk remedies
In addition to the main treatment, recipes of traditional healers can contribute to recovery. If you decide to use folk remedies, consult a dermatologist. The use of folk remedies does not replace the main treatment but complements.
To cure onychogryphosis, there are several folk recipes :
Using a blend of lavender and tea tree essential oil. First, you need to steam the nail plate to soften it as much as possible. You can add a little soda or potassium permanganate solution to the steaming water. A few drops of a mixture of essential oils are applied to the damaged nail, rubbed into the nail plate, and then covered with a plaster. This recipe is used until a new healthy nail grows back, from six months to 8 months. This method of therapy is effective only at an early stage of the disease.
Kombucha compresses to soften the nail: you must first steam the nail plates in hot water with the addition of iodine. After that, it is necessary to attach a kombucha to the damaged nail, from which the upper film has been removed. The compress can be secured with a bandage and left overnight. Compresses must be done every day for at least a month
Aloe juice compress is a complete therapy for this disease. You need to take a dense leaf of aloe, the most succulent leaves can be found at the bottom of the plant. The thorny part and the code are cut from the sheet, it is crushed into a gruel, which must be applied to a piece of bandage or cotton wool, and applied to the nail surface. The bandage is closed with cling film and fixed. The compress is best done before going to bed and left overnight. The procedure is repeated daily for at least 3 weeks.
Forecast and prevention of onychogryphosis
The prognosis of the disease is doubtful, a complete cure in most cases does not occur. For this reason, it is extremely important to follow the rules for the prevention of onychogryphosis. Experts recommend choosing comfortable shoes with a wide front part that will not restrict the movement of the fingers and provoke blood supply disturbances. At the slightest change in the nail plate, for example, it's thickening, it is necessary to seek medical advice. Among other measures for the prevention of onychogryphosis, experts call :
-
- Correct processing of nails (without cutting off the corners).
- Timely treatment of diabetes, mycoses, vascular changes, and trophic ulcers.
- Active lifestyle.
- Balanced diet.
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The disease can be accompanied by pain, discomfort, a change in the appearance of the nails, which in some cases leads to serious physical and professional restrictions, the patient's anxiety, and a decrease in the quality of their life.According to medical estimates, more than 15% of the world's population suffers from it, although this pathology is diagnosed much less often (in 2% of people).In the United States, nail onychomycosis occurs in about 2-13% of the population, in Canada - in 6.5%, in England, Spain, and Finland - in 3-8%.
The nail loses its shine, becomes dull, thickens, and deforms up to the formation of onychogryphosis (thickening and curvature of the nail like the claw of the mythical bird of the griffin), partially collapses, especially from the sides, patients often experience pain when walking.The onycholysis form is characterized by a dull brownish-gray color of the affected part of the nail, its atrophy, and rejection from the bed - the exposed area is covered with loose hyperkeratotic layers; at the same time, the proximal part of the nail remains unchanged for a long time.In addition, classification is used based on the localization of the nail lesion: distal onychomycosis (with damage to the nail at the free edge), lateral (with damage to the lateral sides), proximal (with damage to the posterior ridge), and total (with damage to the entire nail) are distinguished.Onychomycosis causesWhat is the cause of onychomycosis?Onychomycosis is caused by three main classes of fungi: dermatophytes, yeasts, and non-dermatophytic molds.There are various types of fungi that can cause onychomycosis.
Wearing socks and shoes on wet feet can also be a provoking factor.Related Content:The Lunula Nail Everything You Need To Know AboutYellow Nail Syndrome: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And, TreatmentIf there are wounds and cracks, they allow infection to penetrate directly into the tissues, avoiding the need to storm the protective barrier that forms the surface of our skin.The spread of fungi is facilitated by negligence in relation to personal hygiene: you cannot use other people's slippers, soap, and a towel.
A more reliable, albeit more expensive, the method is the PCR study (polymerase chain reaction).Lunula nails: What does it mean when you have no LunulaParonychia, Inflammation Around The Nail: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And, Treatment Onychomycosis DiagnosisHow is onychomycosis diagnosed?The diagnosis of onychomycosis can only be made by a doctor, the reason to turn to which will be a change in the shape or color of the nails.
With deep lesions of mycosis, long-term therapy (9-12 months) is required for a full cure, using not only local but also tablet forms of drugs.Related Content:7 most famous Lunula Nail Problems, Lunula Nail Definitions & FonctionsLeukonychia, White Spots On Nails: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis And, Treatment.Onychomycosis treatmentHow is onychomycosis treated?How do you get rid of onychomycosis, Can onychomycosis go away on its own?Topical antifungal agents are ineffective in case of damage to nail plates.
However, its use is limited by many side effects, as well as a high incidence of relapses.Ketoconazole is used in a daily dose of 200 mg (1 tablet) with meals.
Biotin is the main vitamin that strengthens nails, hair and also improves skin health.
A deficiency of biotin in the body will result in some health problems so people should maintain healthy levels of biotin in the body in order to avoid or overcome certain health issues.
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Even though it is in the almonds, vitamin A finds its way into the bloodstream as well and hence can prove to be beneficial to your body.
Vitamin A helps in the growth of strong nails, hair growth, good vision, good hearing as well as in skin health.
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