Nail Pathology

Question 1

what are typical signs of onychauxis (7)

Answer 1

1. brown / yellow discolouration
2. may show partial detachment from nail bed
3. possible subungual breakdown due to pressure
4. hypertrophy of nail plate
5. increase in thickness distally
6. commonly hallux though all digits may have involvement
7. transverse ridges apparent

Question 2

onychauxis: aetiology (6)

Answer 2

1. fungal
2. vascular insufficiency
3. neglect/ poor nail cutting
4. microtrauma
5. dermatological factors
6. episode of trauma

Question 3

onychogryphosis: aetiology (4)

Answer 3

1. trauma
2. PVD
3. fungal infection
4. eczema, psoriasis

Question 4

onycholysos: pathology

Answer 4

• hard keratagenous material gathers from the exposed nail bed
• increased pressure on the nail bed can cause inflammation and occasionally infection

Question 5

what are the 3 types of involution

Answer 5

1. pincer type
2. unilateral
3. bilateral

Question 6

onychocryptosis: aetiology (6)

Answer 6

1. poor nail cutting
2. ‘picking’
3. trauma
4. involution
5. hyperhidrosis/ maceration
6. ill-fitting footwear

Question 7

onychocryptosis: pathology

Answer 7

• penetration of sulcus by nail plate
• bacterial contamination
• inflammation and possible infection
• nail spike prevents closure of wound
• formation of hypergranulation tissue

Question 8

onychocryptosis: treatment

Answer 8

conservative:
remove nailspike, irrigate area with saline and dress

surgical intervention:
PNA with phenolisation

Question 9

fungal infections can be (3) and are caused by

Answer 9

1. superficial
2. subcutaneous
3. systemic

dermatophytes

Question 10

3 common dermatophytes are

Answer 10

1. trichophyton rubrum
2. trichophyton mentagrophytes
3. epudermophyton floccosum