Home Economics
Beauty/Nail Care Services
Quarter 1 - Module 2
Apply Hand Treatment (1)
TECHNOLOGY AND
LIVELIHOOD EDUCATION
Home Economics
Beauty/ Nail Care Services
Quarter 1 - Module 2
Apply Hand Treatment (1)
MARY GRACE [Link]
SUBJECT TEACHER
MODULE 2
Nail Diseases and Disorders
Nail diseases are conditions of the nails which lead to bacterial, fungal, and viral
infections. They are more serious and if not treated, can result in severe infection and
permanent damage to the nail.
Nail disorders, on the other hand, are conditions of the nail that can be treated.
They can be caused by internal and external factors and most people will experience
one of these conditions at some point. Many disorders can affect the nails. These
disorders can affect any part of the nail unit and can impact the appearance of the nail
plate itself.
Given below are the lists of the few important nail diseases and disorders and
their characteristics.
It is an infectious disease caused by a
1. Onychomycosis vegetable parasite. The onset of the
disease takes about two to three months
and the attack is rarely on more than one
or two nails. The appearance of the nail is
frayed (worn out), brittle with the furrowed
surface, opaque, grayish, or yellowish in
color and is lifted-up by an accumulation of
epidermis underneath.
is a term applicable to chronic
inflammation of the nail fold and nail bed
2. Onychia (matrix).It results from the introduction of
the microscopic pathogen through small
wounds.
3. Onychocryptosis It is referred to as ingrown nails that
affect the fingers and toenails. It is marked
by nail growth into surrounding tissues and
may cause infection. Incorrect trimming a
shaping of nails are often responsible for
ingrown nails.
It is the periodic shedding of one or more
4. Onychoptosis nails, either in the whole or in part. This
condition may be a symptom of a more
alarm disease such as syphilis or can
result from fever, trauma systematic upset
or adverse reaction to the drug.
It refers to the detachment of the nail
5. Onycholysis
from the nail bed, starting at its distal
and/or lateral attachment. The most
common cause of onycholysis is psoriasis.
6. Onychogryphosis It pertains to the extreme thickening
or claw nails curvature of the nails, usually, it is caused
by varying degrees of hyperkeratosis (a
skin disease in which the skin gets thicker)
on the distal portion of the nail bed that
detaches and lifts the plate off the bed.
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Nail Disorders Characteristics
1. Blue nails It is bluish in color, may be attributed to
poor blood circulation or heart disorder.
2. Brittle nails It is a vertical splitting or separation of the
nail plate layers at the distal (free) edge of
the nail plate. Overexposure to detergent
soap and other chemical solvents
may attribute to the effect.
3. Bruised nails It shows dark purplish (almost black or
brown) spots in the nail. This is usually due
to injury and bleeding of the nail bed. As the
nail grows, dried blood in the nail bed will
also go out.
4. Eggshell nails The nail plate separates from the nail-
bed and curves at the free edge. It may be
caused by the chronic illness of systemic or
nervous origin.
5. Furrows These are long ridges that run either
lengthwise or across the nail. Some
lengthwise ridges are normal in adults.
These ridges increase with age and can
also be caused by psoriasis, poor
circulation, and frostbite. Ridges that run
across the nail are caused by high fevers,
pregnancy & measles.
6. Hangnails It is a condition in which the cuticle splits
around the nail. Carelessness in removing
the cuticle, dryness, cutting off too much
may result in hangnails. It
may cause infection if not treated.
7. Leconychia or A white spot appears frequently in the
white spot nails. They may be caused by injury to the
base of the nail. As the nail continues to
grow, these white spots eventually
disappear
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8. Pterygium It is an overgrowth of the cuticle which
sticks to the surfaces of the nail plate.
Carefully remove the adhering growth by
means of a cuticle nipper.
9. Onychatrophia It is described as wasting away of the
nail. The nail loses its luster, shrinks and
falls This can be caused by injury to the nail
matrix or by internal disease.
10. Onychauxis It is an overgrowth of the nail usually in
or hypertrophy thickness rather than length. It is caused by
an internal imbalance, such as local
infection or heredity.
11. Onychophagy It is a deformity of a nail plate caused by
or bitten nail biting nails. It is an acquired nervous habit
which prompts the individual to chew the
nail or the hardened cuticle.
[Link] It refers to a split or brittle nails caused
or split or brittle by an injury to the finger, careless filing of
nails the nails, excessive use of cuticle solvents
and nail polish removers. The nails may be
extremely dry because of some granular
disorder.
13. Ridges It is caused by the uneven growth of the
nails, usually resulting from illness. Buffing
the nails with paste polish will help remove
ridges.
[Link] cuts
It is caused by an accident during
manicure service. Apply an antiseptic
immediately. Do not apply nail polish on
the affected area
[Link]
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Learners! Are you amazed with the different nail diseases and disorders? Yes,
there are lots of them. Some may have difficult names but one thing for sure, no one
would like to have them. So, take good care of your hands and nails to avoid unpleasant
nails.
Try the activity on the next page to test your understanding.
Directions. Identify what kind of nail disease or disorder the nail condition is of
the picture below. Then, opposite to the nail disease or disorder,
cite your own opinion on whether each condition can be allowed to
have a nail care treatment or not. Write your reasons briefly.
1. - ______________ - ______________________________
2. - ______________ - ______________________________
3. - ______________ - ______________________________
4. - ______________ - ______________________________
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5. - ______________ - _____________________________
What’s More
As a future nail technician, you must be able to identify any condition on a client’s
nails that should not be treated and cannot be treated in the salon. You must be able to
identify infectious conditions that may pose danger for contamination, in order for you to
take the appropriate steps to protect yourself and your clients from the spread of
disease or infections.
You should know, a normal, healthy nail is strong but flexible. The surface is
smooth, shiny, and unstained with no curvy ridges or splits. A healthy nail also is whitish
and glowing in appearance, with the pinkish color of the nail bed.
Taking care of one’s nail is essential. Experts say that more infections are spread
through the nails and hands than any other area of the body. Nails are one of the
important parts of our body, which serve as an effective indicator of a person’s health. If
ever, you will detect an abnormal appearance of the nails, especially nail infections,
then never perform the nail services and refer the client to a physician.
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Disorders or Diseases
Directions. Identify the kind of nail disorders or nail diseases being referred to
by each word below. Answer DISORDER for nail disorders and
DISEASE for nail diseases.
_____________ 1. Bruised nails _____________ 8. Onychia
_____________ 2. Onycholysis _____________ 9. Onychorrhexis
_____________ 3. Onychogryphosis _____________ 11. Furrows
_____________ 4. Ridges _____________ 12. Onychoptosis
_____________ 5. Onychauxis _____________ 13. Treating cuts
_____________ 6. Blue nails _____________ 14. Onychocryptosis
_____________ 7. Bruised nails _____________ 15. Onychophagy
_____________10. Leconychia