Nail formation disorders – colloquially called nail growth disorders – (synonyms: Nail demineralization; nail discoloration; ICD-10-GM L60.-: Diseases of the Nails) can affect both the fingernails and toenails.
Nail formation disorders can testify to pathological (pathological) processes in the body. Thus, so-called cup or hollow nails often occur in connection with iron deficiency anemia.
Nail formation disorders can also be accompanied by nail discoloration; the forms and causes are manifold.
The nail organ consists of the nail matrix (growth zone), which forms cells that make up the nail, the nail bed, which is firmly fused with the periosteum of the distal phalanx, as well as the nail plate (= nail) and the nail fold. The nail fold is the section of skin that encompasses the nail at the side and at the root.
Nail formation can be disturbed by numerous factors. A distinction is made between nail formation disorders caused by:
- Exogenous (external) factors
- Factors that can cause exogenous nail formation disorders include physical trauma (injury) and chemical noxae (toxins), as well as medications
- Endogenous (internal) factors
- Genetic factors (heredity)
- In the so-called dystrophia unguium mediana canaliformis, the nail is split longitudinally in the middle. Sandpaper nails are also based on hereditary (inherited) factors.
Nail formation disorders are usually based on a nail disease. Thereby nail symptoms are often diagnostic evidence of an internal disease.
Course and prognosis: Approximately 50% of all nail disease is based on infections, which are well treatable. Another 15 % of nail diseases are due to inflammatory or metabolic diseases, which are also usually well treatable.
Genetically caused nail formation disorders are difficult to treat. In this case, cosmetic applications are usually used to improve the appearance.
