Splinter Haemorrhages

Blood clots under the nail that tend to run vertically.

Leukonychia

Discoloured, white spots on nails.

APPEARANCE

Milky white spots on the nails.

CAUSES

In most cases, leukonychia is not harmful and is usually caused by a small injury to the base of the nail (nail matrix) during nail development. 

However, leukonychia can also occur as a side effect from some medical conditions, medications and chemotherapy.

DOES IT AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?

Aside from discolouration, leukonychia does not affect nail structure and manicure procedures can be undertaken as normal.

POSSIBLE TREAMENTS/ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Reducing the occurrence of minor injuries to the nail will reduce future incidents of leukonychia.
However, as some forms of leukonychia may derive from serious illnesses, it is advised to seek medical attention from a doctor if there is an underlying cause.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
5http://doctorv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/leukonychia-e1365272360959.jpg
6http://diseasespictures.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Leukonychia-7.jpg

Blue Nails

Blue colouring in the nails present due to poor blood circulation.

APPEARANCE

CAUSES

Blueness in the nail indicates a low presence of oxygen in the blood distributed to the fingers.

When exposed to oxygen, blood takes on a bright red colour. In low amounts of oxygen, blood is blue or purple in colour, leading to blue colouring in the skin.

The following medical conditions are possible causes of blue nails:

Agyria 

Mepacrine 

⦁ Lack of oxygen 

Wilson's disease 

Silver poisoning 

Methemoglobinemia 

⦁ Chronic lung disease (e.g. asthma) 

⦁ Insufficient oxygen 

Subungual hematoma 

Trauma 

Fracture 

See causes of cyanosis 

DOES IT AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?

Not really. However, with lack of blood supply, a massage could be applied, but with extra caution.

POSSIBLE TREATMENTS/OPTIONS

It is advised you should see your doctor to determine the cause. 

Bibliography

3http://gulfnews.com/polopoly_fs/1.1466204!image/640450334.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_422/640450334.jpg

4http://www.newhealthguide.org/images/10442685/image001.jpg

Eggshell Nails

So called for their white colour and brittleness, eggshell nails are thin, fragile and curve over the edge of the finger.

APPEARANCE

Extremely thin and curved at the free edge. Nail detached from nail bed. 

Causes

Experts believe nail health is dependent on vitamin and nutrient intake. A deficiency in vitamins and nutrients are linked to nail weakness where eggshell nails may appear. 

Some of the causes include:

⦁ Improper diet

⦁ Medication

⦁ Nervous disorder

⦁ Internal disease

⦁ Stress

DOES IT AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?

Eggshell nails are very fragile and may break if excessive force is applied during manicure. 

POSSIBLE TREATMENTS/ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS

Trimming nails. Change and maintain a healthy diet that fulfils your vitamin and nutrient. Stop medications that may be leading to eggshell nails.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1http://www.members.shaw.ca/nailsnirvana/disorders/Eggshell.jpg

2http://studydroid.com/imageCards/0v/8m/card-32791478-front.jpg

Onychogryphosis

Also known as 'Ram's Nails', these are nails that grow abnormally, often into long, hardened and yellow calluses. This can be discomforting and particularly painful when wearing closed-in shoes.

APPEARANCE
Yellow, hardened and mouldy. The toes grow abnormally often curling inwards or bending to the left/right, as particularly shown with the toe at the lower picture,  hence the name 'Ram's Nails'.

CAUSES
One quick reasoning is irregular trimming of the nails. However, wearing tight shoes and physical injury can also affect the toenails. Other diseases can be diabetes, decreased blood circulation, vascular disease, or fungal infection.

WILL THIS AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?
With long nails, it could possibly. During a pedicure, the therapist will need to work carefully, in case of any injury inflicted on both the client and themselves. In this case, buffing could be the best way to treat these nails. This will shorten the nail, and also provides healthier growth in the future.

TREATMENTS/POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES
The only best, complete method is to surgically remove the toenail/toenails, as it will be difficult and long to reduce it back to normal. But if the client chooses not to have surgery, then buffing it regularly is the best option. But as mentioned before, progression will be much slower.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.remedyland.com/2013/11/onychogryphosis-rams-horn-nails-treatment.html

http://www.epainassist.com/joint-pain/foot-pain/onychogryphosis-or-rams-horn-nails

http://www.footvitals.com/toenails/onychogryphosis.html

Koilonychia (Spoon Nails)

Nicknamed as Spoon Nails, it is when the nails become small and concave, meaning there's more of skin than the actual nail. It gives an illusion of a 'spoon-like' appearance.

APPEARANCE

Visually 'like a spoon'. The nail is bent inwards, to resemble an 'in arch' appearance. Often the nail is shrunk and the fingers are fleshy. One example to determine Koilonychia is the 'water drop test'- by putting a drop of water onto the nail, if it fits into the 'arch'. 

CAUSES

With Koilonychia,  it's a 'deterioration of the internal tissue'. One of the most common factors is anemia and/or iron deficiency. Other factors could be Nail Patella Syndrome, Renal Disease, Thyroid dysfunction. Chemotherapy, Malnutrition, Metabolism Problems have also been known to cause it.

WILL THIS AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?

Mainly not. 

TREATMENTS/POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES

- Limiting on oils/moisturisers

- Iron intake

- Vitamin intake

- (With Toes) Wear more open or looser shoewear.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://www.medicinenet.com/koilonychia/symptoms.htm

http://byebyedoctor.com/koilonychia/

Onychophagy

Literally 'Nail Biting Disease', Onychophagy occurs purely by 'nail biting'. As with Onychauxis, Onychatrophia and Onchorrexis, the word part 'Onych' refers to 'deterioration of nail'. So nail biting dissolves the structure of the nail, literally deteriorating it.

APPEARANCE

Hence the name 'Bitten Nails', the nails literally are chewed away and there usually isn't much of the free edge remaining. Sometimes bacteria could even form, as some nails can have tinges of yellow. Skin can also be affected too, and signs can include dried skin and wounds.

CAUSES

As Onychophagy stands for, the habit of nail biting.

WILL THIS AFFECT THE PROCEDURE?

Nail work, aside from buffing, could still be able to be treated. 

TREATMENTS/POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES

The only way to stop Onychophagy is to stop the habit of nail biting. This habit is related to psychological health, so there needs to be reminders set for the client to not bite. While manicurists may not have the exact knowledge as psychologists do, general reminders that could be set up is to apply special clear nail polish- one that is safe and non-toxic. This is bitter and can discourage the person from biting any further.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://nailsbiters.wordpress.com/onycophagy/what-is-onychophagie-in-english/
http://www.skinnail.com/eng/skin-nail-onychophagy
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/intense-emotions-and-strong-feelings/201205/reforming-the-nail-biter
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20140710-why-do-we-bite-our-nails