Fingernails and toenails protect the tissues beneath your toes and fingers. The term “nail disease” refers to various conditions affecting the nails and the skin surrounding them. Symptoms of nail disease include thickening, discoloration and soreness of the nails. In its early stages, nail disease can cause minor discoloration of a portion of the nail which can eventually spread to include the entire nail. Nail disease is more commonly found in toenails rather than fingernails. In more advanced cases, sensitivity or soreness in the infected nails can impair physical activities. A common misperception is that all nail disease is due to fungus.  Many diseases including psoriasis, lichen planus, trauma and yeast can cause nail problems.

What treatments are there for nail disease?

Proper diagnosis is essential to determine the correct treatment. There are a variety of treatments available for nail disease. The most common include topical and oral medications.