Onycholysis of nails on hands and feet: how to treat at home with folk remedies

Human nails are very sensitive to various problems: with a lack of vitamins, they become dull, and with a lack of calcium, they become brittle. It also happens that nails begin to peel off from their base - the bed. Such a defect is extremely unpleasant and very noticeable externally, which aggravates the discomfort. Peeling is a disease, and it is called "onycholysis". What do you need to know about it, and is it possible to get rid of the problem?

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Epidemiology

The pathology may have an infectious and non-infectious origin. About 35-45% of diseases are caused by a fungal pathogen, while in other cases another cause of the disease is diagnosed. [ 4 ]

In general, onycholysis is considered a fairly common pathology, but there are no exact statistics on its prevalence.

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Causes onycholysis

Doctors consider mechanical damage to the nail to be the most common cause of the disease. Detachment often occurs when a finger phalanx is hit, when a hemorrhage forms under the nail, as well as when a burn or "undermining" of the nail plate (accidental or intentional).

The next possible cause is an infectious skin disease - mainly fungal or microbial. In most patients, onycholysis develops after prolonged sluggish inflammation.

A relatively rare cause is an allergy. The development of nail disease in allergies is associated with prolonged contact with an allergenic substance - for example, with a hyperreaction to latex or cleaning agents.

Often the disease is a “continuation” of other dermatological and other problems – disorders of the endocrine system, neuroses, psoriasis or eczema, diseases of the vascular system.

There is information about the development of pathology against the background of prolonged or chaotic treatment with antibiotics.

Onycholysis after gel polish is also relatively common. The reasons for this phenomenon are still unknown, because the disease does not affect all the fair sex who use gel nail polish. Presumably, the problem may be the use of low-quality materials, as well as improper correction and hypersensitivity of the girl's body to the effects of chemical components and to the process of drying the coating with ultraviolet light.

Onycholysis from shellac or from a product used to remove it can develop in a similar way. Fortunately, this disease goes away on its own after you stop using the provoking nail procedures.

Traumatic onycholysis

As the name suggests, traumatic onycholysis develops under the influence of various types of injuries – both mechanical and chemical or physical damage.

Mechanical onycholysis can be a consequence of blows to the nail phalanx, bruises, compression, etc.

Chemical onycholysis is the result of exposure to various chemicals, detergents and cleaning agents, solvents, etc.

Photoonycholysis is a rare photosensitivity reaction due to exposure to a natural or artificial light source. Many drugs are responsible for this phototoxic reaction, especially tetracyclines, psoralens, chloramphenicol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fluoroquinolones, and, less commonly, doxorubicin.[ 9 ] Any patient who has received a sufficient therapeutic dose of the inducing drug and sufficient light exposure may develop phototoxic reactions. Although it is not necessary to completely avoid these drugs, precautions should be taken.[ 10 ]

Physical onycholysis occurs under the influence of ultraviolet or other radiation, high or low temperatures.

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Risk factors

Considering all the possible causes of the disease, we can also identify a number of factors that can lead to its development:

• finger and nail injuries, wearing uncomfortable shoes;
• various dermatological diseases;
• systemic diseases (vascular pathologies, central nervous system, digestive tract);
• endocrine pathologies;
• infections (microbial, fungal);
• contact with chemicals, radiation.

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Pathogenesis

Pathogenetic characteristic factors of this disease can be all sorts of injuries and other disorders of the structure of the distal segment of the nail plate. In some cases, the pathology can have professional characteristics - for example, detachment often occurs in laundresses, dishwashers, etc.

Acute and chronic poisoning, local intoxication effects, neurotrophic problems, skin diseases, and infections are also of no small importance.

The detachment of the plate from the nail bed in most cases begins on the free side, but in some cases lateral separation is observed. Most often, the detachment is partial: a cavity forms under the plate, which separates the nail from the soft tissues of the finger phalanx.

Is onycholysis contagious?

Traumatic onycholysis is not contagious and is not transmitted from person to person. But if the disease was provoked by a fungal or microbial infection, then it can indeed be transmitted to other people through contact.

Thus, we can conclude that the detachment itself is not considered contagious. Contagious can be considered infectious spread - one of the probable root causes of the pathology.

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Symptoms onycholysis

The main characteristic symptom of the disease is the detachment of the nail plate, which often begins on the free side and worsens as it approaches the nail base. In most cases, the detachment is not complete and occupies no more than ½ of the entire surface of the plate. The formed cavity has a light gray tint: the nail does not change, its surface remains smooth. If the disease is caused by fungi or bacteria, then the nail can change shape, and the surface becomes bumpy and uneven.

The first signs of the disease may be the following:

• a void forms under the nail;
• the border of the empty zone is uneven;
• the color of the plate may change: for example, after an injury the nail may become purple or bluish;
• the skin located under the nail sometimes thickens;
• The shape of the nail plate may remain the same or change.

The pathology is not accompanied by pain: pain is possible only when a secondary infectious lesion occurs.

Onycholysis of toenails is usually found on the big toe, as most often the pathology is caused by improperly selected and tight shoes. Clinically, the disease is practically not manifested in any way. Only upon careful examination can one notice the presence of voids under the nail. In advanced cases, fungus may join onycholysis: this causes itching, a feeling of discomfort, and an unpleasant foot odor.

Onycholysis of fingernails in most cases occurs as a result of improper nail care - for example, after improper or poor-quality application of gel polish or shellac. The nails do not look their best, but the person does not experience any pain.

Onycholysis in pregnancy

Nail plate detachment often occurs in pregnant women. This can be explained by many reasons:

• intensive hormonal changes in the body;
• decreased immunity;
• deficiency of certain vitamins and minerals;
• swelling and weight gain, which creates additional stress on the lower limbs.

To eliminate onycholysis, pregnant women are advised to limit themselves to local treatment, without resorting to oral medication. Systemic medications can have a negative impact on fetal development and also pose a threat to the further normal course of pregnancy.

It is preferable to take vitamin complexes created specifically for pregnant women, as well as carry out external treatment with ointments or folk remedies. [ 21 ]

Onycholysis in a child

The disease can occur in patients of any age, and children are no exception. In a child, onycholysis may indicate a disorder of systemic functions - for example, digestive or endocrine system disorders. Often, improper nutrition or a deficiency of vitamins in the diet is "to blame".

Often, detachment occurs in children who have a habit of biting their nails. Also, strong emotions, conflicts, and depressive states can serve as an impetus for the development of pathology.

However, the most common cause of abruption is a fungal infection. A child can become infected with a fungal infection in a swimming pool, a sports locker room, or on the beach.

Since there may be many causes of the disease, it is necessary to accurately identify the exact cause with a doctor. He will also prescribe the correct treatment.

You cannot ignore the appearance of detachment of the nail plates in a child: this may indicate serious problems in the functioning of internal organs.

Stages

Onycholysis occurs in stages:

• stage of disease development;
• stable stage without progression;
• stage of attenuation of the dystrophic process;
• stage of regression;
• full recovery.

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Forms

Onycholysis can be complete or partial. In case of partial damage, the cavity is formed only on a separate section of the nail. But, since the disease can worsen, the process can spread to the entire nail surface.

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Complications and consequences

Onycholysis certainly does not pose any danger to the patient's life. The disease can even go away on its own, provided that the provoking factor is eliminated. However, if the detachment is caused by an infectious agent, then in the absence of treatment the infection can spread and gradually capture all the nails, both on the upper and lower extremities.

Nails that are infected over time become unattractive, brittle, discolored, which affects the quality of daily life.

If the disease is accompanied by a fungal infection, it can spread, in addition to the nails, to the skin of the feet and/or palms.

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Diagnostics onycholysis

To diagnose and treat the disease, you need to see a dermatologist. If the dermatologist finds specific causes for the development of the disease, he or she can refer the patient for further examination to an endocrinologist, a gastroenterologist, or an allergist.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing a treatment, it is very important for the doctor to correctly determine the cause of the disease. To do this, he will first carefully examine the affected nails, ask the patient about his complaints and symptoms.

Tests are prescribed to identify the infectious agent - for example, to determine the presence of fungus, streptococcus or staphylococcus. In addition, a general blood test may be prescribed - to assess the functioning of the entire body, as well as to identify the inflammatory process.

Instrumental diagnostics for nail pathologies is rarely used, which may depend on the expected cause of the detachment.

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Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnostics are most often carried out with other dystrophic processes of the nails:

• hapalonychia – softening of the nails;
• brittle nails due to vitamin deficiency;
• onychomadesis – complete detachment of the nail;
• onychorrhexis – longitudinal splitting of the nail;
• onychoschisis – transverse splitting of the nail;
• trachnonychia – roughness and peeling of the plate;
• nail wear – wear of the free side of the plate.

In addition, the disease should be distinguished from mycoses, Bowen's disease, lichen planus, and nail psoriasis.

The differences between onycholysis and fungus are significant, although in some cases differentiation of diseases can be difficult:

• Nail fungus is transmitted from person to person, and non-infectious onycholysis is not contagious;
• nail detachment, as a rule, is not accompanied by a significant change in the color and shape of the plate: the fungus makes the nail rough and radically changes its color;
• with fungus, patients complain of itching and irritation, but with normal detachment there are no such symptoms;
• when there is a fungus, the smell of the feet changes;
• Fungus will never appear as a result of injury.

Diagnosis may present some difficulties if a person has both onychomycosis and onycholysis – such situations, by the way, happen often. In this case, laboratory tests will be required.

Treatment onycholysis

The treatment regimen for the disease depends on its cause. But, in any case, a comprehensive approach is used - and this is especially true for progressive and sluggish pathologies.

How to quickly cure onycholysis? The doctor can give certain advice on this matter. For example, he will advise limiting contact with chemicals, detergents and cleaning products, and using protective finger cots or gloves. In addition to appropriate thorough nail care, the doctor will prescribe topical and systemic medications.

Physiotherapy, biobalance improving drugs, and vascular protectors can be used as a systemic influence. Brewer's yeast, amino acid and vitamin complex drugs may be recommended.

In case of illness, additional intake of the following vitamins and microelements is relevant:

1. vitamins A, E, ascorbic acid, β-carotene (start regenerative processes in tissues);
2. vitamins belonging to group B (accelerate metabolic processes, improve the functioning of the nervous system);
3. preparations containing calcium, iron, sulfur, copper, zinc.

Aevit for onycholysis is taken both internally and externally. For internal use, one capsule daily is enough for 2-3 weeks. For external use, the Aevit capsule should be pierced with a needle, and the contents (oil solution) should be applied to the surface of the nail and cuticle, massaged for a couple of minutes, involving the skin outside the nail by about 1 cm. The course of such procedures is 2-3 weeks, then a break should be taken.

Medicines

Oral medications for nail detachment are prescribed relatively rarely, mainly in cases of infectious lesions. For example, in the presence of a fungal infection, tablets are almost always required: the treatment regimen in such a situation should be combined to get rid of the fungus completely.

If you have an infection, your doctor will usually recommend one of the following antifungal medications:

• Griseofulvin.

The drug is taken in the amount of 250 mg, twice a day. The duration of administration is determined individually and can be 1 year or even more.

• Itraconazole.

The drug is prescribed according to the following regimen:

1. 200 mg twice a day for a week;
2. after three weeks the treatment is repeated;
3. After another three weeks, the course is repeated for the third time.

• Terbinafine.

The drug can be used for onychomycosis on fingernails and toenails. The treatment regimen consists of taking 250 mg daily for 12-24 weeks.

• Fluconazole.

The drug is usually taken at 150-300 mg once every 7 days, for six months or more.

The listed drugs are usually well tolerated, and side effects are rare.

Ointments for nail onycholysis

External preparations are used for marginal nail detachment. Solcoseryl ointment helps well, it improves local blood flow, strengthens blood vessels, reduces oxygen starvation of tissues and allows them to recover quickly.

Other ointment preparations are also used. For example, to prevent or treat a microbial infection, Heliomycin ointment or Syntomycin emulsion is prescribed: these preparations are rubbed into the area with the exfoliated nail in the morning and evening.

Vishnevsky ointment has a good and fast effect. If you do not take into account the not very pleasant smell of this product, then you can highlight a lot of its useful properties: the ointment heals damage for a month, with regular use. The effect of the ointment is due to the content of birch tar, castor oil and xeroform.

If the detachment is caused by a fungal pathogen, the doctor will definitely prescribe antifungal drugs. This may be Intraconazole, Mikospor or Batrafen. The leader among such medications is Exoderil - it is used both in liquid and cream form.

Exoderil for onycholysis is distributed over the entire affected area in the morning and at night. The duration of use varies: for example, for fingernail lesions, the minimum course of therapy is six months, and for lesions of the lower extremities, 6-12 months. If the infection is persistent or widespread, then antifungal medications are prescribed for oral administration.

Levomekol is used for onycholysis in the presence of a bacterial infection. The ointment is applied to the skin and nail treated with an antiseptic, covered with a gauze napkin and fixed with a bandage or plaster. Levomekol destroys microbes and helps the affected skin to recover. It is advisable to carry out the procedure before bedtime, for a week. Longer use of this ointment is not recommended.

Nail baths for onycholysis

A fairly effective remedy for treating nail detachment, especially in the early stages of the disease and in the absence of an infectious agent, is considered to be the use of all kinds of baths. These can be baths with warm water with the addition of vegetable oil and lemon or orange juice (in equal proportions). Also no less effective are 4% baths with sea salt, with a decoction of pine needles or an infusion of chamomile flowers.

A gelatin solution gives an excellent effect. To prepare it, mix one tablespoon of gelatin in a glass of warm water. Keep your fingers in this solution for about 30-40 minutes.

To strengthen nails, it is useful to take baths with grapefruit extract or calamus rhizome decoction twice a week. The duration of such a procedure is a quarter of an hour.

Treatment of onycholysis with iodine

There are several known ways to treat nail detachment using iodine.

• Take a cotton swab, dip it in iodine solution and treat the affected nails, morning and evening.
• Prepare a bath: pour 1-2 teaspoons of iodine into hot water (three liters), dip the affected fingers and steam them for 10-15 minutes. After that, remove the damaged parts of the nail with scissors, and treat the skin underneath with hydrogen peroxide. The procedure is carried out every day.
• Mix equal amounts of iodine and table vinegar. Treat your nails with the resulting mixture daily for 14 days. Repeat the course only 10 days after the previous one.

The use of iodine will give the first results only after a few weeks, and the total duration of treatment is usually 2-4 months.

Physiotherapy treatment

Physiotherapy involves the use of iontophoresis, diathermic procedures, phonophoresis using vitamins retinol and tocopherol. Therapy is carried out in courses, including 10 to 15 sessions, with breaks of 5-6 weeks.

If, in addition to detachment, thickening of the nail plate is observed, a special patch with keratolytics is used. It helps to soften the hardened nail areas, which facilitates their further removal.

Folk remedies

An additional remedy that is successfully used by many patients is propolis. For several nights in a row, the nails should be lubricated with a 20% alcohol tincture of propolis. It is advisable to lubricate only the nail itself, without touching the nearby skin.

Sea salt also has a positive effect on the healing process. One tablespoon of salt should be dissolved in a glass of warm water. The injured fingers should be placed in this solution and held for up to 20 minutes. After such a bath, it is important to dry your hands well, and it is advisable to additionally apply wax to the nail plates.

It is great if the listed methods are used simultaneously. By the way, many patients have noticed that the disease goes away much faster if they take motherwort or valerian root tincture or tea daily. A comprehensive approach leads to damaged tissues being restored more intensively.

And one more thing: you shouldn't hide the disease by hiding your nails under a layer of varnish. This will aggravate the pathology and delay the onset of recovery. It is desirable that the damaged surface be open to the air.

Tea tree oil for onycholysis

Tea tree oil is considered a powerful antiseptic with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects.

The use of such oil for detachment of nail plates consists of daily rubbing it into the affected area, and it is necessary to rub it several times a day - up to 6-7 times. When applying the oil, it is recommended to drop a small amount of it under the plate.

The duration of such treatment varies. Since such a remedy is harmless, many use it until complete healing and elimination of the disease.

On average, the use of oil lasts for about three months.

Herbal treatment

A compress made from aloe leaves has a good effect. Aloe has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, antifungal and antimicrobial effect, prevents the spread of infection, eliminates unpleasant odor (has deodorizing properties).

Aloe is allowed to be used for detachment of infectious and non-infectious origin. It is preferable to use old - lower, leaves, the age of which is more than two years.

The plant leaf is cut, washed under running water, cut lengthwise, and divided into parts. Each part is applied with the cut side to the affected nail and fixed on top with a bandage or adhesive plaster.

For the desired effect, it is enough if the plant is kept on the nails for about half an hour. After the procedure, the compress is removed, the skin and nail plates are not washed, but additionally treated with a nourishing agent, such as cream.

The duration of such treatment is: minimum – 14 days, maximum – three months.

It is recommended to use natural fungistatic and fungicidal agents externally and internally – onions and garlic.

For adjuvant treatment, a collection of juniper berries, sage leaves, yarrow, eucalyptus, chamomile flowers, calendula, birch and poplar buds is used.

The affected exfoliated areas are treated with chlorophyllipt or calendula tincture.

Homeopathy

The most effective homeopathic remedies for nail plate detachment are considered to be:

• Silicia 30-6-3;
• Graphite 6-3;
• Acidum fluoricum 6-12;
• Causticum 3;
• Thuja 3x;
• Conium 3;
• Natrum 6-30.

The drugs are taken three times a day, alternating between each other by day (at least two drugs).

Doses are determined individually, taking into account the individual characteristics of the patient and concomitant diseases.

Contraindications: individual hypersensitivity to medications (rare).

Surgical treatment

Nail removal, as one of the methods of treating its detachment, is not always justified. In most cases, the disease goes away with conservative therapy, using external and internal drugs. [ 37 ]

It is advisable to remove the nail to increase the effectiveness of antifungal or antibacterial therapy: in the absence of an affected nail part, external medications will be able to penetrate the skin and foci of infection in a higher concentration.

Today, doctors are increasingly less likely to resort to surgical removal of the nail. Such an operation is quite painful and can subsequently lead to a change in the shape of the newly grown nail plates.

Surgical resection of onycholysis can be replaced by gradual "dissolution" of the nail. For this purpose, special external preparations containing urea are used. In addition, with small pathological foci, painless "grinding" of the nail plate is possible, but this requires a special sharpening device. Often, the affected nail is "removed" using a laser.

Nail prosthetics for onycholysis

Nail prosthetics is, in fact, one of the varieties of nail extensions. Prosthetics helps to get rid of only aesthetic problems. It is possible only when there is at least a small part of the natural nail plate (it is necessary for fixation). If there is no nail on the finger at all, then it is impossible to perform such a procedure.

Prosthetics are not recommended for psoriasis, diabetes, local inflammation, and fungal infections. The fact is that an untreated infection may worsen after the prosthesis is installed.

How is the prosthetic procedure performed:

• They are doing a pedicure.
• Remove all affected areas on the nails.
• The remainder of the nail plate is prepared for extension.
• Apply the main layer of gel and let dry.
• Apply a second layer of gel, smooth it out and let it dry.
• Eliminate stickiness and file the sides of the nails.
• They smooth out the surface of the nails.
• Apply a special concealing biogel and let dry.
• Eliminates stickiness.
• Improve the appearance with varnish or gel polish.

After the prosthesis is installed, it will require special care, which the podiatrist will tell you about upon completion of the procedure.

Prevention

Preventive measures include the following:

• To avoid nail detachment, it is necessary to observe safety precautions when performing manicure and pedicure procedures;
• If you use coating or liquid nail preparations, you should take care of their quality in advance;
• When using chemical detergents or cleaning agents, it is important to use additional protective gloves or finger cots;
• It is important to eat properly and nutritiously to avoid vitamin deficiency and weakened immunity;
• in winter and spring, you can additionally take vitamin complex preparations;
• It is necessary to promptly and efficiently treat any infectious diseases, as well as systemic pathologies of a chronic nature.

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Forecast

The disease has a relatively favorable prognosis. Non-infectious pathology can be stopped on its own, provided the underlying cause is eliminated. Infectious onycholysis requires adequate treatment: otherwise, the situation may worsen with the formation of additional inflammatory foci, partial destruction and deformation of the nail.

Onycholysis is a complex and long-term disease, so you need to be patient and treat it correctly, taking into account the cause of its occurrence.

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