On determining that a special condition exists, explain it to the client and suggest products and care
techniques to help overcome the condition.
Certain nail irregularities (often disease-related),
however, must be referred to a physician for diagnosis or treatment and no nail service per-
formed until the condition is alleviated.
When in doubt, refer your client to a physician.
Nail Diseases
Clients with nail diseases must be referred to their physician for treatment before nail services can
be provided. A few of the irregularities shown below may have a disease-related or systemic cause.
Identification of nail diseases is important to protect the health of the client and yourself.
Onychomycosis
(o-ni-ko-mi-KO-sis) or
tinea unguium
(TIN-ee-ah UN-gwee-um) or
unguis
(UN-qwees)
is ringworm of the nail.
Cause: Fungus, disease-related, can result from a nail injury invaded by fungus.
Prognosis: Nail becomes thick and discolors from black to brown or beige to
white; can develop white scaly patches with yellow streaks under nail plate;
deformed nail may fall off; must be diagnosed and treated by a physician.
Treatment: No service may be performed.
Tinea
(TIN-e-ah)
Manus is ringworm of the hand.
Cause: Fungus, disease-related.
Prognosis: Appears as rings containing tiny blisters, dark pink to reddish in color; can have dry
flakes; can be confused with eczema or contact dermatitis; can spread to nails, scalp, feet or body.
Must be diagnosed and treated by a physician.
Treatment: No service may be performed.
Tinea Pedis
(TIN-e-ah PED-is)
is "athlete's foot" or ringworm of the feet.
Cause: Fungus, disease-related; thrives in dark, moist places.
Prognosis:
Itching and peeling of the skin on feet; blisters containing colorless
fluid form in groups or singly on sores and between toes, leaving sore or itchy skin
on one or both feet; must be diagnosed and treated by a physician.
Treatment: No service may be performed.
Paronychia
(par-o-NIK-e-a),
or felon, is inflammation of skin around the nail.
Cause: Bacterial infection, disease-related condition of the tissue surrounding
the nail can occur if a hangnail gets infected. Prolonged exposure of hands to
water can create conditions favorable for paronychia to develop.
Prognosis: Red, swollen, sore, warm to touch, can lose the nail; must be
diagnosed and treated by a physician; healing takes 4 weeks; nail may grow
out deformed but can recover shape.
Treatment: No service may be performed.
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SALON FUNDAMENTALS
