Health

I have a client with strong nails but she develops white blisters on them. When they grow out to the nail edge, they peel and the nail breaks. What is

December 20, 2010 | Bookmark +

I have a client with strong nails but she develops white blisters on them. When they grow out to the nail edge, they peel and the nail breaks. What is this?

Answer

Your client may have one of several conditions. One possible condition is superficial white onychomycosis, a superficial infection of the top layers of protein in the nail plate. The infection does not usually cause the nail to separate off the nail bed as is the case in the more common subungual onychomycosis, but the infection may eventually damage enough protein so that by the time the nail has grown to the free edge it becomes brittle and fractures. This sort of peeling of the nail plate in layers is referred to as “onychoschizia.” Treatment consists of using topical Clotrimazole solution applied twice daily with a toothbrush. No prescription is needed.

Another possibility would be some variant of psoriasis, lichen planus, or other skin condition that causes pitting. These occasionally look like blisters and the nails can appear hard until the nail grows out and then characteristic brittleness appears.

A third possibility would be a variant of traumatic leukonychia. A slight irregularity in the decomposition of nail protein as it forms can lead to the appearance of small partial transverse bands that may occasionally look like blisters. Most commonly this is caused by picking the proximal nail fold or overzealous manipulation with manicure tools. — MacDougall

Bookmark +

What’s the cause of the pinkish-red oval area on the pad of my client’s toes?

I have a client who has a recurring problem with her fourth toes during the winter months. Both of her “ring finger” toes develop a pinkish-red oval area on the pad. Then a month later, when I see her again, the skin has become dry and hard like a callus, with the layers of skin peeling away to reveal a deeper, dark epicenter.  It’s extremely painful for her and, needless to say, we do not touch it. But it clears up in the summer when she’s wearing open-toed sandals, so I suspect it has to be due to the boots she wears in the winter. Plus she never puts lotion on her feet or uses a foot file in between visits. What do you think causes this?

We respect your data and privacy.
By clicking the submit button below, you are agreeing with Bobit’s Privacy Policy and this outlined level of consent.

Bookmark +

What are the big white spots on my natural-nail client’s nails?

I have a client who has been with me for about two years. She used to wear acrylic nails but has been a natural nail client for eight months or so. She has these white spots on her nails — big spots that are dry, but not flaky, right in the middle of the nail. I did try to buff them lightly but they do not come off or grow off. I had a new client come in last week who had the same on her toenails. She said it started after she had a pedicure done at another salon. Can you help?

Load More
a Bobit media brand

Create your free Bobit Connect account to bookmark content.

The secure and easy all-access connection to your content.
Bookmarked content can then be accessed anytime on all of your logged in devices!

Create Account