Thick Nails The main conditions are
Traumatic dystrophy with age - Minor recurrent traumas to the nail matrix eventually lead to a thickened misshapen nail. Vascular impairment also plays a part. Common in the elderly involving the little and big toes.
Psoriasis - Severe dystrophy in some cases. Associated with tendency to get psoriatic arthritis.
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| Nail Psoriasis |
Tinea Unguium - Can look very psoriatic but varying colous of thickened keratin suggests fungus.
Rare = Pachyonychia Congenita Here all the finger and toe nails are grossly thickened with intra oral leukoplakia.
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| Pachyonychia congenita |
Thin Nails
Essentially iron deficiency but that also causes cupping of the nail.
Easy breaking Nails
Lamellar splitting of the edges of nails occurs as an aging phenomenon plus excess water exposure.The nails layer split at the tip edges. Use clear nail polish and keep your hands out of water.
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| Lamellar splitting of nails |
