Onychogryphosis causes thick, curved, yellow to brown nails, often due to repeated damage or poor blood supply. Treatment involves custom shoes or removing affected nails and addressing fungal infections. People are advised to see a doctor, as the condition can be difficult to treat. Nail removal is an option for permanent damage.
Onychogryphosis is a disease of the fingernails or toenails that causes one or more nails to thicken to the point where they take on a curved, horn-like appearance and are yellow to brown in color. Some causes of this disorder are repeated damage to a nail or insufficient blood supply to the hand or foot. As nails grow, they become very difficult to cut because they are so thick and often develop fungal infections. Diagnosing this condition evaluates the patient to determine the cause. Meanwhile, treatment might involve wearing custom shoes or removing severely affected toenails, as well as addressing fungal infections.
This ailment often affects the feet and is caused by wearing shoes that damage one or more nails. Repeated injuries make nails thicker in response and they may curve up or down as they grow. Another cause is poor blood supply to the hands or feet, which can occur in conditions such as diabetes, abnormal arrangement of veins, or congestive heart failure. In these cases, each poorly supplied fingernail or toenail is likely to be affected. It is also possible for all nails to be damaged repeatedly by footwear or things like heavy hand work.
Extremely thick or curved nails are difficult to trim, making onychogryphosis difficult. It is not recommended for people to see a manicure or pedicure to get their nails treated because they could also be harboring fungal infections. Additionally, the condition, especially on the hands, raises questions about how hygienic hands can be, even with regular washing, because the material tends to build up under the nails and is difficult to remove.
Given these difficulties, people with onychogryphosis are advised to see a doctor or podiatrist. Tests for the disorder might include fungus swabs, complete blood counts, and measurements of the nail’s ongoing ability to recover from damage. Doctors are also likely to ask about footwear and daily activities that could be causing the problem, and may examine patients to check for regular blood supply to the extremities.
In addition to treating any fungal infections, medical experts will give advice on how to deal with onychogryphosis. If the condition is currently mild and the hands or feet are not experiencing ongoing damage that could exacerbate the problem, the nail may be trimmed and another appointment for continued observation. Sometimes this disorder resolves without treatment. Alternatively, some people benefit from custom shoes that put no pressure on the toenail or toenails.
Occasionally, the damage to the nail with onychogryphosis is permanent, and this means that curved growth will continue to occur. One option at this point is to remove the nail, either permanently or alternatively just live with the problem by trimming the affected nails regularly. Nail removal is an aggressive treatment choice, but some people may prefer it to regular treatment of yellowed, thick, and curved nails.
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