When they’re healthy, nails should be smooth without pits or grooves and have a uniform color and consistency without spots. They also shouldn’t “push” into the surrounding skin and tissue.

Common nail conditions that indicate a problem include ingrown nails, loose nails, or changes to nail color and shape. As you age, nails may become thicker, break more easily, or even develop vertical ridges. Although nail conditions can affect anyone, they are more common among older adults.

Healthy nail plates are a pinkish color and white on the area that grows from the nail bed. There are many possible causes for nail discoloration, including infections, medications, injuries, and melanoma.

About half of all cases of abnormal nail conditions are caused by nail fungus, also known by the medical terms onychomycosis or tinea unguium. Some typical symptoms associated with nail fungal infections include thick, fragile, or cracked nails that are discolored. They may appear brown, yellow, or white.

Bacterial infections are nail conditions that are often caused by the staphylococcus aureus bacterium. Symptoms start to develop at the base of the nail and if the infection is untreated, it can worsen, leading to pain, inflammation, and pus.

Brittle or deformed nails can be a sign of onychoschizia, a nail condition associated with soft, splitting, or thin nails that are easier to break. The nails may also become thickened and ridged.

The most effective treatment for a nail condition depends on the cause of the disorder. Our dermatologists have a dual focus in treating nail conditions: stop further damage from occurring and find solutions to cure the problem to avoid future flare-ups.

Antibiotics are often used to treat bacterial infections. Topical antifungal medications are usually not very effective for toenail fungus, but they can be successfully treated with lasers or oral medications. For ingrown nails, we may recommend topical antibiotics and steroid creams.

Partial or total nail removal may be needed for severe cases of ingrown nails. Patients can prevent many nail conditions, such as fungal infections, by taking good care of their nails. It’s best to avoid biting or tearing the nails or pulling on hangnails. Keep your nails clean and dry, regularly trim your nails, and apply moisturizer to the nails and fingertips.

Laser nail fungus treatments kill the organisms under the nail without harming the surrounding skin and tissue. Q-Switch or quality switched lasers are non-invasive laser treatments that give off a high intensity pulsed light beam that kills nail fungus through and around the nail while also removing unwanted pigmentation.