Onycholysis

Onycholysis is a nail disorder characterized by separation of the nail plate from the nail bed. It frequently begins at the free edge and extends upward to the cuticle area. Less frequently, it begins at the cuticle area and extends downward. Onycholysis is most often caused by fungal and bacterial infections, excess moisture under and around the nail, and trauma. It can also result from medical conditions such as anemia, diabetes mellitus, hyper- and hypo- thyroidism, impaired oxygen and blood circulation, leprosy, lupus, sarcoidosis, syphilis, pregnancy, psoriasis, dermatitis, hyperhidrosis, congenital abnormalities of the nail, and carcinoma of the nail bed.

As a nail professional and soon to be nurse, the majority of onycholysis cases I’ve seen, resulted from trauma or fungal infections. Types of trauma includes: items being dropped on the hands, feet, or nails; stumping of the toe on hard objects; using shard tools to clean under the nails; and long toenails hitting the top of closed toe shoes (i.e. runners and walkers). Fungal and bacterial infections are often due to excess moisture, walking around barefoot, and getting pedicures at unsanitary salons.

To prevent onycholysis caused by trauma and infections, you should: dry feet thoroughly before enclosing them in socks and shoes; avoid wearing dark colored socks because fungus and bacteria breed in moist-dark conditions; keep toenails short or flushed with the skin; and use blunt implements to clean under nails using light strokes.

If you suspect that your finger or toe nails are undergoing onycholysis, please consult a licensed and sanitary nail professional, physician, and/or podiatrist. There are medications and over the counter topical agents that can be given or suggested to prevent further separation and/or generate new nail growth.

don’t FALL out of your pedicure schedule

Just because autumn is upon us and your feet will soon be bundled up, does not mean that you don’t need to get regular pedicures. Pedicures not only enhance your personal appearance, but they improve basic foot comfort and help with foot and toe health. When feet are confined in closed-toe shoes, they can suffer from dryness, cracking, fatigue and cramping. Also, some individuals feet tend to sweat; therefore, causing the skin to peel and potentially develop a bacterial or fungal infection. The steps of safely cleaning under and around toenails can help clean any debris and skin that bacteria and fungus like to attach to. In addition, the processes of soaking, exfoliating, and massaging the feet during a pedicure, are done to soften and sanitize; remove and smooth dry, flaky, and callused skin; and to lubricate moisturize, and invigorate the skin, respectively.

      

Remember that your feet are in daily use and they need routine maintenance all year long. So schedule your biweekly or monthly pedicures in advance for the fall and winter months to keep feet healthy and happy!    

Kerri asks...

"What can be done to combat the damage that flip flops do to my poor feet?"

Well for starters, I know we all tend to gravitate towards wearing flip-flops because they are convenient, somewhat comfortable, and they come in a variety of colors. The only problem with flip-flops is that they lack arch support, therefore, your feet begin to hurt after a certain amount of time, and if worn frequently, they can cause long-term health problems. (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Springtime/story?id=5013448&page=1) It is best to wear shoes that are comfortable, support your arch, and keep your body in proper alignment. I’m sure by now many of you have heard about fit flops but they aren’t that great either. At first I thought they were the greatest most comfortable flip-flop in the world but after some time, my feet didn’t think so. Recently, 20/20 produced a segment on fit-flops and tested whether or not they give you the support and work your muscles like the company says they do. The article is not available online yet but the results of the report were “No they do not!”

Now to answer Kerri’s initial question…
Our heels really take a beating in the summer due to the fact that we wear flip-flops, mules, sling backs, and other shoes that cause a flopping motion against our feet. In response to this constant pounding, the skin on the soles of our feet begin to thicken. This thickened skin is our body’s defense and serves as protection for the feet. Also, the soles tend to become dry and even scaly or cracked. This is why it is important to get a pedicure from a licensed professional every two weeks. To maintain your pedicure at home, you could use a foot file in the shower to file away and soften the dry-hard-dead skin. At night, apply Vaseline to your feet and wear cotton socks. If you want to intensify the moisture therapy, you could wrap your feet in saran wrap and then put on cotton socks. I don’t suggest you sleep with the saran wrap on because your body temperature will rise and your feet will begin to sweat, thus making your sleeping experience uncomfortable and leave your feet sweaty and your toes shriveled up. I also like pure shea butter and this can be used in the morning.

Remember at home maintenance is just that and it does not replace the job of a licensed professional nail technician. There are products that we use during a pedicure that are not available for purchase by the general public. I will get more into the types of products that can be used to solve some of your most common foot problems when I discuss the purpose and steps of a pedicure.

Welcome

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to my blog!

Throughout the week, I will share tips about how you can maintain your manicured hands and pedicured feet. I will also share why it is imperative to take care of your hands and feet and some possible effects on your health if you don’t. In addition, I’ll share information about products that can be used in order to keep your hands and feet healthy and looking good. I am by no means a doctor, but I am a licensed professional nail technician, who has years of education and experience.

Elegantly Yours, Leah