Home :: Koilonychia

Koilonychia Information - Causes, Sign & Symptoms, Cure, Treatment of Koilonychia

Alternative Names of Koilonychia :: Leukonychia, Beau's lines, Fingernail abnormalities

What is Koilonychia ?

Koilonychia is also described as 'spoon shaped nails'. Koilonychia is dystrophy of the fingernails in which they are thinned and concave with raised edges. Koilonychia is an abnormal shape of the fingernail where the nail has raised ridges and is thin and concave. This disorder is associated with iron deficiency anemia.

Koilonychia also may result from trauma, constant occupational exposure of the hands to petroleum-based solvents, or nail-patella syndrome. In the condition known as koilonychia, the nails are flattened and have concavities. Koilonychia may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or it may be associated with other syndromes

What are the causes of Koilonychia ?

Koilonychia condition is usually self limiting. Some common causes of Infected Koilonychia includes

• Chronic exposure to moisture or to nail polish can produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail.
• Nail biting can be a sign of anxiety, chronictension or uncontrollable compulsion.
• Crush injury to base of the nail or the nail bed may produce a permanent deformity.

What are the signs and symptoms of Koilonychia ?

• Pain may occur if nail is further detached from the nail bed as result of trauma or if active infection sets in.
• Discoloration underneath the nail may occur as a result of secondary infection.

Treatment and Cure of Koilonychia

Koilonychia is usually caused through iron deficiency anemia. These nails show raised ridges and are thin and concave. Although some prevention can be taken to prevent Koilonychia

• For nail abnormalities due to ingrown toenails, wear shoes that don't squeeze the toes together, and always cut the nails straight across along the top.
• For brittle nails, keep the nails short and avoid nail polish. Use an emollient (skin softening) cream after washing or bathing.

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