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Nail manifestations of systemic diseases
1Department of Podiatric Medicine, Parkway Hospital, Forest Hills, New York, USA.
Clinics in Podiatric Medicine and Surgery
|April 1, 1995
Summary
Nail changes in feet can signal various health problems. Podiatrists can identify these changes, linking them to specific diseases through examination.
Area of Science:
- Podiatry
- Dermatology
- Internal Medicine
Background:
- Nail abnormalities (color, shape, texture) are potential indicators of systemic diseases.
- Podiatrists are well-positioned to detect pedal nail changes during routine examinations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the anatomy of the nails.
- To outline an approach to patient history and physical examination for nail conditions.
- To correlate specific nail changes with underlying disease states.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of relevant anatomical and pathological information.
- Description of a systematic approach to nail assessment.
- Categorization of nail changes and associated pathologies.
Main Results:
- Detailed review of pedal nail anatomy.
- Structured method for eliciting patient history and performing examination.
- Comprehensive list of nail alterations and their potential systemic disease correlations.
Conclusions:
- Podiatric evaluation of nail morphology is crucial for diagnosing various diseases.
- Understanding nail changes aids in early disease detection and management.
- This review provides a framework for clinicians to interpret pedal nail findings.