Magazine for the professional nail industry.
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APRIL 2017 | NAILS MAGAZINE | 95 under the nail as well as some inflammatory conditions such as psoriasis. When the nail is separated, yeast often colonize on the nail bed because the barrier has been compromised, allowing water and moisture to settle under the nail — the ideal conditions that allow yeast to flourish. When you see onycholysis, your client should be referred to a dermatologist for treatment. I usually have my patients adhere to a strict irritant avoidance regimen where they avoid nail polish remover and exposure to household chemicals and water. Polish removers are strong solvents that will cause irritation to the delicate nail bed tissue when there is an opening under the nail plate. Additionally, a prescription topical anti-yeast treatment is prescribed. Yellow nail syndrome is another non-cosmetic cause of nail yellowing. The toenails appear thick and have a yellow- to-green tinge and frequently lack a cuticle as well as lunula (the half moon that is usually visible on the thumb nail and great toenail). This is due to failure of the nail to grow sufficiently and is associated with lymphatic disease, as well as lung disease or malignancy. The underlying disorder must be treated, but tends to be chronic. You can contact Dr. Stern with your questions via Facebook (www.facebook.com/danasternmd) or Twitter (@DrDanaStern). Visit her at www.drdanastern.com and www.drdanabeauty.com. Read previous "day in the life" articles by Dr. Stern at www.nailsmag.com/danastern. are bound to see this commonly in the salon and it is vital to recognize, as it can be contagious. As stated, fungal nails can be yellow, thick, and crumbly or they can have yellow streaks within the nail plate and be generally smooth and intact. It is far less likely to have a true fungal infection of the fingernails (i.e., one that is caused by a dermatophyte). Most toenail fungus starts off in the soft tissue, as athlete's foot, then enters the nail when there is an injury or lifting of the nail. If you suspect that your client has a toenail fungus, you should refer her to a dermatologist or podiatrist for treatment and exercise the usual standard precautions during the client's visit. Onycholysis, or separation of the nail plate from the underlying nail bed, is another potential cause of nail yellowing. This common condition is often observed on the fingernails, in contrast to onychomycosis, where the majority of cases are confined to the toenails. When the nail lifts off of the nail bed, it will appear as a white-to-yellow opacity in the area of separation. This is due to air and other debris under the compromised nail plate. Although there are many causes, the most common include overly aggressive cleaning V I T É 2 0 ¨ BE AUT Y Industry Professionals Call Now for a FREE SAMPLE! 100% Money-Back Guarantee Visit www. Vite20.com or Call (800) 307-8818 Unhealthy Healthy Only Quality Salons Use Our Products. Does Yours? Kills Fungus! . . . Safe to be used with existing nail polish and/or acrylics without damage Changes seen in as little as 2 to 3 weeks Includes Industry-Leading 100% Money-back Guarantee