Nails are affected in many Skin Disease as well as certain serious disease like Cirhosis of Liver and Kidney failure. Therefore examination of the Nails is an imporrtant aspect of Medical Examination. The Nails of the Hands are mostly exposed to public view and therefore disease affecting the Nails like Psoriasis are a cause of great distress.

Nails are affected by inflammatory Skin Disease like Psoriasis and Lichen Planus. In various skin disease the surface of the nails may become Pitted/ Ridged/ Shiny or there may be colour changes in the nails namely White Nails/ Yellow Nails/ Blue Nails to name a few. Tinea Unguium is a Fungal infection of the nails that has to be treated for 2 to 3 months.

The Cuticle is an area of Keratin joining the posterior nail fold to the nail plate. Damage to the Cuticle by Trauma or Eczema cause infection of the posterior and lateral nail fold which is called Paronychia.