Koilonychia - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Tips

Koilonychia is a dystrophy of the fingernails in which they are prostrated and have concavities with raised edges also called spoon nails. Spoon nail is a common disfigurement in which the nail plate, which normally has a convex contour, is replaced by a central concavity and upturned lateral and distal margins. The nail is usually thin and often brittle.

Koilonychia may be inherited as an autosomal prepotent trait or it may be associated with other syndromes. Acquired koilonychia may be related with iron deficiency anaemia. The nails take a long time to return to normal.

Symptoms of Koilonychia

Koilonychia is also described as 'spoon shaped nails'. Koilonychia is dystrophy of the fingernails in which they are thinned and concave with embossed edges. Koilonychia is a nail disease that can be an indication of iron deficiency. It is associated with Plummer-Vinson syndrome.

Koilonychia is one sign of anemia along with other iron deficiencies and should be treated as soon as they are recognized, even if spoon nails are caused by trauma, chronic rubbing or picking of the skin behind the visible portion of the nail or chronic exposure to nail polish and moisture that produce brittle nails with peeling of the edge of the nail.

Causes of Koilonychia

Koilonychia can be caused by iron deficiency anaemia or exceptionally is congenital. The depression in the nail is usually large sufficient to hold a drop of liquid and it is caused through iron underage anemia but may be inherited as an autosomal dominant trait or it may be associated with other causes and syndromes such as impaired peripheral circulation, musculoskeletal conditions, thyroid dysfunction, systemic lupus erythematosus, hemochromatosis, renal disease, Nail Patella Syndrome, Raynaud's Disease, Hypoplastic Patella, Contact Dermatitis to petroleum-based solvent among others, but also may be caused by direct trauma or excessive use of oils and soaps. Here are some common causes of Infected Koilonychia include.

• Pica
• Illness
• Cheilosis
• Glossitis
• Chemotherapy
• Malnutrition
• Iron deficiency
• And any major metabolic condition or damaging event.

Treatment of Koilonychia

• Koilonychia should be treated as soon as they are recognized and do not mix iron with beverages such as coffee or tea as these drinks inhibits iron absorption.
• First of all you must revive that koilonychia must be treated as soon as one sees it developing.
• You must wear gloves while washing dishes or exposing your hands to alkalies or some other harsh chemicals. This will help to prevent koilonychia.
• Wear shoes that don't squeeze the toes together.
• Since Koilonychia is caused because of malnutrition, hence it is very important to take care of your nutrition habits and diets. As it occurs majorily due to iron deficiency, so you must eat food containing more iron content in them.

Prevention tips

• For nail abnormalities due to ingrown toenails.
• Wear shoes that don't squeeze the toes together.
• Always cut the nails straight across along the top.
• Take vitamins and iron in your diet.