Onychauxis and Onychogryphosis

In onychauxis and onychogryphosis, nail growth goes awry. Onychauxis is thickening of a toenail. Onychogryphosis is thickening of a toenail to the point where the nail curves, giving it a clawlike appearance.

Affected nails tend to grow very long, because the thickening and curving make cutting or trimming very difficult. Affected nails may also become infected by fungi.

Ill-fitting shoes, injury, poor blood flow to the feet, diabetes, or a nutritional deficiency may cause either onychauxis or onychogryphosis. At any point in time, one or more nails on a foot may be affected by either onychauxis or onychogryphosis.

Symptoms

Discomfort can result when footwear or even bed sheets press on thickened nails, because the surface beneath the nails (the nail plate) is also thickened and tender. Therefore, whatever presses on the nail indirectly presses on the nail plate. Nails can become so long and deformed that they impair walking. Long curved nails can also penetrate adjacent toes, resulting in pain and infection of the skin.

Treatment

Treatment involves frequent nail cutting or trimming. This cutting and trimming almost always requires the expertise of a nurse, doctor, or foot doctor (podiatrist) and the use of special clippers or other tools. Occasionally, if conditions that are causing or contributing to the abnormal nail growth can be remedied or treated more effectively, nail care may become more routine, without the need for special expertise or equipment.