Over Grown Hyponicium

[KarynS]

Hi,
After 30+ years in the industry, I recently started working at a salon inside of a retirement center and have a question concerning the thickening growth under the nail. Many of the residents have this condition. While giving these clients pedicures, I file the nail as short as I can (there is no feeling to it), but this overgrowth continues to regrow as their nails grows. It is hard and very thick, sometimes it seems as though it is actually lifting the nail plate off the bed.
I suppose I should know more, having been in the business for so long, however, this is my first continual exposure to this condition, and before consulting a pediatrist I thought I would try this forum. Is there a safe way to remove this? Show it be removed/should I refer them to a doctor? It isn't spongy and doesn't look like fungus, just looks like over grown hyponicium that has taken over.
Any advice or suggestions on how to properly care for clients with this condition is greatly appreciated.

 

[Gigit]

Do not cut the hyponychium, it's live tissue. If it seems problematic or you have any concerns then you need to refer them to a physician. It is a common problem with the elderly.

 

[geeg]

Hi,
After 30+ years in the industry, I recently started working at a salon inside of a retirement center and have a question concerning the thickening growth under the nail. Many of the residents have this condition. While giving these clients pedicures, I file the nail as short as I can (there is no feeling to it), but this overgrowth continues to regrow as their nails grows. It is hard and very thick, sometimes it seems as though it is actually lifting the nail plate off the bed.
I suppose I should know more, having been in the business for so long, however, this is my first continual exposure to this condition, and before consulting a pediatrist I thought I would try this forum. Is there a safe way to remove this? Show it be removed/should I refer them to a doctor? It isn't spongy and doesn't look like fungus, just looks like over grown hyponicium that has taken over.
Any advice or suggestions on how to properly care for clients with this condition is greatly appreciated.

I'm sure you know all the do's and don'ts re cutting living tissue with all your experience.:hug:

From one old timer to another I would initially work on softening this built up tissue rather than trying to remove it.

I think I would initially use something like CND Cuticle away in this area regularly for a few months during a pedicure (as this skin wasn't built up in a day and won't be removed in a day either).

Now I think CND Solar Oil is a miracle in a bottle. And I think this should be applied daily by the patient in the problem area to keep the skin soft and once in this condition, with a regular pedi and cleaning under the nail I would expect huge improvement.

 

[annasmum]

From what you are describing it sounds like debris/callous formation under the nail plate. You will find this a lot with elderly patients. Years of bad foot wear, trauma and not caring for the feet properly will result in a thickened nail or excessive curvature of the nail. That nail thickening will cause extra pressure which will cause hard skin to form under the nail making it even thicker, and so it goes on. As a pod I used to reduce the nail plate with a burr, i.e. make it thinner and soften the debris with alcohol (we didn't use foot baths). After a soak in a foot bath it should get soft enough to gently clear away any debris. If the debris is left for too long it can cause ulceration due the excessive pressure.

 

[Jolicatellas]

To the more seasoned, experienced nail techs: am I correct in assuming it is usual for the hyponicium to get thicker or grown longer as we age?

The reason I ask is, the hyponicium on my pointer fingers and on my big toes now grows above the tip of my finger tips (and tips of toes), where as when I was younger the hyponicium could not be seen under my nails. I assume it is an age thing... ??

 

[geeg]

To the more seasoned, experienced nail techs: am I correct in assuming it is usual for the hyponicium to get thicker or grown longer as we age?

The reason I ask is, the hyponicium on my pointer fingers and on my big toes now grows above the tip of my finger tips (and tips of toes), where as when I was younger the hyponicium could not be seen under my nails. I assume it is an age thing... ??

Not necessarily .. more of a usage thing. Your finger ends tend to compensate to deal with constant pressure rather like your feet build up callus if it is needed to protect the balls and heels of the foot. I suppose inadvertantly this goes along with age but not necessarily .. if you were a lady of complete leisure then I doubt this would happen.

 

[Jolicatellas]

Not necessarily .. more of a usage thing. Your finger ends tend to compensate to deal with constant pressure rather like your feet build up callus if it is needed to protect the balls and heels of the foot. I suppose inadvertantly this goes along with age but not necessarily .. if you were a lady of complete leisure then I doubt this would happen.

Thanks Geeg :green: Guess the moral of the story (for me) is I'm working too hard LOL!!