I am not clear about how to work on nails with Pterygium.

Desmitificar el pterigión ungueal: Comprender el crecimiento anormal de la piel

Many don’t understand what nail pterygium is, but this nail professional apparently does. “Pterygium” is any abnormal growth of skin that becomes stretched. This can occur on any part of the body, on the eye, fingers, toes, elbows, etc.  When it occurs on the nail plate, it is considered an abnormal growth of skin. A true case of nail pterygium is most often a result of disease or injury  to the eponychium, as shown in the image below and occurs in three stages.

The eponychium slowly fuses to the nail plate, in three stages to create nail pterygium and prevents the cuticle from forming.

Mecanismo de formación del pterigión ungueal: Fusión del pliegue ungueal proximal

Researchers who study these problems believe some types of pterygium occurs because the proximal nail fold fuses to with the nail plate, as shown.  The fusion is progressive until eventually all of the eponychium is fused to the nail plate. From this point, the proximal nail fold has become fused to the nail plate and will be stretched toward the free edge along with the nail plate in a triangular shape. Nail professionals should not try to cut, abrade, remove or reduce the pterygium, since that would be a medical treatment and outside the scope of allowed practices.

The fusion is thought to occur due to injury or disease, e.g. burns, physical trauma, lichen planus, and certain medical conditions also cause this abnormal growth. Such conditions should be referred to a doctor for examination if they have an unhealthy appearance. Pterygium should not be cut away by nail technicians, since it can bleed and become infected. It can be softened and conditioned, e.g. hot oil manicures.

Comprender las alteraciones del pliegue ungueal proximal: Diferenciación entre pterigión y sobrecrecimiento

Hardening and thickening of the proximal nail fold is not pterygium.  This tissue hardening, also referred to by some nail technicians as “overgrowth”, is often created by the nail service, e.g. by cutting, abrasion, or rough treatment. This is much like callous formation which occurs when the skin is repeatedly injured. If that is the case, the nail professional should eliminate the parts of the service that are causing the skin damage.

Con el tiempo, esta afección puede resolverse por sí sola. El cliente puede hacerse la manicura con suavidad, sin alterar el pterigión, y con el tiempo el tejido puede recuperarse del duro tratamiento anterior que causó su formación en primer lugar. Esta recuperación puede tardar entre un mes y varios meses.

If the condition worsens, e.g. becomes red, swollen, tender or shows other signs of inflammation the client should be immediately referred to a medical practitioner; preferably a dermatologist (best for hands) or podiatrist (best for toes), so they can get a proper evaluation and treatment if needed.

No nail technician should take it upon themselves to “diagnose”, “treat” or prescribe treatment for this or any other medical condition. Practicing medicine without a medical license is forbidden by most countries, if not all. Find out how nail professionals can help with pterigión.