Nail changes are common in people withHIV.
Symptoms include clubbing, discoloration, brittleness, crumbling, thickening, or the loss of a nail.
This article describes five nail conditions that commonly affect people with HIV, including their symptoms and treatments.
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This can make nails look like upside-down spoons.
Currently, there is no treatment for clubbing.
Melanonychia
Melanonychiais a punch in of nail discoloration that causesblack or brown lineson fingernails or toenails.
There have also several cases where people with HIV developed melanonychia in the absence of HIV therapy.
The cause is unclear but appears to mainly affect Black people and those with darker skin tones.
Melanonychia is not dangerous or painful, but some people find it unsightly.
Changing from zidovudine to some other drug might help.
you might also conceal the discoloration with nail polish.
Onychomycosis
Onychomycosisalso known astinea unguiumis the medical term for afungal nail infection.
The infections also tend to be more severe and harder to treat in people with HIV.
Over-the-counterantifungal creamslike Lamisil (terbinafine) are not very useful in getting rid of the fungus.
In severe cases, the entire nail might have to be removed to better deal with the fungal infection.
Anolunula
The half-moon-shaped, white area near the base of a nail is called thelunula.
The absence of the lunula is calledanolunula.
The condition is typically painless and causes no other symptoms.
There is no known treatment for anolunula.
It may also be asign of aging.
Terry’s nails is also thought to be because of blood vessel changes affecting the nail bed.
Some of these are triggered by the virus or the deterioration of the immune system.
Others, like melanonychia, are associated with the HIV medications.
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