Onycholysis: The Hidden Cause Masters Stay Silent About

Onycholysis is the detachment of the nail plate from the nail bed.

It is a symptom, not a standalone disease.

The main mistake in practice is assuming every detachment = fungus.

However, clinical data shows otherwise.

According to dermatological reviews, the most common cause of onycholysis is mechanical trauma, not infection.

Why It’s Important for a Master to Distinguish Causes

Onycholysis can be:

• Traumatic (due to injury (impact, pinching), excessive nail length, aggressive manicure, incorrect nail architecture).

• Inflammatory (psoriasis, dermatitis).

• Infectious (fungal or bacterial infection). Important: infection can be either primary or secondary (colonizing an already detached area).

• Chemical (detergents, solvents, acetone, alkalis and acids, allergic contact dermatitis). Research emphasizes the role of irritant and allergic contact dermatitis as a trigger for onycholysis.

• Endocrine (hyperthyroidism (classic “Plummer’s nails”) or thyrotoxicosis).

• Metabolic (iron deficiency, hypoalbuminemia). The mechanism is related to changes in tissue metabolism and disruption of the nail structure.

• Medication-related (tetracyclines (phototoxicity), fluoroquinolones, chemotherapy, retinoids, psoralens + UV (PUVA therapy)). Mechanism: phototoxic or toxic damage to the nail bed.

If a master fails to distinguish these forms, two dangerous extremes arise:

1. Panic and a referral to "treat fungus" that doesn't exist.

2. Ignoring the problem and covering it with material.

Onycholysis ≠ Fungus

Yes, a fungal infection can be accompanied by detachment.

But research highlights: microorganisms are often a secondary factor that appears in an already separated area.

However, covering such a nail with gel polish is also forbidden.

When a detached area is covered with material:

• A moist environment is created.

• Ventilation is disrupted.

• The risk of bacterial colonization increases due to the lack of light and UV rays.

Bacterial growth requires: absence of light, moisture, and absence of air. As a result, a fungal infection can easily join the newly formed onycholysis.

But leaving onycholysis in its original state is also not recommended.

Uncontrolled onycholysis can:

• Progress.

• Expand proximally.

• Become a gateway for infection.

What We Recommend

• Do not cover the detached area.

• Eliminate the traumatic factor (length, architecture, pressure).

• Keep the area dry.

• Constantly massage the nail growth zone.

• Use products aimed at: normalizing microflora, reducing moisture, mild antiseptic action, and supporting bed regeneration.

Important to understand: No product will "glue" the nail back, and it cannot do so on its own, unfortunately.

Recovery is only possible as the new plate grows out. Your task is to speed up nail growth, monitor it, keep it dry, and always treat it after contact with water.

For a quality massage and to accelerate growth, we recommend using onycholysis oil from DARK. Use it morning and evening, applying a drop to the problem areas and the growth zone, and rub it in with massaging motions.