Medical Dermatology
Nail Disorders in Islamabad
Discolouration, thickening and pitting
In plain terms
Understanding nail disorders
What it is
Nails are skin. The nail plate is made in a small factory tucked under the fold at the base, and anything that disturbs that factory shows up months later as a mark growing out. A nail problem is very often a skin or general health problem that simply happens to be visible on the hand.
Why it happens
Fungal infection, psoriasis, eczema, injury including habitual picking, over aggressive manicures, thyroid disease, iron deficiency and certain medicines all change nails. Fungus and psoriasis look almost identical on a nail, which is why guessing between the two wastes months of treatment.
What you might notice
Pitting like the surface of a thimble. Thickening and crumbling. Yellow or brown discolouration. The nail lifting away from its bed. Ridges, grooves and white lines. A dark streak running the length of a nail is the one that should always be shown to a dermatologist.
How it is treated
The diagnosis is made properly first, with clippings sent for testing where fungus is suspected, because antifungal tablets are a real commitment and should not be started on a guess. Treatment then follows the cause, whether that means antifungal therapy, treatment aimed at psoriasis, or correcting a deficiency.
When to get it seen
A new dark streak, a nail that is deforming, pain or swelling around the nail fold, or one nail behaving differently from all the others. Nails are slow, roughly six months to replace a fingernail and up to eighteen for a toenail, so patience is part of the plan and starting early matters.
What it involves
Nail Disorders at her clinic
How long it takes. 3–12 months, nails are slow.
Book appointmentQuestions about nail disorders
How long before nail disorders shows a result?
3–12 months, nails are slow. Skin is slow, and anyone quoting you a faster number is selling something.
Who will actually be treating me?
Associate Professor Dr. Lubna Rani Faysal. MBBS (Gold Medalist), FCPS (Dermatology), MHPE, 13 years in dermatology, and Associate Professor of Dermatology, Islamic International Medical College, Rawalpindi.
Do I need to be seen in clinic, or is video enough?
Send a description and a clear photograph on WhatsApp and she will tell you which. Anything needing close examination or a procedure has to be in clinic, tuesday – saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 pm at F8 Markaz, Islamabad.
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Book your nail disorders consultation
Tuesday – Saturday, 4:00 – 7:00 PM at F8 Markaz, Islamabad. Or ask first on WhatsApp at +92 370 549 7242.
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