What Conditions Can Trachyonychia Indicate?

Trachyonychia or 20-nail dystrophy is a condition of the fingernails and toenails that causes interference in the affected individual's nail matrix. All twenty of a patient's nails may be affected, or it may only affect a single nail. Straight, long lines that extend the length of the nail and end at variable heights are characteristic of trachyonychia. Other nail characteristics that occur in 20-nail dystrophy patients include sandpaper-like texture, lack of nail luster, brittle nature, and a rough appearance. While it is most prevalent in childhood ages, this condition can happen to an individual of any age. Most often, trachyonychia appears when an individual is born and progresses over time. Treatment is effective when the underlying cause of a patient's 20-nail dystrophy is successfully treated.