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.