NIC Nail Technician Written ExamScientific ConceptsHard
A client has a chronic habit of picking at the skin around their nails, leading to visible damage and often causing the nail plate to appear ridged or furrowed. This condition is medically known as:
- AOnycholysis
- BPsoriasis
- COnychotillomania
- DOnychauxis
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Onychotillomania
Onychotillomania is a compulsive disorder characterized by repetitive picking, pulling, or tearing at the nails or surrounding skin, often resulting in ridges, furrows, or other damage to the nail plate and matrix.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Onycholysis is the separation of the nail plate from the nail bed.
- B. Psoriasis is a skin condition that can affect nails, causing pitting, discoloration, and thickening, but not primarily from picking.
- D. Onychauxis is the overgrowth or thickening of the nail plate.
Onychotillomania
A compulsive disorder involving repeated picking, pulling, or tearing of the nails or surrounding skin, often leading to significant nail damage.
- Behavioral disorder, often stress-related.
- Causes damage like ridges, furrows, or nail plate distortion.
- Requires habit reversal therapy or psychological intervention.
Memory trick: Tillo' is like 'till'ing the soil, constantly digging and damaging.