Nail problems can take the form of discolouration, inflammation, pain, crumbling, pitting and ridging of the nail itself or damage to the nail fold and nail bed.

Around 90% of the finger and toe-nail is formed from under the nail fold (cuticle), while the rest is made by the nail bed (section of the skin to which the nail adheres).

Most disorders are a result of injury to the nail and these generally heal without treatment. A complete new finger nail takes six months to grow, while a toe nail takes one year.

However, some nail problems can be liked to skin disease or general illness.