Pattern of Nail and Hair Disorders in the Elderly at a Tertiary Health Center
January 2022
in “
IAR Journal of Parasitology & Infectious Disease
”
Studysummary This study observed that 30.1% of older adults had nail changes, predominantly affecting the lower limbs, and hair disorders were less common, with alopecia being the only type recorded.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
The study conducted at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital examined 126 patients aged 60 and above for nail and hair disorders. It found that 30.1% of the participants had nail changes, with a higher prevalence in males (68.4%) compared to females (31.6%). Most nail changes were observed in the lower limb digits. Hair disorders were less common, affecting 4.8% of the patients, with alopecia being the only complaint. Types of alopecia included traction alopecia, patchy alopecia, and androgenic alopecia, each affecting 1.6% of the participants. The study concluded that a variety of hair and nail disorders were present in the elderly, with fungal infections having a negative impact on hair, nails, and skin.
