Nail Disorders
Strong, healthy nails say a lot about your health. Likewise, changes in your nails may signal a health problem.
These nail disorders require diagnosis and treatment by a dermatologist.
Nail fungal infections cause the nails to become thick, more easily breakable and sometimes discolored yellow or white. Different types of mold or fungus can grow when they get trapped between the nail and the nail bed.
Sweat and athlete’s foot are common culprits, but there are other factors that can increase your risk, including getting salon manicures and pedicures, living in a hot, humid climate or having a weakened immune system.
Nail psoriasis is condition that causes nail denting or crumbling. It occurs when psoriasis affects the nail bed. Symptoms include crumbling nails, pitting, changes in color, skin buildup under the nails, blood under the nails or the nail separating from the bed,
Misshaped or brittle nails: Brittle, thin, soft or splitting nails can be caused by external factors or may be a sign of disease.
Pitted nails — nails that are filled with tiny icepick marks — could be a sign of psoriasis, an autoimmune disease or another disorder.
A nail infection is a skin infection around the fingernail or toenail. It may be caused by bacteria or fungus. If it is severe or won’t go away, get a dermatologist’s opinion.
Any change in the color of your nails. Some color changes are caused by behaviors, such as wearing red nail polish without a protective base coat, but others are a sign of bigger issues.
Nail melanoma is a less common but more serious condition in which a dark streak shows up on a toenail or fingernail. Look for a dark, black or brown streak on any nail or dark skin next to your nail. The nail may lift and separate from the nail bed or you may see a bump under your nail.
True Dermatology can provide treatment options for all of these nail disorders and more.
True Dermatology participates in most major insurance plans, including:
- Aetna (HMO, PPO, Comm)
- Blue Cross Blue Shield (HMO, PPO, Comm)
- Cigna HealthSpring
- Cigna (HMO, PPO, Comm)
- Humana (HMO, PPO, Comm)
- Medicare
- TRICARE
- UnitedHealthcare (HMO, PPO, Comm, AARP)
- VACCN (Managed by UnitedHealthcare)
We will bill your insurance carrier as a courtesy to you. Please contact your insurance carrier to determine eligibility, copay, deductible and referral requirements prior to your appointment.
We accept new and return patients (self-referred) or patients referred by other physicians. Please also consider the rules set by your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care physician. If you are unsure, call your insurance company to confirm.
You can fill out your forms before your appointment by using the Patient Portal, or you can fill them out in the office on the day of your appointment.
Please arrive 15-20 minutes early if you want to fill out the forms in the office.
Please bring these items with you:
- Your filled-out patient forms
- Your insurance card(s)
- Any required co-payment
- Referral forms (if required)
- A list of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you are currently taking
- Pertinent medical and surgical history information. (If you want to have your medical records sent to our office, fill out a release of medical records form through our office or through your previous doctor’s office.)
- X-ray films, laboratory data or pathology reports (if relevant)
Yes. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early for your first appointment to make sure your paperwork is in order. We realize that our patients’ time is valuable, and we make every effort to see patients at their scheduled time.
If you are running late, please let us know as soon as you can.
We ask that patients provide at least 24 hours notice to cancel so the appointment window can be made available to others.
True Dermatology team members will review your medical history and conduct a thorough skin examination.
Once a diagnosis is made, we’ll talk about your treatment options.
We encourage you to participate in the discussion and ask questions!
That depends on your insurance plan, which determines deductibles, copays and networks, among other things. If you have questions or concerns, discuss them with your insurance company. Plan to pay your copay or any payment required by your insurance at the time of your visit.
Payments can be made by cash, MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover.
Patient balances are due upon receipt of the statement.
For all services rendered to minor patients, we will hold the parent or guardian accompanying the minor responsible for expenses incurred during the visit.