Research Article
Eckart Haneke
Abstract
The nails have important functions such as being extremely versatile tools in daily life–they protect the tip of the digit and enhance the sensory capabilities of the finger tip. They are also of enormous aesthetic importance. Their real and assumed weaknesses are often embarrassing and motivate the patients to seek medical advice. However, whereas many nail diseases can now be effectively treated such common ailments that are particularly frequent in advanced age like brittle and fragile nails still resist most therapies.