Nail changes associated with diabetes mellitus.

The varied systemic pathologic alterations that occur in patients with diabetes mellitus may result in profound changes that affect the nail unit. These findings vary from simple onycholysis to a spectrum of infectious processes, as well as extensive, irreversible destruction. The influence of the vascular and neurologic systems in producing these clinical findings is presented. The purpose of this review is to alert the physician to another aspect of diabetes mellitus, namely, its effect on the various components of the nail unit.