What nail disease causes an overgrowth of skin onto the nail plate?

The correct response identifies pterygium as the nail disease characterized by the overgrowth of skin onto the nail plate. In the context of nail health, pterygium refers to a condition where the cuticle or surrounding skin advances onto the nail plate, which can disrupt normal nail growth and potentially lead to significant cosmetic and functional concerns.

This condition often occurs due to inflammation or damage to the nail bed, and can be exacerbated by conditions such as chronic irritation or infection. Understanding the implications of pterygium is essential for cosmetologists, as they may encounter this pathology in clients and need to assess the appropriate care or referrals.

Other conditions mentioned, while related to nail health, do not involve the overgrowth of skin onto the nail plate in the same manner. Onychomycosis, for example, is a fungal infection that affects the nail itself, leading to discoloration and degradation of the nail without causing skin growth over it. Athlete's foot is a fungal infection that primarily affects the skin of the feet rather than the nails. Paronychia involves infection of the skin around the nail, which can lead to swelling and redness, but it does not typically cause skin to grow over the nail plate.

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