Final answer:
Onychia is the nail disease characterized by inflammation of the matrix and shedding of the nail plate. Nails are mainly composed of Keratin, and continuous nail growth originates from the nail root. Cutaneous mycoses are superficial fungal infections that affect the epidermis, hair, and nails.
Step-by-step explanation:
The nail disease characterized by inflammation of the matrix and shedding of the nail plate is known as Onychia. Onychia can be identified by pain, redness, and swelling of the nail fold area, and if not treated properly, it can lead to the loss of the nail plate. In contrast, Onycholysis is the painless separation of the nail from the nail bed, Onychomycosis refers to a fungal infection of the nails making them yellow and brittle while Onychocryptosis, also known as ingrown nails, occurs when the edges of the nail grow into the skin of the toe.
Nails are mainly composed of a protein called Keratin, and they grow continuously throughout our lives. It's noteworthy that the nail bed does not refer to the middle portion of the hard nail plate, which is a common misunderstanding. Instead, the nail bed lies underneath the nail plate and extends from the nail root, which is at the base of the nail underneath the skin, to the hyponychium, the area under the free edge of the nail plate. The nail root is the part of the nail deepest from the nail growth center.
Fungal infections, also known as mycoses, can be divided into various classes based on their invasiveness. Specifically, infections that affect the nails and skin are called cutaneous mycoses, and these are superficial, affecting the epidermis, hair, and nails. Onychia, being an inflammation potentially due to infection, may require medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment.