iarjpidIARJPIDIARJPID2789-6080https://doi.org/10.47310/iarjpid.2022.v01i01.002Pattern of Nail and Hair Disorders in the Elderly at a Tertiary Health CentreE.AmadiB.Otike-OdibiE. F.PeppleH. I.Bell-GamDermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Rivers State, NigeriaDermatology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State, NigeriaDepartment of Community Medicine, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Rivers State, NigeriaGeriatrics Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Rivers State, NigeriaBackground: Nail disorders are common in the older age group and are due to several causes including fungal infections, trauma; biomechanical tasks, systemic disorders, drugs ingested and could also be idiopathic. Materials and Methods: The study consisted of 126 patients aged 60 years and above who were admitted into the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) wards over a 3-month period and were examined for nail and hair disorders. Aim: The aim is to determine the nail and hair disorders seen in an older age population and possibly identify associations. Results: Out of the 126 older adults seen, 30.1% (38) had nail changes in either their toe nails or fingernails which consisted of 31.6% (12) females and 68.4 %(26) males, having the M: F ratio to be 2.2:1. Changes only in their lower limb digits were noted in 68.4% (26) of patients while 13.2 %( 5) persons had nail changes only in their upper limb digits and 18.4% (7) persons had nail changes seen both on their toes and fingers. Hair disorders were seen in 4.8 % (6) of patients. Alopecia was the only complaint, with different types of alopecia noted in the population. Traction alopecia was seen in 1.6 % (2), patchy alopecia in 1.6 % (2) and 1.6 % (2) had androgenic alopecia. Conclusion: There is a variety of hair and nail disorders in the elderly. Fungal infections can negatively impact the hair, nails and the skin.