What term refers to a condition where the nail becomes separated from the nail bed?

Onycholysis is the correct term for the condition in which a nail becomes detached from the underlying nail bed. This can occur due to various reasons such as trauma, fungal infections, or other underlying health issues. When onycholysis occurs, you may notice that a portion of the nail lifts away from the bed, often leading to changes in color or texture, and it can sometimes be accompanied by discomfort or pain.

Understanding onycholysis is essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment in medical coding because it helps coders recognize specific conditions that may require proper documentation and appropriate billing for treatment. It distinguishes this condition from other options; for example, a furuncle refers to a boil caused by an infected hair follicle, a cyst is a closed sac under the skin, and Beau's lines represent transverse ridges that form on the nails in response to systemic illness rather than separation from the nail bed.