What Causes Them and How To Get Rid of Them

Do you have dents or ridges in your fingernails? Maybe you first noticed them while you were painting your nails and the polish didn’t go on smoothly. Or perhaps you rub your nails when you’re nervous and noticed these dents in the nails during a particularly stressful week at work.

Whatever the case may be, one thing’s for sure: Right now, you’re asking yourself, “Why do I have dents in my nails?” Your nails can reveal a lot about your health — including whether you’re at risk for other diseases. Keep reading to find out what causes dents in fingernails and how you can get rid of them.

What Causes Ridges and Dents in Fingernails?

Dents in fingernails can be quite alarming the first time you discover them, especially if you have no idea why they’re there. Horizontal dents in fingernails or toenails specifically are likely Beau’s lines. Carol Thelen, CRNP, tells FirstforWomen. com that these dents on nails could signal a zinc deficiency. Additionally, Beau’s lines are associated with “uncontrolled diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, as well as illnesses associated with a high fever, such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps and pneumonia,” according to the Mayo Clinic.

Before you start freaking out, dents in thumbnails and toenails may also be caused by trauma rather than some underlying condition. “[Beau’s lines] develop when nail plate growth, which begins in the nail matrix (located under the cuticle), is temporarily disrupted,” Celeste Robb-Nicholson, MD, wrote for Harvard Women’s Health Watch. “This can occur with direct injury to the nail matrix; an inflammatory condition such as psoriasis; infection around the nail plate; repetitive picking at the nails or cuticles; or even a manicure. Systemic causes include nutritional deficiencies, illnesses accompanied by high fever, metabolic conditions, certain drugs (especially chemotherapy agents), and diminished blood flow to the fingers (from Raynaud’s phenomenon, for example). ” (Raynaud’s phenomenon is a condition where areas of the body feel cold and numb and change color in response to stress or cold temperatures.)

What Do Beau’s Lines Look Like?

Beau’s Lines https://t.co/Yfa28sk1GY #BeausLines #Nailhealth #Dermatology pic.twitter.com/63EnbdmMRg

— News Medical (@NewsMedical) September 22, 2016

Do Beau’s lines go away?

The good news about Beau’s lines is that they’ll eventually go away. If they’re the result of one-time trauma, the nail will eventually grow out and the lines will disappear. Nails grow at roughly three millimeters per month, so it may take a few weeks or even months before you notice your Beau’s lines have vanished completely. Should the dents be the result of some kind of mineral deficiency, you can most likely take a supplement to get your body’s levels where they need to be. That said, consult a doctor before taking any new supplements.

Nail abnormalities – Healthily

Fingernail or toenail abnormalities can tell you a lot about your health. They’re often a sign of a fungal nail infection or injury, but can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition.

See your doctor if your nails have changed in colour, texture, shape or thickness and you don’t know why (for example, you haven’t injured your nails or been biting them).

Below are the most likely reasons for the following nail problems:

• brittle or crumbly nails
• discoloured nails
• white nails
• thickened, overgrown nails
• loose nails
• indented spoon-shaped nails
• pitting or dents on the nails
• grooves going across the width of the nails
• unusually curved fingertips and nails
• white lines running across the nails
• dark stripes running down the nail
• red or brown little streaks under the nails
• a destroyed nail
• infected nail fold (painful, red and swollen skin next to the nail)

Brittle or crumbly nails

Brittle nails are often just a sign of ageing or long-term exposure to water or chemicals such as detergents and nail polish.

Wearing gloves will help protect your nails while doing work where your hands are exposed to water. Regularly applying moisturising cream to your fingers and nails will also help protect them.

Sometimes, brittle or crumbly nails can be caused by:

• a fungal nail infection – this is often the cause of crumbly toenails and can be cleared by taking a course of antifungal tablets
• a skin condition called lichen planus – this can just affect the nails
• an underactive thyroid or overactive thyroid – where the thyroid gland either doesn’t produce enough hormones or produces too many
• nail psoriasis – a long-term skin condition that can cause the nails to become crumbly

Reactive arthritis is a less common cause of crumbly nails. It’s an unusual reaction of the immune system affecting the joints, muscles and other parts of the body following an infection. If you have a combination of symptoms affecting different parts of your body, your doctor might consider this condition.

Discoloured nails

The most common causes of a yellow nail are fungal nail infections or nail psoriasis .

Yellow nails can also be caused by any of the following:

• frequent application of nail varnish
• lymphoedema – a long-term condition that causes swelling of the skin
• permanent damage to your airways caused by bronchiectasis – a long-term lung condition
• sinusitis – inflammation of the lining of the sinuses
• inflammation of the thyroid gland, found in the neck
• tuberculosis (TB) – a bacterial infection affecting the lungs
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin) – caused by liver disease
• some medications, such as mepacrine or carotene
• chronic paronychia – infection of the nail fold

Green-black nails can be caused by overgrowth of bacteria called pseudomonas, particularly under loose nails. It can be treated by applying antibiotic eye drops underneath the nails or soaking the affected nails in an antiseptic solution or vinegar.

Grey nails can be caused by medications such as antimalarials or minocycline.

Brown nails can sometimes be caused by thyroid disease, pregnancy, malnutrition and frequent use of nail varnish.

Red or yellow drop under the nail

If the discolouration looks like a drop of oil under the nail or is the colour of salmon, you may have psoriasis of the nails.

Half white, half brown nails

Fingernails that are half white and half brown (brown near the tips) can be a sign of kidney failure , where the kidneys stop working properly.

The link isn’t fully understood, but one theory is that kidney failure causes chemical changes in the blood that encourage melanin (a skin pigment) to be released into the nail bed. It’s also possible that kidney failure causes an increase in the number of tiny blood vessels in the nail bed.

It’s estimated up to 40% of people with kidney failure have “half-and-half” fingernails. They also sometimes occur in people with AIDS and those who’ve had chemotherapy .

White nails

If most of the nail has turned white and it isn’t because it has become detached from the nail bed, it’s likely to be either a fungal nail infection or a sign of decreased blood supply to the nail bed, which causes something known as “Terry’s nails”.

Terry’s nails are typically white with reddened or dark tips and can be a sign of a wide range of medical conditions, including:

• liver cirrhosis (scarring and damage to the liver) – about 80% of people with cirrhosis have Terry’s nails
• liver, kidney or heart failure
• diabetes
• iron-deficiency anaemia – where a lack of iron in the body leads to a reduction in the number of red blood cells
• chemotherapy
• an overactive thyroid – where the thyroid gland produces too many hormones
• malnutrition

Thickened, overgrown nails

A common cause of thickened nails is a fungal nail infection . This can also cause them to discolour and become crumbly (see above).

Other possible causes of thickened or overgrown nails are:

• psoriasis – a long-term condition that tends to also cause red, flaky patches of skin
• long-term pressure from shoes that are either too small or too narrow over the toes
• reactive arthritis – where the immune system attacks the joints, muscles and other parts of the body following an infection

Severely overgrown horn-like nails

Sometimes, the toenails become so overgrown and thickened that they resemble claws and are almost impossible to cut with conventional nail clippers. This nail disorder, known as onychogryphosis (“ram’s horn nails”), is seen in older people or as a response to long-term pressure on the nails. Regular chiropody can help, but sometimes the nails need to be removed by a podiatrist or doctor.

Loose nails

It’s normal for a toenail to come loose and fall off after an injury to the toe. Another common cause of a loose nail is over-manicuring the nails and cleaning underneath them with a sharp object.

Less commonly, a loose nail may be a sign of one of the following health conditions:

• a fungal nail infection
• psoriasis of the nail
• warts that cluster around the fingernail
• an overactive thyroid
• sarcoidosis – a condition where small clumps of cells form in the organs and tissues of the body
• amyloidosis – where protein builds up in the organs
• a problem with the connective tissue fibres in the body that support the organs and body tissues
• poor circulation – for example, caused by smoking or Raynaud’s phenomenon (a condition where the blood supply to the fingers and toes is affected, causing them to turn white)
• an allergic reaction to medicine (usually to a type of antibiotic) or nail cosmetics

A loose nail should be cut back to where it’s detached to allow the nail to become reattached as it grows. You shouldn’t clean your nails with anything other than a soft nailbrush.

Indented spoon-shaped nails (koilonychia)

If your fingernails curve inwards like spoons (koilonychia), you may have one of the following disorders:

• iron-deficiency anaemia
• haemochromatosis – where the body retains too much iron
• Raynaud’s phenomenon
• lupus erythematosus – a rare condition where the immune system attacks the body’s cells, tissues and organs

Pitting or dents on the nails

Pitting or small dents on the surface of your nails can be a sign of any of the following conditions:

• psoriasis
• eczema – a long-term skin condition that causes the skin to become itchy, red, dry and cracked
• reactive arthritis
• alopecia areata – a condition that causes temporary bald patches on the scalp that are about the size of a large coin

Grooves across the fingernails (Beau’s lines)

Deep lines or grooves that go from left to right across the nail are known as Beau’s lines . They may occur as a result of:

• a previous illness – the line forms at the time of the illness
• having chemotherapy
• a previous injury
• previous exposure to very cold temperatures, if you have Raynaud’s phenomenon

Illness, injury or cold temperatures can interrupt nail growth and cause nail grooves to form at the base of the nails.

The grooves tend to only be noticed a few months later, when the nails have grown and the grooves have moved up the nails to become visible. It takes about four to six months for a fingernail to fully grow out, and six to 12 months for a toenail.

Unusually curved fingertips and nails

Clubbing of the fingertips means the tissue beneath the nails thickens and the fingertips become rounded and bulbous. The fingernails curve over the rounded fingertips.

Clubbing is thought to be caused by increased blood flow to the fingertips. It can run in families and be completely harmless. However, if it suddenly develops, it may be a sign of one of many possible medical conditions, including:

• long-term lung disease or heart disease, such as lung cancer , bronchiectasis , or endocarditis
• inflammatory bowel disease – a long-term condition that causes inflammation of the lining of the gut
• stomach cancer or bowel cancer
• cirrhosis (scarring of the liver)
• polycythaemia – a condition where the blood is too thick

White lines running across nails

White spots or streaks are normal and nothing to worry about, but parallel white lines that extend all the way across the nails, known as Muehrcke’s lines, are a sign of low levels of protein in the blood. In contrast to Beau’s lines, they’re not grooved. They can occur as a result of liver disease or malnutrition .

Dark stripes running down the nail

Dark stripes running down the nails (linear melanonychia) are fairly common in black people over 20 years of age, and in most cases it’s perfectly normal.

However, dark stripes shouldn’t be ignored because it can sometimes be a form of skin cancer that affects the nail bed, called subungual melanoma. It’s important that your doctor checks it to rule out melanoma.

Subungual melanoma usually only affects one nail. It will also cause the stripe to change in appearance – for example, it may become wider or darker over time and the pigmentation may also affect the surrounding skin (the nail fold).

Red or brown little streaks under the nails

If you have little red or brown streaks underneath your nails, it’s likely they’re splinter haemorrhages – lines of blood caused by tiny damaged blood vessels.

A few splinters under one nail are nothing to worry about, and are most likely caused by an injury of the nail. However, if many nails are affected, the splinters may be a sign of lupus erythematosus , psoriasis , an infection of the heart valves (endocarditis) or another underlying condition.

A destroyed nail

Nails can be destroyed by:

• injury, including nail biting
• skin conditions, such as psoriasis or lichen planus
• overgrowth of the surrounding tissues, which is usually harmless – for example, caused by a wart or verruca
• overgrowth of the surrounding tissues caused by skin cancer (this is rare)
• nail patella syndrome – a rare genetic condition which may cause missing nails, usually at birth

See your doctor if one of your nails is destroyed and you don’t remember injuring it.

Painful, red and swollen nail fold (paronychia)

Paronychia is inflammation of the nail fold (the skin and soft tissue that frames and supports the nail).

It’s most commonly caused by infection, injury or irritation, and is about three times more common in women than in men. Sometimes, it’s associated with an underlying skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis , or another medical condition, such as diabetes or HIV .

Paronychia can develop over a few hours (acute paronychia). If it lasts for more than six weeks, it’s known as chronic paronychia.

Acute paronychia

Acute infective paronychia usually starts after a minor injury to the nail fold, such as from nail biting, picking or manicures. The affected area is red, warm, tender and swollen. After a while, pus can form around the nail and may lift the nail.

Acute paronychia is often the result of a Staphylococcus infection , but it can sometimes be caused by the virus responsible for cold sores (herpes simplex virus) . In this case it’s known as herpetic whitlow .

Treatment for acute paronychia includes antibiotic creams or tablets . If there’s a large amount of pus, surgically draining it can help. With treatment, an infected nail fold can clear up in a few days. If it isn’t treated or doesn’t respond to treatment, the problem can become long-term (chronic).

Chronic paronychia

Chronic paronychia often affects people who have their hands in water for long periods, or come into contact with chemicals, such as cleaners, bartenders, canteen staff or fishmongers.

It may start in one nail fold but can affect several fingers. The affected nail folds are swollen and may be red and sore from time to time, often after exposure to water. The nail plate gradually becomes thickened and ridged as it grows, and may become yellow or green and brittle.

S ee your doctor if the condition is severe. They may prescribe antibiotic creams or tablets. In some cases, they may refer you to a dermatologist (skin specialist).

It can take months for chronic paronychia to clear, and up to a year after that for your nails to return to normal. Keeping your hands dry and warm, frequently using emollient hand cream and not biting or picking your nails can help.

Why Does My Fingernail Have a Big Dent?

QUESTION

Some of my fingernails have developed indentations, and there’s a bump at the edge of one cuticle. Should I be concerned?

ANSWER

Possibly. An indentation on the fingernail and a bump at the edge of the cuticle mean that the matrix (the tissue beneath the fingernail) is affected. The matrix, which contains blood vessels and nerves, constantly produces new cells. These new cells force old cells to clump together to create your fingernail. By the time the nail emerges from beneath the skin, the cells are dead. Otherwise, it would be very painful to cut your nails!

To find out what’s causing these conditions, you should consult a dermatologist. The bump that you describe at the edge of the cuticle could be a wart, cyst or other benign condition…or it could be malignant (melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma or basal cell carcinoma). The only way to know for sure is to have a sample (a biopsy) of the bump taken and analyzed. If the bump is malignant, your dermatologist can recommend treatment, such as complete removal of the tumor, and refer you to a cancer specialist. If the bump is due to a cyst, it will need to be surgically removed. A wart can be removed by freezing it with liquid nitrogen, but the treatment will need to be repeated.

There could be a variety of explanations for the indentations in your fingernails. Skin conditions such as psoriasis or a fungal infection can sometimes cause small dents or pits in fingernails. A deficiency of vitamin B-12 or iron can often result in nail ridges or dents. A large indentation can also be due to “spoon nails,” so-called because the nail becomes concave and shaped like a little spoon. Spoon nails can be caused by iron-deficiency anemia, heart disease or an underactive thyroid.

A deep, horizontal ridge across the nail, sometimes called Beau’s lines, can also resemble a dent. This condition can be caused by a reaction to a drug, such as chemotherapy, or even a zinc deficiency that interrupted nail growth and then the growth resumed once you stopped the drug or corrected the nutritional deficiency. In some cases, Beau’s lines can signal a chronic underlying health condition, such as diabetes or peripheral vascular disease.

A dermatologist can examine your nail ridges to determine whether you may have an underlying health condition and refer you to an appropriate specialist, if needed, for treatment.

Beau’s Lines in Adults: Condition, Treatments, and Pictures – Overview

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Information for
Adults

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Images of Beau’s Lines

Overview

Beau’s lines are horizontal (transverse) depressions in the nail plate that run parallel to the shape of the white, moon-shaped portion of the nail bed (lunula) seen at the nail’s origin. They result from a sudden interruption of nail keratin synthesis and grow distally with the nail plate. As the nail grows, the Beau’s lines can disappear.

Beau’s lines can be caused by trauma or local disease involving the nail fold. They can vary based upon the width or depth of the depression, reflecting the duration or extent of the damage. When Beau’s lines are present in all nails at a similar location on the nail plate, they are likely to have a systemic cause. They may also result from metabolic, inflammatory, or traumatic influences.

Who’s at risk?

People of all ages and ethnic backgrounds can have Beau’s lines. Most commonly, they are seen in chemotherapy patients in reaction to a drug.

Signs and Symptoms

Beau’s lines occur along the fingernails and the toenails. The grooves extending across the nail plate often span its entire breadth. The involvement of multiple nails may suggest a systemic cause, including a side effect from medication, but the phenomenon may be limited to just the thumb nails and big toe nails.

It is possible to measure the distance from the area where the cuticle is seen and where the nail originates (the proximal nail fold) to the leading edge of the Beau’s line to determine how much time has elapsed since the line was formed. Because fingernails grow at a rate of approximately 0.1 mm per day, and toenails grow 0.03 mm per day, the duration of the causative insult can be inferred from the width of the Beau’s furrow itself.

Recurrent disease will produce repeated transverse grooves, separated by normal nail.

Self-Care Guidelines

None necessary.

When to Seek Medical Care

If nail changes, such as depressions in the nails, are noted, it may be helpful to seek evaluation from a primary care provider or dermatologist.

Treatments Your Physician May Prescribe

Beau’s lines are a retrospective indicator of various causes, and your physician may investigate for possible causes.

Trusted Links

MedlinePlus: Nail DiseasesClinical Information and Differential Diagnosis of Beau’s Lines

References

Bolognia, Jean L., ed. Dermatology, pp.1027, 1061-1062, 1069. New York: Mosby, 2003.

Freedberg, Irwin M., ed. Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology in General Medicine. 6^th ed, pp. 13, 657, 664, 1340. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2003.

Nail pitting: Signs, causes, and treatment

Nail pitting is when small depressions appear on the surface of the nails. The pitting can be shallow or deep, depending on the individual case.

Nail depressions are often found in people with psoriasis, but they can be a sign of several other conditions. People with nail pitting may want to see a doctor to discover the underlying cause.

In this article, we look at the signs of nail pitting, the potential causes, and what forms of treatment are available.

Share on PinterestNail pitting most commonly develops on the fingernails, although it may occur on the toenails.

People with nail pitting will notice small pits developing on the surface of the nail on either their fingers or toes. Fingernails are more commonly affected than toenails, although it is unclear why.

There can be one single pit or many pits. A nail with multiple pits can look like the surface of a thimble.

The nail is part of the skin and grows from the nail root, which is found just under the cuticle. This origin is why nail pitting is often related to a skin condition.

Nail pitting is often a sign of another condition that can include:

• psoriasis, which causes skin inflammation
• eczema, a long-term skin condition that makes the skin red, itchy, and cracked
• reactive arthritis or inflammation caused by an infection elsewhere
• alopecia areata, which causes temporary bald patches on the scalp

Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a common skin condition that causes inflammation of the skin and often leads to patches of red, scaly skin.

People who develop psoriasis tend to have flare-ups throughout their lives. The frequency of these flare-ups varies from person to person.

The severity of psoriasis can also vary greatly, from small patches that are barely noticeable to larger patches across the body.

Psoriasis is not caused by infection, it cannot be passed on to other people, and it does not develop into cancer.

The National Psoriasis Foundation state that while it can develop at any time, psoriasis most commonly starts in people aged between 15 and 35. Around 1.5 percent of African-Americans have psoriasis, compared with 3.6 percent of Caucasian Americans.

Around half the people who have psoriasis will also notice changes in their nails.

Psoriatic nail disease

There are several nail changes that can occur with psoriasis, including:

• Pitting, when either one pit or many pits appear on the surface of the nail.
• Onycholysis, when the nail separates from the skin. This begins as a white or yellow patch at the top of the nail that works its way down to the base. The skin underneath can become infected, as a result.
• Subungual hyperkeratosis, when a chalk-like material builds up under the nail, often making the nail raised and tender.
• Color changes, when nails become yellow or brown.
• Fungal nail infection, which can make the nail thicker.

Around 4 in every 5 people with psoriatic arthritis will also notice nail changes.

Anyone concerned with pits on their nails should see a doctor. Typically, the first thing the doctor will do is a physical examination.

A look at someone’s medical history may also help, especially if they have had psoriasis or other conditions linked with nail pitting.

The appearance alone of someone’s nails will often be enough for a doctor to diagnose the problem, particularly if it is psoriatic nail disease.

Occasionally, a doctor will send a sample of the nail for a biopsy to help confirm the diagnosis. A biopsy is a medical procedure that examines tissue under a microscope to see if there are any cell abnormalities.

Cases of nail psoriasis can be difficult to diagnose unless the person presents skin psoriatic lesions, as well. Only around 5 to 10 percent of people with nail psoriasis will not have psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis also.

Nail pitting can be mild. If the pitting is not causing any discomfort, it will not require any treatment. More severe cases can cause discomfort and distress, however.

Nail pitting is quite difficult to treat, although some modern methods have been shown to be effective.

Treatments that can be applied to the nail include steroids, salicylic acid, calcipotriol, and tazarotene, although these are often not very effective. It is important to remember that nails grow slowly and this type of remedy only treats the new nail growing, not the existing one.

A skin specialist may also suggest one of the following:

• Antifungal treatment: This might be needed if there is also a fungal infection.
• Steroid injected into the nail: This treatment can be painful.
• Removing the nail: Nails can be removed either by using an ointment that takes 7 days to work, or surgically with a local anesthetic.

In severe cases, such as when a person is not able to use their hand or walk properly if pitting is on their toes, more powerful drugs can be used to suppress inflammation. These will only ever be prescribed by a doctor.

Share on PinterestWearing gloves when performing manual labor will protect the hands and nails.

Before undergoing treatment, people with nail pitting should first consider the self-management steps they can take to care for their nails, such as:

• keeping toenails and fingernails short
• keeping nails dry
• protecting nails from damage by wearing gloves when doing manual work, for example
• avoiding manicures at the base of the nail as they may cause infection
• avoiding wearing false nails
• avoiding using nail varnish containing acetone, as it can damage the nail
• wearing comfortable shoes that give space for the toes to move

People should also avoid cleaning their nails with a sharp object or brush. It is better to soak the nails in warm water to remove debris.

Nail pitting can be difficult to treat. However, if the condition is mild and not causing discomfort, then people can lead a normal life.

If someone is worried about how the pits on their nails look, they may be able to cover them with a nail varnish that does not contain acetone.

In more severe cases, pitting can continue to cause discomfort and the appearance of the nails may cause a person distress. It can also affect the functionality of the hands and feet.

In the case of nail psoriasis, pitting is a marker for more severe skin symptoms and joint involvement. If these develop, diagnosis and treatment will need to be sought.

When skin lesions are not present, nail psoriasis can also aid the diagnosis of cases of psoriatic arthritis.

While treatment for nail psoriasis is long-term and often ineffective, it is improving greatly over time. Following the simple management tips can also help with nail pitting, and improve a person’s quality of life.

What Is This DENT In My Toenail?: Michfoot Surgeons PC: Podiatry

 If you’re following the guidelines we as podiatrists tend to repeat, you’re already checking your feet regularly for any signs of changes, like discolored spots or tenderness or sores.  So, what if you’re looking over your feet one day and notice a large dent across your toenail?  Should you panic?

When this happens, it’s likely a Beau’s line. Beau’s lines are horizontal grooves in your toenail-  not to be confused with vertical ridges that often appear as you get older. Instead, Beau’s lines are depressions that look like a dent across the width of your nail. 

Beau’s lines can occur on both your toenails and fingernails. A Beau’s line, as described above, is a groove that runs across your nail; a person may have one or several on a nail. Beau’s lines are often caused by an injury or repeated trauma to the nail that interrupts the growth of the nail.  Common causes include dropping something heavy on the nail, which in turn damages the nail bed. You can even get Beau’s lines from sustained time in the cold- sort of shock to the system that causes the nail bed to treat it like trauma. You likely won’t see the dent right away, which means it may come as a shock to you later on when it emerges.  In cases where you can tie it back to a trauma, it usually doesn’t need medical attention- if it’s painful or if the skin underneath is dark, book an appointment with us so we can check it out.

Sometimes, however, Beau’s lines can be indicative of something more serious.  Malnutrition, vitamin/mineral deficiency (example: zinc deficiency), diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, and more can cause it.  In some cases, illnesses like pneumonia can cause it.  If you’re undergoing chemotherapy or radiation, you may see them appear, corresponding to the treatments you have.  

In general, people cite the eyes, skin, and nails as windows into our health.  Toenails are a great example of this, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology, ʺNails often reflect our general state of health. Changes in the nail, such as discoloration or thickening, can signal health problems, including liver and kidney diseases, heart and lung conditions, anemia and diabetes.ʺ  Never ignore a change to your nails, especially one as obvious as Beau’s lines.  While it may be nothing serious, it’s better to have it checked by a podiatrist to confirm that you don’t have underlying symptoms associated with diabetes or peripheral vascular or nerve problems. 

Have you ever had Beau’s lines on your toenails?  Let us know!  If you currently have them, call our office to schedule an examination with one of our skilled podiatrists who can confirm if it’s a Beau’s line and identify the underlying cause.

Secrets your nails reveal | The Star

The eyes may be the window to the soul, but your fingernails may provide a peek into the status of your health.

ARE your fingernails healthy, or sending you a health warning?

Fingernails and disease don’t go together in most minds. .. but they should. Your fingernails can give you valuable health warnings and signal the presence of serious disease.

Take a good long look at your nails. Hold a hand level with your nose about a foot out from your face and scrutinise each one.

Look at the curves, dips, ridges, and grooves. Check out how thick or thin they are and if your nails are chipped or broken. Make a note of the colour of the nail itself, the skin under it, and the skin around the nail.

Have your nails always looked like this?

Changes to your fingernails and disease onset are linked, so note any new developments. With this fresh view, compare what you see with this list of eight potential fingernail health warnings.

Discoloured nails

A healthy fingernail should be pink, with a touch of pinkish white (moons) near the base. If your nails are a dull colour or streaked with other colours, you may have a serious hidden health problem.

• Green nails are a sign of bacterial infection.

• Red streaks in your nail bed are a warning of a heart valve infection.

• Blueish nails signal low oxygen levels in your blood.

• Dull nails mean a vitamin deficiency.

• White nails may signal liver disease, such as hepatitis.

• Dark stripes at the top (Terry’s nails) are associated with ageing and congestive heart failure.

Thick nails

Thick nails are not natural. You want your nails to be strong, but if they resemble talons or claws, watch out!

• Thickened nails that are otherwise normal can signal lung disease.

• Thick and rough-textured nails can signal a fungal infection.

• Thick and separated nails may mean thyroid disease or psoriasis.

• Unusual thickness may also be a symptom of a circulation problem.

Thickening nails are a change that should tune you in to other health symptoms you may be ignoring. Also watch out for allergic reactions to new medications which can show up as suddenly thick nails.

Split nails

Split nails aren’t just occasionally chipped. Instead, these nails seem to flake away in layers. Don’t blame frequent handwashing or nail polish for everything, especially since:

• Split nails result from folic acid, vitamin C, and protein deficiencies.

• Split nails combined with a pitted nail bed (base) can signal psoriasis, which begins in nails 10% of the time, according to WebMD.

• Split nails may result from chronic malnutrition.

Watch what you eat and check the psoriasis connection to fight back and pay more attention to your overall health.

Concave (spoon) nails

Spoon fingernails signal a number of internal issues. To be considered full spoons, nails will be soft and curve up, forming a dip that is often big enough to hold water. Spoon nails signal:

• Iron deficiency (usually from anaemia).

• Haemachromatosis, a liver disorder where your body absorbs too much iron.

• Heart disease.

• Hypothyroidism.

Your fingernail and health challenges go hand in hand – for many people, clearing up their health issue results in their spoon nails returning back to normal.

Pitted nails

Small dips or holes in your nails can be a result of banging up your hands – or they could be a sign that you need to look more closely at your health. Nail pitting can signal:

• Psoriasis.

• Connective tissue disorder.

• Alopecia areata, an autoimmune disorder that causes hair loss.

• Zinc deficiency (when the pit seems to form a line across the middle of your nail).

Watch your hand to separate natural dents and dings from real, lasting pits. The first will clear up quickly, but pits linked to disease linger.

Ridges

Nails should have smooth surfaces with almost imperceptible lines. Obvious ridge lines are a signal that something is up with your body. Some of the most common conditions associated with heavy ridge lines are:

Don’t just buff away your ridges – hear their warning!

Dry, brittle nails

You don’t need lotion or cuticle oil. If your nails are dry and brittle, you should check your hormone levels and bacterial health.

• Thyroid disease leads to brittle, dry fingernails that crack and split easily.

• Fungus can make nails dry or even crumbly, affecting 12% of all Americans, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.

Both thyroid and fungal issues take time to treat, so you won’t see a difference in the look of your fingernails for a full growth cycle.

Clubbed nails

If you have plump skin that seems to swell around the nail, or if your nails seem to have puffed around your fingers, they are said to be “clubbed”. Clubbed nails can mean:

• Lung disease, especially if you already have trouble breathing.

• Inflammatory bowel disease.

• Liver disease.

Your fingernails won’t be the only signs of these diseases, but they can provide confirmation or motivation to seek medical care.

Nutritional deficiency and your nails

Your nails also can reflect certain nutritional deficiencies you may be suffering from. These include:

Vitamin deficiency

• Deficiency of vitamin B and D cause pigmentation and ridges along the nail bed. The bluish black vertical lines on your nails are warning signs that you need to make immediate changes to your diet.

• Deficiency of vitamin C causes reddish black spots to appear on the nail bed.

• Deficiency of vitamin A and D cause a situation called hapalonychia or soft nails.

• Deficiency of vitamin E causes nails to lose their natural colour and turn yellow.

To counter vitamin deficiency, it is imperative that you include foods like broccoli, papaya, almonds, peanut butter, hazelnut, orange, lemon, potato, banana, chicken, strawberries and kiwi fruit in your diet.

Zinc deficiency

Many people believe that white spots on the nails is due to vitamin and calcium deficiency. On the contrary, it is proven that the primary cause is zinc deficiency.

One can counter this situation by consuming good amounts of meat, dark chocolate and peanuts for healthy nails.

Iron deficiency

If you have abnormally thin nails that have become flat or concave in shape, then it’s time to add some iron supplements in your diet.

Koilonychias or spoon nails is an indication of extreme levels of iron deficiency in the body. It can also cause brittle nails and lifting of nails. This makes the nails vulnerable to infection.

To counter this problem, ensure that your diet includes enough iron-rich foods like whole grains, liver, and leafy greens like spinach.

Calcium deficiency

Transverse leukonychia of nails is associated with severe hypocalcaemia. It appears in horizontal white bands that tend to occur in the same position in other nails too.

Thin and brittle nails are also symptoms of calcium deficiency in the body.

Including dairy products like milk, cheese and curd in your daily diet will ensure strong and shiny nails.

Protein deficiency

If you find your nails cracking and breaking, then it is a sign of protein deficiency. You need to evaluate if adequate protein sources are included in your diet.

Animal products like meat and cheese are the best protein sources. For vegetarians, beans and legumes are food products rich in protein.

Include all these food items in your diet to get rid of nail problems caused by protein deficiency.

Datuk Dr Nor Ashikin Mokhtar is a consultant obstetrician & gynaecologist (FRCOG, UK). For further information, visit www.primanora.com. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published in this article is not intended to replace, supplant or augment a consultation with a health professional regarding the reader’s own medical care. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this column. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.

90,000 Dents on the fingernails, thumb: reasons why they appeared

Doctors judge health by the appearance of the nail plates. If there are dents on the nails, this indicates the presence of a fungal infection, a possible pathology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. To get rid of a symptom, you need to eliminate its cause.

Dents often appear in diseases accompanied by impaired respiratory function, poor functioning of the heart and liver. In these conditions, transverse indentations are noted.Holes on the nail plate are detected in diseases of the spleen, joints, psoriasis. Longitudinal grooves or dents indicate rheumatism or inflammation of the paranasal sinuses.

Pits are observed in systemic pathologies. In patients, a “thimble symptom” is revealed when the nail plate of the thumb is lined with small holes or dimples. This picture can be seen in psoriasis, alopecia and other diseases. Other causes of pits:

• fungal infections of the nail plate;
• lack of vitamins and minerals: iron, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin A, B, E and others;
• injuries, exposure to chemicals.

The most common causes are vitamin deficiencies and fungal infections of the nail plate. Only the nail of one finger or the nail plates of all fingers or toes may be affected.

If dimples appear on the nail plates, consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct an examination, take an anamnesis. If there is a fungal disease or psoriasis, the patient needs to consult a dermatologist. In the presence of lung pathologies, the patient is treated by a pulmonologist. For patients with heart disease, consultation with a cardiologist is required.

Lack of vitamins requires the consultation of a therapist who will adjust the diet and prescribe vitamin therapy. The patient is recommended foods with a high protein content, for example, dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, as well as fruits, vegetables, nuts, rich in vitamins A, B, E. At the same time, it is necessary to normalize the drinking regime.

Care of the nail plates is definitely recommended. Hygiene measures include:

• Avoid damage to nails by external factors.Protect hands with mittens outside, rubber gloves when working with chemicals, earth, water.
• To do regular manicure with high-quality and sharp devices.
• Apply cosmetics for hands: lotions, creams to soften and moisturize the skin and nail plate.
• Do not come into contact with water frequently.

It is also recommended to apply jojoba oil and an oil solution of vitamin E to the nails. It is allowed to polish pits and irregularities, but only with light one-way movements, without pressure.

Dimples and dents on the nails require attention from the patient, as they can hide behind a fungus, pathologies of the lungs and heart, psoriasis, vitamin deficiency and other diseases. Therefore, with such a symptom, it is imperative to find out from the doctor why the pits appeared and how to get rid of them. A timely visit to the doctor will allow you to level the surface of the nail plate, as well as improve the general condition.

90,000 Dents on the nails – 110 photos and video description of the causes of the appearance of pits

Dents or dimples on the nails can scare anyone in earnest.In fact, if you have such problems, it is not necessarily bad (but not necessarily good). There are many different reasons and factors in which scratches and roughness appear on even nail plates. Let’s consider in more detail all the possible options for this ailment.

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What do the longitudinal grooves mean

If transverse dents appear on the nail plates of your hands, in most cases this means that you have problems with the respiratory system, or rather with the bronchi or lungs.

With this type of dents, it is better to immediately contact a specialist. Excessive caution hasn’t hurt anyone yet.

Dimples

In medicine there is a term “thimble syndrome”, in which small dimples form on the nails. The nail seems to be completely pierced with pits. They usually stand in rows or randomly scattered over the entire surface.

Such depressions indicate an emerging disease, such as psoriasis, dermatitis, or some kind of systemic disease (if you have other symptoms, do not postpone the visit to the doctor).

What causes dents

There can be a lot of reasons for the appearance of dents on the nails – from ordinary damage to a hard surface, to a serious systemic disease that needs to be treated urgently.

In most people, dents are formed due to a lack of minerals.

This problem can be easily solved by simply changing your diet to one that is richer in nutrients, minerals and vitamins. You also need to take care of your hands.

If after changing the diet the problem has not disappeared – the point is different. Rough nails indicate that you need urgent medical advice.

Fungus

If all of your fingernails are covered with dents, this could indicate a nail fungus infection. You could easily have picked it up in a common area where your hands or feet might come into contact with damp objects.

These places are often shared showers, swimming pools, saunas and changing rooms.Even spanking cannot save you from all the dangers that lie in wait for you.

To find out exactly what kind of fungus has settled on your nails, you should visit a doctor and do a scraping. Laboratory research will help the doctor make the right diagnosis and make further treatment.

Lack of vitamins

On the hands dimples most often appear due to a banal lack of some element in your body. Children are especially prone to this problem. If your child or you have dents on the nails – evidence of a lack of vitamins.

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Often, such a change affects the hairline – there is a loss of living bulbs in huge quantities, increased fragility of the hair itself.

By the shape of the dent on the nail, you can find out what your body is missing. When the dent looks like a small transverse groove and is not alone on a plate, your body lacks iron.

Mechanical and chemical damage

The safest and most obvious appearance of extraneous notches or indentations on your nails is a simple mechanical effect.

Everyone at least once in his life hit hard objects, after which he received a slight injury. If you don’t remember how you got that dent, don’t worry when the nail grows to the desired length – just cut off the bump and it will never bother you again.

It can also happen with chemicals that, in contact with the nail, can negatively affect it.

If your hands are regularly exposed to chemicals of any kind, this can result in a serious illness that must be treated.

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Such diseases lead to the weakening of the whole organism, which also affects the nail plates. Then a dent may appear on your thumb.

Professionals who are constantly dealing with hazardous chemicals are more likely to suffer from such diseases.

These are medical workers, laboratory technicians and cleaners who work without gloves. Remember to use protection to prevent this disease.

Psoriasis

This is a chronic non-infectious disease of unknown etymology that occurs on the skin, nails, and sometimes bone tissue.

Symptoms vary, such as discoloration of the nails. It may turn yellow or brown.

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Dents in the form of small round indentations appear on the surface of the nail. With this incurable disease, the entire nail thickens, and it can also completely separate from its bed.

Unfortunately, such a disease cannot be completely cured – only its external symptoms can be stopped.

When you visit a doctor, you will be prescribed special injections that will help restore your nails to their previous healthy state.

How to fix dents

If you have a serious illness and the appearance of pits on the nail plate is just a symptom, go to a specialist and you will receive the necessary treatment.

But if dents appear due to a lack of various substances in the body, you can restore them.For this, vegetables and fruits must be present in your diet.

To fully supply your body with nutrients, the diet should contain a variety of healthy foods.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids should be consumed. They are found in fish, nuts, and mangoes. Such a cocktail of nutrients will surely restore the health of your nails and give them shine.

You should also replenish the water-salt balance.To do this, an adult needs to drink 2 liters of water (only pure water) per day.

We will have to completely abandon all harmful products: fatty and sweet foods, fast food, etc.

Nail care

It is necessary to protect the nail plates from chemical and mechanical influences. Try not to go out without warm gloves in cold weather, and wear rubber gloves when working in the garden or around the house.

Do your manicure regularly so that you don’t need treatment later.Prevention is always better!

Keep your hands slightly damp. If your body itself cannot cope with this task, use a special lotion. But you should not overdo it – your hands will dry out and crack.

Good for keeping nails beautiful and healthy – jojoba oil mixed with vitamin E.

Thank you for reading. Take care of yourself and your nails.

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90,000 Bo’s lines and Terry’s nails – changes on the nails indicating problems with the body – Beauty

Show in pictures and explain what might be wrong with your nails

Ksenia Parfenova

April 27, 2021 17:43

Health should always be in the first place

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Do you manicure to hide yellow or damaged nails? Girls, you do not need to do this, because health problems are not treated with gel polish, but only aggravated by it. Each of the decorative coating manufacturers has its own formulations, which may simply not suit you. If you ignore this fact, you can lose beautiful nails for at least six months – the nail plate changes with about this frequency. In this material, WomanHit, using the example of photos from open sources, analyzes common problems with nails:

Depressions in the nail plate. This lesion is common in people with psoriasis, a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin. Pitted nails can be associated with connective tissue disorders such as Reiter’s syndrome and alopecia areata, an autoimmune condition that causes hair loss.

Swollen nails. This happens when the tips of the fingers are enlarged and the nails curl around them, twisting. Enlarged nails can be the result of low blood oxygen levels and are a sign of various types of lung diseases.The condition is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and AIDS.

Curling nails. Koilonychia is a condition in which the nails become soft and begin to curl inward. This is often a sign of iron deficiency anemia, or a liver disease known as hemochromatosis, in which your body absorbs too much iron from the food you eat. It can also be associated with heart disease and hypothyroidism.

White nails. In a condition known as Terry’s Nails, most nails appear white except for a narrow pink streak at the tip. This condition often occurs in older people. In other cases, Terry’s nails can be a sign of liver disease, heart failure, kidney failure, or diabetes.

Dents on the nails. Bo Lines are grooves that run along the nails. Dents can appear with mechanical injury during a manicure or as a result of an illness.Conditions associated with Bo lines include diabetes, vascular disease, and diseases associated with high fever such as scarlet fever, measles, mumps, and pneumonia. Bo lines can also be a sign of zinc deficiency.

Detachment of the nail. In a condition known as onycholysis, the nails become loose and may separate from the nail bed. The separated part of the nail becomes opaque with a white, yellow or green tint. Sometimes detached nails are associated with injury or infection.In other cases, nail separation is a reaction to a particular drug or consumer product, such as nail varnishes or adhesives. Thyroid disease and psoriasis, a condition characterized by scaly patches on the skin, can also cause nails to come off.

Read also: WE DO NOT ADVISE TO ANYONE: WHICH STAR WEARS A MANICURE THAT IS SCARY TO LOOK AT

8 health problems that are noticeable on your nails

Symptom: the nails are concave so that a drop of water does not flow from them

Technical term: spoon nails.

Explanation: Nails can become concave as they age.

Why you still need to get tested: Iron metabolism disorders, such as iron deficiency anemia, are the most common cause of false or concave nails.

Your doctor will likely do a blood test to check your ferritin (iron) levels, as your nails may be the first sign of a problem. (This does not mean that all cases of anemia cause this kind of nail deformity, although other symptoms include fatigue, dizziness, pale skin, and headaches.)Another, less common cause is thyroid problems. In any case, your nails should return to their previous state after the root cause is eliminated.

Symptom: vertical brown or black lines

Technical term: miscellaneous (see below).

Explanation: Pigmentation in nails is quite common, especially in people with colored skin. But regardless of your skin color, if you’ve noticed a streak like this for a long time and it doesn’t go away, or you have streaks on multiple nails, there is little cause for concern.Even new streaks can appear as a result of an injury that activates pigment cells in your nail, such as an overly diligent manicure, antibiotics or blood pressure medications, or even pregnancy. It can also be a mole or freckle, although these are more common in babies.

Why you still need to get tested: In less than three percent of cases, these streaks are actually melanoma growing in your nail. This is another reason to remove nail polish before you have a visual skin exam.Melanomas are more common on the thumb and forefinger (experts are not sure why) and usually only appear on one nail. If the pigment begins to spread to the surrounding skin, this is a sign that you need to see a doctor right away, as this means that the tumor is growing.

Symptom: it seems that the dents were made by a needle

Technical term: scarring.

Explanation: Unfortunately, nail scars almost always indicate more serious problems.

Why you still need to get tested: scarring is usually a sign of psoriasis, and nails may be the first on the path of inflammation. Psoriasis is a major health problem that manifests itself on the nails. People with psoriasis of the nails are at an increased risk of developing psoriatic arthritis, so it is very important to see a doctor. You may also notice red dots in the well (a whitish crescent moon at the bottom of the nail) or small brown areas on the nails (these are spots where the nail is about to separate from the nail bed).

Symptom: The nails look very bulging or bulbous

Technical term: drumstick symptom.

Explanation: this problem is very common in perfectly healthy people. It can even be inherited.

Why you still need to get tested: drumstick symptom can be caused by respiratory illness, chronic lung infections, or heart disease, probably because these conditions disrupt the blood flow that maintains healthy nails.Therefore, your doctor may order you for heart and lung examinations. Another sign, in addition to the shape of the nails, may be a spongy texture if you press on the nail just above the cuticle.

Symptom: the size of the hole takes up more than half of the nail plate

Technical term: Terry’s nails.

Explanation: sometimes a hole can grow in size for no good reason.

Why you still need to get tested: Terry’s nails are associated with three serious problems: liver disease, congestive heart failure and diabetes.If your socket takes up about half of your nail, then it could be a symptom of Lindsay’s nails, which are associated with kidney failure. Experts are unsure why these specific nail problems and health problems are linked. Of course, these are serious enough problems, and your nails are unlikely to be their first noticeable sign.

Symptom: deep arched horizontal grooves

Technical term: Bo line.

Explanation: just like your hair, which stops growing and begins to fall out a few months after a stressful event, nails can also experience these changes, and grooves appear on them.Doctors can tell the patient exactly when a stressful event occurred by measuring the distance from the furrow to the cuticle. Any illness that puts a lot of stress on the body, from high fever to hospitalization and emotional events, can cause them to occur.

Why you still need to get tested: Since these furrows indicate that you or your body was under severe stress a few months ago, they are usually not a cause for concern. But if they keep popping up even after you think the stress has passed, it could be a sign that you haven’t quite gotten through it.The nails begin to return to normal as soon as the stress disappears.

Symptom: yellow nails

Technical term: miscellaneous (see below).

Explanation: The most common cause of yellowish nails is nail polish stains. The darker the shade, the more likely it is that a trace will remain. You will find out if this is so if you can cut the yellowness. It can also be a fungal infection, although it is more common on toenails.

Why you still need to get tested: Sometimes psoriasis can lead to yellow nails. The most serious, but least common cause is the so-called yellow nail syndrome, when it becomes thicker rather than longer, which leads to a yellowish tinge. This is a common cause of airway and lymphatic problems and is more common in older people.

Symptom: nails begin to exfoliate

Technical term: onycholysis.

Explanation: Your manicurist may have overdone the under-nails by separating the nail from the nail bed. The use of drugs such as tetracycline and doxycycline in combination with direct exposure to sunlight, as well as drying gel polish in an ultraviolet lamp, can lead to delamination of the nails.

Why you still need to get tested: it can also be hyperthyroidism. This is a less common cause of onycholysis, but it does occur and you would immediately notice delamination on several nails.Remember that this problem can also indicate psoriasis.

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90,000 Nail diagnosticians: health in your hands

Women’s nails grow faster than men’s. They grow faster in summer than in winter. In addition, nails grow faster on the working hand. A new nail will fully grow in three months. A normal nail plate is 0.3 mm thick. It should be even, smooth, and have a slightly shiny pink color.

And at least 20 diseases can be identified by nails.Long-term studies have shown that nails carry information about future diseases long before their symptoms appear.

Hold the organs in your hands

Diagnostics based on the condition of the nail plates has long been actively used in combination with the main diagnostic methods in Chinese medicine. Chinese clinicians explain the changes in the structure of the nail plates in a particular disease by the fact that each of the energy channels that go to the fingers is associated with a specific organ.

According to Ayurveda (a health system based on energy balance), the thumb is associated with the brain and skull, the index finger is associated with the lungs, the middle finger is associated with the small intestine, the ring finger is associated with the kidneys, and the little finger is associated with the heart. Naturally, information about the changes occurring in the organs is displayed on the nail plates in the form of characteristic features.

You can be skeptical about alternative medicine, but we must not forget that the development of its methods requires a deep understanding of causal relationships and takes many years before the acquired skills are applied in practice.

Do not bring your nails to degeneration!

The defeat of the nail (non-fungal), changes in the nail plate, the bed of the nail and nail ridges have their own name – onychodystrophy. This disease is expressed in different ways: white spots, dots, longitudinal or transverse stripes.

It is very difficult to get rid of it, and primarily because it is a consequence of problems in your body, that is, onychodystrophy develops in infectious diseases, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pathology of the nervous and endocrine systems, diseases of the cardiovascular system, anemia, nervous – mental and skin diseases.

And all this can be “seen” by your own nails. But in order to correctly diagnose the disease, one should remember that the condition of the nail is normal: the surface of the nail plate should be smooth, matte (slightly shiny). A bed rich in capillaries should be visible through it, which gives the nail a pink color. The shape of the nail plate should have the correct shape and smooth edges. The strength and integrity of the plate is assessed by its relationship to the nail bed and lateral ridges.

So, the yellowness of the nails can tell about the presence of infectious diseases, hepatitis in the body. Also, a yellowish tint of the nail plate can signal liver problems, respiratory diseases, diabetes.

The bluish color of the nail bed is a signal of cardiopulmonary diseases. If you have a bad heart and blood circulation is impaired, then your nails may become completely bluish.

Bluish (cyanotic) nails are one of the symptoms of pulmonary insufficiency, which occurs due to a lack of oxygen in the blood (often accompanied by shortness of breath and weakness).Bluish-white nails – you need to see a neurologist and gastroenterologist. The greenish color of the skin at the base of the thumb will also tell about digestive problems.

Pale and flat nails are a sign of anemia – anemia, lack of iron and vitamins. White color of the nail is a chronic kidney disease, possibly affecting the adrenal cortex (Addison’s disease). Milky colored nails are a signal of liver disease (cirrhosis).

Discolored nails are evidence of stress and allergies (a cold can make them colorless for a while).

The formation of voids in the nail (outside of mechanical action) will tell about diseases associated with protein deficiency. On the contrary, thickening, thickening of nails is a signal of chronic bronchitis, pleurisy, pulmonary fibrosis, bronchial asthma.

Detachment of the nail plate – there is a violation of the peripheral blood supply, vascular disease in diabetes. Splitting of the ends of the nails – poor work of the ovaries (the ovary on which hand this pathology is observed is sick).

By the way, brittle nails have their own medical name – onychorexis. And it can be a signal that the body is affected by shingles, psoriasis, eczema, focal alopecia.

If your nails do not grow well, you need to see an endocrinologist. Such changes occur with thyroid disease.

An onychologist is not a palmist

There is also an official science that deals with the diagnosis of the condition of the nails – onychology.She uses laboratory, bacteriological and mycological research. An onychologist can help identify both general, internal ailments and skin diseases.

Moreover, nail diagnostics can determine exactly when malfunctions in the body began. If the color of the nails has changed, violations occur within the last month. If the structure, shape, relief of the nail plates have changed, then this indicates a serious chronic disease.

Early detection of the “weak point” of the body allows you to change your lifestyle so as to avoid further development of the disease.Moreover, nail changes can carry a not entirely gloomy diagnosis.

The most common problem in the body is a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. Improper nutrition, an amateurish approach to the use of diets entail an insufficient supply of the body with the substances it needs, and this, in turn, affects the state of the nail plate.

For example, keratin and calcium deficiency leads to brittle nails. White dots on the nails most often indicate a lack of iron and zinc in the body.Vitamin B12 is responsible for nail growth and healthy coloration of the nail plate. Lack of vitamin C leads to loosening of the nail plate, swelling of the cuticle. Water is also essential for healthy nails, as a lack of moisture in the body causes dryness and brittleness of the nail plate.

You can be your own doctor, but in any case, it is foolish to use only one of the methods to establish a final diagnosis. A single mark is not a basis for a conclusion.If you see a warning signal sent by your nails, it is worth consulting with your doctor to resolve doubts. And your nails will be the first to tell you about your recovery.

Be healthy!

Elena Rodnina

Yellow longitudinal dents on the nails of the hands, soreness – Question to the dermatologist

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Everything about nails: structure of nails, nail care | Comilfo

Among the attributes of a modern person – be it a man or a woman – well-groomed nails are far from the last place.
But what do we know about them? Why does a person need nails, and what information can they “communicate” about their owner?

Nails are dense corneous plates on the dorsum of the ends of the fingers and toes.
They lie on the so-called nail bed. Their function is to protect the terminal phalanges of the fingers from mechanical damage. The anterior edge of the nail plate is free, its posterior and lateral edges are surrounded by a skin fold and go deep into it. The upper part of the skin fold pushes onto the nail plate and is called the nail rolls (cuticles), which play a protective role, preventing foreign bodies and bacteria from penetrating to the growth zone of the nail. The edge of the bead is dead cells. Drying and then flaking off, this edge gives rise to burrs.

Building

Distinguish between the body and the root of the nail. The root of the nail is the portion of the nail plate under the posterior nail fold. Only a small part of the nail root protrudes from under the nail roller in the form of a whitish, crescent-shaped area (nail lune). The root of the nail lies at the back of the nail bed and is called the matrix. The matrix is ​​the place where the formation of the nail plate takes place, and it is composed of epithelial cells. In the thorny layer of these cells, there are onychoblasts – the cells that form the nail, which turn into the stratum corneum of the nail.

The basis of the nail plate is keratin – a protein that is also present in the skin. Hair is also formed from it. The density of keratin in nails and hair is due to the presence of a significant amount of sulfur atoms in this protein. The bonds formed between the molecules strengthen the protein, making it solid. In many ways, the amount of sulfur, or rather cysteine, an amino acid that contains sulfur, is determined not only by its content in the body, but also by hereditary characteristics. For example, some people have a higher concentration of cysteine, which makes nails hard.There are thin layers of fat and water between the keratin layers. It is these layers that give the nail plate elasticity and shine. The nail can absorb water while increasing its thickness. Therefore, in people who are in frequent contact with water, their nails become soft and thick. In addition to sulfur, the nail contains other trace elements – calcium, chromium, phosphorus, selenium and zinc. Their presence makes the nail healthy. Nails grow more slowly than hair. On average, hand nails grow by 1 mm per week, and toenails – by 0.25 mm.The complete renewal of the nail plate takes about six months.

Healthy nails

The nail bed has a good blood supply. Thanks to this, the nail receives a sufficient amount of “building material”. The nail is formed due to the activity of the cells of the matrix. The cells here work hard to produce keratin. Moving towards the nail plate, the cells lose fluid and die. In this case, the densification of cell rows occurs. Hormonal shifts accelerate the growth of nails – adolescence, the period before menstruation, pregnancy, springtime, as well as hand massage.The growth of nails is slowed down by an excessively strict diet (low in fats, proteins, vitamins) and diseases accompanied by impaired blood circulation and metabolism.

Nails are often indicators of disease processes occurring in our body. For example, longitudinal grooves indicate the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases (paranasal sinuses, teeth) or beginning rheumatism. Transverse grooves can indicate diseases of the internal organs (kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract).The formation of transverse grooves indicates that the body lacks zinc. Since zinc is found mainly in animal products, vegetarians are particularly affected by zinc deficiencies. If the indentations and indentations give the nail the appearance of a thimble, this is a warning signal for psoriasis. Changing the color of the nails allows us to make a preliminary conclusion about the development of the pathology of internal organs. With insufficient blood circulation, the nails become bluish. Yellow nails indicate liver problems.Tuberous yellowish nails occur with diabetes mellitus, as well as fungal infection.

As you know, human nails also have aesthetic value. Beautiful and well-groomed, they seem to complete the image of a modern person. In addition, thanks to the development of the beauty industry, nail design, including, in addition to the already familiar patterns on the nails, nail art, piercings and extensions, can be an independent work of art!

However, the beauty of nails directly depends on their health.Therefore, a regular hygienic manicure should become the norm for every person. And so that the nails do not exfoliate and break, you need to give up smoking, unbalanced nutrition and direct contact with synthetic detergents.