Nails are not only a decoration for a person's hands, but, above all, they have a protective function for the fingertips and they also facilitate precise handling. Unfortunately, nails are often affected by numerous diseases.
Nail diseases - types
Many nail diseases are the result of poor nutrition, low in vitamins and minerals. Split nails usually indicate a lack of calcium and zinc.
Their excessive fragility is due to a lack of vitamins of the silicon, magnesium, iron and B group. White spots on the nails should lead to replenishment of calcium deficiency, and longitudinal grooves – deficiency of iron, as well as vitamins A and D.
The nail plate is also weakened by contact with detergents and certain diseases, including diabetes and thyroid disease.
What is the norm
The nails of a healthy person are smooth, shiny, pale pink in color, with a pronounced whitish hole at the base.
At the same time, the nail plate is constantly renewed, growing by about one millimeter in a week. irecommend.ru
With age, the nail plate thickens and becomes more brittle. This is part of the body's natural aging process. Fragility is also characteristic of the nails of pregnant women. But within six months after giving birth, everything usually returns to normal.
It is acceptable if nails break due to a lack of vitamins or turn yellow due to poor-quality varnish. Sometimes the nail plate can even turn black and fall off if the finger is pinched or hit.
In a healthy person, fingernails are completely restored within 4-6 months, and toenails - within 6-8 months.
But there are persistent pathologies that we often don’t even pay attention to. But in vain. Some changes in the shape, color and texture of nails, as well as the skin around them, may indicate disturbances in the functioning of internal organs and the presence of a variety of, sometimes serious, diseases.
Nail diseases - symptoms
Symptoms of nail disease are visible to the naked eye. Therefore, they should pay special attention to:
- nail color - white, yellow, green, gray, brown can be a symptom of the disease;
- the shape of the nails - scapular, gonadal, tubular - is incompatible with the natural growth of the nail;
- nail structure - longitudinal grooves and transverse grooves should attract attention;
- general condition of nails – brittle, peeling;
- condition of the skin around the nails - redness, swelling, bumps.
Nail diseases - treatment
If you notice any symptoms, you should consult a dermatologist. It is necessary to find the cause of the change and exclude serious diseases, such as: thyroid disease, syphilis, anemia, lack of micro and macro elements. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the disease. Some of them are treated with topical medications. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. Therapy is selected individually, taking into account the needs of the patient.
Unfortunately, nail diseases are quite common. Most often, they affect women who use cosmetic procedures in salons where hygienic conditions are not properly maintained.
What should you pay attention to?
Be sure to look at the color, thickness and surface of the nail.
Valeria:
Normally, the nail plates should be pink, fit snugly to the nail bed, and not flake or thicken.
Photo: unsplash.com/@davidfanuel
The separation of the nail plates from the side of the free edge may indicate a reduced level of hemoglobin, ferritin and iron in the blood.
The removal of all or more nails indicates a constant process or regular exposure to a substance on the body. We are talking, for example, about chemotherapy, hormones, narcotic drugs, etc.
Nails coming off the side of the holes may be a sign of a previous viral infection, such as COVID-19, Coxsackie, measles or high fever.
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The most common nail diseases
Nail candidiasis is a fungal disease of the nails that causes severe blackening, perigungual swelling and pain. Treatment is based on antifungal drugs.
Nail psoriasis occurs in combination with skin psoriasis and is an important part of the diagnosis of this disease. The nails become thickened, brittle, and have numerous transverse grooves and pinpoint cavities. In advanced forms of the disease, extensive onycholysis may develop.
Leukonychia is the so-called nail vitiligo, which appears as white spots. It is not a disease in itself, but can be a symptom of infection, ringworm, zinc and protein deficiencies, and kidney or heart failure.
Onycholysis is the separation of the stratum corneum from the finger. It appears gradually, starting from the edge of the nail. The nail becomes distorted and changes color to white, yellowish and even greenish. The causes of this disease can be mechanical damage, improperly performed care procedures, bacterial and fungal infections, harmful effects of chemicals, psoriasis or thyroid hormone disorders.
You can protect yourself from these diseases by following hygiene rules and choosing sterile beauty salons equipped with professional disinfection equipment.
Leukonychia - why the nail hurts: causes of toenail pathology
Leukonychia - pain in the nail
Leukonychia disease is accompanied by the appearance of small white spots on the nail bed. The degree of damage is individual - from isolated cases to multiple manifestations. Why does my nail hurt? The causes of this toenail pathology are varied. These include:
- Impact of external factors
- Traumatic situations
- Chemical lesions
In addition, internal pathologies lead to the development of the disease - metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, lesions in the central nervous system.
The most common toenail diseases
Onychomycosis is one of the most common toenail diseases, but it can also appear on the toenails. Fungi, or rather dermatophytes, thrive in the nail environment.
The infection usually occurs when using swimming pools or public showers. Mycosis manifests itself as a color change to yellow, brown or white. There is also deformation of the nail plate and onychlinosis. Treatment requires the administration of appropriate antifungal drugs. If treatment is unsuccessful, surgical removal of the nail may also be necessary.
In prevention, foot hygiene, thorough drying after each wash and cutting nails short are important. You cannot lend shoes, a towel or nail scissors to anyone.
An ingrown toenail is most often found on the largest toenail and is the result of improper care or shoes that are too tight. The cause may also be a nail disease, such as mycosis. Depending on the cause, a treatment method is established.
Treatment methods for hyperkeratosis of the nail plate
Hyperkeratosis is treated by a highly specialized specialist – a podiatrist. Therapy combines systemic and local methods and is prescribed after a comprehensive diagnosis. This approach allows you to accurately influence the cause of the pathology, reduce treatment time, and avoid complications and relapses. Since in most cases, subungual hyperkeratosis develops against the background of nail fungus, the patient is prescribed antifungal drugs - tablets, varnishes and ointments.
Local antifungal treatment and medical pedicure
Local treatment is aimed at suppressing fungal microflora and reducing keratinization. To do this, the clinic performs a medical pedicure - the surface layers of the thickened nail are removed with a cutter.
Baths
It is recommended to take warm salt foot baths every day - dissolve 100 grams of sea salt in 10 liters of water. After the procedure, the steamed tissues of the surface of the nail and the skin around it are removed with pumice and buffs. Then the local drug prescribed by the doctor is applied.
Removing the nail plate
In advanced cases, in order to ensure the delivery of drugs to the affected tissues, complete removal of the nail plate is indicated using mechanical cutters, special compounds and patches.
Diet
To get rid of the fungus, it is recommended to adjust your diet. Sweets and yeast baked goods are excluded from the menu. The diet is balanced in proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements under the supervision of a nutritionist.
Immunotherapy
If immunodeficiency is detected during diagnosis, the immunologist prescribes immunomodulatory therapy.
Hygiene
Fungal infections actively multiply in a warm, humid environment, so the inner surface of shoes is treated daily with a pharmaceutical disinfectant solution, and socks, tights and stockings are washed daily. Shoes are changed if necessary - they should not stimulate foot sweating. Scissors and nail files must be strictly individual and treated with a disinfectant solution after use. You will also have to temporarily avoid going to saunas and swimming pools to prevent contact infection.
Traditional methods
Fungi are not sensitive or slightly sensitive to nonspecific agents, therefore traditional methods of treating nail hyperkeratosis are ineffective. Under their influence, the fungal flora develops immunity and infects new structures. The disease becomes severe. Podologists strongly recommend that if you suspect nail hyperkeratosis, you should immediately contact a specialist.
It is impossible to restore a nail plate affected by hyperkeratosis; you can cure the disease and wait until a healthy nail grows. The course of therapy is from 2 to 6 months. After 2 weeks and 2 months after complete elimination of symptoms, control tests are taken to determine the presence/absence of fungus.
Nail disease in children
Nail diseases in children are most often caused by infections. This leads not only to destruction of the nail plate, but also to the appearance of open wounds.
Warts are caused by HPV that enters the body through mechanical damage. Symptoms include red or grayish nodules. Most often they appear next to the nail, but it happens that the wart can be located under the nail plate. This causes pain and discomfort. Their treatment is very burdensome. Chemicals, laser therapy and eventually surgical methods are used.
Mycosis of the nails in children is also common. This is due to reduced immunity and frequent trips to the pool or sports club. It is necessary to ensure that the child only uses his own towel and always remembers hygiene. Treatment is long and burdensome, so prevention is better than cure.
Section: Articles Tags: dermatology
How to keep your nails beautiful and healthy
Here are the general recommendations given by Olga Aleynikova.
Proper nutrition, healthy sleep and exercise should be the default. Regularly inspect your nail plates and take care of your hands.
- Get a manicure and pedicure. Trim or file the free edge of the nails in a timely manner, and treat the cuticle.
- Don't bite your nails.
- Wear gloves when working with chemicals and when digging in garden beds.
- Take vitamins.
- Regularly smear your hands and nails with nourishing cream.
- Don't wear tight shoes, don't stick your fingers in cracks, and be careful with the hammer.
When going to places with large crowds of people, use liquid gloves (this is an emulsion). The risk of contracting infectious diseases through your hands is now very high.
If you see signs of illness on the nail plates, use antifungal agents and regenerating drugs. If the pathology is persistent, be sure to get tested and go to the doctor.
