Many doctors, not without reason, believe that a person's health can be judged by the appearance of the nail plates, and nail diseases on the hands clearly indicate the presence of certain problems in the body. Today we will try to identify the symptoms of the most common nail diseases, as well as highlight the main methods of their treatment.
Onycholysis is a type of dystrophy of the nail plates, which leads to a violation of the bonds between the hard part and the soft tissues of the bed. In simple terms, onycholysis is a pathological detachment of the nail. Most often, this disease occurs among the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity. Onycholysis can be complete and partial - it depends on the area of the exfoliated part.
Causes of the disease:
- eczema;
- mechanical impact on the nail plate (traumatic onycholysis);
- psoriasis;
- some infectious diseases;
- nervous diseases;
- dermatosis;
- disorders of the digestive and endocrine systems;
- problems associated with the cardiovascular system;
- in some cases, the cause of onycholysis is long-term use of antibiotics.
How to treat onycholysis?
Treatment of onycholysis is reduced to the elimination of the main causes of the disease. At the same time, it is necessary to take medicines that contribute to the overall strengthening of the body. These are preparations of iron, zinc, calcium, as well as vitamins of groups B, C and A. Doctors also recommend consuming 5-7 grams of gelatin daily. The course of treatment is 2-3 months.
As local therapy, heliomycin ointment (5%), synthomycin emulsion and potassium permanganate are used. If the first two remedies are applied to damaged plates in the form of a compress, then potassium permanganate is added to hot water and used for nail baths. Simultaneously with these procedures, it is necessary to massage the affected fingers. It will speed up the healing process.
As for prevention, try to avoid injury to the nails and do not forget about the rules of personal hygiene.
Atrophy - change in the shape of the nail plates
Diseases of the nails on the hands, associated with various deformations of the growth, shape and structure of the nail plates, are not so rare. So atrophy, congenital or acquired, affects about 40% of the inhabitants of our country. The main symptom of the disease is a change in the shape of the nail. It becomes concave or, conversely, unnaturally flat.
Causes of the disease:
- avitaminosis;
- panaritium - inflammation of the nail fold;
- mechanical damage to the nail plates;
- disturbances in the work of the endocrine glands.
How to treat nail atrophy?
To ensure the correct treatment of nail atrophy, you will have to undergo an additional examination by several specialists - a neurologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist. A special diet, eating yeast, as well as multivitamins and preparations containing zinc, calcium and iron is a must. In very severe cases, corticosteroid ointments, creams and oils (fatty) are practiced.
Onychomycosis is a common fungal disease
Onychomycosis of the nails begins from the lateral or free edge of the plate. It is characterized by the appearance of yellowish and grayish spots, which increase in size and make the nail loose and brittle. Some patients also noticed that the nails began to crumble badly as a result of the disease. Onychomycosis is dangerous for its toxic effects on the immune and nervous system - the fungus decomposes the tissue of the plate and delivers the products of its own vital activity into the blood, which poison the human body.
Causes of the disease
- Dermatophyte fungus. But in order for it to penetrate the nail plate, it must be damaged (household or sports injuries, excessive filing of the nail, improper removal of the cuticle).
- Reduced immunity.
- Skin and nails steamed in hot water.
- Frequent exposure to damp environments.
- Diseases related to metabolism diabetes, hypothyroidism and others.
How to treat onychomycosis?
The treatment of this disease promises to be complex, lengthy and rather complicated. From the patient it requires patience, self-discipline and a lot of money. In some cases, doctors resort to removing the affected plates, after which fungicidal therapy is performed on the exposed nail bed. For external use, you will need special antifungal ointments, for internal use - Nizoral (drink for at least six months).
Be prepared to thoroughly disinfect bedding and common areas, and change gloves and mittens. For the treatment of fabrics and surfaces, 1% chlorhexidine bigluconate and ordinary bleach are suitable.
Paronychia is a serious infectious disease.
Paronychia is an infectious disease that affects the nail itself or the skin at its base. This is one of the most common hand diseases that requires urgent medical treatment.
A sign of paronychia is the darkening of the nail plate, fever, severe throbbing pain, swelling of the finger, and the appearance of a purulent sac in the focus of infection.
Causes of the disease:
- paronychia is caused by a skin bacterium that enters the damaged skin. The activation of this bacterium is promoted by sucking a finger, biting off nails, washing dishes with chemicals, etc.;
- chronic eczema of the hands;
- Duhring's disease;
- psoriasis;
- dermatosis;
- fungal infections;
- syphilis;
- pemphigus.
How to treat paronychia?
In the early stages, the treatment of paronychia is reduced to the implementation of therapeutic procedures - the use of disinfectant baths with a solution of potassium permanganate + antiseptic preparations. Severe forms of the disease are not complete without surgical intervention, which consists in removing the affected nail and / or opening the purulent sac.
Pigmentation on nails
Various pigment anomalies (white spots on the nails) are familiar to each of us. Their appearance is associated with a number of factors.
Causes of pigmentation on the nails:
- malnutrition and strict diets, during which the body experiences an acute deficiency of vitamins and trace elements;
- an excess of nutrients;
- problems in the work of the cardiovascular and digestive systems;
- kidney failure;
- experiencing severe nervous shocks, stress and depression;
- decreased immunity, including after childbirth;
- mechanical damage to the nail plate;
- childhood. A growing organism does not have time to assimilate incoming substances;
- fungal infection of the nails, which is accompanied by itching, discoloration of the nail and its thickening.
How to treat pigment anomalies?
Most of us think we just need to give our nails a little time. Yes, the plate will grow back, and you will be able to cut off the ugly white spots, but this will not save you from the disease itself. The first step is to get a consultation with a dermatologist and pay attention to your own diet. Foods rich in calcium, zinc and iron should appear on your table. It's also worth taking a course. vitamin complexes. If the cause of white spots is nervous overstrain, you will have to think about taking sedatives.
Baths play an important role in the treatment of pigmented anomalies. They accelerate blood flow to the hands, which allows you to saturate the nails. large quantity nutrients. After such a bath, you can lubricate your nails with fish oil.
You can find more detailed information about the symptoms and treatments for these and many other nail diseases in the following articles.
Video on proper nail care:
Everyone can face a very unaesthetic problem of nail disease. And although fingernail diseases can be cured quickly and painlessly, this unpleasant problem spoils the appearance of a manicure, is sometimes accompanied by pain and can bring psychological discomfort to its owner. Problems associated with an external change in the nail plate can be either serious and require the immediate intervention of a specialist, or quite simply solved with the help of simple folk remedies. Therefore, before proceeding with treatment, it is necessary to determine the type of disease and find out the cause.
Causes of nail disease
- Fungal infections. The most common cause of external changes in the nails are fungal diseases. It is fungal viruses that lead to the fact that the surface of the nails loses its luster, becomes yellow, stripes and small spots appear, and the nail itself gradually thickens, crumbles and deforms. In some cases, there is a rejection of the nail from the nail bed.
- Wrong care. As a rule, the use of a hard nail file during the manicure procedure and the use of low-quality decorative products can cause delamination of the nail plate and change its color. .
However, it is worth knowing that a yellowed nail plate may indicate disorders in the digestive system. Therefore, if your manicure has acquired an unnatural color and the reason is not at all decorative varnish or fungal infections, you should contact your doctor and undergo an examination.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiency. A frequent sign of pathological changes in the nails lies in the lack of vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. In this case, the manicure acquires an unnatural pale color, the nails grow very slowly, fragility and delamination increase. To quickly neutralize this cause, there is no need for special treatment, it is enough to introduce fresh fruits and vegetables into the diet.
- Injuries. As a result of an injury, the nails can also exfoliate, break, and sometimes their integrity is completely violated and the damaged nail may disengage. In this case, treatment can be carried out at home, using compresses and soothing ointments, but if the case is severe, you should consult a doctor.
- Systemic diseases. Chronic diseases of the heart, lungs, cirrhosis of the liver can also lead to deformation of the nail plate and a change in its color and structure.
It should be noted that real professionals can easily determine the degree of the disease by the nails: for example, a deformation more reminiscent of watch chips occurs with lung diseases and heart defects. The white color of the nails, as a rule, indicates serious problems with the liver. If light lines appear on the nails, this indicates that your disease is progressing.
- Skin diseases. Fingernails can change their appearance in case of skin diseases. For example, damage to the nail plate occurs due to the manifestation of psoriasis, which, in turn, manifests itself as a result of a violation of the body's immune system. And do not think that getting rid of psoriasis is a quick process, on the contrary, psoriasis requires complex treatment only under medical supervision.
- professional reasons. Often nails exfoliate, crumble, change color as a result of professional duties, for example, if work is associated with frequent use of water or hands are subject to permanent injuries.
Main features
It is very important to recognize the symptoms that indicate a particular disease in time and, if necessary, contact a specialist.
- The first symptoms of fungal infections are itching and redness of the periungual roller.
- Stratification of the nails can indicate the appearance of a fungal disease or psoriasis, and sometimes indicates a lack of vitamins, minerals and certain nutrients in the body.
- The nail plate can dramatically change shape and color. In this case, you should not self-medicate. It is necessary to immediately contact a specialist who will analyze the symptoms, make the correct diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment.
- Hemorrhage of the fingertips and their external changes are a characteristic sign of fungal diseases, which also need to be treated under medical supervision.
Methods of treatment
There are a huge number of effective ways to treat external and internal diseases of the nails, and it must be properly selected depending on the cause and type of disease. For example, in the early stages of fungal infections, traditional medicine and numerous fungal creams and ointments are ideal. But if large marigolds turn yellow and begin to crumble, it is best to resort to laser procedures or use others, no less effective methods. To learn more about the treatment options, check out our list.
- External treatment. As a means of local therapy, antifungal varnishes, creams and solutions are used, which are applied directly to the affected area. This method has a huge number of advantages, namely ease of use, the absence of toxic effects and all kinds of side deviations.
You should know that for the effectiveness of this method of treating nail disease, it is necessary to remove the surface part of the infected area before applying the drug. To do this, just steam your nails in a warm soda bath and use a nail file to polish their top layer.
- Systemic therapy. In this case, all drugs are taken orally and act on infectious diseases by entering the bloodstream. Moreover, their high concentration, even several months after ingestion, can be an ideal prophylactic against the recurrence of infection.
- Combined treatment. As a rule, this type of complex treatment is used if the plate of the nail surface is completely affected and frequent relapses occur. When using this method of treatment, external and internal preparations are simultaneously prescribed.
- Pulse is therapy. Although pulse therapy is based on a combined method of treatment, its essence lies in the fact that all drugs are taken in short courses and alternate with a long break. This technique is considered not only effective, but also more convenient for everyday lifestyle.
- Physiotherapy. Thanks to special preparations that are administered using electric, water and magnetic fields, it is possible to get rid of absolutely any infectious disease in just a few procedures.
- non-traditional methods. Along with traditional methods, many prefer to use no less effective folk methods, which can not only heal the nails from all ailments, but also strengthen the body as a whole. Especially if you are taking tinctures and herbal teas.
It must be remembered that almost all non-traditional methods of treatment are most effective in the early stages of the disease, and they are best used in combination with traditional drugs. But if you still decide to use healing herbs in the later stages, it is best to consult a doctor.
- laser therapy. fashionable and effective method the fight against fungal infections and other diseases of the nails - the laser is able to completely heal the nail bed and destroy the fungal spores. In addition, laser therapy eliminates the likelihood of allergic reactions and re-infection.
- surgical method. Currently this method not particularly in demand, as it can cause complications of the disease and does not exclude the possibility of relapse.
Preventive measures
In order for the nails on the hands to always look beautiful and neat, and each fingertip radiates health and pleases its owner with a natural shine, simple preventive measures must be followed. After all, it is the usual care that can prevent the occurrence of a serious disease and preserve the natural beauty of the hands and fingertips for many years.
- Right way of life. Compliance with daily regime moments, balanced diet, moderate exercise stress and the absence of stress can work wonders not only with the appearance of nails, but also with the general condition of the body.
- Manicure procedure. If you do not have time to visit a professional nail master, you should learn how to properly perform the entire manicure procedure.
It is worth noting that if you are doing a manicure at the master, you need to make sure that all nail tools are disinfected and that the nail materials meet your standards. And do not be shy to ask the master questions of this kind, because the health of your nails is much more important.
- Compliance with hygiene rules. When visiting gyms, saunas, swimming pools, it is necessary to take care not only of the nails on the legs, putting on special shoes, but also always remember about the nails on the hands. Therefore, do not forget about such a simple procedure as washing your hands with soap. Also, use a special antibacterial cream as needed.
- Decorative nail tools. Varnishes, decorative coatings and all kinds of creams for removing cuticles must be of high quality, because the appearance and health of your manicure depends on their composition.
- Strengthening procedures. Even the simplest preventive procedures can strengthen the nails on the hands and make them flawlessly beautiful. Therefore, it is necessary to do baths based on salt or iodine, herbal masks or compresses at least once a week.
Thanks to the usual recommendations and simple preventive measures, it is possible to keep fingernails in perfect order. However, it is worth remembering that any external change can signal a more serious internal disease. Therefore, at the first signs of a change in the nail plate, it is necessary to consult your doctor and, if necessary, undergo complex treatment.
- this is an aesthetic and representative part of our body, because it is on them that many people turn their initial gaze, looking closely to see if there is dirt under them, whether they are well filed, painted, and the like. As they say, her hands will tell about the grooming of a girl, her nails will tell about the upbringing of a guy.
Unfortunately, the nails are the most vulnerable part of the body, because they are the ones that suffer the most, unlike other small areas of the skin. Many people complain about what they have in the literal sense of the word. It would seem, how is it possible at all: to feel pain in the nails? In fact, this may well be, because there are diseases associated with the nail plates. Let's take a look at the most dangerous nail diseases together and delve into their treatment.
What manifestations can be expected?
The first thing to do as soon as you feel a sharp pain in the area of the nail on your hand is to consult a doctor to understand what kind of disease attacked you. Thus, you will immediately begin treatment, otherwise the disease may grow into a more terrible form.
- Mycosis
This is a kind of fungal infection that affects both the skin and the condition of the nails. If you do not follow the most common hygiene standards, then you can easily get mycosis. Also, such a disease manifests itself if the rules of hygiene between the patient and the patient are not followed.
Mycosis is not so easy to cure, one is not enough. Therefore, it is best to try not to violate the rules of personal hygiene and always wash your hands when you come from the street, the hospital, when you use the public toilet, even though it looks quite clean and tidy.
The disease immediately begins to manifest itself in a change in the color of the nails, they become yellow, literally some kind of painful shade, which “cries” and “asks” for help. Nails begin to crumble, crumble, constantly exfoliate, come off, itch terribly and hurt. If you have the same symptoms, then most likely it is athlete's foot. And one more piece of advice: you don’t need to try to be treated for mycosis at home, all this will be an unsuccessful option, it’s best to go to the doctor, because only he can determine the stage of mycosis and effective ointments, gels and sprays.
- Psoriasis
Perhaps for someone this will seem like good news, because psoriasis does not occur due to an infection that enters the human body. But, behind the good news, there is also bad news, the fact is that psoriasis is a disease of the nails, which occurs solely due to a poor immune system, its violation. All the inflammatory processes that occur during such an illness act in addition to the nails and on other parts of the body.
If someone in your family already had psoriasis, then it is possible that you will bypass this disease, most likely - in old age it will manifest itself. Symptoms that indicate that psoriasis has begun are as follows: a nasty yellow color of the nails on the hands, the nail plate begins to thin, the nails exfoliate terribly, almost to the point of blood, the smooth surface turns into a rough nail, which feels like a small sandpaper.
In addition to all this, the nail plate can generally fall off, which is very dangerous for a person. It is interesting that with psoriasis there is no pain and some kind of severe inflammation, it can only be noticeable that there is a slight redness on the nails, as small blood vessels burst. Psoriasis is treated very long and difficult, people have been trying to get rid of it for years. As a rule, doctors prescribe hormonal and potent drugs to cure their patients of psoriasis. Again, here is the advice given above in mycosis: do not treat psoriasis at home, everything will be pointless and useless.
- Onycholysis
A disease in which the nails become very thin, literally turning into "thin" and "exhausted" plates. So, there is a complete violation of the nail and the tissue that is attached to it. There is a free empty space between the nail and the skin, which looks ugly, and also does not look like a healthy nail.
As a rule, with such a disease, the nails acquire either an unnatural yellow or Brown color, as well as blue or bright white. The nail with such a deformation may well fall off, leaving behind a finger without a nail. Believe me, it is extremely difficult to grow a new nail, especially if another one starts to erupt, then the pain will be terrible, you will always want to scratch the plate and tear the skin where the new process matures. And in this case, better than a doctor, no one will tell you a way out of the situation and prescribe treatment. 
Onycholysis can occur due to various factors. So, if household chemicals have a terrible composition, then even it can provoke this disease. Or maybe you just have a metabolic disorder or a malfunction in the body in digestion, which urgently needs to be stabilized. Watch your nerves, do you always have stress, how often do you drink vitamins. Onycholysis may well occur if you drink the same antibiotics for a long time, which are forbidden to be taken for more than a month.
Symptoms of nail problems
We always judge by appearance, it helps to recognize what exactly is going on with the nails. So, you can find out by looking at your nails, in what condition they are. So There are certain factors that should alert you:
- a significant change in the color of the nail, thickening or reduction of the plate, the appearance of roughness, roughness, emery effect;
- the appearance of unpleasant itching, severe redness of the nail, I want to tear the nail or tear it out so as not to disturb;
- lack of vitamins, which indicates that the nail is exfoliating, showing that it is crumbling right before our eyes;
- blood under the nail, a sharp change in color not only of the nail, but also of the very skin around it.
Effective Treatments
- medicines and preparations. You will not be able to come to the pharmacy and ask for a remedy for mycosis or psoriasis, since each body has different irritants and pathogens. Therefore, based on the result of the analysis that you will pass from your doctor, it will be known which medications you need to take in order to slowly fight the disease. But do not think that the pills will solve everything, in addition to them, a couple more vitamins and complexes will be prescribed, which you just need to take.
- ointments and. These products really help, because you need to lubricate your hands every time before going to bed or after you are sure that there will be no contact with water. Do not be independent and do not buy ointments in a pharmacy, it is better to consult a dermatologist and decide together which cream is more suitable for you.
- varnishes. They come not only in different colors for a flawless manicure, but also healing ones. Here you can choose them immediately, without consulting a doctor, because varnishes will not cause any harm to your nails, but will only protect them from the external environment.
- operation. It also happens that the situation cannot be corrected with creams, varnishes and tablets, therefore, the only way out comes to the rescue - this is surgical intervention. But it is precisely this approach to the problem that the treating dermatologist will voice to you if he sees that you can not wait for hopes for an easy treatment. On the other hand, it is for the best that you will get rid of the disease forever.
Change appearance fingernails or toenails can tell a lot about a person's health. Nail diseases can be caused by a fungal infection or more dangerous causes.
The nail is easily damaged, then it darkens and sometimes comes off. However, if the nails have changed color, texture, shape or thickness for an unknown reason, you should consult a doctor. This article describes the most likely causes:
- conditions when the nails exfoliate;
- nail deformities;
- changes in the color of the nails;
- destruction and exfoliation of the nail plates.
Nails exfoliate
Nails often exfoliate in older people, this is the result of their aging. In addition, brittle nails are often simply due to prolonged exposure to water or chemicals such as cleaners and nail polishes. If your nails are peeling, you can strengthen them by taking biotin (vitamin B7) supplements and using hand and nail cream. To protect your hands, wear gloves for all work involving water and corrosive substances.
Sometimes brittle or brittle nails can be caused by the following reasons:
- nail fungus, which is treated with antifungal drugs in tablets (this is especially often the cause of brittle toenails);
- lichen planus, a skin disease that sometimes affects only the nails;
- hyper- or hypothyroidism - dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that also affects the nails.
Rarely, nails can exfoliate in patients with reactive arthritis. This is an inflammation of the joints associated with an abnormal reaction of the immune system to its own tissues: it begins to destroy the joints and muscles after an infectious disease.
Nail color change
yellow nails usually talk about a fungal infection or psoriasis. Also, yellowing of the nails can have the following reasons:
- frequent use of nail polish;
- lymphedema - a chronic disease that causes swelling of the skin;
- bronchiectasis - a chronic irreversible lung disease;
- sinusitis - inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses);
- thyroiditis - inflammation of the thyroid gland;
- tuberculosis is a dangerous infection of the lungs and other organs of the body;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin) due to liver disease;
- certain drugs, such as mepacrine or carotene;
- chronic paronychia - purulent inflammation of the periungual roller.
Black and green nail color- green nail syndrome or onychia pseudomonas. This is a bacterial disease of the nails, caused by the reproduction in the thickness of the nail and under it Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Peeling, loose nails, which are easy to exfoliate, are most likely to be affected by bacterial infection. The infection can be treated by applying antibiotic eye drops under the nails or by soaking the affected nails in an antiseptic solution or vinegar.
gray nail color may be caused by medications such as antimalarials or minocycline.
brown nails occur in diseases of the thyroid gland, pregnancy, exhaustion, and are also found in people who often use nail polish.
Red or yellow dot under the nail may be a sign of psoriasis. Sometimes it seems that under the nail there is a drop of oil or a speck of red-pink color.
Half white, half brown nails(at the tips) occur in renal failurewhen the kidneys stop working normally. The reason for this discoloration of the nails is not entirely clear, but one theory is that kidney failure causes a change in blood chemistry that stimulates the release of melanin (skin pigment) into the nail bed. It is also possible that kidney failure leads to an increase in the number of small blood vessels under the nails that show through the nail plate. By some estimates, up to 40% of people with kidney failure have "bicolor" nails. A similar color of the nails may be associated with AIDS or a course of chemotherapy.
White nails. If most of the nail has turned white, but the nail is firmly seated in the nail bed, the cause is most likely either a fungal infection or a reduction in blood flow to the nail bed, the so-called. "Terry's nails".
Typically, Terry's nails are white with reddish or dark tips, which can indicate a variety of conditions, including the following:
- cirrhosis of the liver - approximately 80% with cirrhosis of the liver have Terry's nails;
- liver, kidney or heart failure;
- iron deficiency anemia - a reduction in the number of red blood cells due to a lack of iron in the body;
- chemotherapy;
- overactive thyroid - when the thyroid gland produces too many hormones;
- malnutrition.
Stripes on nails
The appearance of white dots or stripes on the nails normal and not a cause for concern, but parallel white lines across the entire nail (Murcke lines) indicate low blood protein. It can be caused by liver disease or malnutrition.
Red or brown lines under the nails, as a rule, are traces of blood due to damage to tiny vessels under the nail plate. Several dashes under one nail are normal, most likely they were formed as a result of an injury. However, if many nails are affected, this may indicate lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, an infection of the heart valves (endocarditis), or others.
Nail deformation
A common cause of thickened nails is a fungal infection, which can also cause them to change color and become brittle (see above). Other possible reasons thickening or overgrowth of nails:
- psoriasis is a chronic disease that causes red, flaky plaques to appear on the skin
- prolonged pressure on the legs with uncomfortable shoes;
- reactive arthritis, in which the immune system attacks the joints, muscles, and other parts of the body after an infection.
Very thick nails resembling claws or pebbles. Sometimes the big toe nails grow and thicken so that they resemble claws, and it is almost impossible to cut them with ordinary tweezers. This is called onychogryphosis and often occurs in older people as a reaction to prolonged pressure on the nails. Sometimes a regular pedicure helps to cope with this, but in some cases, the nails have to be removed by a doctor.
Irregular nails with spoon-shaped depressions in the middle. If the nails curl inward like spoons (the scientific name for this phenomenon is koilonychia), this may indicate one of the following diseases:
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- hemochromatosis - excess iron in the body;
- Raynaud's disease - a common disease that disrupts the circulation of the fingers and toes, causing them to turn pale;
- Lupus erythematosus is a rare disease in which the immune system attacks the body's cells, tissues, and organs.
Dimples or depressions in the nails may indicate the following diseases:
- psoriasis - 10–50% of people with psoriasis have pitted nails;
- eczema, a chronic skin disease;
- reactive arthritis;
- alopecia areata, periodic hair loss in small areas of the head.
Wavy nails (Bo furrows). Deep stripes or grooves running from left to right across the nail are called Bo's grooves. Such wavy nails can appear against the background of:
- an illness that started a few months ago;
- chemotherapy;
- past trauma;
- exposure to very low temperatures in Raynaud's disease.
Due to illness, injury, or cold, the nail may stop growing, and furrows may form at its base. Usually nails become wavy only a few months later, when the nail grows back and the furrows are higher. A fingernail fully grows in four to six months, and a toenail in 6–12 months.
"Drumsticks" and "watch glasses"- this is a thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers, in which the tissue under the nails coarsens, and the tips of the fingers become round. The nails grow over the rounded fingertips and take on the characteristic appearance of round glasses. It is believed that the reason for this phenomenon is an increase in blood flow to the fingertips. Sometimes this deformation of the nails is only a hereditary feature. However, if the nails have changed shape during life, the cause may be one of the following diseases:
- chronic lung or heart disease, such as lung cancer, COPD, bronchial asthma, or endocarditis;
- inflammatory bowel diseases: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis;
- cancer of the stomach or intestines;
- liver damage (cirrhosis);
- polycythemia is a disease in which the blood becomes very thick.
nail coming off
If the toenail begins to flake off and fall off as a result of a toe injury, this is normal. If the nail moves away from the nail bed for no apparent reason, you should pay attention to this. The most innocuous cause of nail loss is the abuse of manicure, especially sharp instruments, to clean the space under the nails.
In more rare cases, the nail may come off as a result of the following diseases:
- fungal infection of the nail;
- nail psoriasis;
- warts that grow in groups around the nail;
- hyperactivity of the thyroid gland;
- sarcoidosis is a disease in which small clusters of cells form in organs and tissues;
- amyloidosis - accumulation of protein in organs;
- damage to the fibers of the connective tissue that supports the organs and tissues of the body;
- circulatory disorders, for example, due to smoking or Raynaud's disease (when the skin on the fingers turns white in the cold);
- an allergic reaction to medications (usually antibiotics) or cosmetics for nails.
The destruction of the nail plate is possible for the following reasons:
- trauma, including as a result of biting nails;
- skin diseases such as psoriasis or lichen planus;
- the growth of the surrounding tissue is usually harmless (for example, a common or horny wart), but can also be malignant.
Paronychia - purulent inflammation near the nail
Paronychia is an inflammation of the periungual fold, that is, the skin and soft tissue, framing and supporting the nail, one of the types of panaritium. The cause of paronychia is infection, and the predisposing factor is trauma. The disease is about three times more common in women. Sometimes paronychia is caused by a chronic skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis, or another condition, such as diabetes or HIV.
Paronychia can be acute, when symptoms appear within a few hours, or chronic, lasting longer than six weeks.
Acute paronychia
Acute paronychia usually develops as a result of minor damage to the periungual fold, such as during a manicure or in those who like to bite their nails. The affected area turns red, becomes hot and painful to the touch, swells. After some time, pus may appear, which accumulates around the nail.
The most common cause of acute paronychia is the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus, although any other microbe can also cause inflammation. In rare cases, the herpes virus becomes the cause of a periungual infection, then they talk about herpetic panaritium. The earliest stages of bacterial paronychia are treated with antibiotics, more often they resort to surgical opening of the abscess. Without proper treatment, the process can go into a chronic stage.
Chronic paronychia
Chronic paronychia may develop more slowly and may be more difficult to get rid of. It is most common among people whose hands frequently come into contact with water or chemicals, such as cleaners, bartenders, kitchen workers, or fishmongers. The disease can begin on one nail, but then affect several. Affected periungual folds swell and may occasionally become red and sore, often after contact with water. The nail plate gradually thickens, and furrows appear on it, and the nail may also turn yellow or green and become brittle.
The skin in chronic paronychia is often abundantly colonized by fungi and bacteria, the reproduction of which is normally restrained by the immune system, and against the background of the disease they feel great. In order to cure chronic paronychia, complex treatment is needed, which can take several months. In case of recovery, it may take up to a year until a healthy nail grows back. Sometimes symptoms can be relieved by keeping your hands dry and warm, applying moisturizer regularly, and avoiding nail biting.
In severe cases of the disease, you should consult a doctor. Depending on the type of paronychia, creams and/or tablets may be prescribed and should be taken as directed. The doctor may prescribe an additional examination.
Which doctor should I contact for nail diseases?
If you are worried about changes in the nails, find a good dermatologist. This doctor will conduct an examination, take the necessary tests. If the cause of deformation or discoloration of the nails is a serious disease of the internal organs, the dermatologist will refer you to the right specialist.
The methods for determining diseases by the nails, which we will discuss in this article, will help to take timely measures to get rid of the health problem that has arisen.
An experienced physician can determine the state of human health, not only by the color of the skin of the face and the presence of edema, circles under the eyes, but also by the condition of the nails.
What do nails say about human health?
Even in ancient times, each nail of the hand was associated with the state of health of a certain internal organ human body.
Healthy nails have pink color, smooth surface, a little natural shine. The slightest deviations from this indicate the appearance of health problems.
Video: 5 things nails tell about your health
How to determine the disease by the nails of the hands?
When determining the disease, one should take into account the change in nails according to:
- Nail plate pattern
- The state of the lunula
- Nail shape
- Nail color
Diagnosis by the condition of the nails
Plate pattern
- White spots - low hemoglobin, lack of vitamins, reduced immunity, problems with the central nervous system are possible
If only on the index fingers, then there may be excessive deposition of calcium salts
- Black spots are a sign of endocarditis
- The nail changes greatly due to fungus and psoriasis
- Paired horizontal stripes - a lack of protein in the diet. Kidney disease, due to which excess protein is excreted from the body
- The division across into two halves indicates an advanced kidney disease. The bottom of one half usually has a milky color, the top is normal
- The line that does not appear from physical impact is formed at high temperature, fever. They indicate already transferred diseases, the deeper the line, the more serious the disease.
- Black spots that did not appear from the injury indicate liver disease, inflammation of the heart membrane
- Beige or brown formation under the nail, warns of the possibility of cancer
- yellow or brown spots on the nail at the edge of the nail, may appear due to psoriasis
- White spots in the form of flakes or crumbling grooves warn of the appearance of fungal diseases
- Brittle and exfoliating nails, a sign of a thyroid disorder. At the same time, if hair falls out, the skin flakes off, it can indicate the presence of beriberi and hormonal imbalance.
- Small numerous dimples - a sign of psoriasis
- Nail tears or deep grooves - may be dysbacteriosis or intestinal ulcer
Lunula state
observe the state of the lunula Lunula are white semicircles on the nails, on the border with the cuticle.
- If the lunula has disappeared - problems with the lungs
- If only on the index finger, then the pancreas, liver, and colon are not working well. There may be pelvic disease. Spheres lore
- On the middle finger, the disappearance of the hole, notifies of a vegetovascular disease, heart rhythm disturbance, hypertension or hypotension, this is a harbinger of a failure of the cardiovascular system
- If there is no hole on the ring finger or the hole decreases, this may be a violation of the endocrine system, lymph nodes, this is a call for a mandatory examination of the body
- On the little finger, the hole disappears quickly, as this is a sign of a problem with the small intestine. May also disappear in hypertensive patients suffering from heart rhythm disturbances
Video: Diagnosis by nails
Toenail diagnostics
Toes, as well as hands, can say a lot about a person's health:
- Big both legs are responsible for the brain
- Index finger on the right - lungs (large intestine), adrenal glands. Left - heart (small intestine), thyroid gland
- The middle toe of the right foot is associated with the internal and external genital organs. Left - sense organs, pineal gland
- The ring finger of the right foot diagnoses the kidneys, bladder, testicles and ovaries
- Left toenail - brain and spinal cord, pituitary gland
- The little finger nail on the right foot is responsible for the health of the spleen, stomach, and pancreas. Left nail - liver, gallbladder, thymus
- By the condition of the toenails, you can find out about vascular diseases
Thickened toenails that cannot be cut with scissors indicate a chronic disease of the arteries and veins. - The cyanotic color of the toenails indicates severe circulatory disorders and thrombosis.
- Brittleness and delamination of the nail is a sign of a fungal disease
Nail shape and health
Checking health by the shape of the nails An important factor in the diagnosis is the shape of the nails.
The outlines of the nail plate are considered: in shape, pattern, size, concave or convex.
There are many options for the shape of nails changed as a result of the disease, consider the main ones:
- A bent, depressed finger over the entire nail covering indicates a chronic or hereditary addiction to alcohol.
- A flat and short nail indicates heart disease
- Nail in the form of watch glasses, formed from diseases of the bronchi, heart, lungs Swollen last phalanges warn of cirrhosis of the liver, hepatitis, ulcers, thyroid problems
- Increased area of the nail - a problem with the lungs
It is important to understand here that the shape of the nail must be looked at in the comparative period: it was narrow, but it became wide - it speaks of a problem. The presence of natural indicators is not considered - A flat nail warns of problems with the respiratory organs. When additional changes, possible bronchial asthma. Additional foliation of the marginal rim, diagnoses helminthic invasion
- A nail bent inward in the form of a pipe is a harbinger of an oncological disease. You should not make a diagnosis yourself, but you should make an appointment with the doctor
- Triangular nails predict spinal disease
- Concavity in the center of the nail and a bluish tint indicate anemia
- Bright pink, rounded, magnifying glass nail - a sign of respiratory disease
Nail color and health
The state of health also depends on the color of the legs:
- Yellow nails - the liver is not in order
- Red surface - possible erythremia
- The entire white surface or partly not reaching the lunula warns of cirrhosis of the liver.
- Purple and blue nails - congenital heart disease
Nail diagnostics photo and description
Dividing the nail in half - eczema, psoriasis 
Cross grooves are a sign of improper nail care. They are also formed due to stress, an infectious disease and other serious illnesses that have already been transferred. Due to poor nutrition and lack of zinc in the body 
The longitudinal line is rare. Appears due to acute malnutrition, severe arterial disease, arthritis, lichen planus. Vertical grooves may be the result of excessive consumption of carbohydrates, iron deficiency, bowel disease 
White nails, a sign of the development of cirrhosis of the liver, thyroid disease 
Nails half white, half pink, warning of kidney failure Hand nails health table
| Changes in the nail plate | Possible disease |
| white nails | Hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver |
| Yellowish, thickened, slow growing nails | Lung problems |
| Yellowish nails with a slight bluing at the base | Diabetes |
| Half white, half pink nails | kidney failure |
| red nails | Heart problems |
| Pale and white nails | Anemia |
| Furrows or delamination of the surface of the nail | Psoriasis or arthritis |
| Thickening of the terminal phalanges of the fingers | lung disease |
| black lines under nails | Melanoma |
| Red, uneven lines along the nail fold | Lupus, a connective tissue disease |
Without professional knowledge, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease from photographs of nails. The violations of the nail plate listed in the article provide assistance only in the direction that you should pay attention to your health. In case of cardinal changes in natural nails, it is necessary to consult a doctor.
Video: Nail Diagnosis