Nail changes
Changes in the nails occur very frequently, mostly they have harmless causes. Changes show up in the color of the nails, the structure, the shape, eg discoloration or grooves. These changes can be harmless, but they can also indicate a disease.
What are nail changes?
Nails are so-called appendages of the human skin . The shape of the nails varies slightly from person to person, but every healthy nail has a curve. In the normal state, nails have a soft texture and a smooth and transparent surface. The nails consist of keratin (more precisely from approx. 100 to 150 layers of horny cells) and protect the tips of the fingers when gripping.
A nail consists of the nail bed, the nail root, a nail wall, the nail moon and the nail fold. A nail change can say a lot about health and illness in humans. Serious diseases can be behind nail changes. In some cases, the nails are simply uncared for, but if the nails are brittle and brittle, it can also be a disease.
causes
The causes can be very diverse, there are many different types of nail changes. If the nail has deep transverse grooves, this indicates disturbed growth of the nail. This can be caused by infections or poisoning. Whitening of the nail is a small injury to the nail, for example from impacts.
Leukonychia is also recognizable by a white discoloration (many white spots scattered over the nail), in which case the keratinization of the nail cells is disturbed. The cause is usually an injury to the cuticle. If the nails are cloudy and whitish, they are frosted glass nails. Causes are changes in the vessels in the nail bed. If half of the nails are white and the other half are reddish-brown, they are half-and-half nails. This is often caused by chronic kidney failure. A bluish discoloration of the nails indicates cyanosis, a lack of oxygen. Yellow discoloration indicates psoriasis. If the nails are discolored black, this is usually caused by an injury ( hematoma under the nail).
But skin cancer is also a possible cause. If the nail is curved outwards, it is a watch glass nail. This indicates heart or lung disease. If there are punctiform indentations on the nail, this is called dimple nails. This is caused by eczema or fungal infections. Brittle nails are onychorrhexis.
Diseases
When to the doctor?
If the nails turn yellow, brown or gray, it can be a nail fungus . On the other hand, it is also about nail psoriasis (psoriasis). However, both diseases can also present as a thick layer of crumbly and yellowish nails. Both require a visit to the doctor.
Cloudy and white nails without the crescent moon indicate severe liver disease, such as cirrhosis. A doctor’s visit is also necessary here. Gray discolored nails that are rough and also brittle can be a result of a vitamin deficiency . If appropriate preparations bring no improvement, the doctor is asked. Nails with white horizontal stripes often signal a lack of protein or are the result of a serious infection.
Light brown or even blackish discoloration can indicate psoriasis that requires treatment or a malignant melanoma (malignant skin cancer). If the nails are severely thickened or crooked, there is a suspicion of serious heart, lung or liver disease. In most cases, the ends of the fingers are also flared in the shape of a piston. Dented nail surfaces are referred to as “spoon nails”, which are usually caused by a lack of vitamins and iron. However, these characteristics can also indicate a circulatory disorder (Raynaud’s syndrome), which is why a doctor’s visit is essential.
Transverse grooves are an indication of hormone fluctuations or different infections. If the nails are brittle or soft, this can indicate a thyroid disorder. On the other hand, it can also be a lack of vitamin A, vitamin B, biotin or calcium. Such deficiency symptoms can cause other health problems. Bluish discolored nails are an indication of heart failure or lung disease, so a doctor should be consulted urgently.
diagnosis and course
Not every nail change requires a visit to the doctor. White dots and light stripes are usually harmless. However, if a change does not subside after a few days, it is advisable to consult a doctor. In the case of injuries to the nail bed, a visit to a beautician is sufficient. But if there are long-term problems with nail changes, the doctor can help.
The doctor looks at the nails and checks their color, structure and the shape of the nail. He also pays attention to the firmness and texture. During the medical history , the doctor asks questions about the nail problem. If it turns out that the nail change has occurred in the course of an illness, the doctor will treat this illness. The form of treatment is chosen depending on the type of disease.
complications
Various complications can occur in connection with nail changes. Complete destruction of the nail can occur, which can detach and eventually fall off. The resulting wound can become infected and inflamed. Inflammation can spread systemically and sepsis can develop. Sepsis requires immediate medical attention and can be fatal. If a fungal disease is the cause of the nail changes, the disease can spread systemically, especially in the case of a weakened immune system. If nail fungus is not treated, it can spread to other nails and cause infections.
Nail changes can cause severe pain and affect walking. If systemic scleroderma is present, the nail can also be destroyed. The autoimmune disease can affect not only the nails, but other organs as well, resulting in kidney or lung failure or cardiac insufficiency, for example. Patients with systemic scleroderma can be severely restricted in their movement. Circulatory disorders can occur, and the corresponding tissues can form ulcers or die off.
treatment and therapy
The treatment is adapted to the nail change. Leukonchia, for example, is not treated because the treatment does not affect the change. If there is thickening of the nail plate, the nail plate is milled down to its normal thickness. If an effusion has formed under the nail, the nail is removed and the effusion opened. The pressure is relieved and the wound is treated. If you have a melanoma under the nail, you will be referred to an appropriate doctor immediately, as they will need to examine the melanoma. If the affected person suffers from cyanosis, oxygen is administered until there is no longer a deficiency. The treatment options are just as varied as the causes.
outlook and prognosis
In most cases, the nail changes depend on a specific underlying disease that triggers them. The further course of the nail changes depends heavily on this disease or this syndrome. As a rule, these changes do not lead to any particular complications or complaints. The nails can tear or appear relatively small. It is not uncommon for those affected to feel uncomfortable with the complaint and suffer from reduced self-esteem or inferiority complexes.
However, nail changes can also indicate another disease. If these occur over a longer period of time, they must be examined by a doctor in any case. Certain deficiency symptoms can also promote nail changes and should be avoided. In some cases, however, the nail changes disappear on their own. Especially in male patients, the nails are of little optical importance, so that the symptoms are more noticeable in women. As a rule, a serious course or other serious symptoms rarely occur.
prevention
To prevent nail changes, there are a few things that can be considered. If you come into frequent contact with chemicals, such as cleaning agents when cleaning or dyes on clothing or hair, it makes sense to protect your nails with gloves. Nails are also best protected with gloves when painting. Nails should be trimmed and filed regularly. After the nails have been filed, a rich greasy cream is good to protect the nails.
Nail baths can also be used to lubricate the nails for a long time. Nail polish remover and other aggressive agents and nail polish are not conducive to nail health. Gently pushing back cuticles is more preventive than removing them completely. Avoid scratching with your fingernails. A lack of nutrients can be compensated for by taking dietary supplements . ( Iron , biotin , vitamins , calcium) Also a healthy and balanced balanced dietis helpful to maintain and protect strong nails. Proper hydration and regular fluid intake is very important for the body and nail health.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.