Stop all your work for a minute… Take a good look at your fingernails… There is a possibility that you may notice any subtle changes on your nails either in the texture or color.
No… They don’t always indicate the need for the manicure. Maybe, a white touch or a pink tinge or perhaps some bumps on the surface of your nails. You might have seen all these symptoms and ignored them but remember, these unusual changes occur, only when you have the
deficiency of nutrients in our body.
This also means that you are suffering from some lifestyle disorders. So, it is better if you are not taking these things lightly and consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Also, if you happen to notice any significant changes in your nails which include discolorations, swelling, or else any changes in the shape of the nails or their thickness, it’s the time to knock the door of your dermatologist.
At times, it could be nothing but at times it could be the symptom of any serious condition, for example, diabetes.
Below are few symptoms people might experience in their lifetime and also we will know what it really means for our health.
Dry, Brittle Or Cracked Nails
- Lifestyle changes may play a vital role here, like if you have your hands in water for more than a recommended time such as washing dishes or swimming, etc… it’s better to use nail polish remover frequently or live in a region that has low humidity.
- Brittle nails – deficiency in the B vitamins biotin or else Vitamin A and C.
- Splitting and cracking can also be caused by any fungal infection or else thyroid disease, especially, hypothyroidism.
Clubbing
When your fingertips become enlarged as well as your nail becomes curved downward then it can be a symptom of low oxygen in your blood. Moreover, this condition is associated with lung disease. This can also be related to the following diseases
- Kidney disease
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Heart disease
- AIDS
Horizontal/Vertical Ridges
This nail condition, in other words, Beau’s lines, may also be due to a serious illness with a
high fever or a trauma or John Anthony, M.D., a dermatologist explained this situation this way to TIME:
“This condition is the typical result of direct trauma to the nail or else a more serious illness, where you will see more than one nail at a time”
This may also happen due to psoriasis, circulatory disease, uncontrolled diabetes or severe zinc deficiency.
Another type of this horizontal/vertical line is known as Mees’ lines – the horizontal discolorations happen in this condition is due to arsenic poisoning, malaria, carbon monoxide poisoning or leprosy.
Dark Discolorations
When you witness these painful growths or black streaks on your nail consider that as a warrant and fix an immediate trip to your dermatologist, as they may be due to melanoma – one of the deadliest forms of skin cancer.
White Spots
Many of us might have seen this or been under this nail condition plenty of times. These small white spots are usually the result of nail trauma. They are not caused for any serious concern and they will fade or grow out on their own.
If at all, the white spots are not going away then it could be due to a fungal infection.
Tips To Strengthen Your Nails
- Always keep your nails clean and dry
- Apply moisturizer often to your nails as well as cuticles. Creams with phospholipids, urea, or lactic acid can help prevent nails from cracking
- Avoid nail-picking or nail-biting
- Don’t ever remove the cuticles or clean it too deeply, which can directly lead to infection
- Make a habit of filing your nails in one direction and round the tip slightly
- Don’t dig out your ingrown toenails. If they become bothersome to see a dermatologist
- Bring your own instruments if at all you get frequent manicures
- Try to avoid nail polish removers which contain formaldehyde or acetone
- Eat a balanced diet as well as try taking vitamins that contain biotin
- If you are a fan of artificial nails, ensure you are checking regularly for green discoloration which is a sign of bacterial infection
Above all, if you happen to witness any sort of unusual or bothersome nail symptoms, then resist the urge to just cover them up with manicures and pedicures or artificial nails. Instead, rush to your physician and figure out if there is any underlying issue.
