When the appearance of the nails warns us of some diseases

When the appearance of the nails warns us of some diseases

The nails are responsible for protecting the tissues of the fingers. They are made up of layers of a protein called keratin, also present in other parts of the body (hair, skin...).

A healthy nail, both of the finger and the foot, has a uniform and smooth color. Sometimes, excessive humidity or prolonged exposure to chemical products (enamels, cleaning products...) can explain weak and brittle nails.

But it is important to know when a change in the nails is indicating that it is time to visit the doctor.

According to Carmen Desmonts Salazar, DosFarma pharmacist, nails say a lot about our health and on many occasions, «increasing the intake of vitamins and minerals solves the problem. It also helps to keep your hands well hydrated and protected from chemicals and excessive moisture.”

Appearance of the nails: the ten most frequent alterations

1. White spots

Leukonychia, or the appearance of white spots, can be due to multiple factors. When they are small, they are usually completely harmless and may have appeared due to trauma or a lack of a nutrient, such as zinc.

A small bump can produce a white spot. It usually heals on its own and disappears when the nail has completely grown back, which takes six to eight months, or up to twelve in the case of the feet.

They can also be due to psoriasis, a chronic disease that affects the skin and produces scaling and redness. About half of the people who suffer from this disease also have nail psoriasis, that is, on the nails.

2. Curved, spoon-shaped nails

Koilonychia, or spoon nails, occurs when the edges curve upward to the point that the center is more sunken, resembling the shape of a spoon.

This alteration is due to several factors, such as iron deficiency or anemia. In turn, it can be a symptom of some kidney, liver or thyroid-related diseases. One example is hemochromatosis, a condition in which the body absorbs too much iron from food.

3. Beau's lines

They are grooves or indentations that cross the nail from side to side. They occur because, for some reason, the growth of the nail has been interrupted (for example, a strong blow to the finger). They can appear in cases of diabetes, especially when the disease is not well controlled.

4. Terry's Nails

This alteration means that the nail turns dull white, except for a small pink or brown line at the tip. They appear in cases of poorly controlled diabetes or liver or kidney disease.

5. Yellow nails

They are due to multiple reasons, such as the excessive use of cosmetics or enamels, although they can also hide a health problem. For example, fungal infections cause changes in color, texture, and shape. Similarly, lung diseases can also have this symptom.

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It occurs when the tips of the fingers widen and the nails curve around, making a semi-circular shape. They are a symbol of liver or kidney diseases, although they also appear in people with AIDS.

7. Dotted nails

Grooves appear, similar to small marks from an awl. They are common in people with psoriasis, in whom small holes appear or even part of the finger nail separates.

8. Linear subungual hemorrhages

They are small hemorrhages in the form of thin red lines that extend in the direction in which the nail grows. They are caused by some heart-related infections, such as endocarditis or vasculitis.

9. Hippocratic fingers

It is an alteration that, among other things, causes the nail to curve downwards. It is related to ailments that affect the amount of oxygen in the blood; for example, lung cancer.

10. Brittle nails

It is one of the most frequent nail problems and there are multiple reasons why they become weak and break easily. In many cases, it is due to external factors that are easy to solve or avoid.

Vitamin D is also necessary for them to have shine and strength. A lack of both vitamins would explain weak, brittle and dull nails.

It is also possible that they are due to excess moisture or the use of cleaning products without gloves. Another possibility is that they become brittle due to an alteration of the thyroid gland.

As we mentioned before, brittle nails are one of the most frequent problems and, luckily, they can be fixed quite easily.

These are the most useful tips that DosFarma experts give us to strengthen them

better short

The longer they are, the more likely they are to break or crack, especially if they are not strong enough. In addition, long nails promote the accumulation of microorganisms under them and generate an infection.

A diet rich in vitamins and minerals We have already discussed the importance of zinc (present in liver, red meat or hazelnuts) and iron (in shellfish, spinach and red meat). Vitamin C (broccoli, red pepper, kiwi, orange...), vitamin D (sunlight) and vitamin E are also necessary. The latter is a powerful antioxidant found in almonds, hazelnuts, leafy vegetables green or vegetable oils.

If necessary, the intake of these nutrients can be increased through a supplement or food supplement, in order to facilitate the necessary intake to recover the health of the nails.

Do not use chemical products without protection. Bleach, detergents, acetone... All these products weaken the nails if they are used regularly. Those who regularly work with any aggressive chemical element should wear gloves.

Avoid excessive moisture Keeping your nails clean and dry is one of the keys to keeping them strong and healthy. An excess of water deteriorates the cuticle and the nail plate (the pink surface) and gradually dries them out. In addition, humidity facilitates the appearance of fungi and bacteria. For this reason, it is advisable to let your hands breathe periodically and not abuse gloves and socks, especially if you spend time in humid environments.

Likewise, this advice should also be taken into account when washing your hands and feet. We must always dry them very well to avoid moisture.

Maintain proper hydrationUsing a moisturizing hand cream will help strengthen your nails while making them harder, softening your cuticles and keeping them healthy. This step is even more important in the colder months, since low temperatures dry out the skin a lot.